Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
October 28, 2005
Hurricanes continue to wreak havoc on job market.
Job losses from hurricanes Katrina and Rita have passed the half-million mark --
with further increases likely to come from Wilma, as these Atlantic hurricanes
continue to affect the Southeastern U.S. economy.
The Labor Department announced that an additional 24,000 workers filed applications
for unemployment benefits last week, pushing the total over the last eight weeks
to 502,000 hurricane-related claims.
October 24, 2005
According to a new study, qualifications count more than connections.
Workforce Management Week recently asked human resource professionals "How would
you describe the hiring practices at your organization?" Of the 625 respondents, results indicated the following:
57 percent stated that candidates are hired only if they're qualified for the job,
even if they know someone at the company
25 percent said sometimes, but not often, candidates are hired because of who
they know, regardless of how good they would be at the job
14 percent said they very often hire people based more on who they know
than what they know
October 15, 2005
Finances are the biggest stressor for U.S. workers.
According to a new study by LifeCare, Inc., a work/life benefits provider,
here are the responses workers gave when asked what causes them the most
stress:
Finances: 23 percent
Job and career: 21 percent
Lack of control over schedule: 12 percent
Problems with spouse/significant other: 12 percent
Parenting issues: 8 percent
Personal issues: 7 percent
Home maintenance: 5 percent
Medical issues: 4 percent
Eldercare issues: 3 percent
October 8, 2005
The U.S. economy lost 35,000 jobs in September, far less than expected.
The Labor Department reported the September job loss yesterday, which was far less than the decline of 143,000 jobs
anticipated by Wall Street economists -- largely due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
The Labor Department also reported that more jobs were created in both July and August than previously thought.
It said there were 211,000 jobs created in August instead 169,000 and 277,000 in July rather than 242,000.
However, the national unemployment rate rose to 5.1 percent last month -- highest since May -- from
4.9 percent in August.
September marked the first month in more than two years in which here were job losses.
In May 2003, 26,000 were cut.
October 6, 2005
In the last year, almost half of us called in sick when we were feeling well.
A recent study found that 43 percent of workers took a sick day when they
felt well during the last year, up from 35 percent in a similar study in 2004.
According to the CareerBuilder.com "Out of the Office 2005" study, the most
popular day for calling in sick when really not was Wednesday (27 percent),
followed closely by Monday (26 percent).
As for reasons for missing work, 23 percent said it was the desire to relax and
catch up on sleep, 16 percent simply did not feel like going to work, 16 percent
had a doctor's appointment, and 9 percent had housework or personal errands.
Not surprisingly, almost two-thirds (63 percent) of hiring managers said they
are more suspicious of employees calling in sick on a Monday or Friday.
October 2, 2005
We're working more hours than we ever have before. Is it worth it?
According to a recent Business Week report, more than 31 percent of
college-educated male workers are regularly putting in 50 or more hours a week
at work, up from 22 percent in 1980. And big surprise... we're also getting
less sleep; about 40 percent of American adults get less than seven hours
of sleep on weekdays, up from 34 percent in 2001.
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.
