10 Promising Jobs For 2010
Robert Half 2010 Salary Guides Reveal Compensation Not Likely to Increase
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For Most Positions, But Some Areas Offer Encouragement
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Please contact Kristie Perrotte for copies of the 2010
Salary Guides from Robert Half International. Your readers can order free
copies of the guides by visiting our Salary Centres (see About the Robert
Half 2010 Salary Guides, Page 5) or calling (800) 803-8367.
"Companies will continue to scrutinize expenditures in the coming year and it is evident that this trend is also affecting starting salaries," said
Following is an overview of compensation trends, segmented by field, along with 10 positions showing steady or increasing compensation, according to the Salary Guides:
2010 Salary Trends: Accounting and Finance
Starting salaries for accounting and finance positions are expected to decrease by an average of 0.4 per cent in 2010. Businesses seek financial professionals who can help manage costs and enhance profitability. Companies also value personnel who possess deep technical expertise, are excellent communicators and collaborate effectively with colleagues across multiple departments.
Positions with the best prospects include:
1. 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 ($25 million to $250 million in sales) is anticipated to earn
$57,750 to $73,500 in starting salary in 2010.
2. Credit manager/supervisor: Companies need professionals who can
contribute to the bottom line by reducing inefficiencies and
enhancing 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/supervisors working in large companies (over
$250 million in sales) is projected to range between $67,000 and
$94,250.
3. Senior accountant: Professionals with an accounting designation are
sought to handle projects ranging from maintaining the general ledger
system to analyzing and preparing financial statements. Individuals
who can identify cost-saving opportunities are particularly valuable
to their organizations. Senior accountants at large companies are
forecast to earn $56,250 to $74,500 in annual base compensation.
4. Accounting clerk: Entry-level job seekers are required to help
companies perform basic accounting procedures, including processing
accounts receivables to assist in generating cash flow. Many
companies who had made deep cuts are looking for individuals to help
manage increasing workloads and assist with special projects. Base
compensation for accounting clerks is projected to range between
$31,750 and $42,500.
2010 Salary Trends: Information Technology
National starting salaries for IT roles are forecast to remain relatively flat with an average decrease of only 0.2 per cent in 2010. Professionals who are most in demand are able to tie IT initiatives to larger business objectives, helping their firms become more efficient and reduce costs. In addition, managers seek candidates with strong communication skills for projects that involve collaborating with peers in other areas of the company.
Positions with the best prospects include:
5. Network engineer: 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, chief
information officers interviewed for the fourth-quarter Robert Half
Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report cited networking as the
most in-demand skill set. Network engineers can expect to see
starting salaries in the range of $70,750 to $93,000 in the coming
year.
6. Business systems analyst: As IT and business processes become
increasingly aligned, companies are leveraging the abilities of
software/systems to improve efficiencies and reduce expenditures.
Business systems analysts are in strong demand by companies to help
bridge IT with the business and achieve overall objectives. These
professionals can expect to see base salaries increase to the range
of $73,500 to $97,750.
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 in support of
a variety of IT projects. Base compensation for these professionals
is projected to range from $62,500 to $82,500.
2010 Salary Trends: Administrative and Office Support
Starting salaries for administrative professionals are projected to decrease by an average of 2.2 per cent in 2010. However, demand is steady for administrative candidates with broad expertise and the ability to multitask, especially within teams that have been stretched thin and have redistributed work among fewer employees. In addition, firms want support staff who are confident as they approach unexpected situations, quick to learn new skills and able to help others adapt to change.
Positions with the best prospects include:
8. 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 $28,750 to $37,500.
9. 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. Senior executive assistants are
likely to see starting salaries in the range of $48,000 to $64,750.
10. Data entry specialist: As companies hire professionals to help manage
workflow and assist with special projects, those skilled in high-
volume data entry will be in greater demand. Increasingly, these
professionals need to work interdepartmentally while juggling
multiple priorities. Data entry specialists are forecast to earn
between $26,750 and $31,750 in 2010.
Bolt noted that many firms continue to report recruiting challenges despite current labour market conditions. "While many employers themselves have been more selective to avoid costly hiring mistakes, many are faced with competition for high performers and an unwillingness of professionals to leave secure positions. Supplementing full-time employees with skilled temporary professionals allows companies to manage business demands while avoiding over-hiring and the need for possible future layoffs."
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