Fastest Growing Jobs in Health Care

In the two years since the economy began its downward slide, health care has been one of the few industries that continued to rise. Because we're living longer than ever and the baby boomers are aging, demand for health care is growing.

Understandably, many people think of health care as all about doctors and nurses. After all, when you go to the hospital or have your annual check-up, your interaction is usually with a nurse and then a doctor. All the lab tests and other work are done behind the scenes, so these positions get overlooked. The health care industry will continue to grow in the coming decade and the jobs won't just be in the operating room, though many will.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these 11 jobs in health care will see growth in the coming years. Here are the jobs, their expected growth in the next decade, education requirements and annual mean salary*:

1. Physician assistants perform many of the same tasks of a physician -- such as treating injuries and supervising medical assistants -- but are under a physician's supervision at all times.
2008-2018 increase: 41.3 percent
Education: College degree and relevant experience
Salary: $81,610

2. Medical secretaries perform administrative duties in health-care facilities and rely on their knowledge of medical terminology and procedures.
2008-2018 increase: 27 percent
Education: Varies, but college degrees are increasingly common requirements
Salary: $30,800

3. Physicians and surgeons treat patients for existing medical conditions and also advise them on preventative care. Surgeons concentrate on operations rather than the non-surgical approaches of physicians.
2008-2018 increase: 26 percent
Education: Medical degrees, residencies and licenses
Salary: Surgeons - $206,770, general internists - $176,740

4. Registered nurses address some health problems of patients as well as collect and maintain their medical records.
2008-2018 increase: 23.4 percent
Education: Varies between college degrees requirements and certification, depending on state and employer
Salary: $65,130

5. Counselors work in various health-care facilities to help clients overcome physical or mental health obstacles they are encountering.
2008-2018 increase: 22.6 percent
Education: Varies by state and facility, but college degree and certification are typical
Salary: Mental health - $40,270, rehabilitation - $34,600, substance abuse and behavioral disorder - $39,670

6. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses provide care for injured or ill patients in health-care facilities and private homes.
2008-2018 increase: 21.9 percent
Education: Nursing license from an accredited school or institution, other requirements vary by state
Salary: $40,110

7. Billing and posting clerks and machine operators assess the cost of a patient's health care, draw up the bill and send it to them.
2008-2018 increase: 19.7 percent
Education: Varies by institution, but a high school diploma and basic computer skills are common
Salary: $32,120

8. Social workers provide emotional and mental support to patients who have substance abuse problems or suffer from medical ailments.
2008-2018 increase: 19.5 percent
Education: Bachelor's degrees and often advanced degrees are required, in addition to state-mandated licenses and certifications
Salary: Medical and public health - $47,560, mental health and substance abuse - $39,630

9. Receptionists and information clerks work in health-care facilities and address customer or patient questions or concerns and direct them to the appropriate department or personnel.
2008-2018 increase: 16.1 percent
Education: Minimum requirement of high school diploma, although some employers require more education or relevant experience
Salary: $25,400

10. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in medical laboratories to perform tests that help diagnose, treat or prevent illnesses.
2008-2018 increase: 14 percent
Education: Technologists need a bachelor's degree in a related subject and technicians need an associate degree
Salary: Technologists - $54,050, technicians - $44,310

11. Pharmacists dispense medicine to patients based on the diagnoses and prescriptions of physicians and other medical professionals.
2008-2018 increase: 14 percent
Education: A Doctor of Pharmacy degree and license
Salary: $104,260

*All information based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama

Available Jobs, Not Enough Skilled Workers

Two years after the start of the recession, the unemployment rate is still near double digits, which translates to millions of Americans looking for work. For every open job, employers have dozens or even hundreds of applicants eager to get hired. Yet many employers insist that finding qualified candidates is difficult, even in this economy. How can that be?

These employers don't have a shortage of applicants -- they have a shortage of qualified applicants. For most positions, the necessary skills, experience and education requirements are firm and can't be loosened because of a lack of suitable candidates. Bad economy or not, employers need to know their workers are the best possible people for the job.

A good worker is hard to find
"These jobs were difficult to fill prior to the economic downturn," says Julian L. Alssid, executive director of the Workforce Strategy Center in New York. "Hopefully, they will be less difficult to fill as we move more toward a more demand-driven work-force development system in the U.S. This means local employers working directly with community colleges, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions that help people gain skills that are in demand by employers."

Education is an invaluable asset for any applicant, but as many job seekers can attest, it isn't the only prerequisite for employment. When employers are choosing the right candidate for their organizations, they want to see years of experience and an education that isn't outdated. As you can imagine, any worker who falls at extreme ends of the spectrum -- such as a new graduate or an industry veteran -- can be at a disadvantage. New graduates know the latest research and technology, but they don't have the years of firsthand experience that employers value.

"We do hear employers complain that younger workers fresh out of school often lack a practical understanding of how to apply what they have learned in their classrooms to the workplace," Alssid says. "That said, we have heard from several experienced workers that they feel they are losing out on jobs to younger -- less costly -- candidates."

Education matters
Don't mistake a need for experience as a reason to dismiss education. The problem is that job seekers have to take responsibility for their education because many employers no longer have the time and budget to groom new hires.

"Employers seem to be less willing to invest in training in this economy. Again, it is the combination of the right credential and practical experience they look for," Alssid says.

Take the initiative to improve your credentials so employers see a candidate they're ready to hire now.

"Many job seekers can make themselves more competitive by getting industry-recognized credentials that are valued in today's workplace," Alssid says. "In many cases, that might mean a short-term certificate, not another college or graduate degree."

But many employers are ready to hire.
"We hear about the skills shortage from industries including health care, advanced manufacturing, IT and energy," Alssid says. Although no specific job title is in constant need, any positions relying on math and technical expertise are consistently difficult to fill. "I have heard from several advanced manufacturers that they would hire engineers and engineering technicians in a heartbeat."

Supporting his assessment is the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which expects biomedical engineers and network systems and data communications analysts to be the fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018. As a result, job seekers who are applying to these fields and who have the qualifications need to put their experience and skills front and center. In the cover letter, résumé and interview, don't let hiring managers forget that you already have the skills they need. After all, you are just one job seeker in a competitive market; show employers that you're different from the rest.

By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Today's 20 Fastest-Growing Occupations

For the past two years, as job growth has gone from nonexistent to lackluster, workers and job seekers have been waiting to hear good news. Job seekers on all fronts want good news. Unemployed job seekers need to pay the bills and get back in the work force. Employed job hunters want to get out of dead-end jobs and earn competitive salaries. College students on the verge of graduating are eager to embark on a career and use the education they accumulated over the past four years.

The job seeker situation can be summarized in one word: frustrating.

The economy is recovering, but the recovery is slow. If you're in need of a new job, it's too slow. You can't wait several years until things are back to their pre-recession levels. Fortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified 20 jobs that are expected to grow rapidly between now and 2018. These occupations are in high demand now and are expected to continue on this trajectory for the next decade.

Here are the 20 fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018*:

1. Biomedical engineers
Percent change: 72 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,600
Annual median salary: $77,400
Why they're growing: As the population ages, demand for new health-care equipment designed by biomedical engineers will increase.

2. Network systems and data communications analysts
Percent change: 53 percent
Number of new jobs: 155,800
Annual median salary: $71,100
Why they're growing: Companies will continue to upgrade technology (such as networks) and will need to expand their IT workforce.

3. Home health aides
Percent change: 50 percent
Number of new jobs: 460,900
Annual median salary: $20,460
Why they're growing: As the population gets older and lives longer, home health aides will see a rise in demand.

4. Personal and home care aides
Percent change: 46 percent
Number of new jobs: 375,800
Annual median salary: $19,180
Why they're growing: The aging population will require more medical attention, often at home rather than in medical facilities.

5. Financial examiners
Percent change: 41 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,100
Annual median salary: $70,930
Why they're growing: Financial institutions are under increasing watch by the government and will continue to be for the next decade, which provides many new opportunities for financial examiners.

6. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Percent change: 40 percent
Number of new jobs: 44,200
Annual median salary: $72,590
Why they're growing: Advances in biotechnology have created new opportunities for medical scientists over the past two decades and are on track to continue.

7. Physician assistants
Percent change: 39 percent
Number of new jobs: 29,200
Annual median salary: $81,230
Why they're growing: Health-care facilities will use physician assistants to ease some responsibilities from physicians who are being given heavier workloads.

8. Skin care specialists
Percent change: 38 percent
Number of new jobs: 14,700
Annual median salary: $28,730
Why they're growing: Spas and other cosmetic centers are expanding at a fast pace and skin care specialists are some of their most in-demand employees.

9. Biochemists and biophysicists
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 8,700
Annual median salary: $82,840
Why they're growing: Continued advances in biotechnology create opportunities for new research and development careers.

10. Athletic trainers
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 6,000
Annual median salary: $39,640
Why they're growing: As Americans focus on preventative health care and organizations support these efforts, athletic trainers will see an increase in responsibilities and job opportunities.

11. Physical therapist aides
Percent change: 36
Number of new jobs: 16,700
Annual median salary: $23,760
Why they're growing: In general, all physical therapy services will be in higher demand, and the need for aides will rise along with them.

12. Dental hygienists
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 62,900
Annual median salary: $66,570
Why they're growing: Due to the aging population and an increased emphasis on health care, dental health services will create more opportunities for dental hygienists.

13. Veterinary technologists and technicians
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 28,500
Annual median salary: $28,900
Why they're growing: The need for technologists and technicians will outpace qualified candidates who are graduating from institutions, creating an increased demand.

14. Dental assistants
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 105,600
Annual median salary: 32,380
Why they're growing: Due to an aging population and better preventative dental care habits for adults and children, dental assistants will see rapid growth in the coming decade.

15. Computer software engineers, applications
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 175,100
Annual median salary: $85,430
Why they're growing: Advances in technology and a continued reliance on computer networks ensure organizations of all industries will need software engineers.

16. Medical assistants
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 163,900
Annual median salary: $28,300
Why they're growing: Medical assistants will increasingly assume some health-care provider roles in order to alleviate the increasing demands of physicians.

17. Physical therapist assistants
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 21,200
Annual median salary: $46,140
Why they're growing: As the population ages, many people will turn to physical therapy for an increased quality of life.

18. Veterinarians
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 19,700
Annual median salary: $79,050
Why they're growing: Pet owners are willing to spend more money for the health and well being of their pets, thereby putting veterinarians in high demand.

19. Self-enrichment education teachers
Percent change: 32 percent
Number of new jobs: 81,300
Annual median salary: 35,720
Why they're growing: The types of coursework offered in this field are expected to broaden and create new positions for teachers.

20. Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation
Percent change: 31 percent
Number of new jobs: 80,800
Annual median salary: $48,890
Why they're growing: Compliance officers are one of the fastest growing occupations due to tighter restrictions and more scrutiny on financial institutions.

*Growth rates and salary information for all occupations based on data from the BLS.

Bing: Which states have the highest minimum wage?
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By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

7 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter ... and Get Your Application Noticed

Don't underestimate the power of a cover letter. When well written, attractively designed and customized for the recipient, a cover letter is a powerful tool that can practically scream "Interview this candidate immediately!"

But when they are thrown together using little to no consideration, personalization or creativity -- as cover letters often are -- the letter is as ineffective in the job hunt as a blank sheet of paper.

"This is a major misstep when job searching," say Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, co-authors of "Cover Letter Magic." "You should take advantage of every opportunity there is to stand out from other candidates."

Enelow and Kursmark also say that writing a cover letter can be more fun than job seekers realize. "With the right perspective and a positive attitude, you'll find that it affords you great flexibility. There is no one set format in which they must be written. There is no one style in which they must be presented. In fact, there are very few rules at all; and because they are so flexible, cover letters allow you to positively present just those skills, qualifications, achievements and credentials you want to bring to the recipient's immediate attention."

There are a variety of ways job seekers can get creative with their cover letters and bring them to life in ways they never considered. In their book, Enelow and Kursmark suggest a few of these techniques:

1. Find out what your target employer's slogan, catchphrase or mission statement is and brainstorm ways to include it in your cover letter's introduction. This technique will quickly capture the reader's attention, demonstrate that you are familiar with the employer and stand out from other candidates' one-size-fits-all cover letters.

2. Add a table or two-column section that closely connects the employer's requirements to your qualifications and professional achievements. This strategy will quickly provide the employer with concrete evidence that you're a good fit for the job and worth learning more about.

3. Begin with a thought-provoking quote relevant to the position, the employer's goals or your target industry. Many people love to read, share and ponder quotes. Including one in your cover letter can be a quick and effective way to engage the reader.

4. Feature a strong headline near the beginning of the cover letter. To keep it brief, yet powerful, address one of the employer's key concerns or spotlight your expertise or an attribute that will be particularly appealing to the employer.

5. Develop your own slogan or mission statement and include it near the top of your cover letter. This technique will enhance your career brand and stand out much like a headline would. To draw even more attention to the phrase, place it inside a graphic element that is attractive and appropriate.

6. Add a "P.S." to the end of your cover letter. Often, it's the first thing a person will read.

7. Include testimonials about you in the body of your cover letter or in an attractive sidebar. Testimonials will emphasize your skills and achievements and support claims you make about your expertise and why you're the best candidate for the job.

By Selena Dehne career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

Target Your Résumé to Prospective Employers' Needs

Your résumé isn't about you, it's about them. That is the first guiding rule you should remember as you craft your employment history and achievements to match the needs of the companies you want most to hire you.

Consider your audience by researching the company and its industry, and tailoring your résumé to the challenges faced by both. Point out how your talents and training dovetail with the company's needs, so hiring managers can picture you in the job they have available or other opportunities that come up in the future.

Start out with a short professional profile that succinctly draws a picture of your job skills, work ethic and natural abilities that translate into the kind of worker you are. The rest of the résumé should follow suit as it lays out a clear story of your work experience, education and the skills you developed.

Understand that most hiring managers are viewing your job history in a quick sweep. They want to see something that is easily readable. Don't use industry jargon or long sentences that create dense, hard-to-read narratives. Tell your story in bulleted form to create punch. Don't resort to résumé formats that look like a thousand others.

Throughout the résumé, aim for action. Using words like "I was responsible for ..." don't get to the heart of your abilities. Be specific about accomplishments, punctuating them with hard numbers -- increased production, sales figures -- where applicable. Use details to explain your work story. A résumé isn't just about what you've done, but about what you have learned, achieved and produced.

Online portfolio and extracurricular activities can play a role in your résumé
Don't indulge an inclination to show how social media-savvy you are by providing links to personal pages on YouTube or Facebook, because they are just that – personal. A more professional tool is to have a link to an online portfolio that has visual presence with well-written sections about your accomplishments, career highlights and leadership and work style. Or direct people to your professional biography on LinkedIn or BrightFuse.

At the same time, your extracurricular activities or community service may tell something about the skills you bring to the job. If they show qualities such as organizational ability, leadership potential and creative thinking, list them along with work and educational history to show how you use your talents outside the workplace.

There's never a good reason to lie on your résumé, and any overstatement of job history or academic achievements can easily tarnish your credibility. Routine background checks and online research can so easily expose an untruth that the risk simply isn't worth taking when your integrity is at stake.

The progress you've made in your career shows a prospective employer the kind of direction your work experience has taken. This may be especially necessary for those moving into a new industry, where transferable skills are particularly important. Showing how your job skills are relevant to the requirements of a company's industry, as well as the company itself, is one way to portray yourself as the solution seeker they are looking to hire.

5 Ways You Could Be Ruining Your Résumé Without Realizing It

Signs are emerging that the job market is picking up, but landing a new position can still be a challenge. The last thing you want to do is sabotage your employment search, and, since your résumé is typically the first impression that hiring managers have of you, it's also the first place where you can potentially ruin your chances.

According to a survey conducted by Robert Half International, executives spend more than six minutes, on average, screening each résumé they receive -- which means every word counts in this critical document.

Of course, no job seeker is going to shoot himself or herself in the foot on purpose. But you might be harming yourself without realizing it. Here are five common mistakes that put you at risk of losing the job opportunity:

1. You don't proofread
Three out of four executives interviewed said just one or two typos in a résumé would remove applicants from consideration for a job. Since your word processing program has a spell-check function, you may think there's no need to review your résumé for typos and grammatical errors. Unfortunately, spell-checkers don't catch words that may be spelled correctly but used incorrectly: For example, if your most recent position was as a corporate blogger, your software may not raise the red flag if you mistakenly list yourself as a "logger." In addition to reading through the résumé yourself, you should also have someone else review it to catch any errors that you may have overlooked.

2. You ignore potential red flags
When reviewing your résumé, imagine that it belongs to someone else. After reading through it, would you have questions about the information provided or be concerned by a lack of details? If you have these thoughts, rest assured potential employers will, too. For instance, one of the biggest red flags is a gap in employment that goes unexplained. Rather than make a hiring manager wonder why you were away from the workplace for an extended period of time, use your cover letter to address why you weren't working and how you continued to advance your career through volunteer opportunities, professional development courses or other means.

3. You exaggerate your qualifications
Some people will do whatever they can to stand out, which includes fudging the details about a job title, the amount of time spent with an employer or a professional accomplishment. If you think that a hiring manager won't try to confirm your qualifications, think again. If you are caught making up information, you not only will lose out on the opportunity at that company but also may permanently harm your reputation. Even a small fib can prove harmful. For instance, if you're working toward a degree that you plan to complete by the summer, don't say you already have the credential.

4. You don't explain yourself
The best résumés use specific language so hiring managers can clearly understand your qualifications and accomplishments. If you say you are "knowledgeable" about HTML, an employer will not know if you use it every day to code Web pages or if you simply know that the acronym stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. Instead of using a vague term, you should explain how you've used your knowledge of HTML for certain projects or to aid your employer, how long you've been using it and if you possess any relevant certifications. Along the same lines, be specific when listing periods of employment, including the month and year for start and end dates instead of just the year.

5. You're too wordy
Sometimes it's difficult to determine what information belongs in your résumé and what can be safely left out. After all, the temptation is to describe any qualification that might remotely tip the scales in your favor. But you might not want to list every accomplishment, skill or project you've worked on. Hiring managers appreciate brevity, so cull the information you include, focusing on the aspects of your work history that are most relevant to the job for which you're applying. If you've had a long career, for instance, you may include fewer details about jobs you held early on that don't relate to your current career path. Omit hobbies, personal facts and other fluff, too.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com. For additional career advice, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/roberthalf.

Why Do They Ask That in an Interview? - Understanding the meaning behind interview questions

Going into a job interview is difficult enough, but trying to figure out the meaning behind some questions just adds to the anxiety of job-hunting.

Sometimes seemingly simply questions will have a hidden agenda, but more often than not, the interviewer is trying to gauge your true interest in the company and what value you can bring to its work force.

If asked, "Why do you want to work here?" that's a perfect opportunity to show the company you've done your homework. The interviewer wants details -- how does this company stand apart from its competitors, what new products or services are they offering -- and this is the moment to shine by having well-researched answers ready to deliver. If possible, mention something you are particularly familiar with about the company that you can link directly to your own work experience and talents.

Even when asked the inevitable "What are your strengths?" find something in your own background that shows the particular talents you bring to this company's table. Put your strongest qualities into the context of what this prospective employer does and how they meet the company's goals.

Then there's the flip side: "What are your weaknesses?" For years, people have been counseled to envelope their "weakness" in an answer that actually makes it sound like a strength. But job interviewers have heard them all, and those answers tend to sound hollow these days. Rather, choose a time when you had to face a significant challenge or adversity -- without getting too personal -- and tell how you overcame that dilemma and were improved by it. Tell what you learned and how that newfound knowledge benefited you as a professional. People who recognize their weaknesses and show they want to do better are showing a prospective employer they are willing to do their best, even if it means learning from mistakes.

The company wants a team player and an independent worker
When you are asked whether you work better alone or in a team, what they really want to know is how you interact with others and how much direction you need when you're assigned to work by yourself.

If you use time alone well, are you able to keep your boss posted on your progress at reasonable intervals? Are you good at brainstorming in a group, the one who comes up with rapid-fire ideas? Or are you the person who is likely to mold them into a collaborative effort to find a solution for the challenge at hand? Either alone or in a team, you want to convey that you can interact well with co-workers at various levels of authority, but that you're a person who can be productive and come up with answers on your own as well.

Remember, an interview is a two-way street, and that's true where questions are concerned. Be sure to ask questions that show you have researched the company and that you're aware of current issues faced by the company and the industry it's in. You need to show an interest in the company if you want it to show an interest in you.

6 Ways to Get the Job When You're Not the 'Ideal' Candidate

It may seem like a waste of time to apply for a position that, at least on paper, doesn't exactly match your skills and experience. After all, many job seekers can't even get a hiring manager's attention when they do appear to be a perfect fit.

But if you believe you're capable of performing a job well despite the fact that your background doesn't completely align with the requirements of the position, there might still be hope. You need to consider yourself from a hiring manager's perspective and build a case that shows why you're the best person for the position. Following are some tips:

1. Don't waste their time
First, make sure your background meets at least the most basic criteria for the position. If the job requires expertise in three specific software programs, for instance, and you are familiar with only one, don't apply. But if candidates should possess seven years of experience, and you have five, an employer might consider your application. Keep in mind, however, that some firms simply will not interview you if you don't meet every requirement, no matter how close your qualifications are. After all, companies still can afford to be picky.

2. Find an inside connection
One of the best ways to get your foot in the door when you're a near fit for a job is by getting a referral from someone who can speak to the hiring manager on your behalf. Ask those in your network if they -- or someone they know -- can provide an entrée into the firm. Social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook can be especially helpful in uncovering individuals who may have an "in" at your target firm, but be judicious when requesting assistance. You should have established trust and credibility with anyone you ask to go to bat for you.

If you can, try to leverage your contacts to arrange a meeting with the hiring manager. Sometimes, all it takes to get a chance at the job is a face-to-face meeting where you can make your case directly. This allows you to establish a rapport with the employer and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position.

3. Address concerns upfront
Instead of hiding any shortcomings you possess, acknowledge them. For example, if you're overqualified for a position, use your cover letter or the interview to explain why the job nonetheless appeals to you. Perhaps after managing a large team of employees for years, you've decided you'd prefer to do more hands-on work as an individual contributor and not oversee others. Or if you're a bit underqualified, you might note how strength in one area (such as a well-regarded certification you recently earned) could make up for weaknesses in another (your lack of necessary experience, for instance).

4. Highlight return on investment
Hiring managers seek employees who have a track record of saving previous employers time or money. Promote the bottom-line benefits you can offer by highlighting accomplishments in your résumé or cover letter. You could note, for example, how you spearheaded the implementation of a new billing system that saved people time when uploading data, freeing up staff to focus on other critical tasks.

5. Offer a trial run
With some companies only beginning to cautiously add new staff, hiring managers are less likely to take a risk on someone who doesn't exactly match the job criteria. As a result, you might have to sweeten the deal to persuade an employer to take a chance on you. You might offer to start the job on a project or temporary basis, for instance, with the agreement that you will be brought on full time if certain performance objectives are met.

6. Be truthful
Above all, keep in mind that you should never stretch the truth in an attempt to improve the odds of getting a job. Your lie could easily be uncovered, and you could damage your professional reputation, seriously harming your prospects of finding a job not only with your target firm but also other companies.

Many organizations are willing to take smart risks on seemingly promising employees, but it's up to you to show them why taking a small leap of faith would be a wise move. By addressing any potential concerns upfront and building a compelling case for yourself, you'll improve your chances of convincing them that an "imperfect" candidate like you is the right choice.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.roberthalf.com/. For additional career advice, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/roberthalf.