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Trends in tech: 5 growth areas

If you're an IT professional looking for your next role, the future looks bright. Employment in the technology industry is expected to grow at nearly five times the UK average over the next decade.The vast majority (91%) of IT leaders are planning to increase tech investment in the near term, with new projects including business intelligence, mobile solutions, application development, information risk and security, and virtualisation initiatives, according to the Robert Half 2015 Salary Guide.The continuing skills gap means that experienced, niche technologists are able to demand the highest salaries. In case you were wondering, the roles UK CIOs currently find most difficult to fill are in software development, security, networking, applications development and data/database management.If you're thinking about specialising, here are five tech areas tipped for growth in 2015 and beyond.Risk-based security and self-protectionHigh profile cyber-attacks on the likes of Sony Pictures ha...

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Job opportunities in Chelmsford

Thanks to it is position in the centre of Essex, Chelmsford has been an important hub for trade since Roman times. The county town - which is home to 120,000 people, plus another 50,000 on its fringes - was bumped up to city status in 2012, and it is regarded as the biggest driver of economic growth in the Essex region. City in transitionLike many cities around the UK, Chelmsford has been in a period of transition over the last two decades, with large firms leaving or downsizing their operations, and a shift in economic focus toward the service sector. The biggest employers used to include soft drinks firm Britvic and defence contractor Marconi, along with a host of ancillary businesses supporting them.While defence firms still provide a significant number of jobs in Chelmsford, there has been a second transition in the city – from large employers to small and medium-sized companies, driven by the strong streak of entrepreneurship that Essex is known for.Prime locationWith a journey...

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How to land a job in gaming

The UK has long been a leading force in the world videogames industry - from the 8-bit heyday of the 1980s, right through to Edinburgh-based Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto V generating a staggering $800m within 24 hours of its release in 2014.But as you'd expect from a global industry now making more money than Hollywood, competition for jobs is fierce. If you're hoping to enter the games industry, here's how to land your first job.Testing, testingOne of the best ways to get a foothold in the industry is to start with a position in games testing.But forget idle fantasies of getting paid to blast your way through the latest unreleased shoot-em-up, because the actual work is more likely to involve repeatedly running into a corner in a bid to replicate a bug reported by somebody else.If the less-than-glamourous reality hasn't put you off, then you'll need an analytical mind and a methodical approach to tackle the work involved. Some form of higher education is usually required, such...

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Job opportunities in Leeds

With a population of around three-quarters of a million people, Leeds is one of the UK's largest cities and home to England's biggest financial centre outside of London. Forecast to see 25 per cent growth over the coming decade – with finance and business services making up half of that – now is a great time to be looking for a job in Leeds.Read on to discover some of the strongest sectors and job opportunities in our latest city guide.High productivityOnce famous for textile production, Leeds has successfully transitioned from post-industrial decline to become one of the stars of the much-vaunted "Northern Powerhouse".Productivity measured in GVA (gross value added) is among the highest in the UK at £45,460 per filled job – putting Leeds behind only Bristol and Glasgow among the nation's core cities.The service and financial sector is particularly strong, as is healthcare and medical technology, housing and construction, retail, manufacturing, and media and digital technology.The c...

/ CareerBuilder Updates

How to land a job in the hospitality industry

Hospitality is a people-orientated industry with customer service at its heart. Whether you choose to work in accommodation and food services, health and fitness, or bars, clubs and pubs, there are great employment opportunities available to those who have a passion for people and service.Academic qualifications vs experienceThere are many routes into hospitality jobs and you don't always need qualifications to get them. Some people start with on-the-job training while others complete a graduate scheme, and then go on to gain extra qualifications as they progress.Ben Bengougam, Vice President of Human Resources for Hilton Worldwide says: 'Academic qualifications have their place, particularly when the degree has included practical time in industry and provides a managerial entry point and fast track to senior roles. However, nothing can ever be better than work experience, time spent learning and doing the job or delivering brand propositions and customer service through all of the ...

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9 of the hottest tech jobs in the UK

The UK technology industry is booming. If you're looking for a top tech job that pays well, here are nine of the best jobs in technology that are currently in demand.1. Software engineer(Java and .net)Software engineers design and build software for large applications, combining their knowledge of maths, engineering and computer science to design, develop, test and evaluate software.'The growth in demand for these roles is so strong that we're now entering a skills shortage in the UK,' says Richard Knights, Regional Sales Manager at ReThink Recruitment. 'The demand mainly stems from businesses continuing to invest in their online systems in an effort to capitalise on a buoyant economy.'More organisations are looking to get their products into new markets and across new channels with mobile and e-commerce driving much of the growth. In addition, businesses are increasingly using technology to drive cost-saving initiatives, which is increasing demand.'Average salary: £41,5002. Informa...

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Job opportunities in Manchester

Manchester and its surrounding towns once grew rich thanks to the cotton trade, creating a landscape dotted with the mills that clothed the British Empire. Now the second highest-populated urban area in the UK with more than 2.5 million residents, Greater Manchester is the leading area outside of London for the business, financial and professional services. And thanks to a strong manufacturing presence along with high employment in health and education, there are a wide range of job opportunities available.More jobs expected – on balanceThe most recent major forecast from Greater Manchester's policy and strategy body, New Economy, looks positive, with a net gain of more than 100,000 jobs expected over the next decade.Kerry Houston, lead economist at Oxford Economics, which carried out the study, said: 'The Greater Manchester economy is expected to remain as a key driver of the North West. The forecasts suggest an additional 128,000 more people and 110,000 net new jobs within the cit...

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What you need to know about situation judgement tests

Recruiters are increasingly using skill-based testing and psychometric assessments to narrow down the applicant pool and situational judgement tests (SJTs) are just one of the many tools employers use to find the best candidate. If you're asked to sit one, Rob Williams, chartered occupational psychologist and independent psychometric test developer, reveals what to expect and how to shine. What are SJTs?A situational judgment test presents realistic scenarios similar to those that would be encountered when doing a particular job. By using real life scenarios, the idea is that employers will get a better understanding of how you might operate in the work place.'Typically, candidates must identify the best and the worst course of action from four multiple-choice options. In other words, you must make two "judgments" about what to do and what not to do next in the "situation" presented,' explains Rob. 'An alternative SJT format asks the test-taker to rank multiple choice options in ter...

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Underrated industries: Could you be missing out on your dream job?

Everyone has their ideal dream job. Maybe it's something that pays for the pursuit of a hobby, a role studied for at university, or even a long-held pipedream from childhood – whatever it is, it's always in the back of the mind, waiting for the right opportunity to do what we would all rather be doing to come along. The Telegraph recently reported on jobs that are wildly overrated – typical 'dream jobs' such as chef, architect or travel writer, that are actually not as fun as they might appear – as well as jobs that are more fun than they sound, offering high salaries or exciting opportunities in fields that may rarely be considered. Over in the US, AOL publishes a list of the most underrated jobs every year. Jobs such as accountant, systems analyst, and engineer are regular features at the top of the list – stereotypically unexciting positions that aren't exactly seen as aspirational, although engineering has certainly shaken this label over the years. Lists of "underrated" jobs ty...

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Seven jobs for party addicts

Are you the life and soul of the party? If you love bringing people together and enjoy helping others have a good time, one of these jobs could be perfect for you…Holiday repContrary to popular belief, the role of holiday rep doesn't solely consist of encouraging 20-somethings to indulge in debauched behaviour; though a broad-minded attitude can help.As well as leading the revelry, reps act as point of contact for both customers and hotel owners – dealing with any problems which arise on either side. They also sell excursions and services, build and maintain relationships with local businesses and meet guests from the airport.The job does not usually require qualifications. Instead, employers look for personal qualities and experience of working in a customer service or travel and tourism role. Some tour operators also value additional language skills, particularly in countries where English is not widely spoken.Although applications are usually accepted throughout the year, many to...

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Five jobs for people who love to plan

Organisational and planning skills are highly sought after in many jobs. If you're the type of person who keeps a spreadsheet for the weekly shop and meal plan and have been known to alphabetise your friend's book collection as well as your own, we've found five jobs that are perfect for you.1. Event organiser Do you enjoy the process of organising parties just as much, or even more, than attending them? If so, becoming an event organiser could be your vocation in life.Responsible for planning and executing events ranging from professional conferences and exhibitions to music festivals and product launches, event organisers need to have good budgetary skills and the ability to work under pressure.Duties might range from identifying potential markets for events and drawing up proposals and budgets to booking guests, selling tickets or exhibition space and co-ordinating suppliers.Qualifications required: Events organisers will usually have studied to diploma or degree level, possibly ...

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5 jobs worth a second look

Not everyone is cut out to be a prison officer, funeral director or pest control officer – but could you be? If your job search is running out of steam, it could be time to take a second look at those jobs which are easy to dismiss. To get you started, we reveal five jobs that you may not have considered before, what they pay and how to get into them.1. Prison officer You might think you know what life inside a prison is like from watching TV and films but the reality is often very different. As the website of the HM Prison Service puts it: 'Until you've worked in a prison, built trust, exercised authority without throwing your weight around, and ultimately changed people's lives for the better, you've no real idea what a difference prison life can make to offenders, society and to you.'Salary: The national starting salary for Prison Officers is £18,720 (inclusive of base pay and 17% addition for unsocial hours working) for working a 37 hour week.How to become one: If your applicati...

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Tech Jobs and average salaries

It's never been a better time to be in Technology. The growth of this industry in the UK is rising and doesn't appear to be slowing down. East London has been re-branded as Tech City. Major multi-nationals have committed to move to the area to help launch this initiative.techcityuk.com refers to its location as "Europe's centre of innovation and the location of choice for tech and digital companies and investors". The job market is changing. The way we seek employment is becoming more technical, be it via apps or applying directly for positions on our phones or tablets. Start-ups, existing small, medium and large companies are all starting to implement technology to increase productivity and keep up with the times. Here are some technology jobs that are on the market today along with the average salary for technology driven positions.Computer Systems AnalystSpend your day analysing data processing systems and working on making computer systems more effective and efficient. A compute...

/ CareerBuilder Updates

Job opportunities in Southampton

Southampton is one of the best-performing cities for economic growth in the UK, ranking in sixth place (of 39) on PwC's Good Growth for Cities index 2015. If you're starting your job search in Southampton, here are some of the key industries and job opportunities available.Growth industries Famous for its thriving port and recognised as the cultural, retail and business capital of the south of England, Southampton's economic success is driven by a range of industries, including aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing and transport and logistics. Ann Swain, Chief Executive of The Association of professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) says: 'Our members in the Southampton area – firms such as Advanced Resource Managers and Matchtech - are telling us that there are a number of key sectors enjoying continued growth and consequently demand for professional skills in the region continues to be high.'One of the most in-demand skill sets in the city is engineering, with both the marine a...

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8 best-paid graduate jobs by sector

The average starting salary for graduates in the UK is £28,000. That's according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) – other surveys place it as low as £25,000 and some as high as £30,000. While money is by no means everything, if you're thinking about re-training or deciding what to study, it can pay to know which business sectors offer the best rates.(If the figures below sound optimistically high, keep in mind that many AGR members are blue-chip companies that pay relatively high salaries and may not give a true indication of pay across the UK.)Law firms: £37,000Law came out on top as offering the best starting salaries in the AGR survey. A recent High Fliers survey (which focuses on the leading 100 employers in the UK), put the median starting salary for law firms at £40,000, behind the best paid sector – investment banks, at £45,000.Starting salaries for solicitors varies greatly across the country. At the lower end, the going rate for trainee solicitors can be £16,...

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8 jobs that pay £20 – £25 per hour

How happy are you with your salary? The average employee in Britain earns £13.03 per hour – but there are plenty of people earning much more than that. If you fancy earning £20-£25 per hour, here are eight roles to consider in your job search.1. IT project manager Average earnings: £24.69 per hour (£48,144 per annum)Job description: IT project managers oversee the planning, development and installation of computer systems to meet clients' business needs. Clients can range from private companies to the NHS and government departments.Entry requirements: A proven track record of successfully leading or working on projects as part of a project support team. Most employers ask for a PRINCE2 certification. Many IT project managers will have a degree in computing, information systems, project management or business management.2. Public health service managers and directors Average earnings: £24.56 per hour (£47,894 per annum)Job description: Health service managers oversee the non-clinical...

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How to land a job as a personal assistant

Forget Mad Men-style secretaries and typing pools. Today's top-flying personal assistants (PAs) and executive assistants (EAs) are managing big budgets and making key business decisions. Whether you're just starting your job search or keen to advance your career, here's what it takes to succeed in the role. Changing nature of the jobIf you think being a personal assistant means doing a bit of diary management and typing, think again. 'The role of the PA has moved away from being a traditional "secretarial" role - i.e. typing, filing and producing documents - to one that is all about organisation and logistics,' says Elaine Sutherland, Managing Director of specialist PA recruitment consultancy PA London.'Some sectors still rely heavily on their PAs to produce lengthy documents and contracts, but others see their PAs acting as a pivotal member of the management team, keeping them on track and helping their schedules to run as efficiently as possible. They will their spend time as pred...

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The many roads to employment

The routes available to finding work are currently highly politicised. Apprenticeships, internships, university fees and more are regularly in the news, with the pros and cons of all kinds of methods for making a start in the workplace debated endlessly, and parties making pledges based on their perceived value of each. The Telegraph recently reported that creative degrees, commonly derided (by those who don't have one) as a waste of time that makes someone unemployable, are actually among the best qualifications to have if you're looking for work. Not surprisingly, each path has different benefits, and will be suited to different people. University The traditional route of the top students going to university to be guaranteed a good job may seem to be on the way out, with an employment crisis that saw graduates stacking shelves on Workfare to keep earning their Jobseeker's Allowance, which dominated the news during the financial downturn. But 70% of students find themselves in empl...

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Portfolio careers: could the latest career trend work for you?

More workers are turning their back on a single career and combining several, often diverse, roles and revenue streams to make a living. If you're thinking of diversifying, read on to discover the benefits and challenges of having a portfolio career and whether it's right for you.Why the change?Companies have been forced to become lean and competitive in order to survive the economic downturn of recent years.The result is that many no longer employ people in-house but hire expertise as and when it's needed. In addition, advances in technology mean that people can work remotely, with projects divided up and given to different specialists around the world.While workers may have been forced to diversify and earn money from several sources after being made redundant, many people report that this new way of working is far more lucrative and fulfilling.If you think a portfolio career sounds like a risky choice, think again.'With a portfolio career, you have several employers, clients and ...

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10 Recession-Proof Part-Time Jobs

In a recent release by the ONS, it was discovered that people who were unable to find full-time employment have been taking part time employment. We, at the Corner Office, understand. With part-time employment, you are still keeping your skills active but sadly, for a cheaper salary. We have done some research on part time employment. There are an endless supply of sites that give insights into what is a recession proof part time job.So here are some of the top recession-proof jobs in the UK based on research conducted by the Learning and Skills Council and government sources. Not only do they offer flexible working hours that are often part-time but, they are constantly in demand and pay pretty well, too.1. Web designers What they do: As companies increasingly migrate their operations online, their corporate website becomes the first experience that their potential customers will have of their business. And that's where web designers come in. It is their job to ensure that the webs...

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Britain’s best cities for jobs

Chances are you enjoy living where you are right now with your friends and family close to hand. But let's face it, there are some places that offer more of what you like and offer better career prospects than others. So if you're on the look-out for a new job then you might want to know what cities in the UK offer the best job prospects.Many cities are bouncing back from the recession, including some of those hardest hit by job losses — according to the Centre for Cities annual index, Cities Outlook 2011. But economic recovery is likely to be unevenly spread across the country this year.Five cities to watch right nowThe Centre for Cities identified five cities that are best placed to help the UK out of the recession. According to the Cities Outlook, these places will be better-insulated from the economic impact of the spending squeeze, and have high potential to create private sector jobs. They have lower vulnerability to public sector job losses and spending cuts, and given the ri...

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5 jobs for people who love helping others

Job satisfaction is about much more than salary. Knowing that you have helped someone in need or made a difference to someone's life can give you a real sense of achievement at the end of the day.If you enjoy helping people, here are five jobs you might want to consider.1. Family mediatorDivorce is one of the most challenging and upsetting experiences people will go through in their lives. Family mediators help divorcing or separating couples communicate with each other and agree on important issues, such as child residency, property and money, without having to go to court. To become a family mediator, you need to remain impartial and have excellent communication skills.Qualifications required: You will need to complete training approved by the Family Mediation Council to become a qualified family mediator. Many people taking the course come from family law, social science or therapy/counselling professions. Whatever your background, you will normally need to be educated to degree ...

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Five jobs for people who love helping others

Job satisfaction is about much more than salary. Knowing that you have helped someone in need or made a difference to someone's life can give you a real sense of achievement at the end of the day.If you enjoy helping people, here are five jobs you might want to consider.1. Family mediatorDivorce is one of the most challenging and upsetting experiences people will go through in their lives. Family mediators help divorcing or separating couples communicate with each other and agree on important issues, such as child residency, property and money, without having to go to court. To become a family mediator, you need to remain impartial and have excellent communication skills.Qualifications required: You will need to complete training approved by the Family Mediation Council to become a qualified family mediator. Many people taking the course come from family law, social science or therapy/counselling professions. Whatever your background, you will normally need to be educated to degree ...

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Jobs You Can Get With Your GCSEs

For many, the road to success cuts through college and often graduate school. But the skyrocketing cost of education coupled with the widespread squeeze on people's bank accounts and time often makes this impossible.Millions of people find themselves in this situation including those who: 1. Have their GCSEs2. Have some work experience, but no college degree3. Want to try a new career but don't want to go through years of schooling4. Can't afford the money or time to go back to schoolEducational consultants Gabbitas have surveyed the views of a range of professional organisations to find out the true prospects for those who want to shine off-campus and earn while they learn without the burden of student debt.The research covered a range of sectors, including accountancy, financial services and engineering. Almost all offer non-graduate entry as well as specific training schemes, often sponsored by their employers. Retail, for example, attracts a large number of school leavers — 32 p...

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Jobs that pay you to play all day

Who says earning a living has to be hard work? If you'd rather spend your nine-to-five having fun, we've found five jobs that will pay you to play.Playworker Do you enjoy having fun with kids and possess endless patience along with a caring attitude? A job as a playworker could be for you. Playworkers devise and take part in fun activities for kids at breakfast clubs, mobile play buses, after school clubs and holiday play schemes. Expect to spend your day gluing pasta shapes to card, making cup cakes and dressing up in costume – and of course, wiping away tears and administering plasters to grazed knees.While the job doesn't require specific qualifications, most employers would look for candidates who have some paid or voluntary experience of working with children.Having an up-to-date first aid certificate and a Level 2 Award or Certificate in Playwork will also put you at an advantage. You will need to pass background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starti...

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20 Jobs That Pay £20 Per Hour

Many of us have taken a part-time job that paid £5 or so an hour whilst still at school or college, and probably never gave any thought as to how much this worked out to be on an annual basis. But according to a recent survey by AllTheTopBananas.com, the average salary in the UK is currently £20 per hour -- the equivalent of £31,969 a year.Here is a list of jobs across various industries where you can earn between £20 and £25 per hour with each job role currently in demand and predicted to experience future job growth over the coming years.1. Business Analyst (IT)Average salary: £34,000-36,000Job description: Identifies business or customer requirements from an IT perspective, develops and implements programmes to fulfil project requirements. Entry requirements: Degree in a computing and/or business related discipline. 2. Chartered AccountantAverage earnings: £31,749 per annumJob description: Analyses financial information and prepares financial reports to determine or maintain reco...

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How to break into the charity sector

There are approximately 180,000 charities in the UK today, employing around 778,000 paid workers. While some are major organisations with big budgets, more than 80% are small concerns with an annual income of less than £100,000. Whether you're hoping to land a graduate role in an international organisation or find work in a local charity, competition for paid employment in the sector is fierce. 'The charity sector needs specific skills, knowledge and expertise, yet the sector also needs people who have realistic expectations of what it takes to work and succeed in its not-for-profit organisations,' says career coach Ruth Winden of Careers Enhanced. 'Charities are about making a difference, and attract individuals with the same motivation and sets of values. But there is a lot more to charities. Many people are unaware how commercially driven charities have to be these days to survive, how long working hours can be, and how much hard work it is – often (but not always) for less pay a...

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Britain’s dream jobs that you could actually do

Who hasn't dreamed of becoming a best-selling author, professional footballer, an astronaut or a rock star? While these may be out of reach, there are other slightly more accessible dream jobs that will make you the envy of all your friends. See if any of these inspire you…Voice over artist Have you ever given a thought to who provides the gravelly-toned voice on movie trailers – or who creates the sound effects on computer games or talks on radio and TV ads? Voice-over artists are paid to bring a script to life with their voice – which could be a serious tone for a home learning video or the squeaky high-pitched giggle of a cartoon character.Some voice-over artists come from a drama background, but qualifications aren't necessary. If you have a versatile voice with a good range, try approaching agencies such as The Showreel who can help you put together a professional demo and offer coaching and courses. Once you've got your reel, the next step is to approach TV production companie...

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Five jobs for people who love to argue

Some people dread the prospect of arguments at work and do their best to avoid them, but for others there's no greater thrill than successfully arguing their case or winning a debate. If you're outspoken, confident, and can stay calm in a conflict, we've found five jobs that might just suit you.BarristerThe film and TV portrayal of lawyers giving bombastic speeches in tense courtroom face-offs may be a stereotypical exaggeration, but the adversarial nature of the law makes it suited to those with good communication and advocacy skills who are confident at public speaking. Strong analytical skills are a key attribute for barristers, who specialise in representing people and companies in court. As well as actually appearing in court they must advise clients and evaluate their cases, devise legal arguments and negotiate settlements.Qualifications required: Those wishing to enter the heavily regulated profession must either achieve an approved law degree at 2:2 or above – or can take ei...

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How Much Do Astronauts Get Paid?

We often know much about careers that are well-paid and in demand. CareerBuilder recently reported about the best paying careers in Britain, but do we ever wonder what the mostly overlooked jobs are like and what they pay? We found this light-hearted article on money.co.uk "How much do Astronauts get paid". It investigates into the salaries of some of the country's most overlooked careers and professions such as Priests, Astronauts, Poets and many more. Are you curious about the pros and cons of each profession? Then read on. Priests Clergy pay really depends on their denomination (the branch of religion they preach for), but for the most part priests receive a salary as well as having their rent and utility bills paid for by the church. Average Salary of a Priest: £4,000 to £7,000 a year Career Advancement: Room for promotion (higher position within church or larger congregation).Job Requirements: Dependent on denomination Danger Factor: Nearly non-existent Pros: Free house plus al...
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