INDUSTRY NEWS
Yearning for a Different Job? C
areerCast.com, a well-known job search website, recently published its 26th annual Jobs Rated report, ranking 200 jobs from “best to worst” based upon a combination of objective and subjective metrics for which they devise an overall score—the higher the score, the worse the job. They also publish subset lists, such as “The Best Jobs for Introverts” or “10 Best Jobs without a Degree.” CareerCast analysts review a wide range of critical aspects and categorize them into four “core criteria” that are inherent in every job—environment, income, outlook, and stress. Each core category includes a range of sub-factors that serve to explain and help quantify it. For instance, “physical demands,” such as bending, stooping and carrying, is integrated into the environment score. Scores for items like “amount of travel” and “hazards encountered” are included in the stress-level calculation. Interestingly, the core criteria are not equally weighted. Since most of us work mainly to earn a living, the most important and higher weighted criteria are income and the hiring outlook. The assumption is we would work at a job that has a high income and a good long-term outlook, and more readily accept the negatives, such as stress, physical demands, personal risk, or bad working conditions. Jobs with pleasant working conditions, low stress, and good future hiring prospects are highly rated. The dangerous, stressful, and unpopular jobs, like yours, are piled up in the bottom quartile—culminating with lumberjack at 200.
by Robert L. DiLonardo DiLonardo is a well-known authority on the electronic article surveillance business, the cost justification of security products and services, and retail accounting. He is the principal of Retail Consulting Partners, LLC (retailconsultingllc.com), a firm that provides strategic and tactical guidance in retail security equipment procurement. DiLonardo can be reached at 727-709-6961 or by email at rdilonar@tampabay.rr.com.
type and breadth of jobs appearing for the first time, such as mobile app designer, or drop off, such as blacksmith. This year, a regulatory shift—the passing of the Affordable Care Act—is having an enormous impact on the healthcare job market. Combined with the fact that about 10,000 Baby Boomers qualify for Medicare daily, these trends are likely to continue for the next several years. CareerCast also notes that technology is, once again, having an impact on the demand, compensation, and environment of a job. It’s also a rewarding career path all its own, as evident by the ranking of IT jobs throughout the top 100.
Retail-Related Jobs
Twelve jobs are related directly or well-correlated to retail. The highest ranked job is human resources manager (13). There are no other retail-oriented jobs in the top fifty and just four jobs ranked in between 50 and100. The other seven are ranked in the bottom 100. If you think that “mahogany row” might be a good gig for you, cashier (107) ranks much higher than corporate executive [senior] (132). But the pay differential is very wide—$19,000 to $102,000. A purchasing manager (152) edges the sales person [retail] (153) and the buyer [wholesale/retail] (167).
Looking Inward
Topping the main list for 2014 are mathematician (1), university professor [tenured] (2), and statistician (3). All metrics are extremely positive—great work environment, no stress, plenty of jobs on the horizon, and decent pay, ranging between $69,000 and $101,000 per year. The best twenty jobs fall into six general categories— academia (2 jobs), insurance (3 jobs), healthcare (8 jobs), engineering (2 jobs), information technology (3 jobs) and general business (2 jobs).
An article like this starts us day dreaming about changing careers…again! We’ve all been there more than once, me included. We muse wistfully at the list and flash back to the time when our life’s page was blank, and we could make any choice in the world. At this point maybe we’ve finally decided to explore a field that inspires our inner passion about something. It’s never too late. So, I decided to check out the list to see where I had been, and what I might do when I finally grow up. As it turns out, I have held ten of these jobs, ranging from accountant (40) to enlisted military (198). I dreamed of six others, ranging from economist (18) to actor (151). Management consultant (63), my current career path, has been great. It will be difficult to replace.
Outside Influences
Amusing Anomalies
Best Three
Over time, economic, technological, regulatory, social, cultural, and demographic changes in society impact the
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There are a few anomalies that gave me a chuckle. Disc jockey (188) is rated lower than policeman (187). LPPORTAL.COM
7/22/14 10:24 AM
