US Economy Forecasts

Hendrik Pohl asked:


With all the concern over the economy, one thing that people keep talking about is the job market. Especially young men and women that are still in preparation to enter the job market a few years from now might be concerned with what the future may hold for them. If you are currently in school and want to ensure a stable profession to pay off all those accumulated school loans, the information below might be of help. Knowing what industries are in demand, and where people are looking for skilled employees are two very important factors to consider for planning a successful future.

Ten of the fastest-growing occupations

Do any of the fields interest you? If yes, your future is looking bright. Even though pay is important, make sure you find a profession that you are passionate about. After all, a career and profession is a large part of your life. You want to pick an area that is of some interest to you and that you are excited about.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

1. Salary: $46,000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Personal and Home Care Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000

2. No college education required

Home Health Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000

2. No college education required

Computer Software Engineer

1. Salary: $46, 000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Veterinary Technologist or Technician

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range

2. Associate degree needed

Personal Finance Advisor

1. Salary: $46,000 or more

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Makeup Artists for Theater

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range

2. Postsecondary vocational needed

Medical Assistant

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range

2. No secondary education needed

Veterinarian

1. Salary: $46,000 range

2. Professional degree needed

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Best U. S. cites to find jobs currently

Do any of the cities interest you? In general it is advisable to pick a geographic location that you can see yourself living in for the long run. If you love to ski for example, and are interested in technology, then you are in luck. Salt Lake City would just be perfect for you.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah (for technology related jobs)

2. Atlanta, Georgia (for transportation, distribution and financial service jobs)

3. Indianapolis, Indiana (agricultural related jobs)

4. Omaha, Nebraska (financial services and agricultural related jobs)

5. Seattle, Washington (aerospace and global trade related jobs)

Cities with lowest unemployment rate:

Low unemployment rate is usually a good indicator of a regions economic prosperity. A low unemployment rate is a good sign that the demand for skilled workers is larger than the supply. Any of the cities below would offer good opportunities for job seekers.

1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2.4% unemployment rate)

2. Rapid City, South Dakota (2.5% unemployment rate)

3. Idaho Falls, Idaho (2.5% unemployment rate)

4. Bismarck, North Dakota (2.6% unemployment rate)

5. Houma, Louisiana (2.7% unemployment rate)

6. Morgantown, West Virginia (2.8% unemployment rate)

7. Logan, Utah (2.8% unemployment rate)

8. Fargo, North Dakota (2.9% unemployment rate)

9. Casper, Wyoming (2.9% unemployment rate)

10. Billings, Montana (3% unemployment rate)

Knowing what you want to do and what geographic locations are most prosperous for you is half the battle. The second part is to be proactive in your job search. Don’t expect people to come looking for you. Instead go out and prospect for your dream job just like you would going shopping for some new clothes. Gather information about different companies in your field of interest, find out who is in charge of hiring, and send out your resume. The more resumes you send out the higher the probability that you will get a call back for an initial interview. It is simply a numbers game! Last but not least: Keep a positive attitude and never take a rejection personal.

Heather Eagar asked:


There is no doubt that our current economy is a little scary to say the least. Companies are laying off in mass numbers while gas, food, and energy costs are reaching record highs. It can be very difficult to maintain sanity in the midst of such uncertainty, let alone think about finding a job. But with responsibilities like bills and family always present, one must learn to keep pushing forward.

If you’re trying to find a job in our unsettling job market, you may feel less than excited about your prospects. However, you can find a job…and a good one at that. You just have to develop the right attitude, and an even better resume.

Make Yourself More Marketable

With layoffs on the rise, more people are competing for the same job. So in order to make yourself more marketable, you’ll need to perfect your resume. This means, no spelling or grammatical errors. You’ll also need to make sure your skills stand out above the rest.

One way you can do this is by conducting thorough research on the company and position to illustrate how you can enhance their goals. When describing your skills, try using action-oriented words like designed, marketed and researched, instead of phrases like “responsibilities included.” And also focus on specific achievements, like how much money you made at your previous company, and on which projects, to help employers assess your skill level.

Consider Economic Growths, Declines, and Specific Regions

Before you even apply for a job, it’s good to look at which business areas are growing, which are declining, and how your region is fairing economically. For example, a May 2008 Newsweek article reported that finance and accounting, engineering, technology and science are seeing growth, while construction, manufacturing, and automotive seem to be declining. In the same article, it noted that Midwest jobs may be on the decline due to its strong construction focus, while cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Dallas may see a rise due to their professional focus.

After you conduct your research, if you find your field isn’t negatively impacted by the economy, you may still want to conduct more research to learn details such as whether managers and administrators, or hourly employees, are keeping or losing jobs. And if things aren’t going so well in your industry, you might consider a slight career shift, such as moving from software development to hardware networking, or even switching cities. That is if the prospects for long-term employment seem more promising.

Maintain the Right Attitude

In this economy, it is important to keep a positive attitude about your career prospects. Because the fact of the matter is, if there is a job available, someone must eventually fill the role. So why couldn’t it be you? You are just as qualified for the job as you were before the economy worsened. So try not to let the economy’s current state negatively affect your job search.

Under stable conditions, getting on track career-wise requires strong determination. But in a weak economy, it takes more. So take time to perfect your resume, conduct extensive research on your field, and keep a positive attitude. You will see that despite the economy, you’ll be able to thrive.