Where the Jobs Are

Confused about where to target your job search? The firms doing the most hiring are likely to be the most prosperous among large publicly traded companies, observes James Rubin on JobsintheMoney.

He's writing about California, but the basic message of "follow the money" is valid just about anywhere. Business journals, trade association Web sites, deal news and even the stock market -- all can provide a quick read on who the hot companies are in your particular industry or geographic region.

Take UnitedHealth Group, the massive provider of healthcare plans and other related services. The company is advertising more than 50 positions for financial professionals in California, not to mention additional jobs other points West. Those jobs include a director of financial planning and analysis and finance manager at the company’s Cypress office, an accountant in San Francisco, senior financial analyst in Santa Ana, accounting assistants in Carlsbad and senior accountant in Irvine.

It’s no surprise that UnitedHealth grew revenues by a whopping 54 percent last year to $71 billion while profits rose nearly 10 percent. UnitedHealth has not been coy about building on such increases and is advertising nearly 400 jobs across the country. "We are strengthening our organization, shifting investments in technology and enhancing our service offerings to directly address unmet needs in healthcare," said Stephen J. Hemsley, UnitedHealth’s chief executive officer.

Another West Coast company currently in hiring mode is Union Bank of California. It's expanding and adding commercial and retail bankers, Rubin writes.

To Find Job Openings, Follow the Money and the News [JITM]