It was more than a pleasant surprise then, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly employment report showed that 243,000 jobs were added in January, the largest monthly gain since April 2011. The increase was significant enough to drop the unemployment rate to 8.3 percent, a three-year low point. According to the New York Times, today’s report is “the strongest signal yet that an economic recovery [is] spreading to the jobs market.”

Other signs that the job market recovery is picking up speed?

1. According to the Conference Board’s monthly Help Wanted Online report, the number of advertised job openings online increased by 61,300 in January, to 4,383,400. Online job postings increased by 207,118 year-over-year.

2. Yesterday, the U.S. Labor Department reported that the number of first-time filings for unemployment insurance fell to 367,000 last week. Economists consider fewer than 400,000 new filings per week to be a sign of strong hiring trends.The four-week filing average, a more stable indicator of UI claims, fell to 375,500 — the second lowest four-week average since June 2008.

3. CareerBuilder recently released a list of 22 companies that are currently looking to hire a total of more than 38,000 new employees around the country.

What are your thoughts on the job market? Let us know in the comments section, below.

While Facebook Timeline is primarily a cosmetic change that will affect the layout of your profile, it also comes with a number of functional modifications that will make it easier for others to see your Facebook history and parts of your profile: potentially embarrassing photos, status updates from your college years and what your friends have posted on your wall since the day you joined Facebook.

“While your privacy settings will remain intact, Timeline makes information easier to access,” says Anthony Morrison, vice president of Cachinko, a social media community for job seekers. “Everyone should take an hour and review exactly what is available [on their profile]. Look at old, forgotten posts — they’re going to be a lot more visible. Start deleting what you don’t want anyone to see and limit the audience for the content you want only some people to see.”

Because more than half of employers say they use social media to research job candidates, it is especially important that job seekers take the extra steps to ensure their personal history is shared selectively. Here are three things you need to know in order to keep your Facebook Timeline private.

1. You’ll have a cover image that everyone can see.
“One of Timeline’s new features is the cover picture. This is the large, high-resolution banner image across the top of your profile,” says Tasha Mayberry, founder of Social Media 22, a social media marketing and Web optimization firm in Connecticut. “This is viewable by everyone and cannot be made private, so make this a background or picture that you don’t mind anyone seeing — including prospective employers.”

As a job seeker, the best cover image will say something about you without being overly personal. Choose a picture of a place you’ve visited, something that relates to your career goals, or an image of your favorite city, for example. Can’t find a good picture? You also have the option to remove the cover image.

2. All your past posts are viewable by year.
Before Timeline, it would have been pretty time-consuming for someone to see what you’d posted to Facebook five years ago. The person would have had to go to your page, scroll to the bottom and click “Load earlier posts,” dozens of times until posts from 2007 popped up. With Timeline, however, your Facebook posts are broken down by year, making it a lot easier for people to view those drunken status updates you posted in college.

“The new Timeline will now show all your past posts organized by each year since your first opened your Facebook,” Mayberry says. “The current year is broken down into months. I know for me, as [someone who is] a VP of marketing and married, my posts from five years ago on the beach of Miami are not that relevant, especially to employers who may be browsing.”

To ensure that your old posts are seen only by friends, Mayberry suggests taking the following steps:
1. Click the arrow next to the “home” button in the upper right hand corner of Facebook.
2. Choose “privacy settings,” then scroll down to “limit the audience for past posts.”
3. Click “manage past post visibility” and click the “limit old posts” button.

This will limit the old posts on your timeline to friends only. Note, that if you choose this option, all of your old posts, even those previously set to “public” will be limited to friends.

You also have the option to choose the privacy settings for each post separately. This can be time-consuming, but should you choose to limit posts individually, simply click the pencil button at the top right corner of each post, and choose “hide from Timeline.”

3. Limit who can search for your Timeline by name.
Another way to prevent potential employers from seeing your profile is to prevent your name from appearing in their search results. This is a good feature to use if you’re not sure you’ve correctly limited your privacy settings, or if you want to take an extra precaution.

To limit your profile in search results:
1. Click the arrow to right of “home” on the top of your page.
2. Choose “privacy settings.”
3. Choose “how you connect.”
4. The first question is: “Who can look up your Timeline by name or contact info?”
5. Set this to “only friends” or “friends of friends,” instead of “everyone.”

While your attention is on your privacy settings, it’s also a good time to check your default privacy options on applications, photos and status updates, too. If you’re job seeking, be sure to limit this information to “friends” or “friends of friends.”

Instead, imagine leaving the stress of your job for a few days by hopping a flight to the destination of your choice. Unlike that last grueling business trip, we think travel should be nothing but fun. Find out how you could our ‘Run the Ultimate Fly Pattern’ sweepstakes, watch our commercial and check out other goodies for game day…

Run the Ultimate Fly Pattern Sweepstakes

Enter your name, address and e-mail for a chance to win $1,000 in complimentary airfare from CareerBuilder.com; the ‘Run the Ultimate Fly Pattern’ sweepstakes runs from January 30, 2012 to midnight, February 12, 2012.

Watch our new Big Game commercial

The chimpanzees are back and are still making life at Yeknom Industries…well, interesting to say the least. Check out the new spot below and visit our YouTube page after our spot airs on Sunday to see the extended version with more footage:

CareerBuilder supports the the fair and humane treatment of all animals. Read about how our chimpanzee stars were treated during filming. As far as why CareerBuilder invests in the biggest football game of the year, it’s because the investment turns into results for job seekers and employers alike, with site traffic up year-over-year and a 24 percent year-over-year increase in applications to jobs, on average, over the last seven years.

Big Game fun!

Sure the point of the big game is obviously football – but for me, it’s the food. We’ve started a CareerBuilder Pinterest account for life & style advice and resources, but we’ve also included a ‘Big Game’ board for you to check out recipes, party decor and other stuff that will take your make your boring party pretty ‘super.’ See what I did there?

Food not enough for you? Need to groove before and after the game? Check out CareerBuilder’s “Hut, Hut, Hike: The Big Game Ultimate Mix” on Spotify. We’ve got all the classic sports songs but also songs from Kelly Clarkson and Madonna, who will be performing the National Anthem and the half-time show, respectively.

Of course, we still have Monk-E-Maker where you can transform you, your spouse, or even your boss into one of the lovable chimps. Want to send a chimp instead? Use Monk-E-Mail to customize your chimp’s office setting, what they say and what they’re wearing and then send off to your friends.

According to The National Bureau of Economic Research, the recession ended in 2009. Since then, companies have been slowly emerging from survival mode and have begun more active hiring. Yet the job market has been forever changed, and job seekers have had to face a new reality.

So how does a job seeker succeed in the current job market? Here are six ways the job search has changed and the adapted tactics that can help in the job hunt.

1. Passive job searching is no longer an option
Before the recession, it wasn’t uncommon for a skilled, qualified job seeker to be romanced by a prospective employer. Recruiters would seek out candidates without the candidates having to do much in the way of aggressive follow-up. That’s rarely the case anymore. These days, job seekers need to act in order to find jobs and get the attention of employers. “This means job seekers must be active in their job search and set ‘alerts’ on major job boards/search engines so they are notified when an appropriate job match is posted,” says Daniel Newell, job development and marketing specialist for San Jose State University’s Career Center in San Jose, Calif. “This also means that job seekers should utilize several job-search strategies, such as job boards, job-search engines, classifieds, networking sites and social media, in addition to job fairs and hiring events.”

2. Fewer jobs mean more competition
In the early 2000s, jobs were more plentiful, and if you didn’t get one job, chances are there’d be another one just like it. Yet nowadays, the odds are not in a job seeker’s favor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when the recession began in December 2007, the number of unemployed people per job opening was 1.8. In June 2009, there were 6.1 unemployed people per job opening. While the number has since been trending downward and was at 4.2 as of November, you still need to find ways to stand out from the competition.

“The burden of proof has shifted to the job seeker to demonstrate value and fit,” says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of “The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide.” “Job seekers need to be bolder and more energetic in this very challenging market. They need to show that they’re willing to go above and beyond and that they’ll work hard, tirelessly and take initiative to get the job done.” Cohen also says that job seekers need to be more solution-oriented. “It’s not enough to say, ‘Here I am.’ The emphasis is now on, ‘Here’s what I can do for you.’”

3. Mistakes, even minor, are not tolerated
Back in the “glory days” before the recession, mistakes made in application materials or during an interview weren’t ideal, but they weren’t necessarily automatic deal breakers, either. If a candidate misspelled a word on his résumé but otherwise had all the right qualifications, the employer might have let the error slide. In this job market, there’s no room for errors. “Nothing less is accepted or tolerated in a market where there are many more candidates than positions, and companies need to be sold on adding head count,” Cohen says.

To avoid making costly mistakes, proofread your résumé backward and forward, and then have someone else proof it again. Ensure you’re fully prepared for an interview by researching the company and practicing answering interview questions.

4. Social media are the new recruiting tool
Before the recession, human-resources teams were more robust and better equipped to manage the hiring process. During the recession many companies downsized, leaving HR short-staffed and buried under piles of résumés. Recruiters have had to finds ways to recruit more efficiently, and social media have become a solution for hiring managers to find and screen candidates more quickly. That means job seekers need to have a social media presence, and a professional one at that.

“Social media has made a huge impact for job seekers,” says Lavie Margolin, career coach and author of “Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers.” “Employers are using social media to post job openings and look into candidate backgrounds via private Facebook pages. Job seekers have an opportunity to increase their visibility … via their LinkedIn page and possibly a blog that is industry-focused.”

5. Customization is critical
It is no longer acceptable in this job market to use a “spray and pray” method of applying for jobs. Blanket emailing recruiters with the same résumé will increase the chances that your application gets tossed to the side. Newell says it’s important that job seekers create targeted résumés. “They must have a different résumé for each job they are applying for, and they must ensure that they effectively communicate their skills which relate to the job [for which] they are applying.” The same goes for cover letters.

6. Networking is more important than ever
It’s becoming more and more of an advantage in today’s world to know someone within the company you’re applying to so your résumé gets in the right hands. While not everyone has automatic connections, there are other ways to build relationships. One way to do so is through networking. “My advice to today’s job seeker is to network,” Newell says. “Job seekers should join groups and attend socials through sites such as MeetUp and LinkedIn. Attending a casual social and being active in online and offline groups can open many doors to employment.”

The job market may not look the same as it did five years ago, but that doesn’t mean you have to start from square one. It just means that by equipping yourself with the job-search tools needed in today’s world, you’ll be in a better position to get hired.

Well, your hunch was probably correct, because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 1,200 people in the U.S. are employed as models.

That there are so few working models isn’t all that surprising — it’s a pretty elite industry. What is surprising, though, is how many “normal” jobs are just as hard to break into, because they are hyper-specialized or require lots of training, or because few jobs are available. According to the BLS, these 18 jobs are the least common in America.

1. Astronomers: 1,840
Average annual salary: $93,340

2. Dredge operators: 1,720
Average annual salary: $36,580

3. Model makers, wood: 1,660
Average annual salary: $28,974

4. Timing device assemblers and adjusters: 1,560
Average annual salary: $32,300

5. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists: 1,530
Average annual salary: $40,200

6. Industrial-organizational psychologists: 1,420
Average annual salary: $114,040

7. Animal breeders: 1,380
Average annual salary: $35,620

8. Geographers: 1,300
Average annual salary: $72,890

9. Patternmakers, wood: 1,240
Average annual salary: $40,700

10. Locomotive firers: 1,130
Average annual salary: $47,040

11. Models: 1,020
Average annual salary: $42,560

12. Mathematical technicians: 960
Average annual salary: $49,170

13. Radio operators: 920
Average annual salary: $44,510

14. Farm labor contractors: 830
Average annual salary: $35,890

15. Fishers and related fishing workers: 700
Average annual salary: $27,880

16. Fabric menders, except garment: 690
Average annual salary: $27,370

17. Prosthodontists: 670
Average annual salary: $139,620

18. Cooks, private household: 400
Average annual salary: $31,110

What do you think about this list? Is it surprising? Let us know in the comments section.

Yet not all states are created equal when it comes to economic recovery. Some states weathered the recession better than others. And while most states have seen a decline in unemployment post-recession, others have dealt with fluctuating jobless rates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recent breakdown of regional and state unemployment numbers for December, the most recent figures available, “Twenty-four states reported jobless rates significantly lower than the U.S. figure of 8.5 percent, eight states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates, and 18 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.”

In taking a closer look at which states are on the road to recovery and which ones are still hitting speed bumps, we first reviewed each state’s unemployment rate as of December. We also examined trends in joblessness — whether it’s been on the decline and the rate at which it’s declining — and other factors such as foreclosures and household income. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst states for job seekers.

Best state unemployment rates*

1. North Dakota
Why: During the recession, North Dakota’s unemployment rate peaked at 4.3 percent in 2009, a rate that was still significantly lower than the national average. The rate hasn’t gone above 4 percent since April 2010.
Unemployment rate: 3.3 percent

2. Nebraska
Why: Nebraska was the state with the second-lowest unemployment rate in December, at 4.1 percent. It also experienced statistically significant employment changes from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 13,100.
Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent

3. South Dakota
Why: South Dakota had one of the lowest pre-recession unemployment rates in the country — just 2.8 percent in December 2007. Its current jobless rate is still well under the national average. In addition, it saw a statistically significant employment change from November to December 2011, with a job gain of 4,600.
Unemployment rate: 4.2 percent

4. New Hampshire
Why: New Hampshire’s unemployment rate is 3.4 percentage points lower than the national average. What’s more, according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau, New Hampshire has the highest median household income in the U.S., at $66,303**.
Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent

5. Vermont
Why: Vermont’s December unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, and it has experienced a statistically significant year-over-year unemployment rate decrease of 0.7 percent. It also ranks in the top 15 in median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent

6. Iowa
Why: Iowa’s unemployment rate of 5.6 percent is at its lowest level since June 2009. According to the state, Iowa has added 13,300 total jobs compared with a year ago.
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent

7. Minnesota
Why: This Midwest state has experienced a statistically significant year-over-year employment change from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 26,300. Its current unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since September 2008.
Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent

8. Wyoming
Why: After the unemployment rate peaked at 7.7 percent in late 2009, the rate has continued to trend downward and is currently 2.7 percentage points lower than the national average. Additionally, Wyoming has the lowest unemployment rate in the Western region.
Unemployment rate: 5.8 percent

9. Utah
Why: Utah saw a statistically significant employment change from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 36,000.
Unemployment rate: 6 percent

10. Oklahoma
Why: Although Oklahoma’s unemployment rate has hovered at 6.1 percent since October 2011, it did have a statistically significant employment change year-over-year from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 41,600.
Unemployment rate: 6.1 percent

Worst state unemployment rates

1. Nevada
Why: Nevada has the worst unemployment rate in the country, at 12.6 percent. It also saw a statistically significant employment loss of 9,800 jobs from November to December 2011. To rub salt in the wound, Nevada topped RealtyTrac’s list of state foreclosure rates in 2010.
Unemployment rate: 12.6 percent

2. California
Why: While California’s unemployment rate did decrease by 0.2 percentage points from November to December 2011, its rate of 11.1 percent is still 2.6 points higher than the national rate. According to RealtyTrac, California’s December foreclosure rate was one of the highest in the nation.
Unemployment rate: 11.1 percent

3. Rhode Island
Why: Rhode Island has the worst unemployment rate in New England. It’s also one of the three states where unemployment increased in December.
Unemployment rate: 10.8 percent

4. Mississippi
Why: According to the Census Bureau, Mississippi has the lowest median household income, at $36,850. Its unemployment rate also experienced an increase from a year prior.
Unemployment rate: 10.4 percent

5. District of Columbia
Why: While the District of Columbia isn’t a state, it’s still worth including on the list given its high unemployment rate, which increased from a year earlier, going from 9.6 percent in December 2010 to 10.4 percent in December 2011.
Unemployment rate: 10.4 percent

6. North Carolina
Why: North Carolina has the highest unemployment rate in the South Atlantic region, excluding the District of Columbia. Its December unemployment rate of 9.9 percent is 1.4 percentage points above the U.S. average.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent

7. Florida
Why: While Florida’s unemployment rate is on the decline, it’s still the seventh-highest in the country. Plus, it had one of the highest 2010 foreclosure rates, according to RealtyTrac.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent

8. Illinois
Why: According to Business Insider, Illinois is one of the top 10 states with the most foreclosures in 2010, with 151,304 last year.
Unemployment rate: 9.8 percent

9. Georgia
Why: While the state’s unemployment rate was down in December for the third consecutive month, the state labor department disclosed that metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent from 9.2 percent in November. Georgia also experienced the third-largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment of 0.4 percent.
Unemployment rate: 9.7 percent

10. South Carolina
Why: South Carolina’s median household income of $42,059 is the seventh-lowest in the nation, according to the Census Bureau. Its unemployment rate hasn’t been below 9 percent in three years.
Unemployment rate: 9.5 percent

*Unless otherwise noted, data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

**Median household income (In 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) by state ranked from highest to lowest using three-year average: 2008-2010.

Though Obama cited recent improvements in the job market — the country has regained more than 3 million jobs in the past 22 months — it’s also clear that we still have a way to go. After all, 3 million jobs in 22 months comes out to roughly 136,000 jobs per month. Economists believe it will take the addition of at least 250,000 jobs per month to begin bringing unemployment back to pre-recession levels.

Luckily, the president announced a number of measures that, if carried out as planned, will both create jobs and retrain workers for the jobs that are available now. Here is a recap of the employment-related actions announced in the speech, and why they’re important to American workers.

1. The goal: Return outsourced jobs to the U.S.

The president said: “Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed … Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it … My message is simple. It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America.”

Why it’s important: In April 2011, the Wall Street Journal researched the outsourcing practices of some of the top corporations in the U.S., and found that while the companies had cut more than 2.9 million jobs stateside since 2000, they’d added 2.4 million jobs overseas in the same time period.

2. The goal: Retrain American workers for in-demand jobs.

The president said: “[I hear] from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that — openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job … You need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers — places that teach people skills that local businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.”

Why it’s important: According to CareerBuilder’s 2012 hiring forecast, which was based on a survey of more than 3,000 hiring managers, 26 percent of employers reported that they had job openings for which they could not find qualified workers. The areas they had the most trouble filling? High-skills jobs like information technology and engineering. Retraining job seekers for the positions that employers need to fill is the surest way to close the skills gap and make a dent in the unemployment rate.

3. The goal: Encourage small business growth.

The president said: “Innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in startups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs.”

Why it’s important: As Obama pointed out, most jobs are created by small businesses. According to the Small Business Administration, “Small firms accounted for 65 percent (or 9.8 million) of the 15 million net new jobs created between 1993 and 2009.” It’s imperative for the job market, then, that small businesses have access to the resources they need to expand and feel secure enough to do so.

Although it remains to be seen how well, and how quickly, these plans will take form, we think it’s reassuring to hear the administration seems to be on a logical and sustainable path toward lowering the unemployment rate. What do you think?

In previous articles, we’ve offered tips for using social media in your job search. That’s because more and more recruiters and hiring managers are using social networks to learn about and even contact potential candidates.

While most know how to lock down their profiles through privacy settings on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn is a little different. The point there being that the information you’re putting on the site is critical and relevant to your job search; therefore, your picture should also be professional and relevant to your job search. Even with your career transparency on LinkedIn, for all three sites (or however many you may be using), your profile picture is the one constant that’s nearly always visible.

“Your image is conveyed through your photograph, and it’s part of the first impression you make on others,” says Barbara Pachter, a business communications and etiquette expert who’s authored numerous books on social media professionalism. “You want to post a photograph that is professionally appropriate. You want to look like a credible, approachable person, not like you just came from the beach.”

The beach would be a treat, honestly. Some of the photos I see? For shame, people, for shame. So let’s go through some examples of what you should and shouldn’t be doing in your profile picture.

1. Use a head shot. This means that it should be head and shoulders, highlighting your face. It should not be some weird photo from a party. 

2. Your photo should be flattering. Who wouldn’t want to be portrayed in the best light? However, this doesn’t mean you should use butter on the lens to give that soft glamour-shot effect.

This example is neither a good head shot nor is it flattering; also, it should be in color.
Leave your artsy photos for the gallery.

3. Your face is the focus, not the background. Again, this is a headshot. That means you posing near the Great Wall is probably not the best choice for a main picture. Is it cool? Absolutely. Professional? Not unless you’re an ancient bricklayer. Keep your face in focus too — nothing is worse than a blurry photo. Well…

Yep, your face is typically important. Biceps, deltoids and other body parts should be left unseen.

4. Be fully clothed. The number of people I’ve seen without clothes or who post images of others sans clothing is appalling. Remember, your profile is seen by everyone, so clean up your act and keep the more risqué photos for “Missed Connections.”

5. Don’t make any funny faces. Pachter says, “If you are frowning or scowling, why would someone want to hire or work with you?” This is equally true for those who try to use more suggestive pictures. What kind of work would an employer assume you’re interested in? So while this ties in with No. 4, I still see photos of people with clothes on who are making weird, goofy faces. A smile will work nicely, thank you.

6. Keep your photo current. Make sure your photo actually looks like you. Stop using a photo that you love from five-plus years ago. Again, not only is this off-putting, but if people meet you and realize you’re being deceptive, why would they trust you as an employee?

I was less wrinkled and much thinner then. But still not a professional photo – I mean, look at that shirt.

7. Find a photographer. Whether you pay or find a friend or student to take your photo, it’ll be better than your mirrored self-portrait with your phone or a webcam shot. Trust me, the effort in having a professional shot will be worth the trouble of setting it up.

The moral of the story is this: If your account is locked down, put up any drunken/Halloween/inappropriate photos you want in your “Shameful Moments” gallery. But keep your profile image respectable, even if you are not using it as part of your job search. Google and other search engines will pull in your profile images when recruiters or managers search your social profiles (especially Google+).

See how nice a professional headshot can be, even if it’s taken by a photographer friend?

Please note all the photos above are of me, even though I so wanted to put certain people on blast for their awful photos. You know who you are.

Tell me about the worst profile picture you have ever seen or if you’ve ever judged candidates based on their profile pictures in social media!

The Chinese zodiac makes the same sort of generalities and predictions as the Western zodiac, but is based on the year you were born instead of the month. With the Chinese New Year on Jan. 23 (welcome, year of the dragon!), we thought it’d be interesting to see what astrology has to say about the career and work preferences of each of the 12 signs in the Chinese zodiac.

“Sometimes in choosing a career, we just don’t know where to start,” says Donna Stellhorn, an astrologer and author of “2012: Year of the Water Dragon.” “Many people in the world look to their Chinese zodiac sign to find their talents, strengths and weaknesses, and this helps guide them in their career choices.”

What does your sign say about your career choices? Stellhorn weighs in, below.

Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
Stellhorn says: “Rats are better suited to highly active jobs, where making more effort and taking chances yields higher material rewards. Owning their own business or doing outside sales — especially of luxury items — is great for them. Rats should avoid jobs that isolate them or that are routine (things like night watchman, toll booth operator, etc.). On the other hand, they should avoid jobs where gambling is a main focus (such as working in a casino) because they may end up giving their paycheck back to the house.”
Personality traits*: Imaginative, problem solver, magnetic, observant, selfish, motivated by money and status.
Other possible job matches*: Manager, counselor, lawyer, broadcaster, writer 

Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
Stellhorn says: “The ox is better suited to jobs where they can bring in a good income and still work at home. They also excel at jobs that have a steady amount of work throughout the day (like medical transcription, editor/writer). They should avoid jobs that call for cutting-edge technical knowledge (Ox likes to wait and see before jumping into a new trend), or jobs that require a lot of travel.”
Personality traits: Determined, reliable, detail-oriented, hardworking, loyal
Other possible job matches: Mechanic,  painter, banker, real estate agent

Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)
Stellhorn says: “Tigers can be both territorial and restless. They need periods of intense action and then quiet reflection. They do well in emergency rooms or as firefighters. They also make good musicians who put all their intensity into their live shows, or event planners who pull off parties without a hitch.”
Personality traits: Competitive, confident, good leader, likable, adventurous, hasty
Other possible job matches: Writer, pilot, ad sales, office manager

Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)
Stellhorn says: “Rabbits are patient and even-tempered. They thrive in calm workplaces where there is interaction with co-workers and customers. And Rabbits have an eye for value, so they do well in jewelry sales, clothing design and real estate. They make good tour guides.”
Personality traits: Outgoing, sincere, compassionate, avoids confrontation
Other possible job matches: Public relations, writer, therapist, teacher

Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Stellhorn says: “Dragons need space to grow and gain recognition. They can’t be trapped in closed-in cubicles without breathing fire. They understand trends and see the direction to take to be successful. They do well as pilots. They excel in advertising and television. They also enjoy careers where they can be outside, like environmental researcher or hiking guide, for example.”
Personality traits: Ambitious, free-spirited, innovative, enthusiastic (sometimes overly so), independent, can be tactless
Other possible job matches: Architect, sales representative, manager, lawyer

Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)
Stellhorn says: “Snakes are the wisest but they often keep their opinions to themselves. Their emotions are under the surface and they guard their privacy. They make good writers, artists and composers. They also are excellent at scientific and medical research.”
Personality traits: Smart, intuitive, decisive, easily bored
Other possible job matches: Sociologist, analyst, investigator, dietician

Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014)
Stellhorn says: “Horses love their freedom. They are social yet competitive, though they are always a good sport if they lose. Horses are usually very talented at something. They do well in careers that deal with cars, roads and bridges. They also make good lawyers. And they often thrive if their career can include sports.”
Personality traits: Energetic, attention-seeking, team-oriented, adventurous, effective communicator
Other possible job matches: Journalist, publicist, bartender, librarian

Ram (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)
Stellhorn says: “Rams are sensitive and diplomatic. They are generally homebodies and like to surround themselves with like-minded people. They make good scientists and programmers. They do well in medical fields. They also often are the actors who really become the character they are playing.”
Personality traits: Team player, creative, calm, intelligent, sensitive
Other possible job matches: Editor, illustrator, pediatrician

Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
Stellhorn says: “Monkeys are filled with energy and like to do multiple things at once. They get nervous or bored if things move too slowly. Monkeys are very intelligent and so they have a lot of career choices. They really thrive when they have a mentor, someone they can copy. They’ll do well in high-energy careers as a restaurant manager, building contractor or stock broker. They also do well in public relations and advertising.”
Personality traits: Intellectual, quick-witted, curious, adaptable, playful
Other possible job matches: Film director, trader, engineer, jeweler

Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
Stellhorn says: “Roosters are always busy. They throw great parties and are always available to give their friends a hand. Because they are so in-tune to the energy of the people around them they do best in social careers, like customer service, entertainment and teaching. But they need rewards for their service too, so job titles like doctor or school principal fit well.”
Personality traits: Motivated, honest, confident (sometimes overconfident), hard-working, organized
Other possible job matches: Bookkeeper, dentist, insurance agent

Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
Stellhorn says: “Dogs are loyal and hardworking. They are resourceful and very inventive especially when challenged. They are good at careers related to sports, food service and hospitality management. They work well in teams and in project oriented businesses, like software development, especially gaming software.”
Personality traits: Loyal, kind, adaptable, stubborn, strong morals
Other possible job matches: Nurse, police officer, scientist, interior designer

Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)
Stellhorn says: “Pigs are caring and take their responsibilities seriously. They love their homes and their families and don’t like to be away from them. For Pigs, home-based businesses can thrive. They have a good eye for design and do well in the advertising, clothing and accessories industries. They also have a talent for cooking so they make good caterers.”
Personality traits: Diligent, sincere, creative, detail-oriented
Possible job matches: Veterinarian, doctor, retail

*Personality trait and additional job match information from ChineseZodiac.com.

Relocating to another city or state can present challenges, but it also provides opportunities, especially for job seekers continuing to hit dead ends in their current job market. In fact, a recent CareerBuilder study found that 44 percent of workers would be willing to relocate for a career opportunity. And employers are willing to help, especially those that are struggling to find workers to fill skilled positions. Thirty-two percent of employers surveyed said they would be willing to pay to relocate new employees in 2012.

The top areas for which employers are most likely to pay

Workers willing to consider making a move, they now have an easier way to find markets with the greatest demand for their skills and assess costs of moving to and living in a particular area. CareerBuilder just launched a new website, CareerRelocate.com, where workers can:

• Run a simple keyword or category search and view a map detailing where the most and fewest opportunities are for their line of work.
• View actual relocation opportunities in different cities.
• Learn what they would need to earn in order to maintain their current standard of living in another city.
• Research homes, property values, mortgage quotes, moving and storage costs.
• Tap into articles and advice on relocating and hiring trends.

Do workers who’ve relocated in the past regret it, or are they glad they made the move?

Now that I’m settled in Chicago, I don’t foresee myself relocating any time soon. But for job seekers who do have that itch, it’s good to know sites like CareerRelocate exist to help take some of the stress out of such a life- and career-changing move.

Check out the full infographic on relocation.

For more on relocating, including stories from workers who’ve made a move for their career, see: True story: I relocated for a job.