HR Manager Listed Among Best Jobs in 2012

As the job market continues to improve, you might wonder which jobs are doing well.  Find out some of the best (and worst) jobs in 2012, according to one source.

 

Professions that provide us with our news – Newspaper Reporter and Broadcaster – ranked among the worst jobs in the nation, according to the new 2012 CareerCast.com Jobs Rated Report. Lumberjacks, who work on the hottest and coldest days in a highly dangerous occupation with a low salary and a history of high unemployment, were rated as having the worst job in the nation.

 

“Many jobs in the media are characterized by high stress, short deadlines, long hours and a poor hiring outlook,” explains Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com’s 2012 Jobs Rated Report. “Despite these poor working conditions, competition is steep for what jobs remain after massive consolidation and layoffs in the media industry.”

 

On the other end of the spectrum, Software Engineer remains the nation’s best job for the second year in a row. Employment of computer software engineers is expected to rise by 30% in the next eight years, which is much faster than the average for any other occupation. Rounding out the top five rated jobs are Actuary, Human Resources Manager, Dental Hygienist and Financial Planner.

 

“The top-rated jobs have few physical demands, minimal stress, a good working environment and a strong hiring outlook,” says Mr. Lee. “Conversely, Lumberjacks and Dairy Farmers, two of the worst jobs in the nation, work in physically demanding, precarious, low-paying professions with a weak hiring outlook.”

 

Three of the worst-rated jobs are in the food industry – Waiter/Waitress, Dishwasher and Butcher. In addition to Lumberjack, Dairy Farmers, Newspaper Reporters, and Broadcasters, other jobs in the bottom 10 of the 2012 CareerCast.com Jobs Rated Report include Enlisted Military Personnel, Oil Rig Worker and Meter Reader.

 

A college education continues to be important criteria for career happiness, as nearly all of the top-rated jobs require a degree or advanced training. Many of the worst jobs do not even require a high school diploma.

 

“While it’s true that some people are happy washing dishes, waiting tables or slicing meat as a career, job seekers who want to compete for the nation’s best jobs need to gain a competitive edge by expanding their knowledge and skill set with a college education,” says Mr. Lee.

 

To see the full rankings of all 200 jobs and the report’s methodology, go to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated.