Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
October 30, 2004
The number of job-seekers filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week
by 20,000 -- the largest jump in a month -- according to a U.S. Department of Labor
report.
The increase pushed total unemployment claims to 350,000... yet a further sign that
while the economy may be growing, the labor market is still suffering.
If you are one of those job-seekers out of work, remember that the job-search
is most likely going to take you a little longer... should you take a survival job
to survive? Read our article: The
Pros and Cons of Taking a Survival Job. What Should You Do?
October 29, 2004
A recent study shows that job-seekers continue to have doubts about the U.S. economy --
especially as it relates to having the ability to create enough new jobs.
The monthly Spherion(R) Employment Report, conducted by Harris Interactive, shows
that nearly half of adult workers in the U.S. (49 percent) think fewer jobs are available
and 37 percent believe the economy is getting weaker.
One other interesting result: More than one-third of working adults in the U.S. (37 percent)
are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months.
Are you fully prepared for taking the next step in your career and job-search?
Before you decide, read this article: 10-Step
Career Tune-Up.
The buzz about the power of online networking just continues. It used to be that
networking events involved mixers and cocktails -- complete with people wearing nametags.
But as online communities continue to grow, they also become a great tool
for job-seekers to grow your network of contacts.
What's the latest expert advice in regard to cover letters? Cover letters are those all so
important letters that get a prospective employer to review your resume and move
you one step closer to an interview.
The latest edition of our biweekly e-zine, QuintZine, is now published online. In it,
you'll find two great articles dealing with cover letters, as well as other key job-seeker resources.
We just published our latest job-seeker quiz... this one focused on helping you decide whether
it's time to use the services of a professional resume writer to strengthen your job-search.
What's the truth about the job market? From all indicators, the employment
picture is slowly looking up for some industries and professions, but
while the economy is moving forward, the job market still lags behind.
Employers are not confident enough to hire permanent employees.
And job-seekers seem to feel the same way. In a recent Conference Board
survey of 5,000 people, more of us think jobs are hard to find (28 percent), than say jobs
are plentiful (17 percent).
If you are considering a job-search or in a job-search, this continuing trend means you are
going to have to work harder -- everyday -- to build your network, work the phones,
use the job boards and other online sources, and
stay focused on your goal.
If you are unemployed and looking for work, this news means
you may need to consider part-time and survival jobs as a stop-gap measure until you
can again find work in your field.
Another monthly job report on U.S. employment and job creation, and another
disappointment for job-seekers hoping for an employment recovery.
The good news is that U.S. businesses added almost 100,000 jobs in
September.
The bad news is that most economists expected the economy was strong
enough to add about 150,000 new jobs.
Not unexpectedly, the most job gains came in the services sector --
often with some of the lowest paying jobs... while manufacturing lost
jobs after two months of increases.
Finally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate held
firm at 5.4 percent.
October 8, 2004
The new Career Doctor Q&A job-hunting column is now available online.
The current column deals with these four career issues:
It appears that temping and temp-to-permanent job-hunting may be here
to stay for the foreseeable future.
There are currently more than 2.5 million temporary workers in the U.S.
work force of 131.5 million people, up from 309,000 when the expansion began in November 2001.
And many employers who employ a large temping staff say that when they
do decide it's time for permanent hires, many of those are chosen from the temping pool.
As we look to the fall hiring season to pick up during October, now is the time to
lay the groundwork for success.
It's time to build and strengthen your network of contacts. Consider joining a new
professional or community organization, volunteering, reconnecting with former co-workers
and colleagues, or going online to a networking community.
Learn more -- and find lots of tools -- in this section
of Quintessential Careers: The Art
of Networking.
Job Stuff, A Blog for Your Career, from Stephen Harris.
Stephen's blog is a great resource for those job-seekers who find yourselves in transition, searching for guidance
and reassurance.
The Occupational Adventure Blog, from
Curt Rosengren, a Passion Catalyst. Curt's blog is great for finding encouraging ideas (and resources) for moving forward with your career... a career
that lights your fire.
TrueCareers Career Blog, from the career and job site
dedicated to professional and college-educated job-seekers... where they say you get the real scoop on how to get the job you want faster --
with insider tips and more.
