11 Helpful Sites for Job Seekers Find a Job.

Many people think of career sites as websites with job listings, but the job seeker has many more web tools at hand. There are experts dishing out great advice for free, as well as data resources for subjects like unemployment benefits or career trends. Here are 11 such sites you should be using:

National Employment Law Project

This site can help the long-term unemployed keep track of relevant legislation, particularly concerning unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies.

Fistful of Talent

Reading the posts on this blog is like listening to a lunchroom full of HR professionals, hiring managers, and recruiters talk about their likes, dislikes, and strategies. You’ll learn things like how recruiters find candidates online, or the kinds of questions they like, or their own worries about the recruiting process.

JobBound

The folks behind this career consulting firm were kind enough to share some free advice. Get rock-solid, up-to-date advice on how to write and style your resume and cover letter, and how to handle yourself in an interview.

Brazen Careerist

A necessity not just for the Gen-Y audience it focuses on, this site offers boatloads of insight into how young up-and-comers view and critique the workplace. That’s crucial if you’re going to be interviewed by a twentysomething, which will likely happen at some point.

LinkedIn

It's simple: You should be on here and your profile should look sharp and fresh. Your goal is to make it easy for people to find the very best side of you.

Seeking Alpha

This website graciously transcribes public companies’ earnings conference calls. That allows you to brush up on all the crucial, timely details about the public company you really want to work for (or its competitor), giving you the kind of insight that can elevate a cover letter or interview.

Careers at Alltop

This aggregator of topical RSS feeds puts an army of well-known careers bloggers right in front of you. Career expert Anita Bruzzese might give you a lesson in how to network without hating it. The folks at Careerbuilder’s Work Buzz blog will keep you updated on companies that are hiring.

CareerDiva

Eve Tahmincioglu describes her site as “the thinking man or woman’s career blog.” But even if you’re not much of a thinker, her advice will make you smarter because she has her nose in the news and her eye on solid career wisdom.

Facebook

Presumably, you have (or could have) hundreds of Facebook friends all over the country and most of them have listed their various employers in their profiles, or “Info” tabs. If you use an application like those offered by SimplyHired or Indeed, you’ll be able to search for jobs where your friends work and ping them for extra information on the company, or ask for the name of the person who’s hiring so you can contact them directly.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

This site is a bit of a beast, but it’s incredibly useful. To start, hover your mouse over the "Employment" tab on the left and click on “Employment Projections” in the drop-down menu. The most straightforward data is in the tables that start at the middle of the page. Back on the homepage, you’ll see a tab indicating resources for job seekers on the left. Click it.

Indeed's Job Trends

Indeed's Job Trends screenshot

Wondering what kind of positions are growing in demand? You can search any term to see the growth in percentage of posts that include the term. Bonus trend charts: job postings per capita, job market competition, and industry employment trends.

Top 10 Careers for Ultimate Job Security

Who doesn't want job security? These last few years of recession, layoffs, and unemployment have proved just how fickle the job market can be. As a result, more and more people are opting for career training or degree programs that lead to positions with greater job security. Though of course there are no guarantees in a shaky job market, some professions are much more stable than others. These ten jobs are as recession-proof as you can get.

1. Teacher: The demand for secondary school teachers is always strong, especially in the public school system. Teachers with a strong background in mathematics, bilingual education, and science will be in highest demand. Public school teachers must complete a bachelor's degree program, as well as an approved teaching program, before becoming licensed (median salary: $52,200).

2. Accountant: Working for a government agency offers job security for people with a degree in accounting. Government accountants start out with a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related discipline, and might hold a master's degree or higher (median salary: $60,340).

3. Registered nurse: Over the past decade, a nursing shortage has placed a great deal of strain on the health care industry. As a result, registered nurses are always in demand. There are three paths to becoming a registered nurse--earning an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program (median salary: $63,750).

4. College professor: Becoming a professor can lead to a long-term position with a college or university, and that can lead to tenure, which is one of the ultimate sorts of job security you can have. To ride the tenure track, most colleges require a doctorate in your chosen field of study (median salary: $58,830, though the salary can vary widely by field).

5. Federal judge: Most federal judges were attorneys before they made it to the bench. A bachelor's degree comes first, then three years of law school. Becoming a federal judge requires a firm grasp of the law, extensive legal experience, and a bit of political maneuvering thrown in for good measure (median salary: $112,830).

6. Environmental engineer: The push for green technology and a kinder approach to the natural world will put environmental engineers on the fast-track to success. Get your foot in the door with a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field (median salary: $77,040).

7. Pharmacist: As the world of health care continues to change rapidly, pharmacists will be needed to keep up with patient demand. Pharmacists must complete at least two years of undergraduate study before applying to a Pharm.D. program. Licensing is a must (median salary: $109,180).

8. Truck driver: With over 3.2 million truckers on the road, it's safe to say that becoming a truck driver is a popular career path. It is also a stable career, as there is no shortage of work for people who carry goods up and down the interstate. Career training for truck drivers begins with earning a commercial driver's license through a trade or vocational school (median salary: $37,730).

9. Telecommunications expert: As the virtual world grows larger and more complex, telecommunications experts will be needed to handle its intricate connections. Most jobs require a high school diploma, some offer on-the-job career training, and others require at least an associate's degree (median salary: $53,976).

10. Customer service representative: Good customer service is required in virtually every industry. A customer service representative might work from home, make connections through a call bank, or work for a small business that requires face-to-face assistance for customers. A high school diploma is required, and career training often takes place on the job. Earning a degree can lead to managerial and supervisory positions (median salary: $30,290).

Career training for job security
For the best job security, start with the best preparation. An accredited degree program can give you the edge you need in the competitive job market. Ongoing career training is the best way to stay on top of your game and move forward in your promising new career.

A Job For Every Dad

What kind of dad are you? Find career options that fit your dad skills!

Dads have a unique set of skills. From carpool driver to coach to cook...the modern dad does it all. But how do these skills translate to the work force?Use our handy guide to match your dad-skill with a great career!

For the dad who can get the kids to eat vegetables...

Marketing specialists help determine a company's strategy to bring in business. Duties include: advertising, promoting, and targeting products to the right consumers.
Dad-friendly factors: Many large corporations that employ entire marketing departments offer flex time, on-site child care, and telecommuting options.
Gear up: A bachelor's degree in business or marketing will show clients you've got the knowledge and skills to help their business grow. Once you've gained some experience, you could work as a consultant or marketing manager.
Get paid: According to Jobs-Salary.com, marketing consultants earn an average of $57,851 annually. Dads who advance to the level of marketing manager have even more reason to celebrate: the average annual salary is $108,580, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

For the dad who bandages scraped knees...

Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care, which includes everything from administering medication to checking vital signs. Job opportunities for RNs should be excellent, but will vary by location and employment setting, according to the Department of Labor.
Dad-friendly factors: Nurses are needed at all hours of the day and night, which means more scheduling options for you. Telephone triage nurses work from home via telephone or computer providing advice or managing cases.
Gear up: Complete a nursing degree or certificate program, then get licensed in your state.
Get paid: The average annual salary for registered nurses is $62,450.

For the dad who still has a spot for his laptop among the toys...

Medical coders assign codes to specific medical services and procedures, which helps insurance companies and health care providers bill for services.
Dad-friendly factors: According to the American Academy of Professional Coders, 39 percent of coders work from home at least part of the time, usually telecommuting for an employer such as a hospital or clinic.
Gear up: An associate's degree in medical billing and coding is the most common way to get started, but there are also one-year certificate and diploma programs.
Get paid: Coders who work for medical and surgical hospitals have an average annual salary of $32,600.

For the dad who can hook up a video game system...

Computer programmers develop, test, and design software and computer programs for everything from cell phones to mainframe computer systems to video game consoles.
Dad-friendly factors: Because computer programmers often work alone, it's the perfect job for telecommuting or even starting your own freelance business.
Gear up: A bachelor's degree in a field such as computer science or information systems will qualify you for most positions.
Get paid: $69,620 is the average annual salary for computer programmers.

For the dad who finger paints like a master...

Graphic designers conceive and create almost everything you see around you - from posters and web sites to the packaged goods you see on the supermarket shelf.
Dad-friendly factors: Many graphic designers work on a freelance basis from their home. Because you're not on a strict 9-to-5 schedule, you can coordinate your work with your family's routine.
Gear up: Get an associate's or bachelor's degree in graphic design.
Get paid: The average annual salary for graphic designers is $42,400.

For the dad who makes sure everyone plays fair...

Paralegals play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system, researching legal matters, putting together reports and other materials for attorneys, and assisting in the preparation of cases.
Dad-friendly factors: A lot of paralegal work involves research that can be done on any computer with an internet connection, which can make telecommuting a viable option. Web conferencing software allows you "attend" meetings while at home with the kids.
Gear up: Get started on your paralegal career with a certificate or associate's degree in paralegal studies.
Get paid: The average paralegal salary is $46,120.

Five Ways to $70k Careers You Can Fetch with a Bachelor's Degree

News reports recently highlighted a government communications job that pays $70,000 per year for a professional to post to Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately, that's a very rare and unusual position, and it requires moving to Oregon. For the rest of us, earning over $70,000 per year requires crafting a rare skill set, usually combining knowledge from more than one discipline. Moving past the $34 per hour mark also requires leveraging experience from a previous job. Accredited online degree programs can help you prepare for one of the following exciting careers:

Environmental Engineer

With government agencies requiring builders and businesses to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, more companies are looking for assistance from environmental engineers. Department of Labor statistics show the median annual salary in 2008 for environmental engineers was over $70,000. In addition, labor analysts expect job openings for environmental engineers with advanced degrees to increase faster than for other specialized engineering professionals. Online degree programs can help engineering graduates develop careers in this crucial niche.

College Professor

During economic downturns, career counselors often suggest searching for recession-proof careers. Looking to the ivory tower for a job might seem strange, especially for professionals with little advanced academic training. However, soaring college and university enrollments have forced schools to replace retiring faculty while hunting for talented instructors. In many states, a bachelor's degree can qualify many subject matter experts for jobs as adjunct professors. Completing an advanced degree can boost your earning potential even more. Although professors' salaries can vary wildly by region and specialty, a leading industry 2006-07 survey estimates that most post-secondary instructors earn annual salaries above $73,000.

Physician Assistant

America's need for high quality health care has created numerous job opportunities over the past few years. To bridge the gap between emergency room visits and regular examinations, insurance companies, drugstores, and private businesses have expanded the number of health clinics across the country. Physician assistants handle most of the routine diagnoses in these clinics, as well as in a growing number of private medical practices where doctors have become overwhelmed with their caseloads. Online undergraduate degree programs can help nurses and other health care workers prepare for certifications necessary to earn jobs that often pay more than $74,000 per year.

Interior Designer

It's easy to absorb the wisdom of home makeover shows and call yourself an interior decorator. However, to become a licensed interior designer, you must combine formal design and engineering training with the real world experience gained from apprenticeships and entry-level jobs in established design studios. Online degree programs allow aspiring interior designers to condense the time it takes to prepare for industry certification and state licensure. Government statistics indicate that one in four interior designers are self-employed, with the top 10 percent of professionals earning over $78,000.

Software Developer

Hackers and hobbyists often point out that in the past, little formal training is necessary to become a software developer. Earning an IT bachelor's degree online helps prospective software developers learn the discipline and the industry conventions required for lucrative corporate assignments as the market becomes more competitive. Likewise, an experienced software developer who earns a business degree can better understand how to market his or her creations. According to government data, many developers working as independent publishers earn over $79,000 per year. Privately employed developers may earn slightly less, but can also benefit from company perks and stock options not tracked by salary surveys.

While you can earn some bachelor's degrees entirely online, some programs require occasional project work in a lab or seminar setting. Making time to build some real-time networking into an online degree program can help develop the kinds of connections that lead to real world job leads. The very best bachelor's degree programs provide internships, job placement assistance, and other career counseling that leverages the quality of their alumni networks. By combining your personal passion, your life experience, and the structured learning of a degree program, you can put yourself on the path to an interesting career and a strong salary within the next four years.

Career Resources For Lawyers in Transition

If you’re looking for work as a lawyer, or hoping to transition into an alternative career, be sure to check out the resources available through your state and local bar associations. Most bar associations have a career portal on their websites, and many have established committees specifically to deal with the recession’s impact on the profession. For example:

• The American Bar Association has an Economic Recovery Resources web page with a plethora of information, from job search and networking advice and articles on practice management and career transitions, to tips on managing stress and student loan debt.
• The New York State Bar Association Committee on Lawyers in Transition, formed prior to the recession, now focuses on helping attorneys who have been laid off as a result of the economic downturn. Among other resources, the committee has a Lawyers in Transition blog and a series of webcasts on career strategies and development.
• The Los Angeles County Bar Association has a career site devoted to Career Transition Resources, including a Resource Guide for Unemployed Lawyers.
• The New York City Bar Association has a variety of resources for lawyers looking to start their career or to make a transition.

Some upcoming events:

• September 14 and 16, 2010, New York: The NYC Bar’s Center for CLE, the Committee on Career Advancement and Management, and the Committee on Law Student Perspectives are holding a Boot Camp: Basic Training for Lawyers, a two-day program “to provide recent law graduates and current law students with career planning information particularly relevant in today's economy, as well as practical and substantive insights into the practice of law.” (Note: the program is free to students and alumni of sponsoring law schools).
• September 15, 2010, Massachusetts: The Lawyers in Transition Committee of the Massachusetts Bar Association is sponsoring a program by Stephen Seckler on “Revving Up Your Fall Job Search.“ Seckler is a law firm marketing coach whose services include a new program called SLC Jump Start ^SM — Making the Transition from Associate Who Does the Work to Partner Who Generates the Work.