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[L535]Looking For New Jobs

by Jan Maxwell, Jan

That's why over 90% of employers now run background checks on potential hires.

During a background check, a hiring company takes a good look at your personal and professional history. They verify your education and past employment, check to see if there is criminal activity in your past, and talk to your references. Some companies may even look at your driving record, credit history or previous drug testing results.

To run a thorough background check, a company needs some very specific information from you. For example, they need contact information for your former employers and the names of your previous supervisors.

This type of detailed information is typically not found on a resume, even one that is professionally prepared. So companies have candidates fill out a job application that is specifically designed to get the information that's required to run a complete background check.

How you fill out a company's job application is directly tied to whether or not you get the job. In fact, over 80% of companies say that discrepancies on a job application can take a candidate out of consideration.

When you fill out a job application, you want to make sure that your information is complete and easy to verify. However, there are lots of situations that can cause problems for an applicant. Here are a few:

What kind of contact information do you provide for a former employer that has gone out of business?

If you worked for a company through a temporary agency, who do you list as the employer?

If you were fired from your previous job, should you leave it off the application?

How you answer these and other questions can make the difference between a swift and successful background check and one that grinds to a halt because information can't be verified. Human resources will usually caution against hiring someone whose information is hard to read, has gaps or inconsistencies, or is lacking important details.

A successful job search requires a professional-looking resume, strong interviewing skills, and a can-do attitude. These tools will get you in the door and help you make the final cut.

But if you don't pass the background check, you won't get the job.

Take the time to prepare the detailed information that will go on your job application. It's one of the best things you can do in your job search.

Many clients, especially young professionals just starting out, often ask about future trends for employment and opportunity. My answer is always the same it depends on current supply and demand. Population and population trends are the biggest contributors to determining supply and demand of employment opportunities for the future.

With automation and advancing technology the some industries have slowed while others have exploded and new ones are developing daily. Any new industries and the ancillary careers that emerge from them are a good place to start. The industry shift tends to be toward more skilled positions so an education or formal training is a must for today's young adults.

As our younger generation grows up we will need more educators to teach the children, and as baby-boomers move into their retirement years, the need for more healthcare jobs becomes necessary. These population shifts alter the demands that will determine future trends in employment. Although projections show increases of 14% from 2002 to 2012 in the American workforce, the demographics change considerably.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the next half dozen years the fastest growing industries will be Technology at 35.8%, Healthcare at 34.5%, Nursing industry increasing 27.3%, Human Resources at 26.2%, and Criminal Justice and Education/Teaching both at 24.7% rounding the top five growth industries. So, when looking into industries with largest potential for available jobs the above industries are the top contenders.

Now if my clients are looking strictly at the income opportunity then I would suggest looking at a different index also released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which shows the largest salary and wage changes for the next decade. Occupations listed below are expected to provide the largest earnings potential increase, starting with Software Publishing leading with a whopping 68% increase followed by Computer System Design and Related services, and Management, Scientific and Technology Consulting services both increasing earnings by 55%, Employment service come close at 54% and Social Assistance (except child day care) at 47% and finally Motion Pictures and Video increasing by 31%.

While many of the advancing growth industries are dissimilar from the highest income candidates, the computer related industries and health care still look most promising in terms of both opportunity and income potential. But before my clients run to change their career goals I try to remind them that it's although income and opportunity are important if this is their planned career field for the next 20, 30 or 50 years they should make sure it is one that will offer them appeal, interest and enjoyment for many years.

Article Source : Hunting Land In Pa

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Both Jan Maxwell & Kris Plantrich are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Jan Maxwell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Writing. . Jan Maxwell's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.

Kris Plantrich has sinced written about articles on various topics from Career Change, Interview Questions and Retirement. Kris Plantrich is the owner of ResumeWonders Writing and Career Coaching Services. She is certified in Resume Writing and Interview Coaching, experienced and affordable and is nationally published. Reuse of this article is encouraged but must include a li. Kris Plantrich's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.