Rattled job seekers turning to the trades
Future looks bright as government begins to pour money into infrastructure
By Eve Tahmincioglu / msnbc.com contributor
Sun., April 4, 2010
Lisa Szymanski, 45, recently enrolled in an apprenticeship program in Portland, Ore., with her sights on becoming a carpenter.
Until recently, she was making her living in graphic arts, but the work has dried up and she decided to try something new.
“As long as you know how to use a hammer, someone will pay you a few bucks to do something,” she said. “You can’t outsource this kind of work. You can’t call India to get a carpenter.”
For the last few decades, the prevailing wisdom among many has been that you have to go to college and get an office job in order to make it in the technological workplace of the future. But today, many workers, rattled by the recession and wondering if their desk jobs will ever come back, are turning to trades that require more hands-on, dirty work — everything from carpentry to plumbing.
(snip)
The Department of Labor projects jobs such as plumbers will jump 15 percent through 2018; electricians by 12 percent; and carpenters by nearly 13 percent.
READ: LOOK FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TRADES...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36122189/ns/business-careers/
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
YOUR RESUME: 10 WORTHLESS THINGS NOT TO TELL
10 Things to Leave Off Your Résumé
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ
Everybody knows that in most situations, less is more -- your accessories, eating habits and especially your résumé.
Job seekers do themselves a disservice when they send out résumés with too much information. Employers don't have the time or the patience to sift through irrelevant information like your hobbies, interests or how many grandchildren you have. Just stick to the basics and you're good to go.
Here are 10 things to leave off your résumé and why:
1. Your picture... Why to leave it off:
Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture (very few jobs will), don't include it just for fun. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you're putting employers in a bad spot. If they have a picture of you and choose not to hire you, it's possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. In most cases, they'll throw your résumé away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.
2. Interest and hobbies... Why to leave them off:
Unless your interests and hobbies have something to do with the job you're applying for, there's no reason to include them. If you want to show how your passion for art would be asset to a graphic design position, that's one thing. But telling employer that you love to skydive on an actuary application is another. In general, make any applicable connections between your hobbies and the job in your cover letter. Better yet, save them for the interview when you're asked what you like to do outside of work.
IMPORTANT: READ WHAT TO LEAVE OFF OF YOUR RESUME...http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2175-Cover-Letters-Resumes-10-Things-to-Leave-Off-Your-R%c3%a9sum%c3%a9/?sc_extcmp=JS_2175_advice&SiteId=cbmsn42175&catid=CL
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ
Everybody knows that in most situations, less is more -- your accessories, eating habits and especially your résumé.
Job seekers do themselves a disservice when they send out résumés with too much information. Employers don't have the time or the patience to sift through irrelevant information like your hobbies, interests or how many grandchildren you have. Just stick to the basics and you're good to go.
Here are 10 things to leave off your résumé and why:
1. Your picture... Why to leave it off:
Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture (very few jobs will), don't include it just for fun. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you're putting employers in a bad spot. If they have a picture of you and choose not to hire you, it's possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. In most cases, they'll throw your résumé away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.
2. Interest and hobbies... Why to leave them off:
Unless your interests and hobbies have something to do with the job you're applying for, there's no reason to include them. If you want to show how your passion for art would be asset to a graphic design position, that's one thing. But telling employer that you love to skydive on an actuary application is another. In general, make any applicable connections between your hobbies and the job in your cover letter. Better yet, save them for the interview when you're asked what you like to do outside of work.
IMPORTANT: READ WHAT TO LEAVE OFF OF YOUR RESUME...http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2175-Cover-Letters-Resumes-10-Things-to-Leave-Off-Your-R%c3%a9sum%c3%a9/?sc_extcmp=JS_2175_advice&SiteId=cbmsn42175&catid=CL
Sunday, January 10, 2010
UNEMPLOYED: GRAB NEW JOB, LOWER PAY
For the Unemployed, New Job Often Means a Pay Cut
Sunday, January 10, 2010 / Associated Press
Unemployed for nearly a year, David Becker was relieved to land a new job in information technology last summer.
The offer carried a price, though: It was a lower-rung job than the one Becker had lost. He had to uproot his family from Wisconsin to Nevada. And, like many formerly jobless people who find work these days, Becker is now paid far less than before — $25,000 less.
It's one of the bleak realities of the economic recovery: Even as more employers are starting to hire, the new jobs typically pay less than the ones that were lost.
In the government's data, a job is a job. More jobs point to a growing economy. But to people who used to earn $60,000, a new $40,000 job means they'll spend less — and contribute less to the recovery.
"In most cases, it means a subdued expansion, for sure," said Marisa Di Natale, director at Moody's Economy.com.
Worse for those affected, people hired at lower wages in a tight job market tend to lag behind their peers for years, sometimes decades. For example, workers laid off during the 1981-82 recession earned 20 percent less than people who remained in a job — even 20 years after they were rehired, a Columbia University study found. The study examined pay for white- and blue-collar workers, managers and hourly workers.
(snip)
The first jobs to emerge from a recession typically aren't well-paying ones, says Till Marco von Wachter, a Columbia economics professor. Companies delay hiring for higher-paying jobs, in particular, until they're confident the recovery will last, he says.
READ: LEARN MORE ABOUT JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED...http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582699,00.html?test=latestnews
Sunday, January 10, 2010 / Associated Press
Unemployed for nearly a year, David Becker was relieved to land a new job in information technology last summer.
The offer carried a price, though: It was a lower-rung job than the one Becker had lost. He had to uproot his family from Wisconsin to Nevada. And, like many formerly jobless people who find work these days, Becker is now paid far less than before — $25,000 less.
It's one of the bleak realities of the economic recovery: Even as more employers are starting to hire, the new jobs typically pay less than the ones that were lost.
In the government's data, a job is a job. More jobs point to a growing economy. But to people who used to earn $60,000, a new $40,000 job means they'll spend less — and contribute less to the recovery.
"In most cases, it means a subdued expansion, for sure," said Marisa Di Natale, director at Moody's Economy.com.
Worse for those affected, people hired at lower wages in a tight job market tend to lag behind their peers for years, sometimes decades. For example, workers laid off during the 1981-82 recession earned 20 percent less than people who remained in a job — even 20 years after they were rehired, a Columbia University study found. The study examined pay for white- and blue-collar workers, managers and hourly workers.
(snip)
The first jobs to emerge from a recession typically aren't well-paying ones, says Till Marco von Wachter, a Columbia economics professor. Companies delay hiring for higher-paying jobs, in particular, until they're confident the recovery will last, he says.
READ: LEARN MORE ABOUT JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED...http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582699,00.html?test=latestnews
Monday, December 14, 2009
CAN'T FIND WORK DURING THE HOLIDAYS? TAKE A NAP!
TO FIND A JOB AT THE END OF DECEMBER WOULD BE A 'MIRACLE'
By CHOMP
Let's get real about finding a job during December. Ain't gonna happen!
Most of the jobs that employers needed to fill were filled several weeks before Christmas. They will be laying off some of those employees as soon as the work slows up. That's just business during any kind of economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, December is the worst month for hiring. So don't waste your time. There are things you can do to prepare for January and the new hiring season, but sending resumes in December isn't one of them. Employers aren't looking!
If you were one of the lucky few who happened to be in the right place at the right time...and took any job you could get...you are working at least for a few weeks.
YOU DESERVE A COUPLE WEEKS OF GOOD FEELINGS
The rest of us need to take a break, do the best we can to pay bills, or delay paying bills, and just kick back for a couple weeks. Relax.
Take the last couple weeks of December to re-group, to make plans for next year, to clean the house, to take a vacation, to do something that makes you happy. You need some 'good feelings.'
Treat yourself to sleeping in. Treat yourself to something free or something within your meager budget. Visit friends and family...with a smile on your face. Leave the sad, discouraged face at home.
January will be here in no time, and you can 'hit the ground running.'
A THOUSAND THINGS TO DO...
Trust me...
When you start that new job, you'll wish you had this time to do your favorite things.
Do whatever you can to stay positive.
Meditate
Pray
Take walks.
Visit friends .
Do something you've always wanted to do, but never had the time
Read a book.
Write a book. Check the Internet on do-it-yourself publishing at 'Createspace' by Amazon.
Do a favorite craft.
Finish a favorite project.
Write letters, emails.
Work on your Facebook.
Take some photos and download to your computer.
PREPARE WHEN IT'S TIME
After your 'vacation from job-hunting,' start a basic preparation for January.
Get the job-hunting plan ready to go.
You'll feel better, and employers will be ready to talk with you.
MAKE AN 'AFTER HOLIDAY' PLAN
Get the clothes and shoes ready. Get a haircut or styled. Can you improve on the resume? Can you say something more useful in your cover letter? Make a list of places where you can apply.
THREE DIFFICULT "MUST-DO" THINGS
That's it. I could keep writing, and you could keep reading. but I want you to go outside and enjoy the day.
By CHOMP
Let's get real about finding a job during December. Ain't gonna happen!
Most of the jobs that employers needed to fill were filled several weeks before Christmas. They will be laying off some of those employees as soon as the work slows up. That's just business during any kind of economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, December is the worst month for hiring. So don't waste your time. There are things you can do to prepare for January and the new hiring season, but sending resumes in December isn't one of them. Employers aren't looking!
If you were one of the lucky few who happened to be in the right place at the right time...and took any job you could get...you are working at least for a few weeks.
YOU DESERVE A COUPLE WEEKS OF GOOD FEELINGS
The rest of us need to take a break, do the best we can to pay bills, or delay paying bills, and just kick back for a couple weeks. Relax.
Take the last couple weeks of December to re-group, to make plans for next year, to clean the house, to take a vacation, to do something that makes you happy. You need some 'good feelings.'
Treat yourself to sleeping in. Treat yourself to something free or something within your meager budget. Visit friends and family...with a smile on your face. Leave the sad, discouraged face at home.
January will be here in no time, and you can 'hit the ground running.'
A THOUSAND THINGS TO DO...
Trust me...
When you start that new job, you'll wish you had this time to do your favorite things.
Do whatever you can to stay positive.
Meditate
Pray
Take walks.
Visit friends .
Do something you've always wanted to do, but never had the time
Read a book.
Write a book. Check the Internet on do-it-yourself publishing at 'Createspace' by Amazon.
Do a favorite craft.
Finish a favorite project.
Write letters, emails.
Work on your Facebook.
Take some photos and download to your computer.
PREPARE WHEN IT'S TIME
After your 'vacation from job-hunting,' start a basic preparation for January.
Get the job-hunting plan ready to go.
You'll feel better, and employers will be ready to talk with you.
MAKE AN 'AFTER HOLIDAY' PLAN
Get the clothes and shoes ready. Get a haircut or styled. Can you improve on the resume? Can you say something more useful in your cover letter? Make a list of places where you can apply.
THREE DIFFICULT "MUST-DO" THINGS
- Don't be discouraged!
- Don't quit!
- Don't panic!
That's it. I could keep writing, and you could keep reading. but I want you to go outside and enjoy the day.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
GREAT JOBS! 100 COMPANIES HIRING NOW!
HotJobs 100: Updated for 2009Find great jobs from our top 100 companies, hiring now
What to look for in companies that are hiring now.
When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing.
Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit -- and some unconventional ways to find the answers:
ANSWERS TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS ON YAHOO...AND MOREhttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/HotJobs100/index.html;_ylt=AjJsmmQmf8eLWipd0klJbSPARaIX
What to look for in companies that are hiring now.
When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing.
Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit -- and some unconventional ways to find the answers:
- What makes employees join this company and stay here?
- How are people treated here?
- What are the unspoken rules?
- What happens when people make mistakes?
- What is a typical week like?
ANSWERS TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS ON YAHOO...AND MOREhttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/HotJobs100/index.html;_ylt=AjJsmmQmf8eLWipd0klJbSPARaIX
WILL EMPLOYERS HIRE A LIAR?
The Truth About Lying During a Job Interviewby Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Telling the whole truth about yourself in a job interview may mean losing a position to a better-qualified candidate. But the alternative -- lying about your degree, qualifications, or experience for short-term gain -- inevitably will come back to haunt you.
Still, there are gray areas in which a small fib -- or embellishment -- could go a long way toward helping you land a job.
"I'm a pro-fibber," says blogger and consultant Nicole Williams, author of the forthcoming book "Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success." "At the same time, you have to be aware of the risks and do it very strategically."
Here are six areas in which you can enhance your credentials without having a Pinocchio moment during an interview -- or even worse, after you've gotten the job.
READ THE SIX AREAS FOR SMALL FIBS...http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_truth_about_lying_during_a_job_interview-978
Thursday, April 23, 2009
INTERVIEWS: HOW TO SURVIVE THE TERROR
The Interview That'll Bag a Job
By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN
WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE
In recent weeks, recruiters for Consolidated Container Co. have seen job candidates arrive up to an hour early for interviews. Other candidates have alluded to financial hardships while in the hot seat, and one person even distributed bound copies of documents describing projects he completed for past employers.
These sorts of tactics aren't exactly winners.
In today's ultracompetitive job market, even getting an interview is a feat. Yet recruiters and hiring managers say many unemployed candidates blow the opportunity by appearing desperate or bitter about their situations -- often without realizing it.
"People are becoming a lot more aggressive," says Julie Loubaton, director of recruiting and talent management for Atlanta-based Consolidated Container. "They often wind up hurting themselves."
At an interview, you want to stand out for the right reasons. To do so, you'll need to leave your baggage and anxiety at the door.
(snip)
Also, be sure to show you're a strong fit for the particular position you're seeking, adds Kathy Marsico, senior vice president of human resources at PDI Inc., a Saddle River, N.J., provider of sales and marketing services for pharmaceutical companies. Offer examples of past accomplishments -- not just responsibilities you've held -- and describe how they're relevant to the opportunity. "You must differentiate yourself like never before," she says. "You need to customize yourself and make yourself memorable."
GREAT TIPS! READ BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR INTERVIEW!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123966126017514865.html
By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN
WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE
In recent weeks, recruiters for Consolidated Container Co. have seen job candidates arrive up to an hour early for interviews. Other candidates have alluded to financial hardships while in the hot seat, and one person even distributed bound copies of documents describing projects he completed for past employers.
These sorts of tactics aren't exactly winners.
In today's ultracompetitive job market, even getting an interview is a feat. Yet recruiters and hiring managers say many unemployed candidates blow the opportunity by appearing desperate or bitter about their situations -- often without realizing it.
"People are becoming a lot more aggressive," says Julie Loubaton, director of recruiting and talent management for Atlanta-based Consolidated Container. "They often wind up hurting themselves."
At an interview, you want to stand out for the right reasons. To do so, you'll need to leave your baggage and anxiety at the door.
(snip)
Also, be sure to show you're a strong fit for the particular position you're seeking, adds Kathy Marsico, senior vice president of human resources at PDI Inc., a Saddle River, N.J., provider of sales and marketing services for pharmaceutical companies. Offer examples of past accomplishments -- not just responsibilities you've held -- and describe how they're relevant to the opportunity. "You must differentiate yourself like never before," she says. "You need to customize yourself and make yourself memorable."
GREAT TIPS! READ BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR INTERVIEW!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123966126017514865.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
PART-TIME JOBS: GIMMEE ANOTHER PAYCHECK!
Part-time jobsTime is money, they say. And if you have a little extra time, you can make a little (or a lot) of extra money with a part-time job. Whether you're a parent, a student, a retiree or just someone who needs a bump in your bank account, you can find a part-time job to fit your interests and your schedule.
Perks include employee discounts, flexible schedules and the opportunity to learn new skills. The downside? Many part-time jobs don't offer the same benefits (such as health insurance and paid time off) that full-time jobs do. But this varies from employer to employer, so ask.
Need a little help finding a great part-time job? Our articles will guide you in the right direction.
Employers now hiring full-time & part-time positions
AMC Entertainment
CarMax
Food Lion
The Cheesecake Factory
Find jobs with other employers
EXCELLENT WEB SITE FOR JOB SOURCE INFORMATION...
http://www.snagajob.com/job-resources/part-time-jobs.aspx
Monday, April 13, 2009
SECRET SKILLS YOU CAN OFFER A NEW JOB
Transferable Skills
Bringing Your Skills to a New Career
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com
You've had enough of your current job. As a matter of fact, you've had enough of your current career. It's time for a change. But what about all that valuable experience you've been stockpiling while toiling away at your job and the jobs that came before it? Do you really have to throw it all away and start from scratch? No you don't. That's where transferable skills come in.
What Are Transferable Skills?
Transferable skills are the skills you've gathered through various jobs, volunteer work, hobbies, sports, or other life experiences that can be used in your next job or new career. In addition to being useful to career changers, transferable skills are also important to those who are facing a layoff, new graduates who are looking for their first jobs, and to those re-entering the workforce after an extended absence.
How to Identify Your Transferable Skills
The job titles you've held may tell little about what your actual jobs entailed. In other words, formal job descriptions are often very different from reality. That is why it's important to dissect each job you've held in order to discover what skills you actually used to do that job.
MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN USE TO GET THAT JOB...
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/a/transferable.htm
WHO HAS THE MOST JOB OPENINGS?
DO THEY HAVE ANY JOBS FOR CUTE?
Top 10 Occupations With the Most Job Openings
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these occupations will have the greatest number of job openings through 2016. Most require little training but also pay very little. The median wage is not necessarily what you would earn if you worked in this field, but rather the mid-point of wages earned by all workers. Half of them earned below it and half earned above it. Earnings vary by employer and depend on factors including experience, training, and location.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupations With the Most Openings
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/exploringoccupations/tp/most_openings.htm
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