Why You Should Ignore “Top Jobs for 2013″ Lists

You have probably seen multiple “top jobs” news stories or blog posts recently. These come along every January, and are suppose to give you insight into what career fields have the most potential. You may have even been tempted to target your job search toward one of them.

Here are a few examples from blogs I enjoy and read every day:

These sorts of lists are everywhere. Our local library has a printed copy of high demand jobs prominently displayed in the career section. Some career coaches, and many career books, recommend checking out the growth potential of an industry as a starting place for finding work. The government even maintains an online Occupational Outlook Handbook.

While there is nothing bad about these sorts of lists in themselves, there are some big reasons picking a career based on what’s “hot” is a bad idea:

It doesn’t take into consideration your strengths. You’re not likely to be successful in a job you aren’t good at it. Can you learn something new with the right training? Sure, as long as it lines up with your natural strengths. It doesn’t matter how many opportunities there are, I’d never make it as a software developer – I’m just not wired for that kind of work.
It doesn’t factor in what you actually like to do. The hottest career right now on these lists is nursing, or anything health-care related. Nursing is stressful, high-pressure, and you could kill someone. I’m glad some people want to do this, but I’m not one of them.
It doesn’t account for what will be hot in 2014. There’s no such thing as a stable job anymore. What happens when you go back to school to chase down a hot career path, just to find something else is in demand when you are finally ready? The way to always been in demand is to be the best at what you do, not to try to accommodate a fickle job market.

My suggestion? Figure out what you do best, and then find work that allows you to do it. That might mean transferring a skill from previous work into something completely new. It might mean creating your own work. It might be someplace in between. In any case, start with you first.

What do you think? Have you ever considered “hot jobs” in making a career switch?

http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

I always wondered if anyone really took these lists seriously. I can’t imagine anyone going to the years and years of schooling required to be a nurse because they read a paragraph or two in a magazine about how it was a hot job. Something like that might start the ball rolling, but it seems like there should be much more involved in the process.
And I think your last comment is the most insightful. The world is changing so what’s hot today may be cold tomorrow. I have a friend who’s a nurse. She says that the field is getting much more competitive because people are constantly hearing about how nursing is a hot job.
- http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon
  
  I do think people let those lists influence them, especially those drifting from thing to thing. But you’re right, they’re mostly year end filler for the media…and I don’t want anyone to take them seriously. Great comment, thanks!
http://www.danerickson.net/ Dan Erickson

I’ve never put much stock into the lists. I’ve seen years when a career was hot, only to hit the bottom the next year. I’ll just stick with seeking work based on what I do best.
- http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon
  
  Sounds like a much better plan! You are clearly working in your strengths now, which is awesome. Thanks!
http://www.lincolnparks.com/ Lincoln Parks

You know what, when I was in High School and College the hot thing was Computers, IT it was hot and probably still is to some extent because its always evolving. What I should have went into was where I was passionate. However, I conformed to what was hot and regretted that decision a few years after entering it. Not to mention the student loans
- http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon
  
  Exactly – thanks for sharing your experience.
http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

Great suggestions. The key is to be working in areas of strengths and passions so we can achieve in our career which might not include a “hot job.” Great post!
- http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon
  
  Thanks, Dan – sometimes a hot job would be the worst for you…all depends on what you are good at.
http://www.liveitforward.com/ Kent Julian

Absolutely ignore! Figuring out how to monetize what you’re most passionate about is the best route to long-term career success.

Great post, Tom.
http://billgrandi.com/ Bill (cycleguy)

It goes without saying I absolutely ignore the list. I absolutely love what I am doing (a pastor) and see myself doing nothing else. Somehow I don’t think that will even be in a top 20 list.
- http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon
  
  Glad you are already doing work you love…you are in the minority! Thanks for stopping by.