Career and job-search news, trends, and scoops for job-seekers,
compiled by the staff of Quintessential Careers.
February 18, 2008
It's still too early to tell, but college grads should still be able to find jobs come May.
While employers remain somewhat uncertain about the employment outlook in general,
they plan to make 7 percent more positions available than last year for new college
graduates.
This information is a bit tainted, perhaps, because it comes from an annual study by the
Collegiate Employment Institute at Michigan State University, and the timing of when
employers were asked the question in terms of the economy is at least in question.
Still, with the vision of many baby boomers retiring or recareering, employers are
definitely looking toward new college grads to rebuild their workforce.
February 11, 2008
The number one workplace goal that professionals are seeking in 2008 is
achieving a healthy work/life balance.
In response to the question, "what is the most important workplace goal you would
like to achieve in 2008," more than 5,000 visitors to Beyond.com, one of our
corporate partners, responded:
57 percent want to achieve a healthy work/life balance
18 percent want to obtain further education
16 percent want to get/stay organized
10 percent want to improve workplace relationships
Such an overwhelming response is not unusual -- except for all the so-called experts
who say there is no such thing as work-life balance... that it's all just about
managing your time.
It's not just a weak job market in the U.S. as data reveals that 365,000 fewer people were
running their own business last quarter, as compared to the same period in 2006.
Besides the large drop in the number of people running their own business, it was also
reported that the number of hours worked by the self-employed fell at a 15.5 percent annual pace
in the last quarter -- the biggest decline in 15 years.
It's clear from these last two piece of news -- the first decline in jobs in five years and
a massive drop in people running their own businesses -- that it's more important than
ever to stay focused on your job and career.
The data comes from Labor Department research that was supplied to Bloomberg News.
February 1, 2008
Unemployment applications spike as U.S. has first decline in monthly job creation in
almost five years, as economy sputters.
In two separate reports, the Labor Department first announced that the number of people
applying for unemployment benefits increased by 69,000 to 375,000 -- the highest
level since October 2005.
In a second report, released this morning, the Labor Department announced that employers
cut 17,000 jobs in January -- the first monthly decline since August 2003. It was supposedly more shocking because some
analysts had expected an increase of as much of 80,000 new jobs -- but given all the news of layoffs and a weak
economy, it's amazing that anyone could have been predicting such high job growth.
Hardest hit industries were again both manufacturing and construction. Manufacturers cut 28,000 jobs in January -- the
19th straight month of cuts -- while the number of construction jobs dropped by 27,000 -- bringing to a total of 284,000
lost jobs since employment peaked in September 2006.
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.
