How to Land a Hot Job in 2014

Hiring is predicted to improve in 2014, so what types of jobs should you anticipate seeing? According to recent findings by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., there are 12 hot jobs to watch out for next year, and they're careers that pay well. The list is based on jobs that require a bachelor's degree, have grown more than 7 percent over the last three years, are projected to grow in 2014 and most importantly, they're jobs that pay $22 an hour or more.

Unfortunately, employers are still crying that they can't find the talent they need. In fact, Matt Ferguson, CEO at CareerBuilder, says 45 percent of human resources managers report they have open positions they can't fill.

It isn't just a skills shortage, it's also a positioning gap. As you evaluate these growing careers, also note what you can do to prove you are a good fit. The best way to do this is to provide proof that your skills and experience translate into solving problems for employers.

Help a company grab the "first to market" seat. It is a competitive economy and companies are attempting to get their products and services to market first. If you have software development expertise, this is your chance to solve challenges for employers. Promote your technical skills but don't forget to highlight the results of your work for previous employers. Potential employers would love to hear how you contributed to a product that increased market share or hit the market first.

Zero in on Big Data for market preferences. Market research analysts or marketing specialists also contribute to new product development. These careers are highly analytical and help weed through loads of information being gathered about customers, potential customers and many other data points. To stand out, sell the type of data you analyzed and tools you've used. Also be sure to include how your analysis skills has translated into new product ideas or penetrated new markets.

Develop solutions to fill the skills gap. Training and development now play critical roles for employers who need to build specific skills among their employees. Historically, this function was viewed as a nice-to-have versus a necessity, but because employers find it difficult to hire exactly the right talent match, training employees is a worthwhile investment. To stand out, showcase curriculum topics, training platforms used, cost savings and measured outcomes from the training you created and/or delivered.

Coordinate events with flair. Meeting, convention and event planners are also projected to be in demand. Take advantage of your experience pulling together logistical details, numbers of event attendees and customer satisfaction measurements. Your ability to promote yourself can be viewed as an asset in a career that relies heavily on creative marketing strategies as well as specific project management skills.

Get it there on time. In the global, need-it-now economy, logisticians become the key to making things happen. Experience and skills in coordinating the flow of materials and products, managing resources and developing positive business relationships with customers can help you secure a position in this fast-moving career. Include success stories of how you saved money, decreased delivery times, minimized inventory or any other cost savings to catch employers' attention.

Go high-tech or stay home. Careers in technology continue to be in-demand. Database administrators, Web developers and information security analysts all require specific skills and experience using technology to succeed. You may find that many of these positions are based on a specific contract period, but don't shun them. Independent contracting is a growing trend in our just-in-time workplace and popular among startups and small companies with limited financial resources. Showcase your commitment to team work and your ability to develop interpersonal relationships to stand out in this career field.

Money matters. Financial analyst jobs are still growing, and they aren't just available on Wall Street. This career option offers numerous specialties, such as investment banking, insurance companies and banks. Even corporate finance departments offer similar opportunities to evaluate investments. Keep current on the vast quantities of financial products and understand geographic trends. When pursuing these positions, be sure you mention the impact your analysis had on the organization's investments or direction.

Leverage your specialties. If you are a petroleum engineer, interpreter or physical therapist, the news is good for you as well. Finding these very specialized careers, which also made the list, may require searching on niche job board. If these are your career preferences, show flexibility in your preferred work location to increase your chances of securing a job.

Take a new spin. It isn't enough to have the requisite skills and experience. Your role as a job seeker is to explain how you have solved relevant problems. You'll need to connect the dots between your skills and successes with the needs of the employer so they can see your value.

Hannah Morgan is a speaker and author providing no-nonsense career advice; she guides job seekers and helps them navigate today's treacherous job search terrain. Hannah shares information about the latest trends, such as reputation management, social networking strategies, and other effective search techniques on her blog, Career Sherpa.