Who Else Wants There Dream Job There Are Jobs in Illinois

Approximately 9% of the U.S. population started 2011 among the unemployed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The local area unemployment statistics rate in Illinois is slightly higher than the national average at 9.2%. Unemployment can lead to a variety of problems. Besides an increase in crime, social unrest worldwide related to the global economy has led to demonstrations. Workers may have a lowered lifestyle, less disposable income and eroding skills. Research shows that the life expectancy for those unemployed may be reduced by 7 years. Finding jobs in Illinois may be slightly more or less challenging than in other states.

Opportunity.gov provides free tools to help the public pursue employment options. CareerOneStop.gov provides resources for those transitioning to new occupations through its Worker ReEmployment services. People can locate education, training and financial assistance. For help with other needs such as unemployment benefits, health care, housing, food, tax assistance, family support, veterans assistance, and energy assistance, visitors can easily search by geographic location. A toll free hotline has been set up at 1-877-US2-JOBS; TTY:1-877-889-5627.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook provides in-depth information about a variety of occupations, including career duties, training and educational requirements, and employment forecasts.

The overview for employment forecasts projects growth across industries in the number of new openings and expansion of positions by the year 2018. Service industries will create 14.5 million new jobs. Wholesale trade sectors will offer 255,900 positions. The retail employment sector will increase 4%. Transportation and employment will create 445,500 jobs overall. Finance and insurance sectors including contracts and investments positions will increase the job pool by 5%. The DOL estimates can provide guidance for finding employment, and completing training and education.

The leasing, real estate and rental industry will increase 11%. Technical services, scientific and professional jobs will increase 34%, creating 2.7 million positions. The healthcare and social service sectors will increase the employment pool 26% more jobs. Education related positions in private and public sectors will increase 12%, for an additional 1.7 million positions.

About 26 percent of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry. This industry which includes public and private hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and individual and family services is expected to grow by 24 percent, or 4 million new jobs. When searching for jobs in Illinois, healthcare continues to be promising.

The greatest employment growth will be in professional and related careers. This sector will have rapid growth, 17%, and create 5.2 million positions. Among the top growth careers are network systems and data communications analysts.

As far as educational requirements, 12 out of the 20 fastest growth careers require at least an associate degree. The remaining positions are on-the-job-training fields (6 positions), related work experience (1 position), and post-secondary vocational education (1 position). Eleven out the top 20 earn a minimum of $10,000 more than the national median of $32,390 (in 2008). Nine out of the top 20 are double the median. The median wage in Illinois is 46,110, a mean hourly rate of $16.74, and a median hourly rate of $22.17.

Office automation positions are among those expected to experience a swift decline in net positions. The U.S. Department of Labor provides additional state, metropolitan and non-metropolitan area labor estimates along with facts and guidance related to jobs in Illinois and around the nation.