8 Fast-Growing, High-Paying Jobs

8 Fast-Growing, High-Paying Jobs
by Carol Tice, PayScale.com


With the economy shrinking, many job-hunters are looking for a new career that pays well -- and they need to find one that's not going to disappear.

Robin Ryan, career coach and author of "60 Seconds and You're Hired," says, "I look at where you can make good money, where employers are looking for people and saying they can't find them."

Below are the careers that are forecast for strong growth over the next decade, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections through 2016.

Ryan notes that the federal growth forecasts are a few years old, and some fields are undergoing rapid change. Be on the lookout for emerging opportunities, especially those that involve Internet skills. With the cost of education soaring, we asked our experts to focus primarily on careers you can get started in without a four-year degree.

1. Physician's assistant -- The economy may be down, but people still get sick and need to go to the doctor. As the population continues to age, health-care fields will continue to see strong growth, says Ryan. Physician's assistants usually take a two-year course (in addition to required college coursework and/or degree) and need to pass a certification exam. Then, they assist doctors in hospitals and clinics or in rural areas they may provide care if a doctor isn't always available. 27% projected growth, according to the BLS. Median annual salary: $88,575

2. Database administrator -- One thing's for sure in this uncertain economy -- companies continue to pile up data and need experts to make sure it's properly organized and securely stored. Some database administrators get started with just a two-year degree -- and if you enjoy computer programming, this is one of the best-paid areas in computer tech. 28.6% projected growth. Median annual salary: $73,388

3. Video game designer -- The gaming field is exploding, notes Ryan. There are hugely successful massive multiplayer online role-playing games, casual games to play on computers, PDAs and cell phones, as well as games for Xbox, Nintendo and other proprietary game systems. If you're a game nut, consider learning how to create games to cash in on this trend.

"These skills are often self-taught," she notes. "And programming jobs pay extremely well." 35% projected growth. Median annual salary: $66,664

4. Medical equipment repair -- As medical equipment uses more complex technology, there are more parts that can malfunction -- and more need for repair technicians. You may need a two-year degree, but the BLS reports most training is on the job. 9.4% projected growth. Median annual salary: $62,115

5. Media planner/buyer -- Though the official BLS data doesn't show explosive growth here, the Internet is causing rapid change in this industry that probably isn't figured into federal forecasts yet, says job-trends expert Debra Yergen, author of "Creating Job Security: The 2009 All-In-One Workbook." While the traditional advertising industry may be shrinking right now, online skills are in demand, she says. Many online-media pros are learning on the job.

"This is an emerging area where talent is going to be rewarded," Yergen says. 11.7% projected growth. Median annual salary: $47,149

6. X-ray/Imaging technician -- The medical field is increasingly relying on X-rays, MRIs and other imaging technology to diagnose and treat patients, notes Yergen. As new types of scans are invented, and become covered by insurance, the demand for trained imaging technicians will continue to grow. The BLS says technicians can get started with a one-year certificate or two-year associate degree. 15% projected growth. Median annual salary: $42,749

7. Plumber -- Robin Ryan calls plumbing "a classic job most people don't want to do." Which is why it pays well. And bad economy or good, pipes burst and need replacing. If you enjoy working with your hands, look for an apprenticeship program where you can get paid while you learn on the job. 10.6% projected growth. Median annual salary: $42,001

8. Graphic/Web designer -- Like Internet advertising, anyone who can make companies' Web sites look better will be in demand, Yergen says. "This field will blossom as people find creative ways to help clients." About one-quarter of graphic designers are self-employed, the BLS reports, and may get started with a two-year degree or be self-taught. 44.6% projected growth. Median annual salary: $41,215

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

Be the Stand-Out Candidate

By : Catherine Lang-cline

One of the simplest ways to get a job often gets overlooked for being almost too simple: be likable. If it comes down to two completely equal candidates, the one that they like better will always win. As a matter of fact, if the more likable one is even slightly less experienced, they will still choose him or her over the less likable one.

Many candidates focus completely on the weight of their experience and overlook the weight of their personality. In today's economy people are having to do more with less. Teams are smaller than they once were, so the interpersonal fit of the team is very important. Companies are being selective in who they choose. They want someone others will enjoy working with.

You can use this fact of human nature to your advantage when you go on the job interview. Prepare carefully ahead of time and do what you need to do in order to feel confident and comfortable. That way you can focus your energy on the interviewers, company and opportunity.

If you're distracted by insecurities, that will come across. People who seem nervous
might lose points for seeming like they cannot handle pressure. Quiet people may come across as aloof. People who talk too much can come off as desperate or bad listeners. The most likable candidates strike a good balance between listening and talking and they do both in an engaged and active manner.

The best way to give yourself an advantage is to really observe the person interviewing you and try and read what they are looking for. Do they need someone outgoing? Do they need someone with attention to detail? Do they need someone to be a ringer on their golf team? If that is you, devote some time to speaking on that. Find the pain point and make this the reason you are going to stand out from everyone else they interview. Make it the focus of how you will fit in. Find the common ground.

If you're prepared enough to confidently put forward your best self, clearly show how you eliminate the company's pain points and come across as someone anyone would love to work with, you greatly increase your chances of receiving a job offer, at which you can decide if the job seems like a great fit for you too.

This article may be reprinted when the copyright and author bio are included

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Taxi Drivers, Beware of Chief Inspectors Asking For Refunds

By : Nicholas Robus

The names have been changed to protect the shameless guilty conniving so and so that tried to rip me off last week. But it's a great story so I have decided to share.

For those of you that do not know me I own and operate a taxi company in a small town called Rye on the East Sussex Kent border.

On Monday last week I received a call from me father who was manning the taxi phone saying he had received a call from a Chief Inspector "Wexford" stating that he wanted to speak to the owner of the business and would not be able to speak to anybody else regarding the matter, my father had taken his phone number and asked me to call him back as a matter of urgency.

I was quiet taken back by this and thought it all sounded a bit serious, but I'm an honest chap and didn't thinks it would be anything to worry about.

I took down the number and proceeded to call the Chief Inspector. A mildly Scottish voice answered the phone with a "Helloo"

"Chief Ispector "Wexford"?" I asked.......

"Yes Speaking." was the reply.

"Hello." I said. " Nicholas Robus here from Taxi - Time Ltd, Rye, East Sussex. I believe you were trying to contact me as a matter of urgency, How can I help you."

"Yes I was." slightly more abrupt then before came the reply.

"On Saturday night I took a cab ride with one of your guys from Icklesham to Fairlight Lodge Hotel, it took over half an hour, the driver went all around the houses and charged me £27.50 then short changed me by £2.00. The driver in question is a crook and a thief and should by charged under the full extent of the law. I would like a refund for the full amount.

Now bearing in mind who I work for.......... If I don't receive a cheque from you for the full £27.50 I will be having a word with my colleagues in your area and making it very difficult for you to go on operating as a Taxi Company.

Do I make myself clear."

Now I am not easily shaken, but the tone and confidence of this guy made me believe he was deadly serious. And under normal circumstances I would have been annoyed by a call like this and immediately trying to find out which driver had done the job so I could give them a rollicking.

But, in this instance I could not do that as I had done the job myself.

I remembered the man in question, and also remembered that I had actually undercharged him by a couple of quid because I forgot to start the meter and only remembered a mile or two down the road. and as for short changing him this was just a blatant lie. The tight old bugger made sure he got his £2.50 change. I don't like to stereo type but there are clues if you read between the previous few lines.

My company does a great deal of work with the local council and we are also bound by a strict code of conduct set out in the Rother District Council Miscellaneous Provisions act for Hackney carriage and Private Hire operators. Any form of legal proceedings against myself or my business could have far reaching effects, and I was a little unsettled by the claims being made by the Chief Inspector.

However I was in the position to make counter claims as I had provided the service personally.

I informed the "Chief" that I had been his driver and justified the fare to him and also informed him that his claim of being short changed was not true. I also offered to send him his refund as a gesture of good will along with a photo copy of our fare card and some google maps with the route, mileage and fare calculations so he could see for himself that he had not been ripped of as he claimed.

I also stated that if after looking at the evidence he was still not happy he was free to cash the cheque for the refund.

To which he replied. "Oh I will be cashing the cheque, and if I'm not happy with what I see I will still be having a word with my colleagues about you."

I took his home address and thanked him for his time, reasuring him that everything would be in the post in the next couple of days.

After hanging up I replayed the conversation in my head and a few things didn't quit stack up, like the fact that he could not add up, he was only asking for a refund for the fare and not the £2 he claimed to have been short changed. By now I was now a little riled and felt like having a bit of a dig back, so I phoned him back and asked if I could check his credentials.

"Why would you want to do that" he exclaimed.

I explained to him that as a taxi driver I carry a badge and my identity can be clearly seen by my customers and also that we often have leaflets pushed through the door by our local force telling us to check peoples identity before allowing them in our home or handing over any money.

I was just doing my due diligence as he could have been just trying to get some money out of me.

"I work for Scotland Yard, SO13, I cant give you information like that due to the nature of the work we do, but believe me I am genuine, I am a very high ranking officer, you could walk into any police station in the country and find out I am who I say I am. If you really want to go down this road my colleagues are only a phone call away, remember who I work for"

I thanked him again for his time and reassured him once more that the cheque would be in the post.

Then I thought. Walk into any Police station in the country. Not a bad idea that.

So on my way home I popped into Rye police station and asked for their advice.

Once I had recounted the telephone conversations the officers at the station stood with a look of stunned confusion on their faces.

"Oh Dear" they said.

"We not sure quite how to deal with this." "I think we better take a statement"

It turned out that if this guy was not who he said he was he was in trouble. The police take a very dim view of people impersonating police officers, especially if it is for personal gain.

But if he was who he said he was he was also in serious trouble for using his power and position to sort out what was a personal dispute.

I made a statement and left it in the hands of the police to deal with and was given the advice under no circumstances was I to have any more dealings with him and not to send anything in the post.

24 hours later I was informed by Rye police that he was not who he claimed to be and was thanked for bringing this to their attention, it was being dealt with and he could expect a knock on the door from a member of the police in his area very soon.

Now I don't know about you, but I would love to be a fly on the wall when that happens.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia