Career Conversations with Stephanie C. Harper  

Happy Monday...

Our topic today was the top 10 positions that make atleast $50,000 per year without a degree.  I want to apologize to the listeners for my fumbles at the beginning of the show, I was having some techinical difficulties....but I'm a professional...so I EVENTUALLY got it together.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 8 out of 10 of the fastest growing occupations through 2014, DO NOT REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE.  Before you quote me as saying, "the Career Expert, Stephanie C. Harper said I can get this job without a degree", let me also say "without a degree you must have extensive on the job training (10+ years), an appreticeship, certifications, or even possibly an Associates degree."

Here are the top jobs (average) national salary from the bottom up...

10.  Sales Representative - $58,580

9.  Elevator Installer and Repairer - $58,710

8.  Real Estate Broker - $58,720

7.  Municipal Fire Fighter & Prevention Supervisor - $58,920

6.  Forest Fighter and Prevention Supervisor - $58,300

5.  Non-retail Sales Manager - $59,300

The top 4 positions range in salary from $64,430 - $102,000

Tune in to find out what they are....  www.blogtalkradio.com/careercoversations

Send your employment questions to ask@StephanieHarper.com

Our Career Conversation topic was: How to anwer the question: WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?  Essentially, we learned not to say "hardworking, dependable, result-oriented, fast learner and a team player" because it does not answer the question.  Not to mention, the HR Professional or Hiring Mangers have heard that same "scripted" response from 100's of applicants and they want to know specifically about you.  So qualify youself, tell them EXACTLY why they should hire you. What skills do you have that apply to the position you are interviewing for?  How will those skills add value to the employer?  Why should they choose you over the other 100's of candidates who have the same skill, the same education and the same experience?

The ah-ha moment happened when we got a call from an entrpreneur who thought this was a GREAT TOPIC, but it didn't apply to them.  Well I beg to differ.  Here's a few like comparisions between a job seeker (JS) and an entrepreneur (ENT):

• JS: sends a resume with skills and ability for a particular area or field
• ENT: send a flyer or packet with skills and ability for a paticular area or field
• JS: Seeks a face to  face interview to talk about what they can do
• ENT:  Seeks to get a 1-1 meeting to talk about what they can do
• JS: Wants to be paid fairly for their skills, knowledge and expertise
• ENT: Wants to be paid fairly for their skills, knowledge and expertise

Whether working for an employer or a client, the bottom line is: BOTH ARE SAYING....HIRE ME!!  So what's the difference?  There is no difference in both situations, you have to be able to convice the employer or client THEY SHOULD HIRE YOU!!

For more insight on this topic, pick up Stephanie's book WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?

www.StephanieHarper.com

We also had a caller from Ohio (hey Keith!!) who tells his students to go around Human Resources and go straight to the hiring manager.  So Keith, here's my question: WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU TELL YOUR STUDENTS TO OFFEND THE PERSON WITH THE FINAL SAY IN THE HIRING DECISION?  The HR Manager usually conducts the reference, background or criminal check.  It's easy to say "something came up in their background and we are not able to hire them at this time".  In many instances, we take everything into consideration, but sometimes when the power is in your hands, you use it to your advantage.  HR Professionals are people too! Along with our training, one of the main sources we rely upon is intuituon (gut feelings).  A bad vibe could equal a bad hire, why take the risk?  And what about down the line if there's a disciplinary issue.  If you have offended me, and you didn't need me to get in, why do you need me now to say? Again, HR Professionals are people too!  Yeah, Human Resources is a force to be reckoned with.  So Keith, tell your student to go to the hiring manager first...and then follow up with Human Resources (wink). 

SCH

Greetings Career People!

Careers Conversations with Stephanie C.Harper is the ONLY talk radio show created to with the sole intent to help you get the job or take your career to the next level!

Harper is a 16 year certified human resource professional (turned Author, Career Expert, Speaker and Radio Host) who has first hand knowledge on how your career can affect your entire life.  One bad life choice, and your career is over.  One bad career choice, can change your life.  The reality is we spend 70% of our lives (2080 hours per year) in the workplace and that's too much time to be anywhere MISERABLE.

This show will offer a variety of topics than you can't read about (unless you have Harper's books) and topics people just don't talk about.  This show will address the things people do and don't want to talk about like:

• Who is doing what, how they got there and what it takes to stay there (LIVE interviews).
• What it's like to have a career people don't take seriously (preachers, musicians, dancers, and even authors).
• Where the jobs are in the "so called hidden market" and how to make friends before you need them.
• When something as simple as writing  a bad check can cost you a dream job (check cashing is an $81 billion dollar industry).
• Why Sally and John are 50% more employable than Jamal and LaKeisha (just because of the name).
• How many occupations and business principles are really right out of the  Bible (for those of us who live by Faith).

Tune in every Monday at 10AM Eastern.  The call in # is 646.915.8594.

Looking forward to our many Career Conversations !!

Stephane C. Harper, PHR, CCP, CHRM                                                     Author, Career Expert, Speaker and Radio Host                                         Books:  Why Should I Hire You?, Career Tips and A Kingdom Built Career          

www.StephanieHarper.com