6 Ways to Score a Job Through Twitter

Twitter has become a great resource for just about anything, including jobs. From industry chats to Twitter accounts dedicated to posting vacancies, there are a ton of resources for landing a gig.

We’ve already chronicled how to get a job through Facebook () and YouTube (), and now we’re taking a look at the job hunting process on Twitter.

We spoke with nine Tweeters who have landed jobs through Twitter () to get their top tips for success on the platform. Below you’ll find a guide to their job hunt strategies on the microblogging service.

If you’ve also been successful in finding a position via Twitter, let us know about your experience in the comments below.

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1. Tweet Like an Industry Expert

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Words to tweet by: You are what you tweet. Keep in mind that everything you tweet lends to or takes away from your online persona. Whether or not you’re searching for a job, make sure your Twitter stream represents you as a professional individual that has important and unique thoughts to contribute. Your goal should be to become an industry expert or at least tweet like one.

Share links that are relevant to your followers, adding commentary to the latest industry news. This shows that you’re keeping up with industry trends and gives potential employers a look into what you read and care about, which will help them to envision how you may fit into their company’s work environment.

If your commentary on Twitter is interesting enough, you may have employers knocking on your door. Christa Keizer, a recent intern at Cone, a strategy and communications firm, used Twitter during her job search to “[post] relevant, industry-related tweets on a daily basis to establish credibility.” After commenting on one of Cone’s blogs, Marcus Andrews, the New Media Associate at Cone, tweeted to Keizer, thanking her for her comment and asking her about her summer work plans. A few tweets and an interview later, Keizer was hired.

Kate Ottavio, an account executive at PR agency Quinn & Co., had a similar experience. Prior to working at Quinn, she worked at a small PR agency in Connecticut. One day, Allyns Melendez, HR Director at Quinn, started following Ottavio on Twitter she waited for Ottavio to follow back, and then asked her if she’d like to move to New York, where Quinn is headquartered. Little did she know, Melendez was looking for a new hire for the real estate division of the firm. Melendez had first searched for “PR” and “real estate” on LinkedIn (), where Ottavio’s profile popped up.

Although Ottavio wasn’t looking for a job at the time, her Twitter strategy had always been to “represent myself as a knowledgeable and reputable PR professional. I tweet about 10-20 times a day about anything from personal experiences to Mashable () articles to PR blog posts.” Loving the opportunity that Quinn presented her, she promptly accepted.

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2. Use Twitter Hashtags

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There are lots of ways to use Twitter hashtags to get a job. Here are a few types of hashtags to get you started:

• Job Listings: You can find general job advice and lots of listings through hashtags like #jobs, #recruiting, #jobadvice, #jobposting, #jobhunt and #jobsearch. To narrow it down, though, seek out more specific hashtags, such as or #prjobs or #salesjobs.
• Industry Conferences: Most conferences these days have their own hashtags when a relevant industry conference is approaching, get active with attendees using the hashtag. Whether you’re attending the conference or not, you can contribute to the conversation. Many conferences also have live streams, so it’s as if you’re attending anyway! Live tweet panels and speeches that you’re interested in and connect with other tweeters along the way. By using Twitter for networking within your industry, you’ll increase your chances of getting hired down the road.
• Job-Related and Industry Chats: Getting involved with industry chats is a way to show your industry in a particular field and represent yourself as a knowledgeable person. Check out this Twitter chat schedule to get a head start. Also, if your search isn’t going so well, get involved in job-related chats, such as #jobhuntchat, #careerchat, #internchat and #hirefriday for friendly advice.
Liz (Pope) Schmidt, now the media and research manager at Sevans Strategy, attested to the power of industry Twitter chats: “I began participating in #Journchat, created and hosted by Sarah Evans [owner of Sevans Strategy, a public relations and new media consultancy]. Although I had known Sarah from a past virtual work experience, I was able to reconnect with her through Twitter. I mentioned her in several tweets and participated in her online discussions. Soon after, based on a direct message conversation with Sarah on Twitter, I came on board at Sevans Strategy.” Besides scouring job search hashtags, job seekers can also follow Twitter accounts dedicated to posting job openings, use Twitter search to find postings or keep an eye out on the Twitter streams of companies they might want to work for.

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3. Connect with Recruiters and Current Employees

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Don’t be afraid to research the companies that you want to work for to find out who currently works there and who is involved with recruiting. After all, while you’re searching for a job, recruiters are scouring the web at the same time looking for pertinent information about job candidates. Interacting with current employees and active recruiters is an easy way to learn more about a company and its job opportunities. Take Connie Zheng’s word she’s already been hired for two jobs through Twitter. “I got my PR internship at Text 100 using Twitter, as well as my entry-level position at Burson-Marsteller using Twitter,” she explained. She advises job seekers, “Use Twitter as a research tool to identify who the appropriate HR person or recruiter is at the desired company.” Shankar Ganesh, a student at the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy in India, recently landed a marketing consulting internship at business apps provider Zoho Corporation by connecting with a technologist employed by the company. “I wanted to spend my summer as an intern at Zoho (), so I approached employees using Twitter,” he recounted. “I showed them what I had done previously and my website for credibility. My interest was forwarded to Zoho’s HR team, and we got in touch.” Soon after, he was offered the internship. Even if a company isn’t hiring, it’s a good idea to stay in contact with recruiters and employees. When a position opens up, it’s likely that you’ll be one of the first to be contacted, said Alison Morris, an account coordinator at The CHT Group, a strategic communications firm based in Boston. Morris told us how she landed her current position on Twitter:

“In April 2010, Ben Hendricks, Senior VP at The CHT Group, and I began corresponding about corporate communications and social media’s role in the corporate environment. Much to my dismay, CHT was not yet hiring. In June, after a few months distance, Ben sent me an email to let me know the agency was hiring and that he wanted me to apply. Still looking for a job, I sent over my resume, and about a week later, I was employed.”

Keep an eye out for socially savvy companies like CHT it also recently hired Marissa Green as an account coordinator through Twitter and is now looking for a spring intern, with Twitter being one of its main recruiting outlets.

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4. Build a Relevant Network

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A lot of successful Twitter job stories actually end with the punchline, “I wasn’t even looking for a job.” In many cases, these lucky new hires just found interesting opportunities serendipitously, which makes sense given that it’s Twitter we’re talking about. Twitter is all about networking, so build a network that makes sense for you. You’ll find that a lot of the opportunities that are presented to you are simply organic. Here’s an anecdote along those lines from Marketing & Communications Manager for digital agency ChaiONE, Meghan Stephens:

“Through Twitter, I am connected to other marketing professionals, digital creatives, community stewards, and new media experts — simply because those are the types of people that I enjoy interacting with and learning from… When it came time to look for a job in the technology sector, all I did was turn to those who I already gained inspiration from. When glancing through my stream, I saw a job link posted by my now-boss that sounded immediately like what I was looking for. I read through the description, realized I already knew the company through another connection made on Twitter, and sent in my resume.”

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5. Start a “Hire Me” Campaign

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After seeing a job posting for HeadBlade, a men’s grooming company that makes products specifically for guys that shave their heads, Eric Romer immediately set up a website, Twitter page, Facebook Page and YouTube account all in the name of nabbing the job. ‘The posting for ‘Interactive and Social Media Marketing Manager’ was tweeted from the HeadBlade Twitter account, which I had been following for several months,” explained Romer. “I have been a die-hard ‘HeadBlader’ using their products religiously since 2005, so this was literally a dream job.” “While there were several channels used, Twitter was by far the most effective getting on HeadBlade’s radar,” said Romer. “I received a call from a company rep within 48 hours of my initial blog posting, and flew from Indianapolis to L.A. within 10 days for an interview.” While a full-out campaign of this nature may not be the best strategy for every job opportunity that comes along, this type of passion is what really stands out in the job recruiting process. If you encounter your dream job, go all out.

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6. Take It Offline

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Three simple words: “Let’s get coffee.”Once you’ve gained a certain level of dialogue with a potential employer, an in-person meeting can really boost the relationship. DJ Waldow, director of community at Blue Sky Factory, said that he landed his job at the company through connecting with Blue Sky Factory’s CEO Greg Cangialosi on Twitter. After initially “stalking” Cangialosi on Twitter, Waldow began engaging with him. Eventually, all of the tweets lead to an in-person meeting, which Waldow feels really sealed the deal. He wrote of the experience:

“The transition from online to in real life is critical… All of the loose connections you’ve made with that person are suddenly solidified when you put the name/avatar/tweets together with a face. Nothing can replace this. Nothing.”

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Your Tips

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With the increasing popularity of Twitter, more and more job seekers and recruiters are turning to the social network to find leads. We suspect that a sizable number of Mashable readers have used Twitter in some way to find a job. If so, let us know about your experiences in the comments below.
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By Erica Swallow

Work At Home Jobs And Programs - Ways to Make A Respectable Earnings From Your Home ..

Millions of people worldwide are enticed by the opportunity to work at home. A job from residence permits people considerably extra flexibility, further time with family and customarily alleviates the immense stress which can end result from an active career. At home jobs are also desirable for individuals who want to make an additional earnings along with their day job, faculty college students, disabled persons, at home mothers and senior citizens.

 

Thousands of individuals search the web on a regular basis in hopes of finding financial freedom from the comfort of their own home. Unfortunately, the internet is plagued with work at home scams. There are tons of of firms which promote 'get rich quick schemes' or 'assured' opportunities to make a residing from home. Scams embody, but are usually not limited to, envelope stuffing, mail order, pyramid schemes, medical billing, typist jobs and quite a few different ways to make money. 

 

The FTC has already charged several individuals involved in managing and promoting fraudulent work at home opportunities. "The dream of proudly owning a business is as American as apple pie, however enterprise opportunity scammers spoil the recipe for achievement," said FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. In accordance with the Higher Enterprise Bureau, customers may lose amounts starting from $10 as much as $70,000 or more of their search to become profitable from home. So how are you aware which alternatives are reliable and which aren't?

 

Fortuitously, there are actually authentic money making opportunities out there on the internet. A lot of individuals actually do earn an excellent dwelling on the internet. There are individuals who make hundreds of thousands on the web and are living the life all of us would like to live.

 

Many extra, nevertheless, earn an revenue akin to their salary or, in many circumstances, higher.

Many professional telecommuting jobs from qualified employers exist. A big number of them do require some type of talent, however that doesn't imply you want an university diploma to earn a living on the internet. The World Vast Web is filled with opportunities, and all varieties of persons from all around the world are making their goals come true by working at home.

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By GaryUpland

11 Hot Fields for Hiring in 2011

Occupational experts like Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., say that America is climbing out of recession and job opportunities are better now than they've been for a long time. But what does this mean for people hoping to advance their career? What can they do in 2011 to be strong candidates in the future job market?

Shatkin answers these essential questions in his book "2011 Career Plan: The Best Moves Now for a Solid Future." In it, he explains that the recovery is a steady upswing, not a hiring boom, and that people will need to be strategic about how and where they pursue employment.

"Jobs are not expected to be plentiful in 2011 or for several years afterward. In fact, we may see a repeat of what happened after the recession of 2001, when 39 months passed before employment rose back to pre-recession levels. This recovery is also a patchwork affair, with some industries bouncing back much faster than others. For example, in March 2010, while manufacturers were adding jobs, the news and information business was still losing jobs," says Shatkin. "That's why 'I'll find something' is not an adequate career plan for 2011. You need to choose a specific goal and develop a smart strategy to take advantage of the opportunities that 2011 does have to offer."

One career strategy Shatkin recommends is to focus on fast-growing fields, where job opportunities tend to be more plentiful than in fields where jobs are slow-growing or disappearing. According to Shatkin and information from the U.S. Department of Labor, the following 11 fields are projected to grow fastest through 2018.

1. Management, scientific and technical consulting services

Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; industrial engineers; financial analysts; customer service representatives; and public relations specialists

2. Computer systems design and related services

Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; network and computer systems administrators; accountants and auditors; computer software engineers, systems software; and computer support specialists

3. Social assistance, except child day care

Hottest jobs in this field: medical and public health social workers; special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school; first-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers; occupational therapists; and social and human service assistants

4. Software publishers

Hottest jobs in this field: network and computer systems administrators; computer systems analysts; computer support specialists; market research analysts; and customer service representatives

5. Scientific research and development services

Hottest jobs in this field: biomedical engineers; network systems and data communications analysts; biochemists and biophysicists; medical scientists, except epidemiologists; and compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation

6. Health care

Hottest jobs in this field: physician assistants; physical therapist aides; speech-language pathologists; physical therapist assistants; and physical therapists

7. Employment services

Hottest jobs in this field: accountants and auditors; customer service representatives; construction laborers; computer software engineers, systems software; and computer software engineers, applications

8. Construction

Hottest jobs in this field: heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers; septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners; telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers; purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail and farm products; and cost estimators

9. Child day care services

Hottest jobs in this field: preschool teachers, except special education; special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school; office clerks, general; kindergarten teachers, except special education; and first-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers

10. Advocacy, grantmaking and civic organizations

Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation; compensation, benefits and job analysis specialists; market research analysts; and customer service representatives

11. Educational services

Hottest jobs in this field: network systems and data communications analysts; self-enrichment education teachers; customer service representatives; loan counselors; and medical scientists, except epidemiologists

Shatkin reminds people to "keep in mind that these 11 fields are not the only fields where job opportunities will be available in 2011. They're fast-growing, but jobs can still be found in many fields that are not growing as fast even shrinking."

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By CareerBuilder

Top Five Industries for Salary Growth

Looking for a well-paid job in construction or real estate? Most people know that the chances of getting hired or getting a raise in either of those industries are pretty slim these days. In fact, average salaries in both real estate and construction are down even from where they were a year ago. But, there are industries where wages are finally growing, post-recession.

Online salary database PayScale.com has collected salary data dating back to 2006 to create a new economic indicator, The PayScale Index. The PayScale Index, which will be refreshed quarterly, tracks the changes in average wages of private industry, full-time employees in 16 different industries. It's clear that the recession hit every sector. But, which industries suffered the greatest wage losses and which are recovering fastest?

The following is a list of the top five industries for salary growth and the percentage of average wage increase between Q3 2009 and Q3 2010 for each:

1. Utilities +0.8%

This industry's resilience isn't too surprising considering that, no matter what the economy is doing, consumers are likely going to spend money on electricity, natural gas and other basics, says Al Lee, PayScale's director of quantitative analysis. They may try to cut back on electricity use, but they'll still need it and pay for it.

• Get Utility Jobs Salary Information
• Find Utility Jobs

2. Mining, Oil & Gas Exploration +0.6%

Commodities have been doing well in recent years, with the price of gold up fourfold since 2001, according to OnlyGold.com. Plus, oil and gas exploration continues to expand through the use of new extraction technologies and the discovery of new deposits. And, oil and gas demand tends to stay high because it is measured internationally and if one country is growing slowly for a while and using less petroleum another one is booming and consuming more, says Lee.

• Get Mining, Oil & Gas Exploration Salary Information
• Find Mining Jobs

3. Finance & Insurance +0.5%

Banks suffered big human resource losses during the recession, with layoffs becoming the norm. Yet, while many finance industry people may remain unemployed, those who have jobs are seeing an increase in wages. Lee suspects this is due to a return to profitability across the industry in 2010, after the crisis and federal bailouts of 2008 and early 2009.

• Get Finance & Insurance Salary Information
• Find Finance Jobs

4. Health Care & Social Assistance +0.2%

Health care is not a cyclical industry so it's no surprise that it is on the positive side, according to Lee. "People don't stop going in for surgery or high blood pressure medication," he says. Compared to all of the industries in The PayScale Index, health care suffered a relatively small, brief drop in wages during the recession.

• Get Health Care & Social Assistance Salary Information
• Find Health Care Jobs

5. Retail +0.2%

Retail certainly wasn't the place to be when the recession was hitting bottom, but it wasn't the worst and is currently showing signs of life. And, considering how badly retail was hit during the recession, this uptick is a strong hint at economic recovery. Less than half a percent of growth is very small, but it isn't negative and that's the key point, says Lee.

• Get Retail Salary Information
• Find Retail Jobs

How Are Other Industries Doing?

Of the 16 industries The PayScale Index tracks, seven of them have experienced upward wage trends, or at least not losses remained steady in the last year. Among the remaining industries, those recovering the slowest are still seeing a dip in wages over the previous year:

1. Construction -0.8%

• Salary Information
• Find Construction Jobs

2. Business Operation & Support Services -0.6%

• Salary Information
• Find Business Operations Jobs

3. Real Estate & Rental Services -0.5%

• Salary Information
• Find Real Estate Jobs

4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation -0.5%

• Salary Information
• Find Recreation Jobs

5. Information, Media & Telecommunications -0.3%

• Salary Information
• Find Media Jobs 

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By Bridget Quigg

Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week (December 20 - 26), Hurry Up ..

We know that your job search can get quite frustrating these days with more people trying to find a job and less employment opportunities available.

To ease the burden, we've tracked down 10 top companies with the most job openings this week from sales jobs to finance jobs, full-time jobs to part-time jobs. We hope you find a job that's perfect for you.

Good luck job hunting!


01. American Express
American Express Company is a global travel, financial and network services provider. The Company has three operating segments: Travel Related Services (TRS), American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) and American Express Bank (AEB).AEB provides banking and other financial services to wealthy individuals, financial institutions and retail customers outside the United States.

Top Job Categories:
Sales Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
Information Technology Jobs
Finance Jobs
See all American Express jobs

02. Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer, with specific emphasis on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers, who utilize its installation services, and commercial business customers. The company currently has 15,000 job openings across the nation!

Lowe's offers a line of products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling and property maintenance. Lowe's Companies, Inc. serves homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. Homeowners and renters primarily consist of do-it-yourselfers, and others buying for personal and family use. Commercial business customers include repair and remodeling contractors, electricians, landscapers, painters, plumbers, and commercial and residential property maintenance professionals, among others.

Top Job Categories:
Information Technology Jobs
Management Jobs
Engineering Jobs
See all Lowe's jobs

03. Sears
Sears Hometown Stores were developed sixteen years ago to serve our customers in locations outside of major metroploitan cities. There are currently about 900 Hometown Stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. These stores carry all of the top home appliance brands, consumer electronics, tools and lawn and garden equipment.

Top Job Categories:
Sales Jobs
Franchise Jobs
Management Jobs
See all Sears jobs


04. Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch, now part of Bank of America, is one of the world's premier providers of wealth management, securities trading and sales, corporate finance and investment banking services. Working with our clients as strategic partners, we create and execute winning solutions, which address our clients' most pressing strategic, financial and investment needs-anywhere in the world. We stand apart by building and maintaining solid partnerships with clients. Merrill Lynch places our client relationships first and is proud to conduct our business based on five unwavering principles: Client Focus, Respect for the Individual, Teamwork, Responsible Citizenship, and Integrity.

Top Job Categories:
Finance Jobs
Accounting Jobs
See all Merrill Lynch jobs

05. Dell
For more than 25 years, Dell has provided technology solutions to customers that improves their productivity, enhances their lives and meets their distinct needs. Headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, Dell has framed its business around the customers it serves, from the world's largest and most demanding businesses and public sector organizations, to small and medium businesses, to consumers worldwide.

Top Job Categories:
Management Jobs
Information Technology Jobs
Consultant Jobs
See all Dell jobs

06. IBM
Working at IBM provides opportunities you may not experience anywhere else. It gives you the chance to change the way the world works. The chance to help the world learn, to make education more available, knowledge more attainable and information more accessible. The chance to participate in research and development projects that facilitate technological and medical breakthroughs. These are the kinds of opportunities you'll find throughout our company. Opportunities that could certainly make a difference--in ways that are exciting, demanding and perhaps even unimaginable.

Top Job Categories:
Information Technology Jobs
Management Jobs
Consultant Jobs
See all IBM jobs

07. CVS
CVS Caremark, through our unmatched breadth of service offerings, is transforming the delivery of health care services in the U.S. We are an innovative, fast-growing company guided by values that focus on teamwork, integrity and respect for our colleagues and customers. What are we looking for in our colleagues? We seek fresh ideas, new perspectives, a diversity of experiences, and a dedication to service that will help us better meet the needs of the many people and businesses that rely on us each day.

Top Job Categories:
Retail Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
Management Jobs
See all CVS jobs

08. Dollar General
Dollar General stands for convenience, quality brands and low prices. Dollar General's successful prototype makes shopping a truly hassle-free experience. We design small neighborhood stores with carefully edited merchandise assortments to make shopping simpler. We don't carry every brand and size, just the most popular ones.

Top Job Categories:
Management Jobs
Retail Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
See all Dollar General jobs

09. Bayada Nurses
Bayada Nurses provides care to children, adults, and seniors in their homes. Even though we have grown from one office in 1975, to more than 140 offices in 18 states today, founder Mark Baiada still runs the company with the same compassionate, human focus that clients and employees appreciated from the beginning.

Top Job Categories:
Health Care Jobs
Nurse Jobs
Management Jobs
See all Bayada Nurses jobs

10. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores, the internet and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

Top Job Categories:
Banking Jobs
Finance Jobs
Sales Jobs
See all Wells Fargo jobs

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By AOL Jobs Contributor

Nontraditional Jobs That Pay $100K

It's no secret that doctors, lawyers, and senior executives at large corporations typically earn six figures or more. But where are the $100,000 jobs for the rest of us--the 140 million American workers who lack the inclination, the aptitude, or the tolerance for student debt to go for the classic big-money careers?

It turns out that, these days, there are quite a number of six-figure occupations. Here are just a few worth your consideration:

Technology
Developing nations may graduate more engineers than the United States, but we've still got enough jobs to keep salaries generous, at least in some specialties. According to May 2009 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the top 10 percent of electrical engineers posted median salaries of nearly $127,000, and half of engineering managers earned median salaries in excess of $117,000.

In interactive specialties such as Web design, information architecture, and usability, "there's an absolute dearth of talent with three to five years of experience," says Allison Hemming, president of the staffing firm 

Hired Guns.

Senior Web producers can earn $85,000 to $110,000. "Interactive feels very 1999 right now," Hemming says. "It's a real opportunity for people who may have left the field and come back or are just out of college."

Can production workers approach six figures? They can if they're in the right high-tech specialty. According to Jack Dolmat-Connell, president of the compensation consulting firm DolmatConnell & Partners, some semiconductor fab technicians can make up to $90,000 with overtime.

Financial Services
Professionals involved in the provision of bread-and-butter financial services--not just those ensconced on Wall Street--often earn six figures. "Producers [salespeople] in insurance and branch managers--those can average $120,000 to $125,000," says Dolmat-Connell.

Real estate may be suffering from an overabundance of new entrants, but long-term prospects for high earnings in pricey markets are still bullish. "Real estate agent--that's one of those quiet little jobs where you can make a boatload of money," says Bill Coleman, senior vice president for compensation at Salary.com. An agent who participates in the sale of 12 or 14 half-million-dollar homes per year--easy to do in big-money markets like the Northeast--is likely to hit $100,000 in commissions.

Entertainment and Hospitality
Can a worker ascend from burger flipper to six-figure earner? Not every day, but it happens. Restaurant managers can earn $100,000 at high-end restaurants and resorts," says Coleman.

For people who live near a casino, big earnings may be within reach, even without a college education. "The top 25 percent of casino pit managers earn over $100,000, with just high school and five years of experience," says Dolmat-Connell.

Security and Hazard Duty
Run-of-the-mill security guards generally earn low pay, but well-placed security professionals can do much better. "Security guards for celebrities can earn six figures," says Coleman. These jobs are concentrated in New York and Los Angeles, but sports superstars may have security based in their teams' hometowns.

Less-glamorous gigs can pay equally well, if work conditions warrant a premium. Oil-rig workers must cope with hazardous and remote work sites, so high-ranking crew members earn up to $100,000.

Government
If you're a six-figure aspirant, the federal government may be one of the last employers to come to mind. But Uncle Sam is looking for thousands of professionals at this level each year.

"Retirement rates for midlevel managers are high; more and more, the government is hiring people from the outside directly into management," says Kathryn Troutman, the author of "Ten Steps to a Federal Job" and former Monster contributor.

And middle-management jobs in government may be better compensated than their private-sector counterparts. "Midrange professional salaries are much higher, and the flexibility and benefits are much better," says Troutman. These jobs generally fall into the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels.

Here are just a few of the federal jobs that can pay $100,000 or more, according to USAJOBS:

• Air traffic controller
• Budget analyst
• Human resource specialist
• Nurse consultant
• Department of Agriculture district ranger  

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by John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

Six Top Industries Hiring in 2011 - Don't Miss it ..

Which industries will be the hottest in 2011? Though the economy is still sleepy, some industries are moving again, while others struggle.

To find out where there's high job demand, we talked to two employment experts: Career expert Robin Ryan, author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired,' and Laurence Shatkin, author of '2011 Career Plan.' Here's their advice on the industries and jobs that'll be in demand next year.

1. Health care

There's never been a recession in this sector, says Shatkin, and demand will continue to be strong next year. Jobs in demand include home health care aides and registered nurses ($61,148). Hot specialties within nursing include nurse anesthetists ($144,821), nurse practitioners ($86,774) and psychiatric nurses ($55,155).

Many nurses begin with just a two-year associate's degree or acquire their skills during military service, Shatkin notes. Advanced nursing specialties may require a master's degree.

"Health care is the industry where almost none of the work can be outsourced overseas," he says. "Most of it has to be done hands-on with patients."

Health care opportunities aren't all where you might think, says Ryan.

"It's not just doctor's offices and hospitals," she says. "It's with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, suppliers -- any company that provides services to keep medical facilities in operation."

-- Find Health Care Jobs

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2. Federal government

While local and state governments have seen their budgets slashed, there's no recession at the federal level. Between new government programs and a wave of baby-boomer civil servants who are retiring, hiring will be huge in government for the next couple of years. It's forecast that 600,000 need to be hired by 2013.

There are many administrative positions such as accountants ($55,188) and auditors ($104,762), says Shatkin.

-- Find Government Jobs

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3. Human resources

As companies begin to hire, Ryan notes, they first need human resource professionals to help manage that process. Jobs in demand at larger companies include human-resource manager ($56,227) and human-resource specialist ($45,267), while smaller companies usually seek a human resources generalist ($50,950).

-- Find Human Resources Jobs

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4. Manufacturing

This one may surprise you, but because manufacturing went down so sharply in the downturn, it's now one of the industries doing substantial hiring as production expands again, says Shatkin. Unlike in decades past, many manufacturing jobs today are highly skilled, he notes. One in high demand is a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) programmer ($50,466), who runs a tool-and-die computer that creates tools for manufacturing processes.

"In some places there are shortages of workers with these skills," he notes, "because of the prejudice people have against blue-collar jobs."

-- Find Manufacturing Jobs

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5. Energy

Thanks to federal stimulus funding, green jobs have grown. One in demand is energy auditor ($48,098), says Shatkin, along with wind-turbine technicians ($48,990) and solar-energy system installers ($47,658).

Traditional energy is thriving too, he notes, with strong need for petroleum engineers ($121,214). One engineering role in energy that requires less training is engineering technician ($47,918), who assist senior engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports many engineering technicians specialize in electricity or electronics. A two-year degree at a technical institute or community college can get you started in this career.

-- Find Energy Jobs

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6. Education

While many districts have laid off teachers, opportunity remains in inner cities, says Ryan. Cities such as Memphis are hiring teachers ($45,914) with just a six-week bootcamp training. You need a bachelor's degree to qualify for such programs, she notes.

"You used to need to get a teaching certificate in most states," she says. "Now, you can find a teaching job without one."

-- Find Education Jobs

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By Carol Tice

More Temporary Jobs and Contract Positions Coming in 2011

When times get tough, temporary jobs are the first to go. And when times get better, temporary jobs are the first to reappear. So it’s good to hear that the pace of growth in the temporary staffing agency industry in the fall of 2010 was the fastest recorded since the industry began keeping statistics back in the mid-1940s.    

On a year-to-year basis, 19.5 percent more temporary workers were employed in September 2010 compared with the same month last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Companies create temporary jobs to staff up without making a long-term commitment a practice that appeals when the economy is uncertain and healthcare requirements are changing, says Brendan Courtney, president of recruiting and staffing agency The Mergis Group, a division of SFN Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The trend toward temporary jobs was going strong in the final quarters of 2010, and that bodes well for 2011, says Rachel Russell, marketing director for TEKsystems, a Hanover, Maryland, staffing agency specializing in IT contracting. “Shareholders aren’t smiling on permanent hiring just yet,” she says. “They want to see things go well consistently before you bring on staff.”

A Permanent Shift to Temp Jobs

The number of temporary jobs has been climbing steadily for the past year -- a trend Melanie Holmes, vice president of staffing agency Manpower, expects to continue into 2011.

It’s not just a recovering economy that’s leading to growth in the number of temporary jobs, she says. “The nature of work is changing,” she says. “Because of technology, we’re able to work anywhere, at any time, and not just from home or from Starbucks, but from India. That’s changed the way some employers look for employees. They recognize they’re always going to want to have a contingent workforce and to staff up or down to meet their needs.”

On the other side of the recession, temporary jobs and contract jobs will become more the norm, Courtney predicts. “A lot of people who would normally only want to work in a permanent, full-time position are going to have to look at contract and temporary positions because that’s going to become a bigger part of how companies hire and staff,” he says.

The move toward temporary jobs is pronounced in finance and accounting,  says Jodi Chavez, a senior vice president at Ajilon Professional Staffing, a staffing agency division of the Adecco Group in Melville, New York.

“We’ve seen an increase in companies that have never used temporary services before using them now,” Chavez says. “Across the county, we’ve probably seen a 17 percent to 20 percent increase in new customers in education, nonprofits, healthcare, manufacturing and financial services. And 90 percent of the clients we work with are telling us they plan to increase hiring in the first or second quarter of 2011.”

Who’s Got Temp Jobs?

Who’s hiring temp workers? Historically, temp hiring follows a certain path after recessions: Light industrial jobs come out first, then clerical and administrative, followed by professional jobs, Courtney says. “Right now it’s disproportionately light industrial and clerical, and on the professional side, IT, engineering and accounting have begun to pick up,” he says.

Holiday retail hiring is booming, rising 25 percent year-over-year even after seasonal adjustments are made, Chavez says.

Healthcare companies are turning to temps to help them comply with international diagnostic coding mandates. “All healthcare companies are looking for the same IT project managers to get the job done,” Russell says.

In IT, the skill sets in most demand in the coming year will be project managers; business analysts; enterprise, networking and Java architects; as well as security, data warehousing and business intelligence, Russell predicts.

“Technology today is seen as a strategic function, so even though it’s a tough economy, we’re seeing the rate of employment going up in IT,” she says. “IT includes a lot of project-based work, so that bodes well for the temp sector.”

How to Find a Temp Job

If you’re seeking a temporary job or contract work:

• Reskill yourself and continue learning so you stay on the cutting edge of your industry.
• Wrap your head around the fact that the temporary job and contract labor markets are growing faster than the full-time, permanent labor market, so a full-on job search should include looking for a temporary job and project work.
• The stigma attached to having a temporary job is diminishing. Better to be a temp or contract worker than unemployed.
• Seek out project-based assignments that put your skill set to work in a new industry.
• If you use a temporary agency, pick one that specializes in your industry. It’s more likely to find you work with companies that value your industry knowledge.

Careers that Earn You $30 per Hour

All salary data provided by online salary database PayScale.com. Salaries listed are a range from the 50th to 90th percentile of hourly salaries for workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

1. Commercial Diver - $25.58 - $35.75

Welding work can be rigorous and demanding. Can you imagine doing it in the dark, under 1,000 feet of water? Commercial divers do all kinds of repairs, construction work, search and rescue, and other tasks while floating over river beds or past schools of fish. Divers must be efficient workers, excellent communicators, comfortable working in teams and up for very physically demanding work. Divers attend diving school then look for work placement opportunities where they can build their skill and experience level.

2. Construction Superintendent - $22.52 - $35.17

From strip malls to 50 story office towers, construction superintendents are responsible for coordinating the building of commercial and residential structures. A person in this job needs to be an effective leader who can coordinate the teams and processes needed to complete a project on time, from hiring workers to getting materials to the site. Depending on the size of the project, there may be more than one construction manager involved. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most construction managers are often self-employed and those with college degrees in construction tend to have better job prospects.

3. Grant Writer - $24.75 - $50.51

When non-profit groups, research institutions and community-based organizations look for funding, they often rely on grant money. And, grant writers are responsible for bringing in those dollars. Besides having excellent written communication skills, grant writers must be good researchers, know how to organize information well, be aware of the best grant sources and know how to write persuasively. Many grant writers work for themselves, though a large organization can hire them full-time. And, grant writers have the opportunity to work for a cause they believe in which can make it a very satisfying job.

4. Ultrasound Technologist - $29.11 - $38.04

Diagnostic medical sonography is a growing field. When compared with less portable and more expensive approaches, like CT and MRI scans, ultrasound is growing in popularity. And, as the baby boomers age, this technology will become more in demand. Technologists often work at healthcare facilities and need to be available on weekends and evenings. This career can be entered several ways, including study at vocational institutions, colleges or in the armed forces, along with on-the-job training. There are certifications available and sonographers can also specialize in certain areas of the body.

5. Landscape Architect - $22.73 - $32.90

When a new freeway goes in or a home is being built, the undeveloped land around it often requires the care of a landscape architect. If you love the outdoors and have an eye for both beauty and function, this may be a great career for you. Landscape architects review a site, talk to their clients about their needs, create a plan, follow a budget and then work with the other members of the project team to ensure that the final landscaping is completed as planned. Landscape architects spend time indoors doing research, meeting with clients and creating proposals, but the rest of their time is spent on the job site. A bachelor’s or a master’s degree in landscape architecture is usually needed to enter this profession, as well as licensure in most states.

6. Handyman - $17.59 - $35.23

No matter how bad the economy gets, kitchen faucets still leak and broken stair railings must be repaired. Working as a handyman can give you plenty of autonomy and, depending on your skill level and who you are working for, you can charge a premium. While there are no official educational requirements, you need to have good business smarts. The majority of your business will likely come from referrals once you’ve proven yourself as a reliable and experienced worker.

7. Web Developer - $25.41 - $51.61

Here is a job where you can get paid much more than $30 per hour, if you’re good. Web developers work on the technical side of Web site creation. They use software languages and tools to create applications for the Web. A Web developer figures out who the users for the site will be and how best to give them information, from the organization of the site to, sometimes, its design. While a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field is needed to get hired in most Web developer roles, you can also gain skills with an associate’s degree and through certification courses.

8. Pipefitter - $22.50 - $33.41

Don’t you love a shower with nice, strong water pressure? A pipefitter helped to bring you that wonderful experience. Pipefitters make sure that water, waste water, natural gas and other substances flow through pipes that are correctly connected and adequate for their job. Pipefitters install and repair both the high-pressure and low-pressure pipe systems for manufacturing, heating and cooling of buildings and more. They may also install the automatic controls used to regulate these systems. Pipefitters don’t always have an easy job. They can end up working on remote oil fields or in cramped indoor spaces and may do emergency repair jobs on weekends. No degree is required for this job, but a long, intensive apprenticeship, which includes coursework and on-the-job training, is the most common route to getting started.

9. Medical Equipment Repairer - $24.39 - $32.26

If you want a career in the booming healthcare field, but are more mechanically than medically-oriented, you can still find work. There is a growing demand for the repair, maintenance and calibration of medical equipment like patient monitors, scanning machines, electric wheelchairs and more. Medical equipment repairers typically have an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering. Completing a bachelor’s degree increases your likelihood of advancement into management. While some of the work is routine, repairers must be ready to work evenings and weekends in case of emergencies.

10. Network Support Engineer - $23.27 - $31.11

Network support engineers maintain Internet and intranet systems in office places. If you have good technical skills and a helpful nature, this job could work for you. You install and maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems, and monitor the networks. You’re also responsible for network security. Large corporations, small businesses and government organizations are all looking to hire network engineers. A bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field is typically required to become a network support engineer, though a two-year degree or certification course and related work experience may be enough.

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By Bridget Quigg for Pay Scale