Highlights 

1. White collar jobs involve administrative work that can be done from a professional office setting or a remote setting. 
2. If you want to pursue a career in white collar jobs you must acquire a professional degree and certifications to land a great job. 
3. Common examples of white collar jobs include doctor, lawyer, accountant, teacher, dentist, and publicist. 
4. These jobs offer high pays, guaranteed career advancements, various perks and benefits.
5. These jobs may be advantageous but may come with high stress levels, sedentary routines, and longer work hours. 

Are you on a white collar job hunt? White collar jobs play a crucial role in today’s diverse job market. These jobs are considered to be more professional and administrative as compared to other job types. But what exactly are white-collar jobs, and how do they differ from other types of employment? 

In this article, we’ll dive deep and learn about the definition, key characteristics, benefits, and list of professions that come under the category of white collar jobs.  

What Is a White-Collar Job?

The term “white collar” was discovered by Upton Sinclair in the year 1930 and was used to characterize office workers who wore white dress shirts that distinguished them from blue collar workers who wore uniforms specifically made for the job they worked for. 

White collar jobs involve roles that require mental and administrative work rather than physical labor. These jobs are usually performed in office settings or remotely, depending on the nature of the work and are often associated with higher education and specialized training. 

Key Characteristics of A White-Collar Job

To help you get a better understanding of what white collar jobs are, here's a list of characteristics that define them better. Key characteristics include: To better understand what qualifies as a white-collar job, here are some defining characteristics:

1. Non-Manual Labor

White collar jobs involve more office related tasks rather than physical activity. Workers must engage in tasks that require thinking, planning, strategizing, and communicating. 

2. Office or Remote-Based

White collar job roles are carried out in offices, institutions, healthcare facilities or home offices in case of remote work. 

3. Educational Requirements

One must have a proper college degree or a specialized certification to pursue a white collar job. Fields like law, medicine, finance, and engineering demand years of formal education.

4. Higher Earning Potential

White collar jobs offer attractive salary packages as compared to other job types along with benefits and opportunities to move forward in your field. 

5. Work Schedule

White-collar workers follow a 9-to-5 or a fixed working schedule. Although, people who work remotely can have varying timings depending on their employer. 

6 Top Examples of White Collar Jobs That You Can Pursue 

Doctor

Doctor is one of the most prestigious examples of a white collar job as it provides treatment with care to those in need. In your role as a doctor you will diagnose and treat patients with illnesses and perform physical examinations when needed. To pursue your career as a doctor, you will have to pass an MCAT exam to be accepted into medical school. Once you complete your residency you will have to apply for a license to practice. 

Lawyer

If you're looking for a high-paying white collar job then you must consider becoming a lawyer. This role requires you to give legal advice to your clients and help them in court. To become a great lawyer you must have strong negotiation and communication skills as you interact with judges and juries. To work as a lawyer you must pass an LSAT, attend a law school and pass the bar exam to earn a law degree.

Dentist

Another great white collar job example includes the profession of a dentist. In this profession, you will be responsible for the oral health of your patients and perform procedures as per requirement. To earn a dentist's degree you must complete dental school and fulfil the training period to acquire your certificate. 

Accountant

Another great high paying white collar job is that of an accountant. You'll be responsible for analyzing financial records, helping with tax returns, managing financial audits, budgeting, and preparing financial forecasts. To become an accountant you must acquire a bachelor's degree, a CPA certification, and an accounting license to be certified to practice in your country.

Publicist

If you're looking for a role in media, a career as a publicist is the ideal option for you. In this role, you'll be responsible for media outreach, press releases, media inquiries etc. To land a job as a publicist you will need a degree in Communications and voila, you're on your way to a bright and high paying career. 

Teacher

One question that we've heard many times is if a teacher is a white collar job or not. Teaching is definitely a high paying white collar job in which you are responsible for creating a curriculum, grading student's work, giving them feedback, etc. To work as a teacher, you'll need a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and a PhD.

Advantages of White Collar Jobs

Here's a list of advantages you get while pursuing white collar jobs: 

1. Career Growth Opportunities

White collar jobs provide enough room for growth from entry level positions to executive roles based on merit. 

2. Job Stability

White collar jobs provide job stability in professions such as healthcare, IT, education, and banking as other jobs have lower unemployment rates and are not in high demand. 

3. Benefits and Perks

The white collar professions come with various benefits and perks that include health insurance, retirement plans, paid leaves, remote work flexibility, and bonuses.

4. Safe Working Conditions

White collar jobs offer indoor sitting which reduces the risk of injuries as compared to blue collar jobs. 

Disadvantages to Consider

While white-collar jobs have many benefits, there are a few drawbacks that one must be mindful of. Here's a list of cons in working a white collar job: 

1. Sedentary Lifestyle: White collar professions are required to spend long hours at a desk that can lead to health issues if not managed.
2. Stress Levels: White collar jobs may be high paying but they come with equally high expectations, deadlines, and performance pressure that can lead to burnout.
3. Work-Life Balance: Certain white collar roles like finance, law, and doctorate may be required to work for extended hours or beyond availability as per requirement. 

How to Land a White-Collar Job? 

If you're looking to pursue a white-collar career, here are a few essential steps that you must consider to land a good role. The steps involve: 

1. Relevant Education: You must enroll in a degree program that aligns with your target industry.
2. Develop Key Skills: You must work on acquiring important skills such as communication, analytical thinking, digital literacy, and time management. These are must haves for any job and vary according to the role you're pursuing. 
3. Gain Experience: Along with your studies you must do internships, volunteer work, or entry-level roles that can help in building your resume.
4. Apply Strategically: You must tailor your resume and cover letter according to your role to showcase your achievements and qualifications.

Summary

White collar jobs play a vital role in shaping the community and taking the country towards success. These jobs involve various fields from doctors to teachers and from IT to finance, each role plays a great role in supporting economies, infrastructures, and governance. 

To land a white collar job, all you need you need to do is acquire professional degrees, certifications, and licenses where needed to pursue a high paying career. So, what are you waiting for, start your job hunt today and remember to stay focused, work hard, and keep your goals clear.