ELEVEN PROMISING JOBS FOR 2011

New Robert Half Research Identifies Canadian Positions in Demand for the Year Ahead

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - As people look to the coming year with hopes of continued economic recovery and increased job creation, new research may hold clues as to what the most promising professional positions will be in 2011. According to the Salary Guides just released from Robert Half, 11 roles representing several fields - including accounting and finance, technology, legal and administrative - show promising increases in starting salaries and growing demand among employers.

"The common thread among the jobs highlighted in our research is that they help businesses improve efficiency and profits, and foster a more positive customer experience," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. "The most successful job candidates bring multiple skill sets, a track record of success and a strong sense of accountability to their roles."

Following is an overview of the 11 Top Jobs for 2011:

    
    1.  Performance analyst - Among nearly 130 finance and accounting
        positions listed in the 2011 Salary Guide, performance analysts are
        expected to see the largest jump in starting salaries. Average
        starting compensation is projected to rise 5.1 per cent to the range
        of $56,250 to $86,750. Many Canadian employers seek talented
        professionals who can prepare portfolio, benchmark and statistical
        reports; maintain and update performance databases; and evaluate
        return on investment for the company.

    2.  Controller - Average starting salaries for controllers at midsize
        companies ($50 million to $100 million in sales) are expected to
        climb 4.9 per cent, to the range of $85,500 to $113,750.
        Organisations are adding controllers and assistant controllers to
        oversee accounting operations, enhance accounting and internal
        control systems, and assist with growth initiatives.

    3.  Public accountant - Professionals in midsize/small firms can
        anticipate a 2.2 per cent gain in base pay, to a range of $65,500 to
        $84,250. Demand is consistent for staff that can perform a broad
        range of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting activities.

    4.  ERP business analyst - Base compensation for these professionals -
        who tailor enterprise resource planning software - is projected to
        increase 9.3 per cent next year, to a range of $80,000 to $105,000.
        ERP enables organisations of all sizes and types to improve
        efficiency and cut costs. Companies need analysts who can guide
        better decision-making processes in a constantly changing business
        environment, help reduce costs and better evaluate internal/external
        clients.

    5.  IT auditor - Base compensation for IT auditors - within the
        consulting and systems integration segment - is projected to increase
        9.1 per cent next year, to a range of $74,500 to $97,000. Employers
        are seeking these professionals who make recommendations for systems
        operations and process improvement, as well as develop risk-based
        audit plans.

    6.  Lead application developer - As firms evaluate more complex data and
        create custom applications, they require skilled developers who can
        design methods for handling, processing and evaluating material. Lead
        application developers can expect base compensation in the range of
        $78,750 to $109,000, a gain of 7.1 per cent over 2010.

    7.  Lawyer - Lawyers with four to nine years of experience at midsize law
        firms should see average starting salaries of $96,500 to $183,250, a
        4.0 per cent increase over 2010. These firms are recruiting
        experienced lawyers who can bring a significant book of business to
        support their development in lucrative practice areas such as
        litigation, healthcare, and corporate law.

    8.  Law clerk - Law clerks with four to six years of experience at
        small/midsize law firms will see average starting salaries ranging
        from $44,500 to $54,750, a 3.7 per cent increase over 2010
        projections. Law firms seek legal support professionals with
        experience in in-demand specialties who can handle a wide range of
        administrative tasks.

    9.  Executive assistant- Starting salaries for executive assistants can
        expect to see a rise of 4.9 per cent, to the range of $42,750 to
        $54,000. Demand is consistent for these assistants who have strong
        technical expertise, project coordination experience, and exceptional
        communication skills.

    10. Medical data entry specialist - As the healthcare field continues to
        expand, organisations look for medical data entry specialists with
        industry background to help store, retrieve and update files; and
        analyze information. Base compensation is expected to rise 3.7 per
        cent, to a range of $28,500 to $35,000.

    11. Senior administrative assistant - Companies that cut support roles
        during the downturn are adding back staff to help make departments
        more efficient and productive. Senior administrative assistants with
        advanced technical skills, specific industry expertise and staff
        supervision experience are in demand, and should see starting
        salaries grow 3.9 per cent, to a range of $38,000 to $48,250.
    

About the Robert Half 2011 Salary Guides

The new Robert Half Salary Guides include the 2011 Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance, produced by Accountemps(R), Robert Half(R) Finance and Accounting and Robert Half(R) Management Resources; the Robert Half Technology 2011 Salary Guide for technology professionals; the OfficeTeam 2011 Salary Guide for administrative positions; and the Robert Half Legal 2011 Salary Guide for legal professionals. Together, the guides contain salary data for more than 300 positions. Each guide is accompanied by an online Salary Centre, which offers current information and analysis on the employment environment, along with interactive Salary Calculators that enable users to quickly access local starting salary ranges.

Since 1950, companies have consulted the yearly guides from Robert Half to determine starting compensation levels for their employees. In addition, educational institutions and research entities have referenced the guides for the most comprehensive information on compensation and hiring. Robert Half also tracks professional hiring expectations and business confidence through it's quarterly Professional Employment Report available at www.roberthalf.ca/per.

About Robert Half International

Founded in 1948, Robert Half International, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, is a recognized leader in professional staffing services. The company has staffing and consulting operations in more than 400 locations worldwide. Find more information about our services at roberthalf.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.

For further information: ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL 181 Bay St., Suite 820 Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 Contact: Nadia Santoli [phone] [email protected]