As many people have learned over the last few years, finding great jobs and holding on to them during a
recession can be difficult. Long ago, our grandparents or even parents looked for jobs that provided stability and security. It seems now days, no job is secure. For a while, in the not too distant past, people gained a bit of freedom and were finding wonderful jobs that allowed them a bit more flexibility and creative input, and those jobs at time were stable and secure.

As we begin the New Year , people are attempting to find what our grandparents were looking for. Security. There are a few creative types out there, restaurateurs or writers, actors perhaps, boutique-environmental shop owners, but a whole lot of luck goes into those kinds of endeavors. So now, it’s back to basics and doing a little research when deciding on a new career path.

One career choice which will most likely never be outsourced, is that of a choice in the medical field.
Money Mutual reviews have shown that being a registered nurse in the United States is one of the most recession proof occupations out there. There is no need to worry that the industry itself will topple. Now more than ever, with stress related illnesses on the rise in the general public, the medical industry is booming. People like physical therapists, nurses, general practitioners, chiropractors and those who work in medical billing will most likely never have a difficult time in finding and keeping employment. And while the work may be grueling, there are great benefits and those with experience have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to scheduling and locations in which to find work in their field.

Another job with security and stability is that of a school teacher in the public system. While there are issues about the salaries of teachers, there are not issues with job security. Like many government jobs, when the employee reaches the status of obtaining tenure, there are not many reasons in which they will lose their employment. A career in public safety is another option. Although it has happened, layoffs in the police department and the fire department are rare. Some may find this work to be too dangerous, but there are some who find a career as either a fireman or policeman to be rewarding and fulfilling on personal levels. And again, once seniority has been obtained there is quite a bit of freedom with regards to scheduling. Both the fire department and the police departments of various cities have also upgraded the wages and the retirement packages for their officers. There are many more options out their for people looking for stable and continued employment. The best way to approach making a choice is by doing a little research on the area in which you are living. There is bound to be something that is just right for you.

Recession Proof Careers in 2012 is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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For the ones who grew up watching movies in the 70s, the idea of making a living as a stunt driver was always one of the great options.  It may not have been as prominent as firefighter or doctor, but it was in that realm.  Any trip to the matinee would only further fuel this idea.  Although there may be some dubious merit to the Burt Reynolds films, at least in classical cinematic terms, their ability to impact the generation who grew up in the dark was deep and impressive.  They may be part of the last generation of great stunt people however.  Computer graphics can do so much more these days, that it’s not as necessary to risk lives on film.

It made sense to learn that Reynolds was roommates at one time with Hal Needham.  Their chemistry was legendary, and it was easy to imagine the two of them arguing for hours over nitto tires and still being nothing less than the closest of friends after.  That spirit was in all of their films, where the close friendships were always marked by a little bit of animosity, and an enormous love.

It’s probably not a coincidence that these are the same things that are part of the make-up of a professional stunt driver.  Being in dangerous situations every day does mean that there is a hardness to the world, but it’s not the same kind of hardness that infuses warrior culture.  There is a generous balance of love, and that comes from the sheer fun that’s at the heart of it.  After all, the whole purpose of a day’s work is to make audiences feel a small thrill.  It is the stunt driver who takes the burden and the pressures of living close to that edge in order to facilitate the experience for others.  In that sense, then, stunt training is part of a calling.

The great drivers of the 70s, however, just might be the last of their kind.  There are certainly others who are charged with putting themselves at risk on the set.  They are the ones whose knowledge of cars is extensive, knowing about how the brakes work at every speed, what niche wheels can do to an otherwise ordinary car, and how to keep their faces out of the shot.  There are more technologies that make it possible to increase the risk, or at least how the risk looks on film, and this does change the game.  It’s not as necessary for stunt people to do so much, because computers can make the effects, and often they are more realistic than filming the thing itself.  It’s a different era, but as long as there are hand to hand fight scenes, there will be a need for the stunt double.

Where Are the Stunt Drivers is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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The adage that job hunting is a full-time job has never been more true. Unemployment remains high and the economy fails to create new jobs at a rate that matches the jobs loss resulting in far too many applicants for each opening. Getting to the front of that line can be a time consuming task for anyone searching for employment.

Computers were supposed to make finding a job easier. Resumes can be instantly emailed to potential employers. Career sites offer hundreds of job listing and online classified sites have all but replaced newspapers as the place to get the most up-to-date job openings. However, it can be easy to get lost in the sheer volume of these sites. Worse still is the fact that many of those listings receive dozens if not hundreds of digital resumes, making it nearly impossible to get seen, let alone called in for an interview.

Social media has become the answer for the modern job hunter. It is said that most jobs are never even listed. People hire people, not resumes — and they find those people through networking . This used to mean joining community organizations to rub elbows with movers and shakers, attending industry events or specific networking meetings. Today it means crafting professional social media profiles and building a digital network of connections that can lead to a job.

Most people think of Facebook as a place to post family photos, share funny links and videos, and play silly games. Experienced professionals know better. They maintain a professional profile on Facebook that allows them to demonstrate their expertise to clients, industry colleagues, and community leaders. By sharing insights, linking to thought-provoking articles, and even asking for advice from others, they slowly build a solid network. Just look at Daniel Drimmer on Facebook as an example.

Facebook isn’t the only place to build a professional profile. LinkedIn was created to be the ‘professional facebook.” Busy executives like Daniel Drimmer know that a profile on LinkedIn can serve as a professional resume. LinkedIn also hosts discussion groups that allow members to converse about their industry as they build their professional network. Best of all, LinkedIn allows members to indicate that they are looking for work and even allows companies to list open positions.

When it comes time to submit a resume for one of those public listings, applicants with a good online network can bypass the traditional process. Instead they can message a friend at the company through LinkedIn or Facebook and ask for help getting their resume to the top of the list. In the best case scenario, someone looking to fill a position will scan their social media network to find people they already know who would be a good match for the company and someone gets a job without it ever appearing on a job listing site.

Photo courtesy Aidan Jones via Flickr (Creative Commons License).

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If all else fails, there’s always the temptation to run off and join the circus.  Joining the circus is much harder these days, however, because there just aren’t as many as there once were.  It’s even more difficult to find work in the carnival of the American imagination.  The culture that gave birth to the carnie of the 20^th century is still there, although its focus is on other forms of oddity, and the outlet for their curiosity is satisfied by reality television.  There are plenty of stories and films that document the sideshow experience, and from all accounts, there was never very much in there to romanticize.

These days, the best bet for finding this kind of work is through the state fair system.  Contacting the local state fair is easy enough, and there are usually a number of employment opportunities when that time of year rolls around again.  This is the best way, by far, to get a little experience in working in this kind of atmosphere.  Judging from the testimonies of the workers, however, it’s usually a hard job with low pay at best.  Working the fair circuit is definitely a road to adventure, but the adventures are more morose than exciting.  But there is something in the mythic imagination that always wants to leave this open as a possibility, and popular culture does hold it in a peculiarly romantic position, despite the real life experiences of the workers.

Most of the employment opportunities will have something to do with setting up and taking down, and anyone who’s worked a concert for spare cash in high school knows what that gig is about.  There are always going to be roadies with a lot more experience, and a lot of egos being thrown around.  It’s difficult labor, and this is made much tougher when the circumstances are less than welcoming.  Operating rides isn’t difficult to learn, but it can be tedious, and the crowds can be less than grateful.

There is room to grow, however, for someone who has some special skills and talents.  Guessing someone’s weight can be interesting and rewarding, although the position is one that is rarely open.  If one has psychic talents, guessing someone’s name can be a great way to start developing that gift.  Reading palms and cards are also good options, and a way into a much wider field.  With these, the carnival and fair should be seen as a gateway to other employment situations that are more amenable to these arts.  But the roughness of the fair can be the perfect entry point, with high pressure, low wages, and plenty of opportunities to study human behavior in extraordinary situations, and there is something romantic in that.

How to Be a Carny is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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While many golf fans and players dream of one day becoming professional golfers who compete in tournaments, there are a variety of other golf-related careers a person can pursue. There are also a number of ways a person can train for a career in the field of golf. This article will mention some of the various opportunities in golf and some ways of training to work in an exciting role having to do with golf.

Golf careers vary; a person may manage a golf course, become a manufacturer’s representative for golf equipment, or become a golf sportswear buyer. He or she may decide to organize golf tournaments, become a golf instructor, or perform product development for golfing products. There are many ways to be involved in the sport of golf and earn a living. The choice depends on knowledge, talent, and interest.

One way to train for a career in golf is to attend a golf college. This type of school trains students in many golf-related skills. Some colleges award degrees and prepare their students for the golf careers they respectively choose. PGA members are faculty at some of these schools.

Another way to get the experience necessary for a career in golf is to study with a professional. A golf instructor can help a person improve his or her game and provide practical advice. If a student wishes to become a golfer who plays professionally in tournaments, having a very strong teacher will help.

It is also possible to already have necessary skills for a career in golf, but just not realize it. Someone who is skilled in sales, for example, might want to include his or her passion for golf as part of work. A person like that could easily start selling golf supplies on a retail or wholesale basis.

Anyone who is interested in golf, looking for a career change, or who just wants to try something new can have a golf career. It may be an on-course job like an instructor, groundskeeper, or golf pro. It may be an off-course job in marketing, product development, or management. The most important things people looking for golf careers must remember are to keep an open mind, assess their talents and weaknesses, and to build on their talents and learn any skills necessary to make the leap into a rewarding and satisfying job in the golfing industry.

Careers in Golf: On and Off the Course is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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Music plays such a significant role in almost everyone’s lives, it’s nearly impossible to imagine living without it. Meanwhile, arts funding in education continues to be cut, and music as well as other performance and visual arts programs are repeatedly put on the chopping block. In addition to its overall place in and significance to society, it is well known the intellectual benefits a music education has on students. Young people who study music score better in other analytic areas, including math and the sciences. This is just one way in which music and a music education greatly benefits those who study and practice it. And many young people would be much more eager to tackle their piano lessons if they knew the impact it would have on their math. Math problems become easier to solve and abstract learning increases greatly.

Performance is just one area of music study that can not only greatly enrich the lives and minds of those who pursue it academically, but there are numerous areas in the field that can lead to substantial careers. It’s still difficult for any performer to carve out a living in the industry. This is true for orchestral musicians , such as string players and brass, as well as for popular instrument players such as the guitar and piano. Another positive mental benefit that is associated with the study of music is a greater memory capacity, was well as retaining one’s memory skills well into their older years.

Regardless of any professional intentions you may have with music, playing an instrument either for your own pleasure or even amateur locally, is a great hobby and an enriching life activity. It helps to build community bonds, social connections and sometimes solid friendships. And even if you never plan to play your violin for anyone other than your cat, there is simply no denying the intellectual and life enriching benefits of music study. Music games , which can be part of educational programs, are also extremely helpful, and they contribute not only to one’s music learning, but also toward creative problem solving and abstract thought. It’s also commonly accepted that studying music helps with learning other languages as well as with certain comprehension skills. And even if we reserve the playing of music to icons such as Elton John and Billy Joel, there is no escaping their importance to our lives. These two men alone provide a soundtrack for generations of people and many times we relate specific songs to certain people and times in our lives. Save music programs, save our culture, save ourselves.

Music Education and Careers is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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Real estate is on of those industries that when times are good they are really good, but when times are bad they are really bad. Unfortunately after a period of great success, the last couple years have been truly difficult. The rise and fall of real estate is not easy for anyone to bear; including investors and sellers. But one group in particular that is most often affected by a negative market and whose job depends on houses and property being bought and sold are realtors.

Realtors, like many other business professionals, have really been hit hard during this current recession. Like many others who have lost jobs or had their pay cut, realtors also have families to feed and bills to pay. Fortunately, as a realtor, there are a few things that you can do to make yourself more marketable and increase your business.

Applying for new licensing is a great way to expand your business. If you are already licensed to sell residential property then consider getting licensed to sell commercial property, or vice versa. Sales agents can also get their brokers license , which allows them to operate their own real estate business and gives them a deeper understanding of the financial aspect of real estate. Brokers are also able to rent and manage properties. Increasing your qualifications can help bring in more business and give you more options for your career.

Social media is a great way to expand your business , especially if you are not affiliated with a larger real estate firm. Many businesses create profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn so that they are more available to clients and more visible to potential clients; look at the Elixir Interactive LinkedIn profile for an example. With so many people from all walks of life using social media it is a great way to advertise properties as well as your services.

The Internet is an important part of your business. Even if you don’t have a website or social media account, which you should have at least one, it is still important to maintain your online reputation. Anyone can say anything about you online and if it is not carefully monitored it could mean serious repercussions for your business. Digital marketing agencies, like Elixir Interactive , can help you control your online reputation and make sure that business isn’t damaged as well as improve your websites ranking in popular search engines like Google.

Surviving as a Realtor When the Market is Down is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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In these tough economic times its hard for many of us to see a light at the end of the financial tunnel especially if you are a senior.  Instead of additional income coming our way many of us have had to cut back on our spending as costs increase, but our income does not.  This is especially true of housing costs.  For many of us this offers a great opportunity to cut costs.

Interest rates are at an all time low and may go even lower as the Federal Reserve Board has reduced long term interest rates.  Therefore it makes sense to evaluate the possibility of refinancing your home mortgage.  For many homeowners in the US this is not a possibility.  That is because of the drop in home prices over the recent years they owe more than their home is worth, or their income is too low to refinance.  However it is worthwhile investigating if this is a possibility – and if it is to act on it.

Another way to cut your housing costs is simple – sell your home and look for a rental property.  This only makes sense if you live in a part of the country where rents are low.  If you do then its worth considering.

You can also consider moving to a part of the country where home prices are lower.  People are not relocating for job opportunities as much these days.  Jobs are just not as available as they use to be.  Therefore there are some parts of the country with low priced housing that may be attractive to you.

If you own your own home outright and are over the age of 62 then you may be eligible for a government-insured reverse mortgage.  This would allow you to collect the equity in your home and continue to live in the home without making mortgage payments.  If you are planning to leave the home to a heir then the loan will need to be repaid.  This is also known as a reverse mortgage.

Information to help seniors provided by Mortgage Calculator helping individuals to assess their financial options in relation to real estate.

Ideas for Cutting Housing Costs for Seniors is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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There are multiple reasons why individuals find themselves in need of the services of lawyer. Whether you’re looking for personal representation with a specific legal or civil situation, there are plenty of specialty lawyers in a law firm to support your cause. In addition, if you are the owner of a small business or LLC, you are likely going to find the services of a quality law firm an essential aspect of your development or continued growth. That being said, it certainly was not intended to say you must have legal representation to open a small business, however and depending on the size of your establishment, you are likely to seek consultation for some of the in-depth paper work.

Starting your own home business has been a dream for many people and while some have that instinctive entrepreneurial mindset, others consider their ideas to be more of a fantasy. They dream about independence, freedom of time, being their own boss and to some extent becoming extremely wealthy. Well, as anyone who has ever established their own small business knows, there really is very little freedom involved, and it is one of the hardest jobs you will ever have. Of course, the payoff is that you are working for yourself, which should be a motivating factor. However, many people end up walking away after a couple of years, eager to return to their nine to five regularity where they may be working for someone else, but someone else also carries all the weight and responsibility of the organizations success.

However, with these troubling economic times, greater numbers of people are pursuing new avenues of income, and this means turning their various talents into small businesses. This is where a bit of expert knowledge can always come in handy. If you happen to have a good friend who also specializes in corporate law, well that’s good for you. And if you don’t happen to be that fortunate but are considering creating a small business out of your personal talent, skill or educated profession, you might want to review the paperwork before making filing it on your own. It’s incredibly straight forward and common for sole owner businesses to get started, however, this choice also leaves the private owner in complete legal responsibility. This means that not only can your business go bankrupt, but it can potentially take it with you. There are other types of business structures such as the limited liability and partnership. The larger the potential business or corporation, the more complicated the paperwork will be. And if you’re planning to start a major corporation in a large city like Los Angeles, Chicago or New York you’ll want to seek out some legal consultation. Most cities have specialized legal support options, there are Phoenix and business law Denver options, as well as all major metropolitan areas in the country.

Legal Advice With Starting a New Business is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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Popular crime-solving television shows like Law & Order have greatly increased public awareness of the science required in detective work. Shows like Law & Order depict how trained scientists work to collect and analyze evidence in order to find and prosecute criminals. However, these shows have left some misperceptions about how investigators really work.

Although these shows have raised awareness for the fields of forensics, it has screwed some as they attempt to get into the field as a career. It’s important to understand that it’s not all what you see on television. Here are some key myths and how what you see in television is different from being a real life forensic investigator and/or psychologist:

1.       It’s spotless. Well-dressed actors portray forensic science as a very clean process. However, real forensic evidence requires a lot of messy work. If you own designer clothes, they may not be the most appropriate to wear to a crime scene or lab.

2.       Carrying a gun. Forensic psychologists and other scientists typically do not go armed, ask questions of suspects or even make arrests. Typically, a forensic investigator will analyze information and present to a jury—not get caught in a shootout.

3.       DNA is everywhere and there’s always a database to find the culprit. DNA tests are used, yes. However, they typically aren’t available instantly. Even the fastest tests in real life take up to two days to complete.

4.       Evidence is collected with a pencil or cloth. Using these items in real life could potentially contaminate pieces of evidence. Instead, experts obtain evidence using gloves and other tools.

5.       Fingerprints are easy to match. Wrong. Fingerprints are extremely difficult to match. In fact, investigators only use probability when matching fingerprints.

6.       Bullets are great evidence. Collecting bullets from a real crime scene is very different than how it’s done on television. Most bullets recovered from a scene are in fragments.

7.       Corpses look like sleeping people. In fact, corpses are typically extremely swollen and gray. Sometimes they are extremely deformed and look almost unrecognizable.

8.       Enhanced imaging. In shows like Law & Order, police investigators are often able to enhance and magnify even the most blurry of photographs or surveillance stills to recover important details. Although this is possible to a certain degree, it is impossible to extend a photograph or image beyond its given pixel ratio. In other words, once you magnify an image, it will only seem more blurry.

These are just a few of the differences between television and real-life forensics. It’s important to make the distinction before considering a career in forensics. Often people enter training with false hopes of what it means to be an investigator or forensic psychologist. Although these jobs are extremely important and rewarding, they differ a great deal from how these jobs are in reality.

Like any job, it’s important to be flexible and anticipate that things may not be as they seem. However, if you are fascinated by forensics and psychology, a career in investigations may be just what you are looking for. Despite having several differences between real life and television, a career in forensic psychology is extremely rewarding and lucrative.

Are you looking for an extremely exciting career? Do you want to be challenged on a daily basis? Do you want a job where no one day is like the next? Forensic psychology may be just the right job for you. Just remember before you go get that forensic psychology degree, it’s different than how you see it portrayed on Law & Order. Training is exciting and extremely rewarding. Do you have what it takes? If so, what are you waiting for?

Law & Order vs. Real New York Detectives is a post from: I Really Hate My Job

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