More than 49 million people across the nation have some level of disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For many of these people, finding and keeping a job is difficult due to a physical or mental impairment they possess.

Dr. Daniel J. Ryan is on a mission to help these people overcome their employment obstacles. In his new book, Job Search Handbook for People with Disabilities, Third Edition, Ryan offers solid job search guidance enhanced with expert advice on issues specific to job seekers with disabilities. Ryan demystifies employment laws, explains how to assess strengths and weaknesses, offers advice on asking for accommodations and much more.

He also offers a wealth of advice on one of the major challenges people with disabilities grapple with during their job search: when and how to disclose their disability to a potential employer. Below are a few of the tips Ryan shares regarding this dilemma:

• If your disability is visible, your interviewer may have questions about your ability to do the job. You should be prepared for these questions, and you can do that by first making contact with the Job Accommodation Network.
• If your disability is visible, it is best to address it directly early on in the interview. Because human nature is what it is, a failure to disclose the disability may result in the interviewer going through the motions, trying to be careful not to break any laws, but focusing less on your answers.
• When addressing your disability, point out that it will not impact your ability to perform the functions of the job, or that it will require only minimal accommodations. Although there is no guarantee, this approach is your best bet at getting the interviewer’s attention focused where you want it—on your ability to do the job.
• If your disability is not visible, it is up to you as to when or if you ever disclose it. In most cases, I have advised clients to wait until after an offer is extended to disclose any disability. After you have agreed upon the terms of employment and have established a starting date, you should mention any accommodations you may need so that the employer can have them in place for you when you start.

More advice on disclosing a disability during the job search can be found in Job Search Handbook for People with Disabilities, Third Edition.

With more than a hundred college majors to choose from, how can you possibly pick the one that’s right for you?

According to Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., author of Panicked Student’s Guide to Choosing a College Major, it helps to consider your top skills and how they relate to specific majors and related jobs. “Based on your experiences in school, you probably have a good idea of which skills you learn easily and which come harder. You may also have work experience that indicates some of your skills,” he explains.

In his book, Shatkin identifies which college majors relate to the skills that are included in the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET database. The list below pinpoints some of these skills and the majors that Shatkin connects to them. To generate some ideas about your college major options, scan this list for your strongest skill(s).

Skill: Writing
Shatkin’s skill summary: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related majors: African-American Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Archeology; English; Journalism and Mass Communications; Law; Political Science; Sociology; Urban Studies; Women’s Studies

Skill: Speaking

Shatkin’s skill summary: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related majors: International Relations; Law; Philosophy; Political Science; Religion/Religious Studies; Sociology; Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; Zoology

Skill: Social Perceptiveness

Shatkin’s skill summary: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react the way they do.

Related majors: Elementary Education; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; International Relations; Law; Marketing; Public Relations; Social Work; Special Education; Transportation and Logistics Management

Skill: Service Orientation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Related majors: Dietetics; Health Information Systems Administration; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; Law; Library Science; Medicine; Nursing (RN Training); Optometry; Pharmacy; Psychology; Religion/Religious Studies; Social Work; Special Education; Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Skill: Repairing

Shatkin’s skill summary: Repairing machines or systems, using the needed tools.

Related majors: Agricultural Business and Economics; Agronomy and Crop Science; Animal Science; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Environmental Science; Management Information Systems; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Technology; Operations Management

Skill: Negotiation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Related majors: Advertising; Architecture; Business Management; Hospital/Health Facilities Administration; Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Management; Insurance; International Business; International Relations; Law; Marketing; Operations Management; Psychology; Public Relations

Skill: Mathematics

Shatkin’s skill summary: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Related majors: Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering; Agricultural Engineering; Architecture; Astronomy; Bioengineering; Materials Science; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Physics; Statistics

Skill: Installation

Shatkin’s skill summary: Installing equipment, machines, wiring or programs to meet specifications.

Related majors: Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering; Agricultural Business and Economics; Animal Science; Art History; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Dentistry; Electrical Engineering; Forestry; Graphic Design, Commercial Art and Illustration; Operations Management; Soil Science

Skill: Critical Thinking

Shatkin’s skill summary: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problems.

Related majors: Actuarial Science; African-American Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Area Studies; Law; Medicine; Microbiology; Physics; Religion/Religious Studies; Urban Studies; Women’s Studies

Skill: Complex Management of Financial Resources

Shatkin’s skill summary: Determining how money will be spent to get the work done and accounting for these expenditures.

Related majors: Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Management; Industrial and Labor Relations; International Business; International Relations; Marketing; Operations Management; Public Administration; Transportation and Logistics Management

According to Michael Farr, author of The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book, the average job seeker spends fewer than 15 hours a week looking for work. Although 15 hours may seem like a great deal of time, it’s quite minimal in comparison to the 25 hours or more that Farr recommends job seekers devote to their search for employment each week.

“The average length of unemployment varies from three or more months, with some being out of work far longer,” explains Farr. “There is a clear connection between how long it takes to find a job and the number of hours spent looking on a daily and weekly basis. The more time you spend on your job search each week, the less time you are likely to remain unemployed. Of course, using more effective job search methods also helps. Those who set aside a solid amount of time for their job search activities and use this time wisely generally secure jobs in half the average time; and they often get better jobs, too.”

Farr suggests that job seekers create a specific daily schedule that keeps them on task and accountable for how their job search progresses. Here is a sample schedule provided in his book.

7–8 a.m.
Get up, shower, dress and eat breakfast.

8–8:15 a.m.
Organize workspace, review schedule for interviews or follow-ups and update schedule.

8:15–9 a.m.
Review old leads for follow-up and develop new leads (want ads, Internet, networking lists and so on).

9–10 a.m.
Make networking or direct employer phone calls, establish Internet contacts and set up meetings and interviews.

10–10:15 a.m.
Take a break.

10:15–11 a.m.
Make more new calls and Internet contacts.

11–12 p.m.
Make follow-up calls and send e-mails as needed.

12–1 p.m.
Lunch break.

1–5 p.m.
Go on interviews and networking meetings, make cold contacts in the field and conduct research for upcoming interviews.

5–8 p.m.
Attend networking events.

For many workers, just being employed isn’t enough—it’s nice to get paid well, too! In his book Best Jobs for the 21^st Century, Laurence Shatkin highlights 10 of this century’s best-paying jobs and their annual median earnings. He says workers interested in these jobs should keep one thing in mind.

“It shouldn’t be a big surprise to learn that most of the highest-paying jobs require advanced levels of education, training or experience,” Shatkin says. “For example, most of the jobs with the highest earnings require a doctoral or professional degree, and others, such as Chief Executives … require extensive training and experience beyond the bachelor’s degree.”

Here 10 of the best-paying jobs Shatkin features in his book:

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
$166,400+

2. Orthodontists
$166,400+

3. Physicians and Surgeons
$165,279

4. Chief Executives
$165,080

5. Dentists, General
$141,040

6. Architectural and Engineering Managers
$119,260

7. Prosthodontists
$118,400

8. Podiatrists
$118,030

9. Natural Sciences Managers
$116,020

10. Computer and Information Systems Managers
$115,780

Writing a resume can be tricky—it’s the single most-important document in a job search, and you want it to be great. Author Louise M. Kursmark, in her book Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads, gives examples of work experience phrases to “demonstrate how you might phrase your job experiences to add impact and value to your resume.”

“You should focus on skills and achievements instead of simply listing the duties of the job,” Kursmark says. “What did you learn or do that will make you an even more valuable employee? What were your unique contributions?”

Here are some work-experience examples, taken from resumes included in Kursmark’s book:

• “Developed loyal clientele and increased sales through personal attention to customers’ needs. Resolved customer complaints diplomatically.
• Supported the pharmacy operations as necessary, fulfilling the role of pharmaceutical technician.
• Generated a list of 160 sales leads and contacts through aggressive cold-calling from a database of 1,100 companies.
• Devised 13 on-site strategies to effectively meet and recruit more than 750 Multi-Campus Hillel members in 18 months.
• Implemented creative learning techniques that resulted in student passing exams.
• Kept events running smoothly through effective problem solving and good decision making.
• Successfully completed the project on time to specification with full user interactivity.
• Publicized an urban youth organization to the media, the general community and potential supporters. Wrote and designed a brochure for the organization.
• Defrayed college expenses and gained problem-solving, decision-making, communication and leadership skills through diverse customer service, training and supervisory positions.”

Kursmark also says to include recognition you’ve received:

• “Earned perfect job evaluation.
• Won three contests for selling the most dinner specials from among 15 servers.
• Received Outstanding Service Award, 2007–2008.
• Was requested to return for third summer internship.”

If you’re starting a new business, technology can be your most helpful marketing tool. In his new book, Entrepreneurship Quizzes, author John J. Liptak, Ed.D., discusses the best ways to use technology to benefit your business.

“Technology is particularly useful in sales and marketing efforts,” Liptak said. “Sales and marketing can be a time-consuming practice that will challenge both your patience and persistence.…But the Internet has made the marketing of start-up businesses much easier.”

Here are some of Liptak’s tips to effectively use technology for your new venture:

• “Use email blasts to communicate rapidly and easily with your customers, suppliers and collaborators around the world.”
• “Use desktop publishing software to develop brochures, business cards, newsletters and other promotional materials.”
• “Develop a business website to sell products and services easily and inexpensively. When you develop your business website, remember to make it attractive and easy to use, keep all of the content on your pages current, create a newsletter customers can sign up to receive, make it easy for customers to purchase your product or service, and offer some type of e-commerce option.”
• “Blog about your industry or business to create a buzz that stimulates customer buying and establishes you as an expert in your specialty area. Through blogs, you can get in front of your potential customers many times before they even get to your website to purchase your product or service.”
• “Use the power of social networking sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn to drive new traffic to your website and link new sites to yours.”

“Given the power of the Internet, there are millions of customers waiting to be reached and attracted to your product or service,” Liptak said.

You have the basic resume requirements—work experience, education and skills—but now you should set aside some time to improve and expand your simple structure. Author Louise M. Kursmark, in her new book Same-Day Resume, offers a few essential tips that will improve your resume and help you land a job.

Write or expand your summary section

“A summary or introduction—the first section of the resume below your name and contact information—allows you to quickly and clearly establish important baseline information that will help employers. Your goal in this section is to communicate who you are, your special skills and your uniqueness.”

Quantify your accomplishments

“Look back at how you have written your job descriptions or skills summaries in your simple resume. If your accomplishments are vague, now is the time to dig deep to find the details and specifics that will make them more meaningful.”

Expand your education and training section

“Let’s say that you are a recent graduate who worked your way through school, earned decent grades and got involved in extracurricular activities. The standard listing of education would not do you justice, so consider expanding that section to include statements about your accomplishments while going to school.”

Add new sections to highlight your strengths

“There is no reason you can’t add one or more sections to your resume to highlight something you think will help you. For example, let’s say you have excellent references from previous employers. You might add a statement to that effect and even include one or more positive quotations.”

Portfolios and enclosures

“Some occupations typically require a portfolio of your work or some other concrete example of what you have done. Artists, copywriters, advertising people, clothing designers, architects, radio and TV personalities, and many others know this and should take care to provide good examples of what they do.”

Economic downturn has many employees thinking about the stability of their jobs. But that’s often not their only concern: When searching for a new job or considering a career change, most people want a job that’s secure and pays well.

In his new book, 150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future, author Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., lists the top jobs in the six most secure fields that offer stability and respectable annual earnings.

Computer Systems Design Jobs

1. Chief Executives: $166,400+
2. General and Operations Managers: $137,170
3. Human Resources Managers: $115,750

Educational Services Jobs

1. Chief Executives: $133,090
2. Human Resources Managers: $93,700
3. Medical and Health Services Managers: $90,440

Government Jobs

1. Political Scientists: $115,730
2. Air Traffic Controllers: $111,880
3. Pharmacists: $107,500

Health Care Jobs

1. Physicians and Surgeons: $153,970
2. Physicists: $152,545
3. Chief Executives: $150,575

Repair and Maintenance Jobs

1. Chief Executives: $138,890
2. General and Operations Managers: $78,440
3. Accountants and Auditors: $57,400

Utilities Jobs

1. Chief Executives: $166,400+
2. General and Operations Managers: $109,870
3. Industrial Production Managers: $103,160

The job market is full of imperfect candidates. Many have gaps in their work history. Some haven’t been living in the area where they are seeking employment. Others have little to no experience or are overqualified for the jobs they want.

Obstacles like these can make it difficult for a job seeker to secure interviews, let alone a job offer. Such issues also become problematic early on in the job search, when the individual is creating a resume and cover letter.

Michael Farr addressed these concerns and many more in his recently released book The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book, Fifth Edition. According to Farr, a fundamental resume-writing rule that all job seekers should keep in mind is to never highlight a negative. “Because everyone has less-than-perfect credentials for a given job, all resumes hide one thing or another to some degree. Although you can’t be dishonest, you shouldn’t present negative information. A resume should present your strengths, so include only content an employer can interpret as positive,” he explained.

Here are a few common job-hunt conundrums and Farr’s advice for overcoming them.

Gaps in Work History

“If you have a well-understood reason for major gaps, such as going to school or staying home to raise a child, you can simply state this on your resume,” said Farr. “You could, in some situations, handle one of these gaps by putting the alternative activity on the resume, with dates, just as you would handle any other job.”

He added, “Minor gaps, such as being out of work for several months, do not need an explanation. You can simply exclude any mention of months on your resume. Instead, refer to the years you were employed such as, ‘2008 to 2010.’”

Too Little Experience

Job seekers who are recent graduates or breaking into a new occupation or field should emphasize their adaptive skills to compensate for a lack of experience, according to Farr. “A skills resume allows you to present yourself in the best light. For example, emphasizing skills such as ‘hardworking’ and ‘learn new things quickly’ might impress an employer enough to consider you over more experienced workers.”

Recently Moved

“Employers are often concerned that someone who has recently moved to an area may soon leave,” said Farr. “If you are new to the area, consider explaining this on your resume or, better yet, a cover letter. A simple statement such as, ‘Relocated to Cincinnati to be closer to my family’ or any other reasonable explanation is often enough to present yourself as stable.”

Additional resume, cover letter and job search advice can be found in Farr’s book The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book.

You’ve finally taken the plunge and started your own business, but now is not the time to sit back and relax. John J. Liptak, Ed.D, in his new book Entrepreneurship Quizzes, explains the steps entrepreneurs should take to ensure they will be successful in their new ventures.

“Working in your own business can occupy more of your time than a traditional job,” Liptak says in his book. “Because you will primarily be working alone or with a relatively small number of people, you will have a tremendous amount of business responsibilities to keep up with.”

Liptak recommends following these tips:

• “Follow a regular schedule. Choose the hours during which you would like to work and stick with those hours throughout the lifespan of your business. Think about whether you are a ‘morning person’ or an ‘evening person.’ The important point to remember is to choose a schedule of working hours and stick to it.”
• “Motivate yourself. Remember that you will not have a supervisor watching over you and the work you are doing; therefore, you must be able to stay on task and not be distracted. The one drawback to being an entrepreneur is that there are often many distractions. The important point to remember is to plan your work for each day and motivate yourself to stay on task.”
• “Keep daily records. By writing down and maintaining records of your daily accomplishments, work schedule and probably income for the day, you will be able to measure your daily income and thus help to motivate yourself. In addition, this information may help you in doing the taxes for your home-based business and give you insight into how close you are to achieving your income goals.”
• “Take time off. We all need to relax. Working too much can drain the enthusiasm and energy needed to operate your business. Even if you are doing the type of work you love in your business, it is also important to engage in constructive leisure activities, be with your friends and family and rejuvenate your energy level.”
• “Control your costs. In order to control costs in any home-based business, you need to do the majority of the work yourself; reduce your overhead costs whenever possible; keep a close eye on your daily, monthly and yearly costs; be sure you are paying the best price possible; and keep accurate records of all your business expenses.”