November 26, 2007

A new study finds more offices in the U.S. planning holiday parties -- and with bigger budgets

Nine out of 10 human resource executives reported that their companies will be holding holiday office parties this holiday season, up from 79 percent last year.

And many companies will be spending more on those parties -- with nearly three-quarters planning to hold the party at a location off-site.

The annual Holiday Party Survey sponsored by Challenger, Gray & Christmas also found that while two-thirds of the companies will use an event planner or caterer for the party, less than half plan to serve any alcohol at their events.

Want to make a splash -- in a good way -- at your office party? Read one of our newest articles on Quintessential Careers: Surviving the Office Holiday Party: How NOT to Lose your Job or be the Topic of Conversation Around the Office.

November 21, 2007

The U.S. labor market shows signs of some stability amidst a slowing economy.

The number of people requesting new claims and continuing to collect unemployment benefits have increased from the same period a year ago, but only moderately -- especially in light of the downsizing occurring in certain areas of the job market.

According to the Labor Department, in a report released today, new applications for unemployment insurance dropped by a seasonally adjusted 11,000 to 330,000 for the week ending Nov. 17. A year ago, new claims for unemployment insurance stood at 322,000.

The four-week moving average of claims, which is seen as a better indiccator of the overall employment picture, dipped last week to 329,750. A year ago at this time, the four-week average of claims was 319,500.

Finally, the number of people continuing to collect unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to 2.6 million for the week ending Nov. 10, the most recent period for which that information is available. A year ago, continuing claims stood at 2.4 million.

November 8, 2007

Need an extra income? Now's the time to apply for a holiday position with major retailers.

In fact, numerous U.S. retailers have reported that they have already begun the push to hire season workers needed for the holiday rush -- typically those weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Besides earning an extra income for those weeks, seasonal jobs are also sometimes a way to get your foot in the door. While most seasonal workers are not retained after the holidays, workers who prove themselves as extraordinary will get a second look when permanent positions open. (The other benefit, of course, is that many retailers offer a discount to store employees and their families.)

According to a new study by SnagAJob.com, a top job site for hourly employment opportunities, 16 percent of Americans expect to look for a seasonal job this year. With that kind of competition, it's best to start applying now.

November 2, 2007

Job growth in the U.S. was much stronger than expected last month, even as more companies announce additional layoffs.

According to the Labor Department, employers added 166,000 workers in October, more than double the 80,000 that most analysts had expected. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.7 percent.

In terms of specific job categories, employment in professional and business services increased by 65,000 last month, while 34,000 jobs were added in healthcare. Not surprisingly, the manufacturing sector continued to lose jobs, as did retail. Jobs in construction and financial services remained essentially unchanged from the previous month.

Overshadowed by the good employment news was Chrysler's announcement that they plan to cut another 15 percent of their workforce through 2008, including up to 10,000 hourly workers, 1,000 salaried workers, and more than a third of their temporary workforce. These 12,000 new job cuts are in addition to the 13,000 job cuts the company announced in February.

Finally, earlier in the month, AOL announced it was cutting 20 percent of its workforce -- another 2,000 jobs -- after eliminating 5,000 jobs last fall.

In this kind of environment, you should always be examining where you are in your career, keeping an eye on your industry and your employer -- staying active in your monitoring of the job scene. Are you? Take our free quiz and decide for yourself: Career Activist Quiz: A Quintessential Careers Quiz.

November 1, 2007

Studies show concern that retiring baby boomers may create a management vacuum for U.S. companies, greatly reducing productivity.

One study, the second annual Aging Workforce Survey, shows that while many executives are aware of the coming retirements, many have not taken enough steps to head off skill shortages and turnovers that could cripple some businesses.

The study, from the accounting firm Ernst & Young, which polled 3,300 human resources executives from Fortune 1000 companies, reports that 43 percent of HR managers feel their employers needed to do more to train and develop their managers.

The other report, from the U.S Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts that 43 percent of the U.S. labor force will become eligible to retire before 2012.

For employers, use our employer resources to find the tools you need to help with the transition.

For younger workers seeking to move up in the organization, read Moving Up the Ladder: 10 Strategies for Getting Yourself Promoted.

Finally, for the baby-boomers and older workers who don't want to retire or are searching for your next career, read Working Beyond Retirement: For Money, Identity, and Purpose.

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