5 Family-Friendly Careers

Any working parent will tell you that although raising children is rewarding, there's a constant struggle for work/life balance. Whether they're working overtime to help make ends meet or rushing after work to get the kids to soccer practice, the reality is that it's difficult to be an active parent and productive worker. (Difficult, not impossible.)<br /><br />Today's economy doesn't help, as parents are feeling added pressure to spend more time on work to provide for the family. Thirty percent of working moms whose companies have had layoffs in the past year are working longer hours, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.com.* Fourteen percent have taken on a second job in the last year, 43 percent work more than 40 hours per week and 16 percent said they bring work home at least two days a week.<br /><br />"Nearly one-third [of mothers] say that despite it being one of the toughest economies in the nation's history, they would consider taking a pay cut to spend more time with their kids," said Mary Delaney, president of CareerBuilder's talent management and recruitment outsourcing division, Personified, and mother of three. "If you're struggling with work/life balance, talk to your manager. Working moms who communicate their need for flexible time, job sharing or something in between will find that most companies are receptive to these kinds of policies."<br /><br />Many working parents have already communicated that desire: 55 percent of working moms said they take advantage of flexible work arrangements at their organizations. The majority of these women say their new schedules haven't adversely affected their career progress.<br /><br />If your company doesn't offer a flexible or alternative schedule to help you work around your family commitments, maybe it's time to think about working in a family-friendly career. Here are five to consider:<br /><br />1. Teacher<br />Not only have your parenting experiences helped prepare you for life in the classroom, you couldn't ask for a better schedule that complies with your family's needs. Most teachers are able to be at home in the evenings; plus, you can enjoy the same summer and winter vacations, and no-school days as your kids. And depending on the age you teach, you'll be able to work in the same institution as your little ones.<br />Education: Bachelor's degree and state teaching license<br />Average annual salary: $44,137<br /><br />2. Registered nurse<br />RN's have extremely flexible schedules: Most work three to four 12-hour shifts per week, plus a certain number of weekends and holidays per year. Evening and weekend shifts allow you to share duties with your spouse.<br />Education: Either a four-year university program, a two-year associate degree program, or a three-year diploma program, and state RN licensing<br />Average annual salary: $62,450<br /><br />3. Bookkeeper<br />Bookkeepers are often able to work from home, either from a company-provided computer or if you work privately with traders or accountancy firms. Working from home is ideal if you have young children to look after.<br />Education: High school diploma, accounting coursework and relevant work experience<br />Average annual salary: $32,510<br /><br />4. Personal trainer<br />One huge perk of being a personal trainer is the flexible hours. Most trainers work part time, scheduling client's appointments around their own schedules. Many trainers work nights and weekends and can work in the gym or out of a client's home.<br />Education: Certification<br />Average annual salary: $29,210<br /><br />5. Family child-care provider<br />The majorities of family child-care workers are self-employed and work out of their own homes. They have flexible hours and daily routines, watching children during the day and evenings while other parents are at work or away. While they may work long or unusual hours to fit parents' work schedules, these workers are also able to care for their own children in a familiar setting.<br />Education: Each state has its own licensing requirements; state requirements are generally higher for workers at child care centers than for family child-care providers<br />Average annual salary: $18,970<br /><br />*Survey conducted from Feb. 20 to Mar. 11, 2009, among 496 women, employed full-time, with children under the age of 18.<br /><br />** Education and salary information according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.<br /><br />by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer. Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

5 Family-Friendly Careers

Any working parent will tell you that although raising children is rewarding, there's a constant struggle for work/life balance. Whether they're working overtime to help make ends meet or rushing after work to get the kids to soccer practice, the rea…

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So You Were Fired - Excerpted from "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work"

Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.<br /><br />It can happen to anyone at anytime. A softened economy forces your employer to make cuts; your company merges with another and staffing changes; your department is restructured; a new boss cleans house; or you simply didn't perform to your manager's expectations. Whatever the reason, anytime is now. Here's what you can do to stay afloat:<br /><br />Q: Is it better to pre-empt a firing by resigning instead?<br /><br />A: In most cases, no. Out of pride, many people fall into this trap and wind up waiving claim to severance pay, benefits, earned bonuses and commissions and unemployment compensation. With so many victims of downsizings and reorganizations, being "let go" doesn't carry the stigma it once did -- in fact most prospective employers won't even bat an eye!<br /><br />Q: Should I try to negotiate a better severance package?<br /><br />A: By all means, yes. According to the National Employee Rights Institute (NERI), employees have more bargaining power than they realize. Don't be pressured into signing anything on the spot. Tell your employer you need to review the proposed agreement with your legal and financial advisers. Then, check the company policy manual to find out what is standard practice for employees in your situation. If you can, talk to others whom the company has terminated. You can argue your case on merits such as length of service, specific accomplishments and amount of time required to find comparable employment in today's labor market. Be sure to document your achievements, and if your family has special needs (due to illness or disability) you may want to let your company know the hardships this termination may cause.<br /><br />Remember, money is not the only thing at stake. Consider how long you will continue to be covered under company health and life insurance and the status of any earned -- or close to being earned -- bonuses, commissions, vacation time and vesting in 401(k), pension and profit sharing accounts. You also may want outplacement services or an agreed-upon letter of reference. Also think about getting your severance payment as salary continuation rather than a lump sum agreement. Salary continuation often allows for a continuation of disability benefits and also lets you answer yes when asked if you're still employed.<br /><br />Q: What's the best course of action for finding a new job?<br /><br />A: Take a day or so to process what has happened and vent to your spouse or best friend. Then, after shoring yourself up by reviewing your strengths and accomplishments, start calling people in your network who can be helpful to you, including former co-workers, suppliers and customers. Letting a colleague, vendor or client know that you'll no longer be working with them is not only a courtesy, but can prove a valuable source of leads. Then, work on your résumé and start an all-points attack that, in addition to networking, includes contacting recruiters, conducting industry research, cold calling target companies and searching online job listings.<br /><br />Q: How should I respond to those who ask why I left my last position?<br /><br />A: Keep it brief. Be calm and objective; never assign blame. End your explanation on a positive note by emphasizing your main accomplishments and what the experience has taught you.<br /><br />Q: How can I keep my spirits up?<br /><br />A: Recognize that you will likely experience the five steps of dealing with loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance. Don't be too hard on yourself if you get down now and then.<br /><br />On the other hand, try not to dwell on anger or bitterness; instead channel that energy into your search. Take care of your physical and emotional health by exercising, eating well and surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. And make sure you start each day with a plan. A sense of purpose and accomplishment will go a long way in making you feel better and landing you that new job.<br /><br />From the editors of CareerBuilder.com, CAREER BUILDING is filled with the statistics, tips and priceless information on job-hunting and working in the digital age, including good and bad résumé samples, using social networking, searching online, résumé "keywords" and e-mail mistakes to avoid. In today's unstable economic climate, CAREER BUILDING is the guide you can't afford to go without.<br /><br />by the Editors at CareerBuilder.com<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

So You Were Fired - Excerpted from "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work"

Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating …

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10 Jobs Cooler Than Yours

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/74/ar5c88l6np21q9kdcd74.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/74/ar5c88l6np21q9kdcd74.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Every now and then, I come across an occupation that makes me wish I was in a different line of work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job -- but some professions really seem too good to be true.<br /><br />Recently, for example, I came across an article about a man named Julian Jones, whose job is essentially as a baby sitter -- to all-star athletes.<br /><br />"Part companion, part publicist, part chaperone and part guardian angel, Mr. Jones, who lives in Las Vegas and works for a pair of casino owners, specializes in setting up elaborately arranged outings for athletes where every detail from transportation and tickets to the members of the entourage is premeditated," writes Hannah Karp of The Wall Street Journal, in an article about Jones.<br /><br />He got the gig when he met Gavin Maloof, who with his brother Joe owns the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. Maloof first offered Jones a job as a personal assistant -- entertaining athletes was not in the job description.<br /><br />"Nowadays, armed with a complimentary suite at the casino, the keys to Mr. Maloof's Sacramento home and an allowance for first-class travel, Jones is free to perform his wingman role almost exclusively," Karp writes. "'We pretty much let J.J. go on his own,' says Mr. Maloof."<br /><br />While not everyone has the luck of meeting millionaires at Las Vegas parties, there are other (more realistic) cool jobs out there. Don't believe me? Take a look at these 10 awesome jobs:<br /><br />1. Cruise director<br />Cool factor: Aside from getting to travel the world on a cruise ship, these guys have the ability to make or break a cruising experience. They are essentially the face of the cruise line, planning and coordinating daily activities and excursions for passengers, on and off shore. If you love making plans and organizing activities but don't have strong sea legs, have a go at event planning.<br />Average annual salary: $21,219*<br /><br />2. Doll doctor<br />Cool factor: We all had a favorite doll or something similar when we were young -- and we were devastated when something happened to it. Doll "doctors" can make that desolation go away for little ones. They examine dolls to determine the extent of damage and the repairs needed, and then restore them to the best condition possible. If you like to sew and/or fix things but aren't into dolls, look into careers in textiles, apparel and furnishings.<br />Average annual salary: $24,413<br /><br />3. Foley artist<br />Cool factor: Foley artists use whatever they can find to create and record the noises used to make the sound effects in films, like heavy footsteps, rolling thunder or creaking doors. If you're more interested in mixing music than sound effects, look into a job as a sound engineering technician.<br />Average annual salary: $55,959 (sound technicians)<br /><br />4. Food critic<br />Cool factor: What could be cooler than getting paid to taste everything from gourmet dishes to bar food -- for free -- and then publishing your opinion for others to read? If you're more interested in getting paid per word than per calorie, try your hand as a reporter.<br />Average annual salary: $58,704<br /><br />5. Pet psychologist<br />Cool factor: When a veterinarian can't diagnose an animal's condition, a pet psychologist might be called to diagnose the issue. If, for example, if a dog has been acting differently since he came home from boarding, the psychologist works with the owner to resolve the issue. Not to be mistaken for a pet trainer, this occupation requires a high level of education and training. If you'd rather help animals through medical treatments than behavioral remedies, look into what it takes to be a veterinarian.<br />Average annual salary: $19,220 (animal behaviorist)<br /><br />6. Route setter<br />Cool factor: These folks are like modern-day trailblazers; they change the routes in various settings, such as indoor climbing walls, foot trails and running races. Interested in running but not so much in setting the routes? Look for careers in nonprofits and fundraising, which often help put on races.<br />Average annual salary: Unknown<br /><br />7. Shoe designer<br />Cool factor: Shoes are a fetish for millions of men and women around the world -- to be the mastermind behind the look of the cutest/hippest/most unusual shoes on the market would be a pretty sweet gig. Not interested in design but love shoes? Try your hand in shoe manufacturing or repair.<br />Average annual salary: $67,247<br /><br />8. Storm chaser<br />Cool factor: Remember the movie "Twister"? Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton tempt Mother Nature by chasing life-threatening storms through Oklahoma. While storm chasers aim to track tornadoes, they also study cloud formations and severe thunderstorms, too. Keep in mind that storm chasing can be very dangerous; if you'd like to pursue storms in a safe environment, check out careers in weather forecasting and meteorology.<br />Average annual salary: $60,968<br /><br />9. Video game tester<br />Cool factor: For eight hours a day, five days a week, all these folks do is play video games. They repeat levels, games and characters, looking for any bugs and/or glitches in the software. If you're not interested in playing the games, look into designing, developing or programming them instead.<br />Average annual salary: $44,600<br /><br />10. Voice actor<br />Cool factor: Everyone knew the late Don LaFontaine, the famous voice behind thousands of movie trailers, TV advertisements and network promotions. Voice actors also loan their chops to movies and cartoons. Wouldn't it be neat to have your voice be familiar to the whole world? If you'd like a less publicized career in television, look to work behind the scenes in advertising.<br />Average annual salary: $47,000. If you have a highly recognizable voice, you'll probably get paid more.<br /><br />*Salaries according to CBSalary.com<br /><br />Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

10 Jobs Cooler Than Yours

Every now and then, I come across an occupation that makes me wish I was in a different line of work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job -- but some professions really seem too good to be true.Recently, for example, I came across an article about a ma…

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I blew it

I blew my 3-night binge-free streak. After a wonderful dinner of Asian Beef on skewers with Gremolata (I'll post the recipe later - it was fantastic), salad with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing, and steamed Brussels sprouts (yes, I love them...I'm weird) at 5pm, I went crazy at 10pm.<br /><br />I opened the freezer to have 1/2 cup sugar-free ice cream with strawberries leftover from dinner (not the fiber-filled snack I was suppose to have) and staring back at me were those evil Skinny Cow mint ice cream sandwiches. I ate all three that were left in the package. Since I figured I'd blown it anyway, I ate two Weight Watcher cookies and cream bars. I was still feeling hungry and had a bowl of Dan's Good Chili (Hungry Girl recipe but I add ground turkey and shredded broccoli to it), along with two Oroweat Sandwich Thins. I didn't calculate the Points.<br /><br />I woke up with regrets, as I always do after a binge. It must be similar to how an alcoholic feels after falling off the wagon. The self-hate, the "why did I do that?!" the anger at myself. All negative, bad feelings.<br /><br />My gym experience sucked big time today, as it always does if I eat too much the night before. I don't know if it's a physical thing, all that food in my system makes me sluggish, or if it's mental. Probably both. I managed 21 minutes on Sadie (StairMaster). I usually do 30, but I just couldn't do it today. 16 minutes on the Crossramp. 45 minutes upper body strength.<br /><br />My morning got worse when the that guy that likes me came in and saw me on the elliptical and was all excited to see me. He said he'd been wondering what happened to me and he'd missed me. Great. I'd purposely been going really early at 5 a.m. to avoid him but today I was late and didn't get to the gym until 6:15am.<br /><br />We had a six-minute conversation about spirituality and God and how to have a positive outlook on life. You can see that was a lost cause on me this morning.<br /><br />I guess there's not much I can do but try again tonight to stop the binging. I have dinner out with two girlfriends at a sushi place so I won't be home until late. One of them is in Weight Watchers so I'm going with her to her meeting tonight before dinner. Maybe I can get some inspiration.<br /><br />Onward and forward....<br /><p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p><p>Another picture of my Fairbanks trip (with my brother and his dog Goldie). I'm somewhat mortified by my hips and thighs, they look huge. If you want to see it close up and get totally grossed out, click on the picture to enlarge it. Aother reason to stop binging. I really need to lose the last 25 pounds! By the way, those jeans went to Goodwill this weekend. </p><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep4Hzjs-2Sp42TagBeVd8wjAqDnpvbAnhbC83pniCnQ5ZU_-MG5Gs7cUJ8kyNjool-zHFbw7gW10m6XSm1VKI6A7bqqSGORcvRp_LAa54jKzrqgCTr1l-g23rf9wlVZGfvp-jjbbCSl3H/s1600-h/July+2009+Fairbanks+011.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373555252741211634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep4Hzjs-2Sp42TagBeVd8wjAqDnpvbAnhbC83pniCnQ5ZU_-MG5Gs7cUJ8kyNjool-zHFbw7gW10m6XSm1VKI6A7bqqSGORcvRp_LAa54jKzrqgCTr1l-g23rf9wlVZGfvp-jjbbCSl3H/s400/July+2009+Fairbanks+011.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>

I blew it

I blew my 3-night binge-free streak. After a wonderful dinner of Asian Beef on skewers with Gremolata (I'll post the recipe later - it was fantastic), salad with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing, and steamed Brussels sprouts (yes, I love them.…

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10 Cubicle-Free Jobs

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/94/ar5b4cq5xhnp8q8b9194.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/94/ar5b4cq5xhnp8q8b9194.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>Imagine how your legs feel when you stand up after a long road trip. Your knees pop and your muscles burn. Once you straighten your back and let out a good yawn, your body feels functional again. Mentally, you feel freed from the confines of that prison on wheels.<br /><br />Turn that road trip into a 40-hour workweek and you'll understand how some people view cubicle jobs. The prospect of sitting at a desk (probably in front of a computer), with only a thin partition separating you from a sea of colleagues is sometimes too much to bear. No freedom to roam anywhere except the fluorescent-lit hallway.<br /><br />Of course, you also have workers who are more than happy to work in a cubicle. For one thing, cubicle jobs usually mean you don't have to spend your day outside fighting the summer heat or winter chill. Your feet aren't throbbing with pain because you've been standing or walking all day. And perhaps most practically, if your talent depends on a computer and you're not self-employed, you're pretty much bound to a cubicle (at least until you get your own corner office).<br /><br />Luckily, workers who enjoy their stationary workdays can stay seated in cubicle jobs and those struck with wanderlust can find other positions. For them, here are 10 jobs that don't require you to work in a cubicle:<br /><br />1. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians<br />You'll find them ... at the scene of medical emergencies, in hospitals and in ambulances.<br /><br />2. Firefighters<br />You'll find them ... where there's smoke. But firefighters don't just put out fires -- as if that weren't enough -- they also have medical training to assist emergency victims. Some are also qualified to handle and remove hazardous materials.<br /><br />3. Mail carriers and package delivery drivers<br />You'll find them ... in your neighborhood bringing you letters, packages and shipments. Delivery drivers work for shipping companies, retail stores and manufacturers and are responsible for deliveries to customers in a specified region.<br /><br />4. Truck drivers<br />You'll find them ... on highways throughout the country. Drivers can be assigned to make shipments in nearby regions or over long distances. What they transport, such as vehicles or furniture, also depends on the type of truck and their employer.<br /><br />5. Grounds maintenance workers<br />You'll find them ... outdoors, ensuring that lawns, gardens and landscaping retain their manicured appearance. Grounds maintenance workers can also be found maintaining football fields, cemeteries and other grounds that aren't your typical garden.<br /><br />6. Couriers and messengers<br />You'll find them ... zipping through traffic on bikes or jumping out of their vans in order to make sure your letters get to their destinations. Carriers transport documents, files and other important packages for clients within a limited area.<br /><br />7. Elementary teacher<br />You'll find them ... in a classroom trying to settle down hyper students and pour some knowledge into their minds. Between lecturing and working one-on-one with students, teachers might spend most of their days in a classroom, but they're not seated behind a desk for most of it.<br /><br />8. Security guards<br />You'll find them ... walking the grounds (or riding Segways) of retail shops, museums, banks and any other place you want to make sure nobody breaks into or steals from. Security guards are sometimes positioned at a certain spot to ensure no one leaves or enters without authorization, but others walk the grounds to ensure everything is going smoothly.<br /><br />9. Veterinarians<br />You'll find them ... at your local animal clinic and animal hospital. Although many veterinarians either work in these settings or have their own practices, many also treat larger animals on farms and ranches and even at zoos.<br /><br />10. Construction workers<br />You'll find them ... anywhere you hear a jackhammer or drill. Construction jobs aren't confined to any one place. Skyscrapers, schools, highways and homes need construction workers for building, renovation and demolition.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues </div><div> </div><div>by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer</div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong></div>

10 Cubicle-Free Jobs

Imagine how your legs feel when you stand up after a long road trip. Your knees pop and your muscles burn. Once you straighten your back and let out a good yawn, your body feels functional again. Mentally, you feel freed from the confines of that pri…

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How to Change Careers This Year

<a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r3/ar5b6hc79prh9g694kr3.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/r3/ar5b6hc79prh9g694kr3.gif" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />If you are dreaming of a new career in 2009, but worried that the current economy could make your dream an impossible one, the good news is that a career change is possible this year.<br /><br />Here is a selection of career experts' best tips for anyone who wants to change careers in 2009:<br /><br />Ask the right people for advice<br />"If you're thinking about changing jobs, the last person with whom you should consult is someone who loves you. They'll want to hold you tight and protect you from taking any risk." -- Irena Chalmers, author of "Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers"<br /><br />"Do your friends keep you down? Do your friends consistently come up with reasons why you shouldn't change careers? A bucket of crabs doesn't need a lid on it because as one crab nears the top, the other crabs will pull it back down. Sometimes your best career strategy is to begin to hang out with more positive people and limit your time with Debbie Downer." -- Jennifer Loud Ungar, president, Career Moves<br /><br />"Find a mentor. Contact mentorship organizations and your alumni association to interview (yes, interview) prospective mentors to guide you through your transition. Just because someone has great credentials doesn't mean they're going to make a great mentor. They must exude passion for their work and be able to effectively communicate their expertise to you." -- Brian Kurth, founder of VocationVacations and author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love"<br /><br />Network effectively<br /><br />"Expand your network inside and outside your company. Many workers are caught flat-footed when they lose their jobs; they have to start networking from scratch to find another position. Smart people keep in touch with contacts in their industry and use their spare time to volunteer for projects that build skills and credibility." -- Candace Moody, WorkSource Corporate Communications<br /><br />"Schedule a weekly coffee date with somebody new. Contact somebody with whom you would like to build a professional relationship. Call that person and be sincere in your request to simply meet for a short, mutually beneficial sharing of ideas, thoughts and strategies for career success. Ask them questions and listen. For a $3 coffee, you can learn incredible information and build powerful connections for future career opportunities." -- Mark Mikelat, speaker and founder of Building Aspirations<br /><br />"Join the professional association that serves the job type you want to move to. Get active. Show your character and competence. Listen generously. Absorb the language and culture of your new career cohorts so when you get a job interview you come off like an insider." -- Lynne Waymon, co-author of "Make Your Contacts Count" and co-founder of Contacts Count<br /><br />Spread the word<br />"Activate your network and get the word out. What good is a contact if you don't contact them? When you are on the job hunt, work the phone from eight to five just like a full-time job." -- David Lewis, author of "The Emerging Leader: Eight Lessons for Life in Leadership"<br /><br />"Everyone should have a personal business card for networking -- they're relatively inexpensive to have professionally printed. Carry them with you wherever you go -- you never know who you will meet where. People change jobs more often than they change residences so if someone has your personal contact info, they will always be able to get in touch with you." -- Donna Cardillo, author of "The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses"<br /><br />Make a great impression<br />"In a tight economy there is no room for error. Competition is fierce. Your résumé and cover letter must be flawless -- no typos, no form letter, etc. You must be well-prepared for all interviews and networking meetings -- know the company, their business and current events and have specific questions prepared." -- Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA career center at Northeastern University's College of Business Administration<br /><br />Finally, here is our advice for making a great impression when you are changing careers:<br /><br />To avoid being seen by employers as a "wannabe," learn as much as you can about the career before you start applying. Some ways to learn about a new career include: arranging informational interviews with people working in the career, attending meetings of professional associations, taking courses and reading books about the career.<br /><br />Then get some hands-on experience related to the career. Don't worry about the job-hunter's dilemma (to get a job you need experience, but to get experience you need a job). There are ways to get experience before you get the job. In fact, having experience will help you move into the career you want much more quickly at a higher rate of pay.<br /><br />Ways to get experience before you start applying for your dream job include: volunteer your services (to a department in your company, family and friends, or a nonprofit organization), do an internship (even if you are an older worker), take a part-time, entry-level position or start your own part-time business.<br /><br />If you learn as much as you can about the career before you apply for a job, employers are much more likely to see you as skilled, knowledgeable, experienced and someone they want to hire.<br /><br />Tag and Catherine Goulet are founders of FabJob.com, a publisher of career guides offering step-by-step advice for breaking into a variety of dream careers. Visit www.FabJob.com to find the guide to your dream career.<br /><br />by Tag and Catherine Goulet, FabJob.com<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Search more than 100,000 Jobs by </span></strong><a href="http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?SB%3Asbkw=&SB%3As_freeloc=&SB%3Asbfr=30&sbsbmt=Find+Jobs+%C2%BB&lr=cbrockl&cid=US&excrit=QID%3DA3852768340946%3Bst%3DA%3Buse%3DALL%3BCID%3DUS%3BSID%3D%3F%3BTID%3D0%3BENR%3DNO%3BDTP%3DDRNS%3BYDI%3DYES%3BIND%3DALL%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPDQ%3DAll%3BPAYL%3D0%3BPAYH%3DGT120%3BPOY%3DNO%3BETD%3DALL%3BRE%3DALL%3BMGT%3DDC%3BSUP%3DDC%3BFRE%3D1%3BCHL%3DAL%3BQS%3DSID_UNKNOWN%3BSS%3DNO%3BTITL%3D0%3BOB%3D-modifiedint%3BJQT%3DRAD%3BJDV%3DFalse&IPath=ILM"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICKING HERE!</span></strong></a>

How to Change Careers This Year

If you are dreaming of a new career in 2009, but worried that the current economy could make your dream an impossible one, the good news is that a career change is possible this year.Here is a selection of career experts' best tips for anyone who wan…

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