U.S.News & World Report Tumblelog

Jon Hamm, the actor who plays a 1960s-era advertising executive on AMC’s Mad Men, got a lesson in 21st century marketing when he called Kim Kardashian an idiot last week. Hamm, who’s in the midst of promoting Mad Men’s fifth season, told a British magazine, “Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated…. Being a [f—-ing] idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you’re rewarded significantly.”

Kardashian, who has more than 14 million followers on her Twitter account, quickly Tweeted, “Calling someone who runs their own businesses, is a part of a successful TV show, produces, writes, designs, and creates, ‘stupid,’ is in my opinion careless.”

Each year, U.S. News compiles a list of the Best Careers based on the Labor Department’s employment projections. And this year, we continue to base our picks for the Best Jobs of 2012 on professions that should hire abundantly over the next several years. To better help you make a smart career choice, we’ve also started ranking our selections.

Selling stocks in a falling market in favor of Treasurys, however, is a lot like leaving a building during an earthquake. You may feel safer, but you’ve likely put your finances in grave danger by liquidating stock positions at a time when equities are relatively cheap, and purchasing Treasurys that are relatively expensive. When it comes to buying just about anything other than stocks, we look for bargains. But when stocks go on sale, we head for the exit.

A higher proportion of students at these schools found jobs after graduating in 2010 than any others.

Want to know the rankings for these schools and others? Visit usnews.com on March 15.

Build the business around your desired lifestyle. You’re in retirement now. The last thing you want to do is create a bunch of new obligations for yourself. You want a good mix of life and business. Choose a business model and a participation level that allows you to live the life you want in retirement.

Admissions blogs: When visiting the admissions websites of the schools where you’re planning to apply, bookmark any admissions blogs that you find. At the very least, admissions directors and staff write about important application deadlines and events on these blogs. The best admissions blogs go even further, answering common applicant questions and giving advice on the application process.

If you’re looking for a pension plan in the private sector, consider working for a utility, where 82 percent of employees are offered traditional pensions. Other industries that continue to offer traditional pensions to workers include credit intermediation firms (57 percent) and insurance carriers (48 percent). The job least likely to come with a pension is food service (3 percent).

Show enthusiasm, not desperation. It doesn’t look desperate to express interest in the job or check in to ask about the timeline. Enthusiasm becomes desperation when a candidate calls regularly, sounding eager to take any job as opposed to this one in particular, or appearing as though this is their only option. But show enthusiasm and sincere interest in addition to your qualifications, and the employer might just respond in your favor.

Do a little every day. Take small steps toward your big goals every day, even if it means spending 60 seconds checking out a relevant website before bed.