- Weekly Unemployment. This stands to increase by roughly $25 per week federally. Some states are pushing to supplement and increase their own unemployment benefits separately as well in the form of a state separate stimulus package.
- Extended Unemployment Benefits. Unemployment typically lasts 26 weeks. The proposal seeks to extend the ability for individuals to receive an additional 20 weeks of unemployment for those who file until Dec. 31, 2009 instead of the original March 31, 2009. The extended unemployment benefits are available to those that reside in states with unemployment percentages greater than 6% which includes 34 states as of Dec. 2008.
- Access to Subsidized Health Insurance. The average cost of COBRA is $1,000 per month. The bill would allow subsidized premiums of 65% for a year. The benefit would apply to those who lose their jobs between September 2008 and the end of 2009. Those who income is 200% the federal poverty guidelines could be eligible for Medicaid. The benefit, paid for by the federal government, would apply to those who lose their jobs between September 2008 and the end of 2010. Interested in what the Federal poverty lines are? Click Here.
February 6, 2009
Economic Stimulus Update Amist January Jobs Report
January's jobs report was just released this morning with 598,000 job lost and unemployment at 7.6%. Most consider the silver lining to be the progress regarding the new economic stimulus package. For the unemployed or recently unemployed, here are the details on how it will affect your unemployment and benefits:
January 31, 2009
Creative and Crazy Job Search Strategies: YouTube Video
Take a moment to view this interesting video resume and job search strategy from one of my twits off Twitter @coreyanderson. There has been some interesting discussion from job seekers and recruiters on Twitter about the Slideshare Your Resume blog post I recently posted. Take a look at this video as well as my post.
Do you think this video is appropriate and will land him a job? Leave your comments below. I for one couldn't stop laughing.
Do you think this video is appropriate and will land him a job? Leave your comments below. I for one couldn't stop laughing.
Survey for HR & Recruiting Professionals
HR & Recruiting Professionals: Please take a short 13 question survey to help those in the job search.
Click Here to take survey
Results will be discussed in future blog posts to come and shared with HR professionals and job seekers alike.
Happy Hunting!
Jessica
Click Here to take survey
Results will be discussed in future blog posts to come and shared with HR professionals and job seekers alike.
Happy Hunting!
Jessica
January 25, 2009
Slideshare Your Resume
Slideshare is another great site much like youtube to market your personal brand. Slideshare is a site that allows members to upload presentations to share with clients, friends, and even potential employers. Take a look below and consider the possiblities.
January 24, 2009
7 Ways to Network on a Shoestring Budget
It seems everywhere these days we are reminded about the economic recession. Consumers and businesses are cutting costs and spending less. Hunting for a job is often times both costly and exhausting. Hiring a job coach, resume writer, and attending networking conferences can be expensive. Networking now more than ever is an important part of a successful job search whether you are in the job hunt or not. Networking and building meaningful relationships doesn't have to break the bank. With some creative, frugal thinking you can develop an expansive network on a shoestring budget.
- Chamber of Commerce Events. If you can swing your company to cover the cost of an annual Chamber membership, you and anyone at your place of employment can attend these events normally at no charge. Most chambers offer a variety of options to fit your schedule either before or after work hours.
- Join Your Local ToastMasters. This organization holds weekly meetings and has a number of different chapters to choose from in your local area. You can develop a network while improving your public speaking skills at the same time all for the cost of $45 per 6 months of membership.
- Children's Sporting & Social Events. Most parents attend baseball tournaments and dance recitals anyway. Why not make some personal networking connections in the process? Bring a handful of business cards and plan a play date for the kiddos.
- Online Social Networking. Sites like FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning Networking Sites, and Feedfriend are all FREE! Don't be afraid to reach out to someone you admire and develop a networking relationship with them. Using these sites has benefited me greatly all with little effort.
- Volunteering. Don't have any cash to fork out to attend a costly conference? Give your time to a charity of your choice and build relationships along the way. I regularly provide human resource training to non-profits by way of donation. This allows me to network while partaking in some career development that I can add to my resume.
- Professional Organizations. These might not be as costly as you might think. I recommend doing some research. For example, the Sooner Society of Human Resource Management (in Norman, OK) charges $25 a year to be a member and even provides HR Certification and Education Credits. Meetings are held once a month and are free. All you have to do is bring your own brown bag lunch to attend. If you are unemployed, consider negotiating with the Professional Organization to continue your membership free of charge. The National SHRM organization does this very thing. Current members can continue their membership while they are off work and have access to the members only website and publications to stay current on industry information.
- Host Your Own Event. Have a networking event or casual get-together with friends in your home or at a local coffee bar. For example, I am hosting a Twitter Networking Meeting (A.K.A. Tweetup) at the local Panera bread next month. The meeting room costs just $50 while the online event registration website I used (Event Brite) is free of charge. By hosting the event, it is a guarantee that I will network and engage all those that attend developing new and meaningful connections.
January 21, 2009
Paying It Forward With Pink Slipped
It’s no secret that in 2009, networking will be the single most important job search strategy that job seekers will utilize. 2008 ended with 2.6 million jobs lost and experts predict a gloomier outlook for 2009. In some states with high unemployment, there are at least 50 unemployed qualified candidates for every job opening advertised in newspapers and internet job boards. Because of this, the hidden job market becomes even more important, and in Edwin Duterte, who created and manages the networking group and website, is a former commercial banker and an unwelcome recipient to the pink slip in early 2008. I first met Edwin two months ago on Twitter and was intrigued by his interest in helping others who are in the job market as a result of layoffs, restructuring, or those looking to make a career change. His concept of “paying it forward” in his own job search drove him to launch his website and mixers in July of 2008 based on the Silicon Valley Dotcom Pink Slip parties in 2001. Pink Slip provides job seekers the opportunity to network via the website as well as through mixers that average an impressive 150 networkers per event. Event attendees are seated with other job seekers who are also members of the same industry. The goal of every mixer is networking with the goal of finding a job not only for you but for others as well. Edwin calls this the Golden Rule of Job Seeking.
Pink Slip events also often provide free job search and resume writing training from professional recruiters and job coaches who also subscribe to the pay it forward frame of mind. The mixers seek to provide those in the job hunt networking opportunities, job search tools, and the chance to polish your pitch all on a shoestring budget.
Interested in learning more? Visit Pink Slip Mixers’ website or connect with them on Twitter @Pinkslipped.
LinkedIn Levels LION Networkers
Do a search on this blog and you will see that I am a huge fan of LinkedIn in using the tool as part of your job search, (LinkedIn Experiment. 10/08.). As of recent, LinkedIn has changed some of their policies and procedures possibly limiting the depth of network a LinkedIn member may have when they conduct a member search.
Previously, as a free member of LinkedIn, a person could conduct a member search for a keyword like Accountant and receive a list of those with the word Accountant in their profile but only within your network of connections. Those with a small network suffered since they had less connections resulting in a smaller number of results. And those with a large network, had more results without having to pay for the LinkedIn Gold and Platinum services that range from $50-500 a month. The paid services center around the ability to increase your search capabilities along with the ability to send a designated number of InMails each month outside of your network of contacts.
LION users, also know as Open Networkers build connections within their network of contacts without having any personal or professional relationship with their connections. A member does this to enable the user and those connected to him/her to access their large network without having to pay LinkedIn to use the service. I, myself am an Open Networker and have encouraged my readers to use this tactic to increase their connections and widen their search pool when in the job hunt.
LinkedIn is now limiting the number of connections a user to 30,000 which is roughly 1% of the total number of registered LinkedIn users (Wikipedia estimates LinkedIn users to be over 30 million). I'll explore more in later postings as further information is available.
Until then, feel free to add me to your network. Please reference blogging4jobs in your invite.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell
To read more visit: http://www.cio.com
Previously, as a free member of LinkedIn, a person could conduct a member search for a keyword like Accountant and receive a list of those with the word Accountant in their profile but only within your network of connections. Those with a small network suffered since they had less connections resulting in a smaller number of results. And those with a large network, had more results without having to pay for the LinkedIn Gold and Platinum services that range from $50-500 a month. The paid services center around the ability to increase your search capabilities along with the ability to send a designated number of InMails each month outside of your network of contacts.
LION users, also know as Open Networkers build connections within their network of contacts without having any personal or professional relationship with their connections. A member does this to enable the user and those connected to him/her to access their large network without having to pay LinkedIn to use the service. I, myself am an Open Networker and have encouraged my readers to use this tactic to increase their connections and widen their search pool when in the job hunt.
LinkedIn is now limiting the number of connections a user to 30,000 which is roughly 1% of the total number of registered LinkedIn users (Wikipedia estimates LinkedIn users to be over 30 million). I'll explore more in later postings as further information is available.
Until then, feel free to add me to your network. Please reference blogging4jobs in your invite.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell
To read more visit: http://www.cio.com
January 15, 2009
OKC Metro Tweetup
Click on the link below to register to attend the OKC Metro Tweetup on February 26, 2009
from 5:30-7:30pm at the Panera Meeting Room located at the intersection of 104th and S. Penn in South OKC.
The event is FREE!! We will have networking and a short presentation regarding getting the most out of Twitter. Feel free to bring your laptop as Panera has free WiFi.
Hope to see you there!
from 5:30-7:30pm at the Panera Meeting Room located at the intersection of 104th and S. Penn in South OKC.
The event is FREE!! We will have networking and a short presentation regarding getting the most out of Twitter. Feel free to bring your laptop as Panera has free WiFi.
Hope to see you there!
January 10, 2009
Friday's Jobless Report Confirms
The government said nonfarm payrolls fell by 524,000 and job losses in October and November were larger than originally reported. The 2.6 million jobs lost last year were the most since 1945, when the economy dropped 2.75 million jobs.
The national unemployment rate jumped to 7.2% from 6.8% in November and 5% in April. More than 11 million Americans are now unemployed.
Economists had expected a loss of 525,000 jobs last month, with some whispering numbers as high as 700,000. The economy shed an estimated 584,000 jobs in November, up from an original estimate of 533,000.
The last quarter was especially brutal, with 1.53 million jobs lost -- the largest job losses in any quarter since World War II. If you look at the quarter's job losses in percentage terms, it was the seventh-worst since 1945.
The last time the economy saw a 12-month stretch of job losses was the period from June 2001 to May 2002.
--To see the entire article, visit www.msn.com.
The national unemployment rate jumped to 7.2% from 6.8% in November and 5% in April. More than 11 million Americans are now unemployed.
Economists had expected a loss of 525,000 jobs last month, with some whispering numbers as high as 700,000. The economy shed an estimated 584,000 jobs in November, up from an original estimate of 533,000.
The last quarter was especially brutal, with 1.53 million jobs lost -- the largest job losses in any quarter since World War II. If you look at the quarter's job losses in percentage terms, it was the seventh-worst since 1945.
The last time the economy saw a 12-month stretch of job losses was the period from June 2001 to May 2002.
--To see the entire article, visit www.msn.com.
January 6, 2009
Laid Off & Looking
Check out an interesting interview of David Perry author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" in the Wall Street. Be sure to check out my comment on the article as well.
Landing a job often depends on who you know and making a good first impression is key. David Perry, a recruiter and co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters” talks about what to keep in mind the first time you meet someone.
For more click on this link . . . Laid off & Looking
Be sure to check out all the comments as they are from many well-respected recruiters in the industry. I invite you to leave a comment as well and include your email address and website if you have one. Recruiters frequent these type of articles and use reader comments to find passive job seekers.
A word of caution, if you decide to leave a comment (and I recommend you do) make sure your comment is well-thought, insightful, and very, very professional. This comment is your marketing billboard to the world.
Landing a job often depends on who you know and making a good first impression is key. David Perry, a recruiter and co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters” talks about what to keep in mind the first time you meet someone.
For more click on this link . . . Laid off & Looking
Be sure to check out all the comments as they are from many well-respected recruiters in the industry. I invite you to leave a comment as well and include your email address and website if you have one. Recruiters frequent these type of articles and use reader comments to find passive job seekers.
A word of caution, if you decide to leave a comment (and I recommend you do) make sure your comment is well-thought, insightful, and very, very professional. This comment is your marketing billboard to the world.
January 4, 2009
Differentiate Yourself with a Twitter Video
Just finsished reading a blog post Titled "Make a Tweet Plan to Get the Most From Twitter" at http://www.twitip.com/make-a-tweet-plan-to-get-the-most-from-twitter/. The post is great and provides Tweeters ideas to create some structure while providing content to their Tweets. What I loved the most about this blog is the idea of creating a Welcome Tweet Video to distribute to any of your new followers. This is a fantastic idea and can be easily created in a matter of minutes with a webcam providing your followers a short 30 second commercial selling yourself.
Job seekers can use this technique to differentiate themselves against the competition getting the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. A couple of items to consider:
Need some inspiration? Take a look at Nicole Nicolay's welcome Twitter video below.
Job seekers can use this technique to differentiate themselves against the competition getting the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. A couple of items to consider:
- Keep it short. I recommend 30-60 seconds no more. In this web 2.0 world, we are all multi-tasking and easily distracting.
- Keep your message organized and scripted. When put on the spot, it is easy to get off track when speaking. Two minutes can easily become four. Stay organized and plan key points about yourself that you want to highlight or mention.
- Outline your intentions. If you are using Twitter to find a job, make it known in your commercial. Don't beat around the bush. Be direct and to the point.
- Include your contact information. Like in the video, find a way to display your contact information. You don't have to be fancy or technical to get the job done.
- Have a little fun. Being creative and unique is what makes you, you. Include music, photos, art, or a short presentation that differentiates you from the rest.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at Nicole Nicolay's welcome Twitter video below.
January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and your family in 2009! Blogging4Jobs aims to help you find a career and not just a job in 2009. To stay up to date with the latest job tips and tricks, please follow me on Twitter at www.twitter/blogging4jobs.Feel free to email me your comments and questions as well at jmiller-merrell@sbcglobal.net. This blog was created to provide the job seeker with information on the "unwritten" rules of the job search.
My resolution this year is to provide expanded content to my blog readers. This includes plans for an expanded website and blog syndication. Help me reach my resolution while I assist you in yours by passing along my website to those in need.
Kind Regards,
Jessica
December 29, 2008
ASK the Recruiter. . . Is BACK!
ASK the Recruiter
Ever had a job search or networking question that you were dying to ask the experts? Now's your chance. Send me your job search, networking, or human resource question and if your question is selected, I will post my response via the blog under the ASK the Recruiter heading.
Feel free to contact me at jmiller-merrell@sbcglobal.net with your question. Please reference Blogging4Jobs in the subject line.
Best Wishes in 2009 in Your Job Search!
Jessica
December 28, 2008
Surviving Unemployment
It seems that most days the news is filled with stories about our declining economy and the increasing number of layoffs by businesses looking to cut costs as their own sales decline. If you are one of the millions that has been restructured or laid off, here are a few tips to help survive unemployment and job loss.
- Think Positive. As my dad would say, "Don't let the man keep you down." Staying positive allows you to work through the grieving process of being let go or downsized allowing for acceptance and possibilities. There's nothing wrong with being upset and even angry, but there comes a time when it's healthy to let go and move on. Hiring Manager's often base their hiring decisions on a candidate's kind or ill words towards their previous company. Sure, they let you go but realize that over 2 million people across the U.S. are also in the exact same situation. Don't let your ill feelings keep you from landing a new opportunity.
- Volunteer. Use this time off from work to fine tune your skills, develop yourself, and network by volunteering. If you are an accountant or aspire to be one, offer your services in the form of a sweat equity donation. Most non-profits are happy to accept your generosity and will sing your praises to those in their network allowing for increased exposure to job opportunities.
- Find Yourself. Spend time with family, friends, or enjoy a hobby. Relax, try to enjoy yourself and just let go even if only for a half hour each day. Hobbies and family time don't have to be expensive. If you enjoy reading, frequent the library or the used bookstore to save cash.
- Control Your Expenses. Cut back on latte factor expenses while unemployed like subscriptions-movie, magazines, internet, eating out, and other non-essentials. I recommend keeping a log of how you spend your money each day and make the necessary cuts from there. Small things add up over the course of days and months. Take a cup of coffee for example. My favorite, a Venti Carmel Mocchiato costs roughly $4.50 which I enjoy 4 times a week. By eliminating this expense, I saved myself almost $100 a month. Know that this can be done. My husband and I have evaluated our own expenses saving us over $450 a month. A word of caution, do your best to not fund your time while unemployed using your credit card. Interest rates can cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars. I recommend having at least 6 months of savings available for emergencies such as these.
- Stay Focused & Healthy. Take care of yourself by eating right and getting enough exercise. Do your best to develop a normal routine that includes a scheduled time to focus on job hunting as well as other activities. Having a schedule keeps your goal of finding a job organized and positive allowing you to feel more in control.
December 27, 2008
Dec. Unemployment Highest Since '82
Number of Americans filing for state unemployment benefits rises to a 26-year high of 586,000, according to Labor Department.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose to a 26-year high last week, according to a government report released Wednesday.
The Labor Department said that initial filings for state jobless benefits rose to 586,000 for the week ended Dec. 20. That was an increase of 30,000 from the 556,000 revised figure for the prior week, and up from a recent high of 575,000 claims reported earlier this month. Wednesday's report revealed the highest number of jobless claims since Nov. 27, 1982 when initial filings hit 612,000. Economists were expecting jobless claims to rise to only 558,000, according to a poll by Briefing.com.
This week, the report was released a day early due to the Christmas holiday on Thursday.
The weekly jobless claims report can give economists one of the most up-to-the moment reads on the state of the U.S. economy. And the increasing number has some worried that consumers may further tighten their wallets.
"It's likely to get worse before it gets better," said Carl Riccadonna, senior U.S. economist with Deutsche Bank.
In fact, consumer spending fell for the fifth straight month in November, according to the Commerce Department.
"Without consumers turning around, the economy's not going to turn around," Riccadonna said.
Over the past four weeks, new unemployment claims have risen to an average of 558,000 a week, up 13,750 from the revised moving average of 544,250 reported last week.
The four-week moving average is designed to smooth out some of the week-by-week fluctuations in initial claims statistics, and give a broader view of the U.S. job market.
The number of people continuing to collect unemployment declined to 4.37 million in the week ended Dec. 13, the most recent data available. The measure was a decrease of 17,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 4.39 million.
Over the previous four weeks the number of people on unemployment averaged 4.32 million a week, the government said.
The number of new jobless claims rose the most in Oklahoma, rising by 1,590, the Labor Department said.
North Carolina saw jobless claims fall the most, by 20,526, due to fewer layoffs in the construction, manufacturing and materials industries.
A weak economy causes companies to layoff workers, which causes people to tighten their spending, which weakens the economy even further.
It's a "negative feedback loop," said Riccadonna, and one of the only things that can get us out of it would be a "'shock and awe' fiscal stimulus package" from the federal government.
President-elect Barack Obama said last week his administration would try to generate 3 million jobs over the next two years as part of an economic stimulus plan that some economists estimate could cost as much as $800 billion.
--www.cnnmoney.com
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose to a 26-year high last week, according to a government report released Wednesday.
The Labor Department said that initial filings for state jobless benefits rose to 586,000 for the week ended Dec. 20. That was an increase of 30,000 from the 556,000 revised figure for the prior week, and up from a recent high of 575,000 claims reported earlier this month. Wednesday's report revealed the highest number of jobless claims since Nov. 27, 1982 when initial filings hit 612,000. Economists were expecting jobless claims to rise to only 558,000, according to a poll by Briefing.com.
This week, the report was released a day early due to the Christmas holiday on Thursday.
The weekly jobless claims report can give economists one of the most up-to-the moment reads on the state of the U.S. economy. And the increasing number has some worried that consumers may further tighten their wallets.
"It's likely to get worse before it gets better," said Carl Riccadonna, senior U.S. economist with Deutsche Bank.
In fact, consumer spending fell for the fifth straight month in November, according to the Commerce Department.
"Without consumers turning around, the economy's not going to turn around," Riccadonna said.
Over the past four weeks, new unemployment claims have risen to an average of 558,000 a week, up 13,750 from the revised moving average of 544,250 reported last week.
The four-week moving average is designed to smooth out some of the week-by-week fluctuations in initial claims statistics, and give a broader view of the U.S. job market.
The number of people continuing to collect unemployment declined to 4.37 million in the week ended Dec. 13, the most recent data available. The measure was a decrease of 17,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 4.39 million.
Over the previous four weeks the number of people on unemployment averaged 4.32 million a week, the government said.
The number of new jobless claims rose the most in Oklahoma, rising by 1,590, the Labor Department said.
North Carolina saw jobless claims fall the most, by 20,526, due to fewer layoffs in the construction, manufacturing and materials industries.
A weak economy causes companies to layoff workers, which causes people to tighten their spending, which weakens the economy even further.
It's a "negative feedback loop," said Riccadonna, and one of the only things that can get us out of it would be a "'shock and awe' fiscal stimulus package" from the federal government.
President-elect Barack Obama said last week his administration would try to generate 3 million jobs over the next two years as part of an economic stimulus plan that some economists estimate could cost as much as $800 billion.
--www.cnnmoney.com
December 21, 2008
Introducing Mini B4J
It's been quite a few days since I last posted to my blog and with good reason. My wonderful husband and I brought a baby girl into the world on December 13, 2008 at 2:01 am. Ryleigh is more beautiful and precious than we ever could have imagined.
So between late nights, diaper changes, and feedings the blog will continue to go on. I have lots of great articles and topics to share with you. With the current economic state, this blog and other information regarding tips for the job search are more important than ever! So sit back and thanks for your support of Blogging4jobs!
Regards,
Jessica
December 11, 2008
Top Twitters to Follow as a Job Seeker
Twitter is described as social network where members posts "micro-blogs" in 140 characters or less. It's a great way to connect with all different types of people both personally and professionally. "Tweets" which are the actual micro-blog posts can be viewed by your entire network. Your personal tweets and bio can be viewed by Twitter members and by anyone with a direct link (Visit mine at www.twitter.com/blogging4jobs) from your profile. Twitter is like a ever-evolving chat room that you as a Twitter member can control expanding and adding to as you find members and members find you that want to connect.
For those new to Twitter, understanding and navigating its landscape like any new Web 2.0 service can take some time, but with a couple google searches you can find some great blog resources that make navigating the "Twitter Nation" much easier.
Twitter is a great service that allows you to stay connected with old friends, business prospects, recruiters, and persons of interest can be used to get you a leg up in the job search.
There has been much discussion on the blogs and other internet sites about using Twitter in your job search. A google search can provide you with countless blogs posts and comments from job seekers and recruiters who have used Twitter with great success. The key to using Twitter in this way like any social networking site is to build your network, make relationships and post often and in a meaningful way. Twitter is not a social networkig tool where you can create a large following overnight leading you to multiple job opportunities. Like any type of social networking traditional or non-traditional, these things take time.
So while you are building your Twitter network, here are a few of my favorite Twitters to follow. These Twitterers are experts in the areas of the job search, career strategies, personal branding and networking. Not only are they very active with their posts on Twitter but most have a great website or blog that can provide job seekers additional information about the job search.
Listed in no particular order:
For those new to Twitter, understanding and navigating its landscape like any new Web 2.0 service can take some time, but with a couple google searches you can find some great blog resources that make navigating the "Twitter Nation" much easier.
Twitter is a great service that allows you to stay connected with old friends, business prospects, recruiters, and persons of interest can be used to get you a leg up in the job search.
There has been much discussion on the blogs and other internet sites about using Twitter in your job search. A google search can provide you with countless blogs posts and comments from job seekers and recruiters who have used Twitter with great success. The key to using Twitter in this way like any social networking site is to build your network, make relationships and post often and in a meaningful way. Twitter is not a social networkig tool where you can create a large following overnight leading you to multiple job opportunities. Like any type of social networking traditional or non-traditional, these things take time.
So while you are building your Twitter network, here are a few of my favorite Twitters to follow. These Twitterers are experts in the areas of the job search, career strategies, personal branding and networking. Not only are they very active with their posts on Twitter but most have a great website or blog that can provide job seekers additional information about the job search.
Listed in no particular order:
- @ChrisRussell Chris has roughly 165 followers. He has a great website called Secrets of the Job Hunt. His site serves as a social networking site, job board, and resource for job seekers all in one. Recruiters and job searches can engage and network in multiple ways. His newest project is http://jobradio.fm/ that provides podcasts all about the job search.
- @Keppie_Careers Miriam Salpeter is a career coach and resume writer that has an excellent blog at http://www.keppiecareers.com/. She has 351 followers on Twitter.
- @DailyCareerTips has over 600 followers. Author Susan Strayer provides a daily career tip on her Twitter. Her blog, Kaleidioblog and website provide more quick tips.
- @ResearchGoddess Amybeth Hale has over 1,329 followers. Her blog Research Goddess discusses social media and how it is used in the recruiting process.
- @JasonAlba Jason Alba is the founder of Jibber Jobber, a career management internet site that allows the candidate to track every aspect of their job search. His site includes an excellent blog and jibber jobber library. Jason has 1,417 followers.
If you are new to Twitter and trying to navigate the Twitter Nation, check out a couple blog posts and articles that I, myself have found helpful.
- Twit Tips The site SolidMentor has a segment called Twit Tips that provides information and updates regarding Twitter and its applications.
- Site Masher Great post explaining the Twitter shorthand (similar to texting) and applications that compliment Twitter.
As always, don't forget to follow @Blogging4jobs on Twitter. Happy Tweeting!
December 5, 2008
Lost: 1.9 Million Jobs
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The economy shed 533,000 jobs in November, according to a government report Friday - bringing the year's total job losses to 1.9 million.
November had the largest monthly job loss total since December 1974.
"This is a dismal jobs report," said Keith Hall, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at a congressional hearing. "There's very little in this report that's positive. This is maybe one of the worst jobs reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (founded in 1884) has ever produced."
The just-under 1.9 million jobs lost in the current recession, which began in December 2007, surpasses the 1.6 million jobs lost in the 2001 recession. That's noteworthy, because jobs were cut in droves in 2001 during the dot.com bust, which followed a white-hot employment market during the tech boom of the late 1990s.
But the job market expansion leading out of the previous recession was drawn out and tepid, so the jobs lost now are more at the core of the nation's economy - a perilous sign.
According to the Labor Department's monthly jobs report, the unemployment rate rose to 6.7% from 6.5% in October. Though lower than economists' forecast of 6.8%, it was the highest unemployment rate since October 1993. The rate is compiled in a separate survey from the payroll number.
Revisions
Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 325,000 jobs in the month.
Revisions to the two prior months brought more dismal news. October's job loss was revised up to 320,000 from 240,000, and September was revised up to 403,000.
The revisions brought the 3-month job loss total to 1.3 million. That's equal to two-thirds of this year's total job losses and the third highest, three-month job loss total since World War II.
November's report provided the first glimpse at employers' reaction after the peak of the credit crisis, reached in mid-October. With credit largely unavailable and expensive, consumers scaled back their spending, dragging down manufacturing and construction businesses.
Travel has also been trimmed, with would-be vacationers opting to stay close to home.
Job losses were spread across a wide variety of industries: manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, construction and even, in the midst of the holiday shopping season, retail.
Also seeing sharp declines were professional and business services, a category seen by some economists as a proxy for overall economic activity, and financial services, at the heart of the current crisis.
Deeper cuts likely to come
With the economy in a recession and most economic indicators signaling even more difficult times ahead, economists say job losses will likely deepen and continue through at least the first half of 2009.
Citing weak economic conditions, a slew of large-scale job-cut announcements came this week. On Thursday alone, AT&T (T, Fortune 500), DuPont (DD, Fortune 500), Viacom (VIA), Credit Suisse (CS) and Avis (CAR, Fortune 500) announced cuts that totaled nearly 23,000 jobs lost, most of which will take place over the next several months.
According to a report by the outsourcing agency Challenger, Gray & Christmas, planned job cut announcements by U.S. employers soared to 181,671 last month, the second-highest total on record.
Temporary employment, including workers employed by temp agencies, fell by 100,700 jobs last month, the highest on records that go back to 1985. That could mean even more full-time payroll reductions to come, as employers often cut temporary workers before they begin cutting permanent staff.
Tig Gilliam, chief executive of placement agency Adecco, the nation's third-largest employment agency, said employers are trying to position their companies to weather the ever intensifying economic storm.
"CEOs are trying to get their businesses better positioned for the start of the year so they're not constantly chasing the slowdown" he said. "December will be another very tough month."
In another sign of weakness, a growing number of workers were unable to find jobs with the amount of hours they want to work. Those working part-time jobs - because they couldn't find full-time work, or their hours had been cut back due to slack conditions - jumped by 621,000 people to 7.3 million, the highest ever on records that date back to 1955.
Underemployment at 12.5%
The so-called under-employment rate, which counts those part-time workers, as well as those without jobs who have become discouraged and stopped looking for work, soared to 12.5% from from 11.8%, setting the all-time high for that measure since calculations for it began in January 1994.
But there was hiring in some economic sectors last month. Government hiring has stayed strong throughout the downturn, adding another 7,000 jobs in November. Education and health services also grew payrolls, which grew by 52,000 employees.
The average hourly work week fell to 33.5 hours last month. Economists expected the workweek to hold at October's level of 33.6 hours. But with a modest 7-cent gain in the average hourly salary, the average weekly paycheck rose by 52 cents to $613.05.
Obama: Time for stimulus
With 2008 already the worst year for jobs since 1982 and on pace to become the worst since 1945 - and second worst on records that date back to 1939 - support for a second stimulus package to boost the job market has grown among economists and lawmakers.
The prior stimulus package, in the spring, sent tax rebate checks to millions of tax filers. It helped the economy grow in the second quarter, but it did little to stem the tide of job loss in the country.
But the proposed stimulus package, supported by President-elect Barack Obama, would focus on aid states and municipalities as well as consumers, adding millions of infrastructure jobs for Americans.
"Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years," said Obama in a statement. "There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better."
Experts say a two-part stimulus package is the right way to stem the tide of mounting job losses.
"First, you have to get consumers to spend, since 70% of the GDP is tied to consumer spending, and then you need job stimulus like highway projects to maintain economic job growth," said Gilliam. "This number is so bad that Obama will have to do something drastic soon."
In the meantime, Bush administration officials say the priority remains restoring liquidity to the financial system.
"We have to get the job done that we can while we have time left in office, and that is restoring credit," Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez told CNNMoney.com. "This is the key first step to restoring growth and restoring jobs."
The White House echoed the Commerce secretary. "We need to focus on the causes of the economic downturn in order to reverse this trend in job creation, said Dana Perino, White House press secretary. "We intend to continue our aggressive efforts to restore health to our credit and housing markets."
--www.cnnmoney.com
November had the largest monthly job loss total since December 1974.
"This is a dismal jobs report," said Keith Hall, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at a congressional hearing. "There's very little in this report that's positive. This is maybe one of the worst jobs reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (founded in 1884) has ever produced."
The just-under 1.9 million jobs lost in the current recession, which began in December 2007, surpasses the 1.6 million jobs lost in the 2001 recession. That's noteworthy, because jobs were cut in droves in 2001 during the dot.com bust, which followed a white-hot employment market during the tech boom of the late 1990s.
But the job market expansion leading out of the previous recession was drawn out and tepid, so the jobs lost now are more at the core of the nation's economy - a perilous sign.
According to the Labor Department's monthly jobs report, the unemployment rate rose to 6.7% from 6.5% in October. Though lower than economists' forecast of 6.8%, it was the highest unemployment rate since October 1993. The rate is compiled in a separate survey from the payroll number.
Revisions
Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 325,000 jobs in the month.
Revisions to the two prior months brought more dismal news. October's job loss was revised up to 320,000 from 240,000, and September was revised up to 403,000.
The revisions brought the 3-month job loss total to 1.3 million. That's equal to two-thirds of this year's total job losses and the third highest, three-month job loss total since World War II.
November's report provided the first glimpse at employers' reaction after the peak of the credit crisis, reached in mid-October. With credit largely unavailable and expensive, consumers scaled back their spending, dragging down manufacturing and construction businesses.
Travel has also been trimmed, with would-be vacationers opting to stay close to home.
Job losses were spread across a wide variety of industries: manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, construction and even, in the midst of the holiday shopping season, retail.
Also seeing sharp declines were professional and business services, a category seen by some economists as a proxy for overall economic activity, and financial services, at the heart of the current crisis.
Deeper cuts likely to come
With the economy in a recession and most economic indicators signaling even more difficult times ahead, economists say job losses will likely deepen and continue through at least the first half of 2009.
Citing weak economic conditions, a slew of large-scale job-cut announcements came this week. On Thursday alone, AT&T (T, Fortune 500), DuPont (DD, Fortune 500), Viacom (VIA), Credit Suisse (CS) and Avis (CAR, Fortune 500) announced cuts that totaled nearly 23,000 jobs lost, most of which will take place over the next several months.
According to a report by the outsourcing agency Challenger, Gray & Christmas, planned job cut announcements by U.S. employers soared to 181,671 last month, the second-highest total on record.
Temporary employment, including workers employed by temp agencies, fell by 100,700 jobs last month, the highest on records that go back to 1985. That could mean even more full-time payroll reductions to come, as employers often cut temporary workers before they begin cutting permanent staff.
Tig Gilliam, chief executive of placement agency Adecco, the nation's third-largest employment agency, said employers are trying to position their companies to weather the ever intensifying economic storm.
"CEOs are trying to get their businesses better positioned for the start of the year so they're not constantly chasing the slowdown" he said. "December will be another very tough month."
In another sign of weakness, a growing number of workers were unable to find jobs with the amount of hours they want to work. Those working part-time jobs - because they couldn't find full-time work, or their hours had been cut back due to slack conditions - jumped by 621,000 people to 7.3 million, the highest ever on records that date back to 1955.
Underemployment at 12.5%
The so-called under-employment rate, which counts those part-time workers, as well as those without jobs who have become discouraged and stopped looking for work, soared to 12.5% from from 11.8%, setting the all-time high for that measure since calculations for it began in January 1994.
But there was hiring in some economic sectors last month. Government hiring has stayed strong throughout the downturn, adding another 7,000 jobs in November. Education and health services also grew payrolls, which grew by 52,000 employees.
The average hourly work week fell to 33.5 hours last month. Economists expected the workweek to hold at October's level of 33.6 hours. But with a modest 7-cent gain in the average hourly salary, the average weekly paycheck rose by 52 cents to $613.05.
Obama: Time for stimulus
With 2008 already the worst year for jobs since 1982 and on pace to become the worst since 1945 - and second worst on records that date back to 1939 - support for a second stimulus package to boost the job market has grown among economists and lawmakers.
The prior stimulus package, in the spring, sent tax rebate checks to millions of tax filers. It helped the economy grow in the second quarter, but it did little to stem the tide of job loss in the country.
But the proposed stimulus package, supported by President-elect Barack Obama, would focus on aid states and municipalities as well as consumers, adding millions of infrastructure jobs for Americans.
"Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years," said Obama in a statement. "There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better."
Experts say a two-part stimulus package is the right way to stem the tide of mounting job losses.
"First, you have to get consumers to spend, since 70% of the GDP is tied to consumer spending, and then you need job stimulus like highway projects to maintain economic job growth," said Gilliam. "This number is so bad that Obama will have to do something drastic soon."
In the meantime, Bush administration officials say the priority remains restoring liquidity to the financial system.
"We have to get the job done that we can while we have time left in office, and that is restoring credit," Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez told CNNMoney.com. "This is the key first step to restoring growth and restoring jobs."
The White House echoed the Commerce secretary. "We need to focus on the causes of the economic downturn in order to reverse this trend in job creation, said Dana Perino, White House press secretary. "We intend to continue our aggressive efforts to restore health to our credit and housing markets."
--www.cnnmoney.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
