Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
August 29, 2005
Jobless benefits in the U.S. hit a 4-year low last week.
The number of Americans making new claims for jobless benefits fell 4,000 last week,
the Labor Department reported, a sign that many took that the job market
remains strong.
The number of unemployed workers receiving jobless benefits averaged 2.58 million
over the last four weeks, the lowest four-week averaged since March 2001.
August 26, 2005
Four new career questions -- and answers -- in the latest Career Doctor column.
Summer has been a little slow in career and job-search news, but the latest
Career Doctor advice column was published today. In it, Dr. Hansen addresses
four issues:
Providing some job interviewing do's and don'ts
Finding a job when job-seeker has diverse background
Managing and succeeding in situational job interviews
Handling sending thank-you letter to a panel of interviewers
Fewer people than expected filed claims for state unemployment insurance last week.
The U.S. Labor Department reported that 308,000 filed jobless claims, which defied analyst
expectations for a rise to 315,000, and brought a four-week moving average of claims -- a closely
watched barometer of the pace of layoffs -- down to 309,250 -- its lowest level since late February.
And in another positive sign for the job market, the number of people who stayed on the
benefit rolls after drawing an initial week of aid also declined.
August 6, 2005
U.S. employers beat the estimates by adding more than 200,000 jobs in July.
The Labor Department reported that 207,000 new jobs were created in July, the
highest increase in job creation since April -- and well more than the 180,000
that experts had predicted.
While jobs were created across a range of industries, the one piece of bad
news is that manufacturing jobs declined for a second month in a row.
Retailers added 50,000 workers, the biggest gain in that sector since April 2000.
The stronger job growth last month pushed this year's average monthly payroll gain to
191,000, a pace economists see as strong enough to slowly tighten the labor market.
In other employment-related news, the unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent, and
average hourly wages rose to $16.13 in July.
August 3, 2005
Check out our new resume and cover letter tips blog, with new tips daily.
The blog is a great resource for all levels of job-seekers, and a must-read if you are
actively seeking employment.
August 1, 2005
U.S. jobless claims rose less than expected last week and newspaper help-wanted ads were up slightly in June.
The U.S. Labor Department reported that new claims for state unemployment benefits
rose 5,000 last week to 310,000 -- below Wall Street forecasts for a rise to 317,000 claims
and a definite improvement from 340,000 for the same period a year earlier.
The four-week moving average of claims, which smooths weekly volatility to
provide a better sense of the pace of layoffs, declined for the second straight week,
dropping to 318,250 from 318,500 in the previous week.
The monthly employment report, will be released August 5, and economists expect
180,000 new jobs were created in July, while the unemployment rate is expected to
hold steady at 5.0 percent.
A separate report from The Conference Board showed the number of help-wanted
ads in U.S. newspapers edged up in June after declining in May.
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.
Blue Sky Resumes Blog, from career
expert Louise Fletcher, a general career and job-search blog that covers all aspects of the job-hunt.
