Ambition: The Fire in the Belly Employers Want

Ambition, that old-fashioned fire in the belly, is what employers are looking for in 2011.

Job applicants who demonstrate drive have the edge over even more technically qualified candidates. And, if you're ambitious, the timing is great for a job search. During 2011, the job market is picking up significantly in fields such as health care, food preparation, retail, accounting, information technology, beauty, and social work.

The ambitious are now in demand because of changes in the economy during the 21st century. "Those hiring and promoting learned from the downturn and intense economic volatility that's it's no longer enough to do 'just a job,'" says Michael Francoeur, Dale Carnegie Traininginstructor and executive coach.