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Upside Down Economy and Lopsided Employment Ratios

by Stephen Lytle on Nov 17th 2009

The economy appears to be getting better and when you turn on the news the positive thoughts are really starting to outweigh the negative emotions. However, were not out of the deep water yet and there are still a lot of job seekers and still very few jobs. While employers have decreased the amount of lay offs that we are seeing from major companies, a recent article from the New York Times states that employment prospects are still getting worse. "Job seekers ... Continue reading ›

Consumer Confidence on the Rise

by Stephen Lytle on May 27th 2009

Consumer confidence has risen to an eight month high, as reported by the The New York-based private research organization Conference Board. What does this mean for you? More spending by the general public and private/public companies. As a direct result we will see the economy slowly start to strengthen, triggering less employment cuts by some companies and new hiring by others. "Looking ahead, consumers are considerably less pessimistic than they were earlier this year, and ... Continue reading ›

Job Loss by Region

by Alex Rudloff on May 2nd 2009

Another really neat flash based tool for viewing the regional effects of the recession. It's an animated time line of job growth from 2004 to the current quarter. It's pretty interesting to see where the jobs started dropping off. Not surprisingly, the areas with the bigger booms were followed by the bigger busts. The auto-industry is the exception. I'd love to see this done using data going as far back as available. At least through the last couple of recessions. ... Continue reading ›

Overqualified: The Dilemma of the Perfect Candidate

by Stephen Lytle on Jul 21st 2009

The economy has tanked and is starting to get better, but unemployment continues to grow as companies restrict their budgets and look for more ways to save during this time of need. As such, the fewer companies who are hiring are inundated with resumes from applicants with a broad range of skills and experience. Recently, I placed an advertisement on the job boards for a Business Analyst and had a variety of candidates apply, from landscapers to 20+ year Project Managers. ... Continue reading ›

Looking for Recession-Proof Jobs?

by Alex Rudloff on May 14th 2009

These days, everyone is looking for the safety net. The fabled 'recession-proof job.' Consumer confidence here in the United States is pushing all time lows and folks are naturally wondering if they should be changing careers. After losing a job or when facing possible job loss, it's a natural reaction. It's this reaction that often leads someone to great personal endeavors. But be warned. The term "recession-proof" is somewhat of a misnomer. ... Continue reading ›

Social Media Mistakes Part Three: Corporate Policy

by Stephen Lytle on Nov 4th 2009

Company cultures are always different and have policies (some have social media policies for workers too). Some block social networking sites, while others refrain because they know that people are doing work at home, so their employment contract is different. Robert Half International found that 54% of companies prohibit use of social networking Web sites during work hours, including popular sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Another survey by ScanSafe, indicates ... Continue reading ›

Recession 2009: Jobs With Stability

by Stephen Lytle on Oct 6th 2009

As children we were always asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Generally our responses were geared around something we loved.... a creative child would choose an artistic career, an animal lover wants to be a veterinarian, an adventurist wants to be a pilot (and I am sure some of you know kids who should be lawyers based on talking back and arguing). Nevertheless, things change over time including priorities, interests, education, and the ability to find a job ... Continue reading ›

When Job Loss Comes in Multiples

by Rigel Celeste on Oct 21st 2009

As this recession drags on and the months and (gulp) years go by the phrase "job loss" is becoming more of a plural reference than a one-time occurrence for many. It's getting to the point where more than a few people have had time to get laid off, spend a few months on unemployment hunting for a job, find something new and think they've survived, only to lose that new job as well and start the whole process again. And every time the cycle repeats it gets harder because of ... Continue reading ›

Job Search Abroad: Is Now The Time?

by Stephen Lytle on Oct 23rd 2009

With unemployment hovering around 10% a recent article I read suggests that maybe Americans should start focusing their job searches overseas rather than domestically. Good advice, but not if you lack have the treasury to accomplish such a task. Here are some highlights from that article I found particularly interesting. A recent survey by Manpower Inc. found that employment prospects are most favorable in India, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, China, Australia, Singapore, Costa ... Continue reading ›

The Benefits of Working With a Recruiter

by Stephen Lytle on May 13th 2009

The economy has tanked, unemployment is steadily rising, and your job search seems to be a continual cycle of submitting your resume and hoping to hear back from that job. Any kind of feedback would be beneficial. Then your phone rings but it's not who you hope. Instead, it's an employment recruiter. ... Continue reading ›

Job Search Tips: Virtual Job Searches

by Stephen Lytle on Sep 17th 2009

Twenty years ago the best way to find a job was to speak to your personal network (which is still the best way), scan the newspaper classifieds and call the employer, or go to a career fair. Unfortunately, nearly everything we do has become automated or online or more efficient in one way or another, thus minimizing interpersonal contact. As such, the best way to get your resume in the hands of a hiring manager is to use the most direct route possible. Job boards are easy and ... Continue reading ›

Online Job Forecasts

by Alex Rudloff on May 1st 2009

USA Today has an excellent online tool for viewing job forecasts all over the country. The information is updated monthly from information provided by Moody's Economy.com. The job forecast tool is flash based and lets you view data by metro or by state. You can also narrow in on 14 specific sectors. At a glance you can see what regions of the country are most effected by the criteria, and when experts believe the hiring will pick up. Seems like an excellent resource for ... Continue reading ›

Common Contracting Misconceptions

by Stephen Lytle on Jun 17th 2009

During your job search you are bound to get a call about or discover jobs that are contract positions. Whether 3, 6, or 12 months long it seems that these positions are only temporary fixes to your major problem: finding stable employment in an unstable economy. Maybe you know a little about contract work or maybe you know nothing at all; either way, we're here to describe the nuances of contract work and why it can sometimes lead to something better than you would have ... Continue reading ›

How to Negotiate Salary in a Recession

by Stephen Lytle on Jul 7th 2009

Negotiating salary always seems like the most stressful part of the job interview process. You want to make sure you are happy with what you are being paid while simultaneously not pricing yourself out of a great opportunity. Nevertheless, paying your bills and living a comfortable lifestyle are important factors when you think about the hard work and hours you will be putting in to earn all that. Today's economy and tough times have made this process even more difficult. ... Continue reading ›

10 Tips for Surviving a Hostile Interview

by Rigel Celeste on Jul 19th 2009

Interviewing for a new job is stressful enough without ending up in a situation where you're faced with an interviewer who's cold, abrasive, or even downright hostile. And since the current economy and sparse job market makes every interview that much more important, you might be inclined to try and "save" the situation. But is that always possible? Unfortunately (and realistically), probably not. But does that mean you shouldn't give it your best shot? Hell no! So here are ... Continue reading ›