Will your job move to India?

A frequent topic of conversation (or the subject of posts, at least) lately has been the future of the job market, both in the short term and the long term. This fantastic article from MSN Money describes what's happening in the job market. The bottom line, according to John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the Chicago-based outplacement firm:

“It’s false to think the only jobs that could go overseas are low-skilled jobs that pay low wages.”

Yet the tone of the article is not all doom for job seekers. In fact, it offers some encouraging words and even, for those looking for careers in areas that will be huge, some direction. So, take heart, and head over to the article!

So, where are all the jobs?

This is the question posed by U.S. News & World Report as well as by many job seekers. In a somewhat technical discussion, the editorial examines why unemployment remains where it is, and indicates that there is a "glimmer of hope for the jobless:"

And here, at last, there is a glimmer of hope for the jobless. GDP growth may be accelerating and may move above 5 percent for the next two quarters. If it does, there will surely be a whole lot more jobs, especially in the labor-intensive service sector.

What's to be done? Not much, for now. No fiscal stimulus is possible, and the administration has already overdone its tax cuts. The only source of macroeconomic support will come from the Federal Reserve Board. It should keep short-term interest rates low and make sure rates for 10 years and longer don't spike any more.

This, then, is the opinion of Mortimer B. Zuckerman.

More Reciprocity aka One Good Link Deserves Another

This time the linkback goes to Robert's Potential Linux Jobs Bookmarks. It's definitely worth a look-see, and you may find that you'll want them as your bookmarks, too.

Job Openings in the Cincinnati, Ohio USA Area

These job openings are from an email I receive each week. The date at the end of the listing is the date it was initially posted.

• Now Hiring! Looking for a job with a Christianity-based organization? Part time teachers are needed for a YMCA after school program. Hours: 1:30 - 6 pm Monday through Friday. Please contact Kati Terry at the Madisonville Branch YMCA 513-271-4879 [9/07]
• Restaurant General Managers and Asst Mgrs Positions Immediately Available in the Cincinnati Area. Restaurant experience is a big plus but is not required, as special training is offered to qualified management candidates from other industries. Please email your resume to: JobsByJulie@hotmail.com or call 770-797-9433. [7/24]

Productivity as a Double-Edged Sword

Fred Sampson's Radio Weblog has some comments about PeopleSoft's battle to fend off a hostile takeover from Oracle:

Buried in the [CNET News.com - Front Door] story is this claim by [PeopleSoft CEO Craig] Conway: "He said the 'jobless recovery' phenomenon is a direct result of the leaps in productivity that companies have made by using information technology, including the type that PeopleSoft develops."

President Bush Marks National Small Business Week

In his weekly radio address to the nation, President Bush praised small business owners (emphasis mine):

Every day, millions of Americans put in long hours building businesses of their own. Their hard work strengthens the economy, creates most of the new jobs in America, and supplies the innovation that drives our future prosperity. As we mark National Small Business Week, our nation honors the enterprise and hard work of small business owners and employees.

Small businesses are a key to upward mobility, particularly for women and minorities. There are over 3 million minority-owned small businesses across America, and that number is rising. And women-owned businesses now employ more than 9 million Americans. For the sake of all small businesses and our entire economy, my administration is pursuing an aggressive pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda.

The tax relief I have signed since I took office will save 25 million small business owners an average of more than $2,800 this year. Income tax relief is particularly helpful for business owners who pay their business taxes at their individual income tax rates.

We have reduced the burden of unnecessary regulation on small businesses, and we have passed much needed incentives for investment and new equipment, which will help our small businesses grow and create high-paying jobs.

These policies are working. A recent survey of small businesses shows rising optimism among owners, evidence of improving sales, and more plans to invest and hire new workers. This is good news for our communities and good news for people looking for work.

The President then continues, "Still, there is more to be done. I have proposed a six-point plan to create jobs, strengthen small businesses and build employer confidence."

Let's hear it for the small business owners and their employees!

Everywhere: A Great Place to Network

This neat article shows how you can network anywhere: a broken elevator, the back of a line at the post office, the coffee shop, and so on.

Howard Dean Campaign needs IT support

The Howard Dean for President campaign is looking for a system administrator and a database administrator. Go to Joi Ito's Web to see more information.

link provided by Ingrid at ME and Ophelia

More Readers' Comments

Sandra posted a comment to last week's post about Interviewers' Pet Peeves:

I think that employers are overly-scrutinizing prospective employees in this day and time. The fact that recruiters have access to their potential employees whole life history is a violation of personal freedom. Criminal backround checks, for example, should notify the employer if the person is a murderer, a bank robber, or a rapist. In light of technological advances, an employer may look at a minor offense on the prospective employee's record as a reflection of the way that person is, no matter if they have changed or not.

I think employers should be trained to be more empathetic when making a decision on whether or not to hire. I also think that employers shouldn't have the right to inspect a person's history that isn't relevant to the future job. For example, if a rapist applies for a job taking care of people, the answer of course would be "no". If a bank robber applies for as a cashier, the answer again: "no". However, if a person who has a history of drunken driving applies for a job as a janitor then the fact that the drunken driving record has no relevance to the job applied for then the history sould be taken note on but shouldn't interfere with the chance of getting the job, unless of course the job involves driving, if the person hasn't been through some sort of rehabilitation.

Some Help from the Commenting System

Some Help from the Commenting System

I updated the YACCS commenting code and uncovered some comments readers have left. Such as Jim Stroud:

A couple of my job hunting articles were featured in a new ebook by Otis Collier called, "The Best Of Job Hunter Tips and Secrets: Volume 1." You can download a free copy from my website address or click on the attachment below. Please spread the word (especially to those looking for a job)!

http://jimstroud.com/job-hunting-tips.pdf

Wings & Wireless - Tech Thursday Networking Event

5-7 PM at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Wilmington Pike in Centerville, Ohio (map).

Are you going? I might.

Eliyon Networking

According to an email I received from the Corporate Communications department at Eliyon Technologies:

This service offers a quick, easy and free way to build your network and find lost contacts. It's a great support tool for a job search.

What do you think? I'm interested in whether you've been able to find people with whom you've lost contact.

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Will Be Released 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18

The information in this press release does not appear to merit anything special. I think it's just to clarify that the release of information will not be delayed by the hurricane warning.

Is Your Current Job Really That Bad?

Perhaps a look at this Popular Science article that describes The Worst Jobs in Science will encourage you. You won't believe what some people are doing for a living.

Extra!: 7 reasons the job market is about to take off

Take heart, job seekers!

Competition for Jobs in IT is Tough!

While browsing another Jobs and Employment Information and Sites weblog, I spotted the link to the employment page for a company called Signalogic, which includes some words from its President and CEO, Jeff Brower. I don't know if all companies are feeling like this, but it gives you a good idea what's going on in the managers' minds!

Restaurant General Managers and Asst Mgrs Positions Immediately Available in the Cincinnati, Ohio Area

Restaurant experience is a big plus but is not required, as special training is offered to qualified management candidates from other industries. Please email your resume to: JobsByJulie@hotmail.com or call 770-797-9433. [7/24]

Source: Christian Advertiser email. Be sure to let them know how you found out about the job lead! Thanks!

Labor Secretary's Statement on U.S. Senate Vote to Block Proposal Updating White-Collar Overtime Rules

I first heard about this proposal back in June of this year. At that time I mentioned that I couldn't see how the proposed rules would help the economy. I still don't. The Senate did a good job in blocking the proposal.

link via U.S. Newswire

Interviewers' Pet Peeves

"You sit facing the interviewer, feeling like things are moving along nicely when all of a sudden the interview takes a drastic turn for the worse. What just happened? You may have hit one of the interviewer's pet peeves, one of those things that automatically triggers a negative response.

Here are seven of the most common peeves provided by experienced interviewers, along with some tips on how to avoid them." Read more...

New to the Blogroll: Hiring Technical People

Johanna Rothman says nearly everything that I wish I knew to say:

Hiring technical people and being hired isn't necessarily easy, no matter what the economy is doing. Use the tips here to hire better, or find a new job.

Reciprocity or, one good link deserves another

When I saw this link in the referrer log, it moved me. It really did, and I wasn't sure what to expect when I went there. I am pleasantly surprised, informed, and entertained - simultaneously, if you can believe that.

What and/or whom am I talking about? Michael Laskoff, the self-proclaimed Ass of American Reemployment, and his job hunting website called "AskYourAss.com." He has linked back to this website, with the following kind words:

Dan Johnson, Jr. is your basic, smart blogger with a hell of lot of good insights into unemployment and links to useful places. Check it out.

Kind words indeed.

Alternatively, I ventured to his Drink Link page to see what's going on over there. It was an "Aha!" moment for me. As a bartender, I aim to keep up with mixed drink recipes, and that is just what this link has. Some I already knew, but others I did not. What a guy. This site's heading for the blogroll for sure.

Keeping In Touch

I've noticed that the commenting system is down. If you want to keep in touch with me you can find my email address, along with more info, on the archive page. Or, if you want to email me, the address itself is danimal0416 at yahoo dot com.

Staying Networked

Here's an article that offers some tips on how to keep your network alive. This is good advice for any aspect of business or -- if I can reach a little bit -- life in general. I touched on this a little yesterday, but I found the words of another to add to it:

What a lot of people don’t recognize, until they are faced with a job search, is that it pays to stay networked —particularly in good times, when you don’t feel the need as much to keep in touch. Staying networked on a regular basis will put you steps ahead of everyone else who has not remained connected when it comes time for a job search or getting the information or resources you need.

In the meantime, too, you'll probably find some way to help someone else along the way.

It's hard for me to pinpoint exact instances in which this blog has helped someone get a job, but I know that you're out there reading it. When I started it in July 2002 my intention was to find information that would be helpful to me in my own job search and then share it with others via this "network." Anyhow... go read the article already! ;)

Customize Your Resume for Different Positions

You wouldn't write the same letter to your mother as you would your girlfriend or boyfriend. In addition, you shouldn't have your resume set up to be so generic that it makes it difficult for a hiring manager to find out whether you qualify for a specific situation. Generic resumes wind up in the trash can. This article from WetFeet.com describes how to tailor your resume for specific positions. On your mark, get set, go!

What Employers Want

I remember the movie starring Mel Gibson from a few years ago, called "What Women Want." His character had miraculously gained the power to hear what women were thinking, and he was able to use that to his advantage.

Well, apparently we now have the ability to know what employers are looking for in job candidates. The mystery is solved.

Key Tips on Researching Companies before the Interviews Begin

After all, interviewing has some drama to it. Therefore, plan accordingly. The more you know about who you're meeting, the more confident you'll be, and the better you're chances of being remembered.

Free Work Costs Man Unemployment Benefits

A man in Buffalo, New York paid a radio station for some air time so that he could announce his talents to the general public as the host of a Saturday sports show. While his intentions were to help improve his chances for staying off unemployment in the future, the Labor Department has determined that his efforts qualify as work and have disqualified him from receiving unemployment benefits.

But it goes even further. He's being ordered to pay back $605 he's already collected. The man, John Bothe, lost his first appeal but will have his second appeal hearing on September 8th.

Peculiar.

Recession-Proof Jobs: What's Hot Now

A recent survey published by Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, Inc., a firm that tracks nationwide employment trends, lists the hottest jobs for the upcoming year. They are as follows:

information security specialist, financial planner, pharmacist, accountant, investigator, corporate librarian, nurse, physical therapist, pharmaceuticals sales representative and information technology consultant

Also, the aging population is driving demand for services in health care, financial, and pharmaceutical industries.

Read more...

Effective Networking: Some of the Rules Have Changed

I'm a firm believer that Networking is one of the most vital aspects to searching for a job. I also believe that it needs to extend beyond the job search and into one's live in general. Even after obtaining a new job, I still recognize the value of keeping in touch with old business contacts. You never know when something you know or have may be beneficial to someone else, and vice versa.

Still, effective networking is different today than it was some years ago. The old techniques no longer work. In his article "Handy Hints for the Smart Job-Seeker" for Businessweek Online, Michael Laskoff discusses these differences with some tips for effective networking. Read it, put it into practice, live it, and share it. And be sure to keep in touch with me: danimal0416 at yahoo dot com.

THANKS!

Career Advice I'd Give My Child

Marty Nemko shares some career advice that he would pass on to his daughter. We get to listen.

Becoming State-Tested

Jennie just returned early from taking her test to become a State Tested Nurse's Aide (STNA). She seems to have a knack for this kind of work. When I think about what she does, I see that she is just so good at it. She really relates well with the residents, and I can tell that they love her. She has a gift of nurturing, which she is using.

I don't think I can express how proud I am of her enough. I guess we'll find out the results within a few weeks.

Labor Day, Productivity, Burnout, and the Like

Monday was Labor Day in the United States. I enjoyed the day off, but I could have just as easily worked and got paid instead.

I mentioned last Tuesday an article in Newsweek about US productivity. Over at Bene Diction Blogs On, there is more discussion about US productivity and burnout with some links for you to peruse. Look for the bold headline that reads "US Workers."

One Blog Referral Deserves Another!

... And so on...

In a recent post entitled "More Publicity Deserves Reciprocation," I mentioned Debra Paynter's Promotional Strategies blog.

Today, while browsing the referrer logs, I saw that she had visited and read that post. She then put forth some interesting comments on her blog with a post entitled "Where Does The Traffic Come From and Can It Lead to a Job?" Note: the permalink doesn't appear to be working, so check out the 8-29-03 post.

Wings and Wireless: A Tech Thursday Casual Networking Event

The next Wings and Wireless event will be on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at the Buffalo Wild Wings, 6210 Wilmington Pike in Centerville, Ohio.

Be sure to check out the Greater Dayton IT Alliance web page for more information.

I went to one of these before and found it to be a great opportunity to network with other in the same field in a casual environment. It's also cool to see the wireless networking capability the restaurant has.