In today's challenging financial market mature job seekers are finding that it's time to shake the dust from their resume and freshen their skill set to compete with a younger, technologically savvy pool of talent. By learning what employers are looking for, the experienced job seeker can focus on the hottest buzz-words in the employment market to expand their appeal to cost-conscious employers looking for the biggest bang for their buck.

Contrary to the 1980s and 90s when employers passed over qualified applicants with a strong history of practical experience for younger, enthusiastic applicants with strong technological skills but no real job experience, the current job market values practical experience that has been updated with technical specialty in a chosen field.

If you've decided it's time to take advantage of one of the many online universities to advance your education while maintaining a full-time job, take some time to learn what employers are looking for. Your approach should be three pronged:

1. What are the hottest jobs with income potential that will see you through the balance of your career?
2. Determine which jobs augment your existing experience and knowledge.
3. Find a training program that will allow you to quickly move through course work.

Here are some of the top U.S. careers that offer growth potential well into the next decade:

Business: MBAs are always in demand, and the better your pedigree (Yale or Stanford, for instance) the better your chances of securing a seat in the board-room of a corporate powerhouse.

Management Consultant: Here's an opportunity to put your years of practical experience to work. Freshen up your business approach by reading everything on the market: up and coming trends, new approaches to business development and problem resolution and negotiating in a litigious international society. Nationwide, average income figures hover around $150,000, but acquiring a couple of good deals under your belt could help you earn a mid-six figure salary in just a few years.

Offshoring Manager: Advancements in technology and infrastructure have opened a low-overhead employment pool for corporate that requires daily management and development. Call centers, reservationists, researchers and drug development firms are now part of the offshored, nearshored or homeshored market. Managers must be highly organized, understand international protocols, and possess strong people management skills. Income potential is well into six figures.

Education: The demands of a growing population ensure that jobs in the education sector will always be available for the job seeker. Check the requirements of the state in which you live to learn about teaching certification and consider a teaching job at a local college. If you've already attained your specialized degree, consider one of these hot jobs:

Higher Education Administrator: In our aging society the upper tier of administrators in the college, university, and trade school sector is rapidly approaching retirement, setting up a void in the realm of qualified applicants for these challenging but rewarding positions. Once the bastion of teachers moving up through the multi-tiered education sector, administrators are now prized for their ability to employ general business management mores to drive the business of the school. Many universities require their administrators to hold PhD degrees to ensure that school leaders understand and apply the core values of the education system. The successful applicant will have a solid grasp of financial management, staff management and development, and management of a large satellite business within a corporate stable. The national average compensation for this position in a university setting is $103,000 and includes perks like generous vacation, holidays, retirement, and medical benefits.

School Psychologist: Again, the working population in this job category is nearing retirement, affording many opportunities to move into this career. The psychological counselor not only assesses behavioral and special education needs, but also meets with teachers, students, and parents to help the student achieve full potential in a supportive environment. Nationwide, the job pays an average of $62,600 with the typical perks of working in the education field (mentioned above). Compensation in major metropolitan centers may carry as much as a 10% premium.

Medicine: Our aging society offers many employment opportunities in medicine from research to pharmacy to healthcare practitioners and front and back office personnel. The upwardly mobile medical professional might look to one of these specialized fields:

Physician's Assistant: This aspect of the medical society requires a 3-year post bachelor's degree that qualifies the practitioner to perform 80% of the duties traditionally provided by a physician without the additional years of study and internship. Surgical PA's are a sub-specialty that addresses pre and post-operative care and is worthy of consideration. The nationwide average income is $83,800, but income levels are substantially lower in smaller towns or remote metropolitan areas.

Registered Nurse: Certified nursing assistants and licensed vocational nurses might consider additional training and certification to become a registered nurse. The best paying jobs are high stress clinical environments, such as hospitals or dialysis centers that require 12 or more hours of work per day. National compensation averages approach $65,000 and opportunities for the qualified professional with general business acumen can poise them for supervisory positions that carry a $10,000 - $20,000 premium.

Wellness Coach: These positions marry traditional and alternative medicine and appeal to the qualified, established healthcare professional. Wellness coaches incorporate lifestyle management into the health equation coaching their clients on long-term health practices that extend the quality and quantity of life. A well-founded practitioner can earn in excess of $80,000 per year with potential income topping $100,000 in larger cities.

Public Service: Positions such as corrections officer, firefighter, emergency planning manager, immigration specialist, and politician are always good choices for those who wish to give back to our growing society. In coming years, jobs in the technology sector such as business development specialist and data miner have the potential to provide six-figure incomes to qualified applicants.

Conclusion

While the world financial and employment outlook appears shaky on the surface, many established career fields offer long-term growth potential for the determined job seeker. Know your strengths and consider the things that stir your passion. Work from your established foundation to build a future ripe with possibility.

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