Posted By Amanda Collins on December 19, 2009

Courtesy of StAndrewsjobnetwork@yahoogroups.com

Accounting and Finance
1. Tax accountant: Companies seek tax accountants who can help their organizations achieve bottom-line savings through effective tax management strategies. Businesses also need their guidance to comply with tax regulations. Tax accountants with one to three years of experience at large companies, defined as having more than $250 million in sales, are expected to see an average national starting salary of $46,500 to $61,500.

2. Compliance director: Companies need professionals who can help them comply with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission mandates and prepare for the potential transition to international financial reporting standards. New regulations that are issued as a result of the financial crisis may generate further demand for professionals with the requisite compliance expertise. The starting salary range for a compliance director at a small company, defined as having up to $25 million in sales, is forecast to be $83,750 to $108,500.

3. Credit manager or supervisor: Companies need professionals who can reduce inefficiencies and enhance profitability. As a result, credit and collections specialists who can evaluate credit risk, manage delinquent payments and help improve cash flow are in demand. Base compensation for credit managers or supervisors working in small companies is projected to range between $42,500 and $57,500.

4. Senior financial analyst: Businesses need professionals who are able to evaluate financial plans, forecasts and budgets, and identify ways to improve profitability. A senior financial analyst at a midsize company, defined as having $25 million to $250 million in sales, is expected to earn $57,750 to $74,000 in starting salary in 2010.

Information Technology
5. Network administrator: Cloud computing, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Software as a Service (SaaS) have significantly increased the complexity of and requirements placed on networks. Further, network administration remains an in-demand skill, according to chief information officers interviewed by Robert Half International. Network administrators can expect to see starting salaries of $54,500 to $80,250 in the coming year.

6. Information systems security manager: Protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information from internal and external breaches is crucial for companies of all sizes, making security professionals integral to the IT department. The salary range for an information systems security manager is expected to be $96,500 to $130,750.

7. Systems engineer: As companies implement new technologies, technical services roles remain critical to the organization. Systems engineers are in demand to help companies develop and maintain technical infrastructure, hardware and system software components. Base compensation for these professionals is projected to range from $64,250 to $93,250.

Administrative and Office Support
8. Medical records clerk: As more hospitals and health care organizations transition from paper to electronic medical records, facilities will seek medical records clerks who can help supervise the scanning and processing of patient data. These individuals can expect to earn a starting salary of $23,750 to $31,500 in 2010.

9. Customer service representative: In the current economy, hiring managers consider customer service the function most critical to their organizations’ success, according to the 2009 Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations (EDGE) Report from Robert Half and CareerBuilder. The salary range for a customer service representative is projected to be $22,750 to $30,750.

10. Executive assistant: Companies with leaner teams are looking for employees to take on a wider range of duties. Executive assistants who can wear many hats, support multiple managers and adapt readily to change are in particular demand. These individuals are likely to see starting salaries of $35,000 to $47,000.

Visit http://www.rhi.com/SalaryGuides for more information about the Salary Guides, which include the “2010 Salary Guide” for accounting and finance, produced by Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources; the Robert Half Technology “2010 Salary Guide” for technology professionals; and the “OfficeTeam 2010 Salary Guide” for administrative positions.

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Tags: Job Search

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 10, 2009

According to a recent e-mail I received from Climber.com, only 40% to 60% of jobs appear on the major job boards and only 25% of new hires come from job board postings. If you are relying exclusively on sites such as Jobing, Monster, and The Ladders, you are doing your job search a disservice. You may be missing the job you want or not even be seen because you’re up against so much competition.

So what’s the better way to find a job in today’s technologically charged world? Although there’s certainly not one “right” answer, you can really increase your chances of finding a position by having a multifaceted approach.

Networking
Most major cities have job seeker support groups. No matter where you are, you’re likely to find a group of people who are looking for jobs. Check with community colleges, churches, and temples. These groups offer not only support but often training. I have spoken at a few resource events about résumés, and they invite sales coaches, networking experts, and career counselors to provide free or low-cost training. Even if you don’t get to a group, start telling people that you’re looking – and for what. Post a status on your Facebook or Twitter. You never know who’ll be reading.

LinkedIn
Recruiters are scouring LinkedIn for quality employees. Susan Healthfield, in her article “Use LinkedIn for Recruiting Employees,” gives employers hints on how to use the networking site, and many of her hints can be reversed and used by employees. Make sure your profile is complete; your résumé serves as its basis and the site is pretty simple to use. When you connect with people, share your value proposition. Do research on the companies or positions you’re targeting. Ask for informational interviews to learn more about people and companies. Post and answer questions. If you’re active on the site, people will notice.

Recruiters
Are you working with a recruiter in your job search? They don’t charge you anything, and by putting yourself on their radars, you will know about those unadvertised positions that might be a great fit. There are many national recruiting companies, as well as a number of local specialists in a variety of arenas. (I work with a few, so if you need some names, let me know.) Although recruiters may not have the multitude of positions on their dockets they did a few years ago, they can still provide another resource – especially if you’re exactly what one of their clients needs.

The old saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” certainly applies to job seeking as well. Explore options and stay positive. That next great job is out there.

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Tags: Job Search, linkedin, networking, recruiters, Resumes