The 10 Most Stressful Jobs of 2010

1. Firefighter
Stress Rank: 200
Stress Score: 110.936
Unemployment: Very Low*
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: Very High
Competition: Low

Firefighters frequently work irregular or unusual hours, or remain on call throughout the night. They risk heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and serious injury while on the job, and even the state of anticipation preceding a major threat can be highly stressful in itself. Firefighters are also sometimes required to spend long hours outdoors in bad weather.

2. Corporate Executive (Senior)
Stress Rank: 199
Stress Score: 108.625
Unemployment: Very Low*
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: High
Competition: High

This highly competitive field requires detailed knowledge of the financial community, economic trends as well as technological developments and implications. Senior executives are expected to excel in many different fields at once, and face daily pressure to make far-reaching decisions that can affect numerous employees and their company’s bottom line.

3. Taxi Driver
Stress Rank: 198
Stress Score: 100.491
Unemployment: High*
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Moderate

Taxi drivers generally work erratic hours, including late nights and weekends. High speed driving in traffic, especially in major cities, is quite dangerous, and they frequently drive in bad weather conditions as well. In addition, taxi drivers are confined to their vehicle all day with a supply of cash, making them vulnerable to criminals.

4. Surgeon
Stress Rank: 197
Stress Score: 99.463
Unemployment: Very Low*
Hours Per Day: 11
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: High

Surgeons can be required to work at odd hours, and many operations take hours to complete. Operating calls for extreme precision and attention to detail, and can require quick decision making with life or death consequences. In addition, rising malpractice insurance costs are a major cause of stress for many surgeons.

5. Police Officer
Stress Rank: 196
Stress Score: 93.893
Unemployment: Very Low*
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

Police officers face potentially life-threatening situations daily. Shifts can be long and strenuous, especially in emergencies, and work requires both physical and emotional strength. Other possible stress factors include interacting with the public and providing medical attention to injured parties.

6. Commercial Pilot
Stress Rank: 195
Stress Score: 85.350
Unemployment: Moderate*
Hours Per Day: 9
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

Commercial Pilots are under pressure to guarantee the comfort and safety of passengers while staying within flight schedules, even when flying in inclement weather. Working irregular hours and on varying routes forces pilots to layover in other cities, leading to frequent jet lag.

7. Highway Patrol Officer
Stress Rank: 194
Stress Score: 80.651
Unemployment: Very Low*
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Low

Highway patrol officers often work late nights, and on weekends and holidays. They face many hazards, such as high-speed chases and gun-toting citizens. Work requires physical stamina and close attention to detail, and officers have the added stresses of handling life-threatening situations and being in the public eye.

8. Public Relations Officer
Stress Rank: 193
Stress Score: 78.523
Unemployment: Low*
Hours Per Day: 9
Time Pressure: High
Competition: Very High

Public relations specialists make speeches and give presentations, often in front of large crowds. Because it is a highly competitive field, specialists must work quickly and creatively to meet deadlines. In addition, some PR officers are required to interact with potentially hostile members of the media.

9. Advertising Account Executive
Stress Rank: 192
Stress Score: 74.555
Unemployment: High*
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: Moderate
Competition: Very High

Although not physically demanding, work in advertising is emotionally and mentally stressful. Competition and the pressure of acquiring and maintaining major accounts forces executives in this field to work long and irregular hours. The work requires a high level of creativity, meeting deadlines, close attention to detail and self-motivation.

10. Real Estate Agent
Stress Rank: 191
Stress Score: 73.063
Unemployment: Low*
Hours Per Day: 9.5
Time Pressure: High
Competition: Very High

Real estate agents and brokers work long, erratic hours, spending much of their showing properties to clients. They must be extremely independent, and able to handle sales quotas and deadline pressures. Because they work in an extremely competitive field, successful agents and brokers are expert salespersons.

source: careercast.com

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Hot Careers for the Future

Experts Predict Where the Jobs Will Be in 2018

Government economists estimate which occupations will have the most job openings between 2008 and 2018. Openings occur because new jobs are created and because workers retire or leave the field for other reasons.

Check out these top 10 lists of occupations, sorted by the level of education typically required:

Graduate degree
Bachelor’s degree
Associate’s degree or postsecondary vocational award

Occupations with the Most Job Openings: Graduate Degree

Occupation Total Job Openings 2008–2018
Postsecondary teachers 553,000
Doctors and surgeons 261,000
Lawyers 240,000
Clergy 218,000
Pharmacists 106,000
Educational, vocational, and school counselors 94,000
Physical therapists 79,000
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists 66,000
Mental health and substance abuse social workers 61,000
Instructional coordinators 61,000

Occupations with the Most Job Openings: Bachelor’s Degree

Occupation Total Job Openings 2008–2018
Elementary school teachers, except special education 597,000
Accountants and auditors 498,000
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education 412,000
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education 251,000
Computer systems analysts 223,000
Computer software engineers, applications 218,000
Network systems and data communications analysts 208,000
Computer software engineers, systems software 153,000
Construction managers 138,000
Market research analysts 137,000

Occupations with the Most Jobs Openings: Associate’s Degree or Postsecondary Vocational Award

Occupation Total Job Openings 2008–2018
Registered nurses 1,039,000
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 422,000
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 391,000
Computer support specialists 235,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists 220,000
Automotive service technicians and mechanics 182,000
Preschool teachers, except special education 178,000
Insurance sales agents 153,000
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians 136,000
Real estate sales agents 128,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and collegeboard.com

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Is a Cover Letter Still Important?

A cover letter is often times considered the gate keeper to securing an interview with a potential employer. It is typically the first communication that potential employers receive from a candidate and can directly impact whether or not they choose to read your resume and ultimately call you for an interview.

An effective cover letter  should engage the reader to want to know more about you and should showcase your personality and passion for your career. It should also focus on the attributes that make you uniquely qualified for the job and describe your skills and how they would be applied to add value in the position.


Located below are a few simple tips that you should use to create an effective cover letter:

source: Atlanta Career Path

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