Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
October 20, 2007
Shrinking paychecks, recession fears, and more laidoff workers
filing for unemployment benefits.
Several groups of workers in the U.S. continue to struggle to
survive from paycheck to paycheck.
While we typically focus on the working poor -- those people working minimum
wage jobs that simply do NOT pay enough for people to live above poverty
conditions -- a new report shows that even middle-income families are
struggling to pay the bills and stretch their dollars.
According to an Associated Press report, some economists say the financial
stress facing families is already at its worst point since the last
economic downturn at the start of this decade.
In a separate story, almost half of Americans believe the U.S. in now
in a recession, according to a CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll.
Finally, in labor news, the Labor Department reported Thursday that applications for
jobless benefits hit 337,000 last week -- higher than expected -- and an increase of 28,000 from the previous week --
the biggest one-week surge since jobless claims jumped 42,000 the week of February 10.
October 14, 2007
Two workplace holidays to celebrate this week and next. Think boss and co-worker.
National Bosses Day -- when we're supposed to celebrate the good bosses among
us -- is Tuesday, October 16th. So, make sure you do something nice for your boss,
even if it is just saying thanks. Go to this link to
read more about this day.
Then later in the month, on October 27th, we're supposed to celebrate Cranky Co-Workers Day.
More details on how to celebrate that day when we get closer to it!
October 5, 2007
Weakness in the U.S. job market persists even as the employers add more than
100,000 new jobs in September.
According to a report released by the Labor Department today, job growth last
month resulted in a net gain of 110,000 new jobs -- about 10,000 more than what
experts had been predicting.
Those numbers, along with revised numbers from August showing a job gain -- not a
loss as originally reported -- seemed to be welcome news to job-seekers... that is,
until you see that much of the job growth over the last two months is related
to an increase in government staffing -- mostly school employment.
The private sector, including manufacturing, construction, retailing, and financial
services, all had job losses in September.
And in related news the unemployment increased to its highest level in more than
a year, rising to 4.7 percent from 4.6 percent.
Finally, in news about more job cuts and layoffs, Morgan Stanley, Bear Sterns Cos., and
Dean Foods. Co. all announced this week they were cutting workers.
October 2, 2007
The U.S. labor force -— the number of persons working or looking for work —-
is projected to reach 162.1 million in 2014.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor,during the remaining seven-year period, the growth of the labor force
will be the result of population growth, as the overall labor force participation rate is expected to decrease slightly from the 2004 level.
Futhermore, according to their report, the labor force will continue to age, with the annual growth
rate of the 55-and-older group projected to be 4.1 percent, 4 times the rate of growth of the overall labor force.
By contrast, the annual growth rate of the 25-to-54-year age group will be 0.3 percent, and that of the young age
group consisting of 16-to-24-year-olds will be essentially flat.
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.
