Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
March 30, 2007
Communications skills top list of what employers seek of new college grads.
Employers responding to the Job Outlook 2007 Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
state that both communication skills and honesty/integrity are top factors when looking for potential employees.
Employers also cited strong interpersonal skills, motivation and initiative, the ability to work well with others, and
a strong work ethic as key attributes.
Sadly -- because grades are not always the best indicator of education or educational achievement --
in addition, nearly two-thirds of responding employers said they screen new college
graduate job candidates on their grade point average (GPA), with the largest percentage (58%)
reporting that they use a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) as their cut-off.
March 9, 2007
The unemployment rate in the U.S. drops to 4.5 percent, even as the economy slows and jobs are cut.
In the on-going contradiction of employment in the U.S., even as job losses mount
in manufacturing and housing, the unemployment rate in February dropped from 4.6 percent
in January -- mainly, according to experts, because some job-seekers left the active workforce
because of bad weather and other conditions.
Meanwhile, employers added the fewest jobs in about two years -- adding only 97,000 new jobs to their
payrolls in February, with big losses in construction (62,000 jobs) and factories (14,000 jobs).
If you're struggling to find a job, remember that networking remains the most powerful
tool you have to locate a new job. Brush up on the power of networking in this section
of Quintessential Careers: The
Art of Career and Job-Search 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.
Blue Sky Resumes Blog, from career
expert Louise Fletcher, a general career and job-search blog that covers all aspects of the job-hunt.
