Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
May 31, 2007
The first day of the Summer 2007 QC RV Tour landed us safely in DeFuniak Springs, FL.
After a bit of a later start than planned due to some banking and other errands,
we successfully hit the road and made it to our first stop of the tour.
We'll be on I-10 quite a bit these first few days, so if you're driving on it, look
for the QC RV!
Tomorrow, it's on to Baton Rouge, LA!
May 27, 2007
The QuintCareers team is hitting the road in a few days in the QC RV.
We'll be traveling two different routes along the Southern U.S. on our
way to completing a big loop of the U.S., from our home base in Florida
to California -- and back.
If we're going to be in your area, send us an email and you can
get some cool QuintCareers goodies and chat with the career experts.
Stay tuned to this blog for frequent updates about our stops!
May 17, 2007
Jobless claims in the U.S. slip for the fifth week in a row -- pushing the total to a four-month low.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless applications totaled 293,000 last week, down by 5,000 from the previous week,
and somewhat of a shock to analysts who had been expecting claims to begin rising as a result of the economic
slowdown triggered by declines in manufacturing and the slump in the housing industry.
Even with this news -- which could also simply be a sign of job-seekers exiting the job-hunt --
these same analyats expect more layoffs and an increase in the unemployment rate... with some
predicting that it could climb as high as 5 percent by the end of the year.
May 6, 2007
The unemployment rate in the U.S. edges upward as hiring slows.
According to the Department of Labor, employers in April created only 88,000 new
positions -- the fewest new jobs added in more than two years (since November 2004). To make
matters worse, the new report also showed that jobs gains in February and March
were weaker than previously reported.
Job losees continued in manufacturing and construction, while also occurring in
retailing and financial services.
At the same time, the nation's unemployment rate edged upward, from 4.4 percent to 4.5 percent.
And the length of the job-hunt remained about the same, with unemployed people spending
about 17.1 weeks until finding a new job.
May 3, 2007
The pay gap between men and women continues to exist.
According to a report from the American Association of University Women Educational
Foundation, men and women receive different salaries for similar jobs right after
college -- and the gap widens as years go by.
One year after graduation, women on average earn 80 percent of what the men earn, and
10 years after graduation, women earn only 60 percent of what the men earn.
Some of the pay gap can be explained by things like parenthood, occupation, and
number of hours worked, but the report finds that all the gap cannot be
explained except due to sex discrimination.
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.
