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The conventional wisdom on moving up the corporate ladder often stresses the importance of gaining new skills or improving weaknesses. But in many cases, a more effective career strategy might be to focus on developing your main talents.
According to research by Gallup on more than 2 million workers over a 30-year period, those who prioritized their core strengths enjoyed greater success than those who tried to bring up their faults.
Stand Out With Your Strengths
London-based economist and business strategist Vaughan Evans calls this best-foot forward approach the "Madonna method" because the pop diva has maintained her stardom by doing what she does best: constantly reinventing herself to keep up with the zeitgeist.
"The ideal situation is if your strengths are those strengths needed by your organization, and you invest further in them -- then you're in a terrific position, and you're immune from layoffs," says Evans, author of "Backing U! A Business-Oriented Guide to Backing Your Passion and Achieving Career Success."
But given today's far-from-ideal economic climate, Evans recommends having several fallback strategies to ride out the bad times and get ready for a recovery.
The Lower-Cost Approach
Under this scenario, you reduce your "cost" to your employer by agreeing to a salary cut, accepting an unpaid furlough, or switching to a four-day week.
"It's the Southwest Airlines strategy -- you make yourself indispensable based on price," Evans says. "It can be a strategy for success, but it also can be a strategy for survival in hard times like now."
How to 'Sharpen Your Act'
If you find your skills don't match well with your current position or your employer's core business, your long-term goal should be to determine your true passions and find a job that suits them.
But in the near term's difficult market, Evans suggests addressing any weaknesses simply to hold onto your job until conditions improve. This might entail taking classes or getting specialized training.
"In today's world with 10 percent unemployed, you're not going to take a risk of going on the open job market," Evans says. "This could be a valuable strategy for survival."
The Hybrid Approach
Sometimes a new set of circumstances can dictate a temporary change in career strategy.
For example, you may have been cruising along in a marketing position that tapped your abilities as a writer and strategist. Then you get a promotion that adds one of your major weaknesses -- a lack of good public speaking skills -- to your job description. What to do?
"The rules of the game have changed, and you would be well-advised to sharpen your act" by getting some speech training, Evans says.

Making a drastic career change can be daunting at any time in your life, but it is especially scary during times of economic downturn. Shouldn't you hold onto your current job with all your might? While that seems the most logical thing at first blush, making a career change now could actually be the better plan.

Here's why.

1. Better Chances of Advancement

Have you reached a point in your career where advancement will happen only if you further your education? That's the story for many who choose to go back to school. Further your career training and earn your associate's or bachelor's degree to kick open new doors!

Inspiration: Registered Nurse
Nursing aides offer hands-on help for patients, including the basics of bathing, dressing, and cleanliness. The pay rate for nursing aides is a median of $23,850 per year. However, career training of one year and good grades on qualifying exams can earn the title of licensed practical nurse, with a higher annual pay of $39,030.

Those who choose to advance to registered nurse can bring home a healthy $62,450 per year. An associate's degree in nursing, a bachelor's degree in nursing, or a nursing diploma are the three ways to advance to the higher pay and title of registered nurse.

2. Higher Education Equals Higher Pay

Maybe you're already in a job you love, but your paycheck doesn't reflect all those years of hard work you have put in. Earning your online degree can add quite a hefty weight to that paycheck.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who hold an associate's degree can make an average of $5,600 more per year than those with only a high school diploma. Those with a bachelor's degree, however, make an average of $15,400 more than those with an associate's degree.

Inspiration: Web Designer
Web designers create websites for everyone from individuals to large corporations. Their education can be just as varied, ranging from an associate's degree to a doctorate. Typically, the higher the degree, the better the position and the higher the pay. According to Robert Half International, Web designers earn a median annual wage ranging from $47,000 to $71,500.

3. Realize Your Dream

Is there something you have always wanted to do, but obtaining your ideal job never seemed to be in the cards? You're not alone, but other savvy folks just like you have managed to make it happen. Hold onto your current job while taking courses at night or online, and before you know it, you will have a degree in that field of your dreams.

Inspiration: Teacher
If you've always wanted to touch the lives of children and instill a love of learning, now is the time. Elementary school teachers will be in high demand in the coming years, and can earn a median annual salary of $49,330. A bachelor's degree is required, as well as a state license to teach.

4. Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

When that dreaded pink slip lands on your desk, what happens after you leave the building? Before you dust off that resume, take a good look at what you can do with this unexpected downtime. This is the golden opportunity to do something fresh and exciting.

Inspiration: Chef
What's cooking? Anything you want when you're in charge of the kitchen as a professional chef. Start out with career training on the job while you pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in culinary arts. This sweet career change can lead to a median annual salary of $38,770 when you become the head chef.

5. Getting Education Is Easier Than Ever

You might think earning your degree will take too much time, or cost too much money. While some positions might require a four-year bachelor's degree or a level of education even higher than that, there are just as many options that require two years of career training or less.

Inspiration: Dental Hygienist
Helping patients learn good oral hygiene is the job of the dental hygienist. A dental hygiene program takes from one to two years to complete. Get the degree, pass the license exam, and you're on track to make a median wage of $66,570 per year in one of the fastest-growing occupations today.

Ready for a Career Change?

Now is the time to make that career leap. Earn your online degree, then use your career training to open the door to a new career adventure. You've got nothing to lose, and a whole new occupation to gain.

Everyone wants a good salary. But today you might just need to think like a contractor to find it.

In an economic state like our current one, more employers offer contract jobs to save on benefits and other expenses involved in a full-time hire. But because they spend less in other areas, they're usually willing to pay better hourly rates to contractors.

The information technology industry is known for relying heavily on contractors and pays them particularly well. If that's not your field, there's still a wide variety of jobs where contractors are paid significantly better than a full-time employee (FTE). Online salary database PayScale.com ran the numbers on 10 common contracting jobs to find out just how much of a raise you could score by accepting one.

1. Registered Nurse
Median annual pay: $72,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +24%
Typical degree: Associate's Degree, Nursing

It's no secret that nursing services are in high demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects an added 587,000 new positions between 2006-2016, which is one of the highest increases of all occupations. That high demand puts potential employees in a strong position for salary bargaining. Put yourself in the driver's seat for salary negotiations, and you could earn a hefty raise over full-time positions -- a 24 percent increase on average.

2. Physical Therapist
Median annual pay: $78,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +15%
Typical degree: Master's Degree, Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another health-care department that is expected to hire much faster than average over the next 10 years. Medical advances that help to save lives result in an increased demand for rehabilitative services. Though it takes an investment of time and money to complete the master's degree required for this field, the returns on that investment are great in terms of employment potential and the ability to dicker for more dollars in your contracting rate.

3. Project Manager, Construction
Median annual pay: $76,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +12%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Construction Management

The construction industry has taken a deep hit over the last year and a half, which has slowed and often halted building projects. However, management still pays in this industry, and as green works and recovery dollars continue to spur growth, more work opportunities should follow. Though a degree isn't always required to be a construction project manager, it is becoming more of the norm, especially as competition stiffens for these positions. Plus, the added education certainly helps when bargaining the terms of your contract.

4. Graphic Designer
Median annual pay: $42,300
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +10%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Graphic Design & Fine Arts

Tell mom and dad artists can make money. From package design to animation and computer graphics, designers create visual communications for our increasingly image- and video-hungry eyes. The BLS expects job growth to be average, with much of the increase coming from the video and Internet entertainment market. Keen competition is expected for these contracts, but if you land one, you can expect to get about 10 percent more pay than your full-time counterpart.

5. Business Analyst
Median annual pay: $75,300
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +7%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Information Systems & Computer Science

Business analysts are very commonly contract positions -- 27 percent are self-employed, which is three times the average for most professions. Demand for analysts is expected to rise to help companies stay competitive as the business world continues to increase in complexity. Competition, however, is expected to be quite fierce since qualifications can vary widely, which increases the pool of potential applicants. Plus, the high earning potential is luring many into the fray for these lucrative contracts.

6. Software Developer
Median annual pay: $76,500
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +5%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Science & Computer Engineering

Internet technologies and electronic data-processing systems in business, telecommunications and government are fueling an expected 38 percent increase in this field. That's an additional 324,000 new jobs available to developers, which is much faster than average growth. Employers look for candidates with strong practical experience usually in addition to a bachelor's degree in a related field. The BLS notes that if you can offer a good set of interpersonal and business skills, your chances for scoring the position will be greatest.

7. Programmer Analyst
Median annual pay: $69,500
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +5%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Science

Computer analyst job prospects are expected to be very good due to positions opening up as workers move into managerial positions or other occupations. The best candidates demonstrate practical knowledge and hold a four-year degree in computer science or a related field. However, the BLS also notes that graduates in non-computer related fields who have taken courses in computer programming, systems analysis, and other information technology subjects should also be able to land a good contract.

8. Project Manager, IT
Median annual pay: $85,700
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +3%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Information Systems & Computer Science

IT project managers are the go-to people for all phases of a firm's information technology projects. They create the requirements, budgets, and schedules to get the job done. Projects increasingly involve upgrades to the information security of an organization. Job growth is expected to be faster than the average, and workers with specialized technical knowledge and strong communications skills have the best chance of negotiating a healthy pay rate.

9. Administrative Assistant
Median annual pay: $31,900
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +2%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Business Management & Business Administration

Administrative assistants aren't the same paper pushers of times past -- they're increasingly taking on roles of information and communication managers. Job opportunities in this field are very good. Growth will be average, but positions tend to open up as many admins move into professional occupations. Applicants with bachelor's degrees will be in greater demand for managerial assistants and complex tasks, which can earn you a fair bit more in your next contract position.

10. Mechanical Engineer
Median annual pay: $70,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +2%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Out of all the engineering fields, mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, taking on projects from agriculture production to robots used in manufacturing. Despite the wide range of employment possibilities, mechanical engineering is expected to have a slower than average growth, increasing only by 4 percent. Emerging technologies, such as biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology offer the best opportunities for steady work and solid contracts.

In a tight job market midcareer professionals often consider openings that are less lucrative and less prestigious than their last job. Sometimes employers are glad to hire seasoned workers at a bargain, but others dismiss the candidate as "overqualified."

What's behind the overqualified label is an employer's fear that if you're hired, you'll be searching for a better job before you learn where the restrooms are. But if you really want the job, there are ways of countering the perception that you're too good for it.

1. Re-read the job description.

Just because you earned more and had more responsibility in the past doesn't mean you're overqualified for this job. If you meet or exceed every criterion, consider yourself highly qualified. On the other hand, if you don't meet all the requirements -- you would be using a new technology you've never heard of, for example -- you may actually be underqualified.

"Too many job seekers think, 'If I can do this big thing, then surely I can do those smaller things,'" says Laura DeCarlo of Career Directors International. "Maybe they can do them, but it will be a tougher sell."

2. Fine-tune your resume.

"A resume is not a document set in stone," says John M. O'Connor, president of Career Pro, Inc. "You should always rewrite your resume to fit that particular job, and that may mean taking down the tone a notch and emphasizing exactly the skills needed in the new job." To tune your resume and cover letter, also consider the company culture and include relevant words, phrases, and technologies, O'Connor adds.

3. Don't lie about your history.

It's true that some screeners go right to the salary in order to weed out the "too expensive" candidates. If you were an executive earning six figures, don't say you were a junior accountant earning $40K. Then again, unless you're filling out an online form that requires your salary history, a sin of omission just to get in the door is fine.

Experts recommend addressing salary in a cover letter or interview by giving a wide range of income you would consider, or by saying you assume the company will pay competitive salary for the job.

"You want to steer the conversation to the tasks of the job and your history of longevity in other companies and away from dollar figures," Barbara Safani, president of Career Solvers, recommends. "If you can explain how previous lateral moves benefited you, that can diffuse their fear you'll be looking for a higher-paying job."

4. Check your sense of entitlement at the door.

Are you miffed at applying for a job "beneath" your abilities or ticked at defending a career that began when the interviewer was in diapers? Those attitudes won't do you any favors.

"People read energy and attitude," O'Connor says. One way to turn around your negative attitude and impress the interviewer at the same time, O'Connor recommends, is to come prepared with incisive questions about the job duties and the company. "Show you are in touch and engaged and understand their needs."

5. Clearly explain why the job will be good for you.

"If you hire me now, I won't lose my house" may be true, but it won't impress an interviewer. Have good reasons why it would benefit you personally and professionally. "If the position is in your area of passion, say so," DeCarlo advises. "You can make the case that even though you had a management job, for example, you want to move away from management. If the job is a good career fit, the employer will be much more impressed."

6. Make circumstantial evidence work for you.

Remember, the employer is looking for a good "fit," and that means cultural and personal fit in addition to hard skills. Do you have volunteer experience or community commitments that would interest a hiring manager at a "young, hip" company? Emphasize them.

Likewise, your network can speak volumes for your ability to fit in. But make sure those contacts are recent, O'Connor says. Referrals from people who haven't seen you in 20 years could give the impression your most productive days are behind you.

What about the age issue? Career coaches admit age discrimination exists, but it may not be as widespread as seasoned job seekers like to believe. An updated wardrobe, newer hairstyle, or current cultural references could hedge against ageism, or they could make you look silly. Experts agree that the best way to impress a hiring manager is showing how well you understand their immediate problem and how you're the solution.

That's true for job seekers at any stage of their careers.

Some of the best opportunities in today's job market remain just off the radar for most job seekers. These careers may not have the name recognition, but they are quietly making an impact behind the scenes.

Here's a look at five low-profile careers that pay well for interesting work, and are poised for growth in tomorrow's economy.

1. Occupational Therapist

As more and more Americans enter their golden years, occupational therapists are experiencing a surge in demand for their services. Occupational therapists play an important supporting role in the treatment of illness and disability. They help patients with disabilities regain their independence through adaptive technology and life skills training.

A master's degree is the minimum requirement to become licensed as an occupational therapist. As of 2007, 124 programs offered occupational therapy graduate degrees, and an additional 66 offered combined bachelor's-master's degree programs.

Salary: $67,920 (mean annual wages from 2008 as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless otherwise specified)

2. Video Game Designer

Who knew that a video gaming habit could pay off in a lucrative career? Video game designers make a comfortable living creating concepts, story lines, and animated effects for computer games. According to the Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry earned $11.7 billion last year in the U.S. alone.

A game design career requires top-notch programming and artistic skills. An associate's or bachelor's degree in game design helps you develop the technical background. You may choose to specialize in interactive programming (using C or C++ language), script writing and character development, or computer-generated special effects.

Salary: $62,380 for all multimedia artists and animators

3. Cybercrime Investigator

Cybercrime investigators are unlikely to inspire a "CSI"-style television drama, but their forensics work is no less heroic. These behind-the-scenes digital detectives use their computer skills to make the Web a safer place to surf and do business. They apply advanced forensics techniques to pursue and help prosecute the hackers, and identify thieves and financial scam artists lurking online.

Cybercrime investigators may kick off their careers with an associate's degree in computer science, programming, or a specialized computer crime, economic crime investigation, or digital forensics degree. For the best opportunities, continue on to a bachelor's degree in the field.

Salary: $46,370 for all computer support specialists (mean annual wage, BLS, 2008); $51,164 for credit card fraud investigators (Salary.com)

4. User Experience Designer

As personal electronics reach a peak in technical development, the high-tech industry is looking to usability to differentiate their products. Apple, for example, has come to dominate the market for computers and communication devices on the strength of its intuitive interface and compelling designs. As a user experience designer, you'll make sure that products are easy to use and pleasing to look at. The job brings together creative and technical skills, making it a lucrative niche for artistic types.

A bachelor's degree in computer science or graphic design can lead to a career as a usability specialist. For best results, supplement your degree with courses in cognitive psychology and marketing. Some colleges offer a specialized master's degree in usability.

Salary: $87,900 for computer applications engineers, $46,750 for graphic designers

5. Curriculum Designer

Curriculum designers are tackling the challenge of education reform head-on. These specialists select textbooks, develop new curriculum materials, and train teachers. They incorporate new educational technology into the classroom. And they review educational programs to make sure learning outcomes meet standards set by government agencies.

A master's degree in education is the standard requirement for a career in curriculum design. You'll learn about educational technology, program review techniques, and current research in learning and child development. Most states also require a teaching or administrative license.

Salary: $59,780

Tomorrow's high-impact careers are today's low-profile winners. Stay one step ahead of the curve by seizing these opportunities before they knock. By lining up your career training now, you can stake your claim to a satisfying, high-paying job before the rest of the market catches on.

People in almost every profession may feel like jobs are scarce right now. For many industries, this is a temporary situation. But jobs in some fields are expected to continue disappearing even after the economy picks up.

Is your industry on the decline? The federal government projects that a number of industries will lose jobs from 2008 to 2018.

"You can't sit around and wait for news to come out about what's going to happen to your industry," said Alexandra Levit, author of "New Job, New You." "You have to be proactive about this."

Disappearing Jobs

Here's a list of the top 10 industries expected to lose the most jobs by 2018 -- and what to do if you're working in one of them:

1. Department stores: Projected to lose 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.

"People are doing their shopping online," Levit said. To survive, stores need to offer value beyond the products they sell, such as special events or superior customer service. To increase the chances that you'll keep your own job, you need to "be on the innovation train."

"You need to be front and center with management, giving them suggestions for how they can remain competitive," she said.

2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Projected to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.

Semiconductors are one of several manufacturing industries on the declining list. Because so many different types of manufacturing jobs are disappearing, it will not be easy to simply get another manufacturing job. You may need to develop some completely new skills.

Levit suggests beefing up your resume with volunteer work so you can show skills that will be applicable in other industries. For example, helping a volunteer organization deal with its members can show that you have client-service skills.

3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to lose 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.

4. Postal service: Projected to lose 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.

5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to lose 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.

6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Projected to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.

7. Newspaper publishers: Projected to lose 24.8 percent of its 326,000 jobs.

8. Mining support jobs: Projected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.

9. Gas stations: Projected to lose 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.

10. Wired telecom: Projected to lose 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.

Are You Affected?

What should you do if your industry is on this list? First, don't panic. The job declines in these industries are projected to take place over a decade. And many jobs -- a majority in most of these industries -- will remain even after 10 years.

Still, it's good to start thinking about Plan B. Build your savings and start researching what other industries might be able to use your skills.

If you're nearing retirement and had been planning to move into a different field, you might want to make the move earlier. And if you have many years of work ahead of you, you should consider seriously whether it's feasible for you to stay in your industry for the long term.

"Start sharpening your transferrable skills," Levit said. These include project management, budgeting, and customer service. "You want to be developing a resume that showcases the skills you have in all those areas."