Study: States that Raise the Wage See Decreased Jobs, High Teen Unemployment | Fox Business: The study looks at the 19 states that have minimum wages above the national rate of $7.25 an hour, as well as the 31 states in which the minimum wage is equal to the national average. The report finds that in 2013, a $1 increase in the minimum wage was associated with a 1.48 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate.
What’s more, this $1 hike also led to a 0.18 percentage point decrease in the net job growth rate, a 4.67 percentage point increase in the teen unemployment rate and a 4.01 percentage point decrease in the teenage net job growth rate. Overall, the AAF reports that high state minimum wages increased unemployment by 747,700 workers and reduced job growth by 83,300 jobs.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Employment Expertise: Be positive and professional for successful interviewing - News - Holland Sentinel - Holland, MI
Employment Expertise: Be positive and professional for successful interviewing - News - Holland Sentinel - Holland, MI: Maintain professionalism at all times, from the moment you pull into the parking lot until the moment you leave, act as though you are being watched. Dress in a way that is professional and appropriate for the position you are interviewing for. Consider the work environment, dress code and work culture when putting together your outfit. Dress and grooming can make a big impression — positive or negative. Be aware of “invisibles,” such as excess perfume, cologne or cigarette smoke. Remember, often you make an impression before you open your mouth.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
6 Tips to Handle Irritating Colleagues | Fox Business
6 Tips to Handle Irritating Colleagues | Fox Business: We’ve probably all been there when it comes to having an annoying co-worker. You know — that one co-worker who is either overly arrogant, lazy, or talks your ear off? Even if you consider yourself an easy-going person to work with, you’ve probably encountered that one colleague who drives you up your cubicle walls.
After all, what would work be without having a co-worker who drives you nuts? You’re probably familiar with the beloved co-worker we’ve all grown to love (or despise), Dwight Schrute from The Office. He’s that annoying co-worker who describes himself as a “hard-working, alpha male, jackhammer… merciless…insatiable…” and is probably a good example of the person in the office you can’t escape.
After all, what would work be without having a co-worker who drives you nuts? You’re probably familiar with the beloved co-worker we’ve all grown to love (or despise), Dwight Schrute from The Office. He’s that annoying co-worker who describes himself as a “hard-working, alpha male, jackhammer… merciless…insatiable…” and is probably a good example of the person in the office you can’t escape.
Contemplating a Career Change? It's Not Just You. | Fox Business
Contemplating a Career Change? It's Not Just You. | Fox Business: The labor market is still very weak. February’s surprise jobs report, which showed employers added 175,000 jobs when economists had expected only 149,000, drew cheers, but it was well below the 12-month average of 189,000.
Yet, there is one employment indicator whose trajectory is clear: the slow but steadily rising “quit rate,” which is about halfway back to where it was before the recession. And a recent study shows a staggering 81.5% of employed job seekers are now looking for new work outside of their current occupation.
Yet, there is one employment indicator whose trajectory is clear: the slow but steadily rising “quit rate,” which is about halfway back to where it was before the recession. And a recent study shows a staggering 81.5% of employed job seekers are now looking for new work outside of their current occupation.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Want a job? Avoid putting these words on your resume | Deseret News
Want a job? Avoid putting these words on your resume | Deseret News: But coming up with a resume that will catch people's attention, if not touch them, is becoming more important as more jobs become available. The latest "Manpower Employment Outlook Survey," recently released by ManpowerGroup, a human resource consulting company based in Milwaukee, Wisc., finds that hiring confidence remains strong among employers. Out of more than 18,000 surveyed employers, 19 percent say they are anticipating increasing their hiring plans this spring and 73 percent say their plans to hire are probably going to continue as planned. Only 4 percent say they are anticipating staff reductions and 4 percent are not sure about their hiring intentions.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
How to Get a Job, Advance in your Career, AND MAKE MORE MONEY
Many years ago I taught and helped people prepare for and find work. Through the process, some of those people discovered, quite successfully, that self-employment was the better way to go. This blog includes employment news, an employment search engine. Current articles on "Where the jobs are," and "how to find work," are also included.
While doing this work I learned a few extremely important principles.
Story: I was living in a university town at the time and close to the university was a small Hawaiian restaurant. The owner, though very laid back in some ways, was quite particular in others, and a great businessman. Plus, he was a great business man. All the patrons had to walk through a line to get their food, which was served on reinforced paper plates. The food was incredible; I’ve never tasted any Polynesian and/or Hawaiian food better than this. The restaurant was only open for lunch on weekdays and was closed for a month during the winter so the owner’s family could go to Hawaii . It was so popular that there was a long line of business people and college students waiting outside to eat lunch, no matter the weather.
One day I asked the owner and said; ‘I imagine with all the Polynesians who live here, you probably have no problem finding people to work for you.’ His reply surprised me. He said; ‘oh no, I never hire a Polynesian who knows how to cook. If I hire a Polynesian who knows how to cook, they want to cook their way; I want people to cook MY way.’
There is a fundamental truth to what my friend said. Employers want people who know how to work, follow directions, are punctual, dependable, self starters, and can get along. These are the foundations for almost any job. Even with a college education, if you don’t have this, with some rare exceptions, you are just not going to be successful.
Here are a few more things I learned from my experience helping and teaching others how to find work, as a business owner who hired people, and from research.
1. Employers want people who really want, and know how, to work:
a. You are more likely to get a better job if you already have a job (unless you are seen as someone who does a lot of short term job hopping)
b. Showing up for an application early in the morning or right as a business opens tells the employer that you can get out of bed in the morning (an important skill).
c. When requesting an application or for an interview, dress at least as well (or one step better) as you would have to dress if you were to show up to work at that location. For example, if the typical working attire is jeans and a t-shirt, wear good, clean jeans and a button up shirt. If you see workers/staff all dressed in dress pants, skirts, or dresses, dress at least as well as they do even when you come in to request an application.
d. Find out as much as you can about the company prior to an interview.
e. Be prepared to, and let the employer know how you can benefit them, do not focus on what they can do for you. Specifically tell them how you are the aspirin for their headache.
g. If you are not working, spend some time volunteering on a consistent basis for the same organization. Helps your resume, and helps to demonstrate you can work and keep a schedule.
2. Employers want independent, mature, employees:
a. Never take friends or family with you to a business to request an application or do an interview. If you have to have a ride, have them wait outside in the car.
3. There are lots of ways to find jobs:
a. Job Services; Employment agencies; Internet job sites; Newspaper help want ads.
b. Networking, word of mouth, friends, families. Most jobs are not advertised. Employers like to hear recommendations from people they know. Ask everyone you know if they know of an opening. If you walk into a business and ask for an application, ask that person if they know any other businesses who are hiring.
c. That brings me to the next place to look. Walk in to businesses and ask. As mentioned previously, employers are almost always looking for someone who may be outstanding, even when they are not advertising a current opening. Businesses who are in the business to make money, almost ALWAYS want someone who can and will make them more money.
4. Employers want people who can get along with coworkers and for many jobs, will get along well with and present well to the public and/or clients:
a. Do not post anything on facebook or other websites that might distract from this image.
b. For many, if not most jobs, cover up tattoos, remove nose and lip rings. Remember, part of the job is representing the company, not just your own individuality. Some customers/clients/co-workers may dress more conservatively than you. If you see most (more than half) of the workers and the boss with tattoos, nose and/or lip rings, then you can disregard this.
5. Employers want the "cream of the crop":
a. Do extra things to make yourself stand out i.e., good resume. If you can, casually introduce yourself to other workers/staff and ask them for hints in getting a job with this business and for information about the business. Don’t pressure, take up more than a minimal amount of time, or be obnoxious in any way.
6. Target your resume:
a. Keep in mind that many of your experiences may be applicable to the job you are applying for. For example, having been a cub scout den leader teaches you and provides you with a lot of experience in organization, teaching, discipline, communication et etc.
b. Once you know what the business may be looking for, be sure that your resume honestly demonstrates that you have those skills, that you are the "aspirin for their headache," and that you will be a productive and profitable member of their team.
Now if you want to keep the job, make sure you continually confirm to your employer that you are all the things they thought you were when they hired you, and even more. Remember it is always about what benefit you provide the business and their customers.
These are general characteristics most employers want in their employees:
1. Honesty
2. Dependability
3. Punctuality
4. Able to get along with customers and coworkers
5. Hard worker
6. Follows directions (without arguing)
7. Teachable (And willing to learn on your own, there are MANY free ways to gain new knowledge and skills today. Make use of them. Make this a daily priority. At least 1 hour per day at least 5 days a week.)
8. Physically, Emotionally, and Intellectually capable of doing the job
9. Knowledge and Skills to do the job.
(NOTE: MANY employers are willing to forego number 9 if you have the first 8. Also, it is not enough to just think you have the first 8 or say you have the first 8, you need to demonstrate that you have the first 8. This can be in a lower paying job or volunteer work. IF you want to progress in your career and not stay on minimum wage or close to that, develop the first 8 characteristics, prove you have them in a lower wage or volunteer position for sometimes a year or more, then ask your existing employer and other employers for more opportunity. There are lots of positions open for people with the first 8 characteristics, lots of positions with great LEARNING and EARNING and advancement possibilities.)
While doing this work I learned a few extremely important principles.
Story: I was living in a university town at the time and close to the university was a small Hawaiian restaurant. The owner, though very laid back in some ways, was quite particular in others, and a great businessman. Plus, he was a great business man. All the patrons had to walk through a line to get their food, which was served on reinforced paper plates. The food was incredible; I’ve never tasted any Polynesian and/or Hawaiian food better than this. The restaurant was only open for lunch on weekdays and was closed for a month during the winter so the owner’s family could go to Hawaii . It was so popular that there was a long line of business people and college students waiting outside to eat lunch, no matter the weather.
One day I asked the owner and said; ‘I imagine with all the Polynesians who live here, you probably have no problem finding people to work for you.’ His reply surprised me. He said; ‘oh no, I never hire a Polynesian who knows how to cook. If I hire a Polynesian who knows how to cook, they want to cook their way; I want people to cook MY way.’
There is a fundamental truth to what my friend said. Employers want people who know how to work, follow directions, are punctual, dependable, self starters, and can get along. These are the foundations for almost any job. Even with a college education, if you don’t have this, with some rare exceptions, you are just not going to be successful.
Here are a few more things I learned from my experience helping and teaching others how to find work, as a business owner who hired people, and from research.
1. Employers want people who really want, and know how, to work:
a. You are more likely to get a better job if you already have a job (unless you are seen as someone who does a lot of short term job hopping)
b. Showing up for an application early in the morning or right as a business opens tells the employer that you can get out of bed in the morning (an important skill).
c. When requesting an application or for an interview, dress at least as well (or one step better) as you would have to dress if you were to show up to work at that location. For example, if the typical working attire is jeans and a t-shirt, wear good, clean jeans and a button up shirt. If you see workers/staff all dressed in dress pants, skirts, or dresses, dress at least as well as they do even when you come in to request an application.
d. Find out as much as you can about the company prior to an interview.
e. Be prepared to, and let the employer know how you can benefit them, do not focus on what they can do for you. Specifically tell them how you are the aspirin for their headache.
g. If you are not working, spend some time volunteering on a consistent basis for the same organization. Helps your resume, and helps to demonstrate you can work and keep a schedule.
2. Employers want independent, mature, employees:
a. Never take friends or family with you to a business to request an application or do an interview. If you have to have a ride, have them wait outside in the car.
3. There are lots of ways to find jobs:
a. Job Services; Employment agencies; Internet job sites; Newspaper help want ads.
b. Networking, word of mouth, friends, families. Most jobs are not advertised. Employers like to hear recommendations from people they know. Ask everyone you know if they know of an opening. If you walk into a business and ask for an application, ask that person if they know any other businesses who are hiring.
c. That brings me to the next place to look. Walk in to businesses and ask. As mentioned previously, employers are almost always looking for someone who may be outstanding, even when they are not advertising a current opening. Businesses who are in the business to make money, almost ALWAYS want someone who can and will make them more money.
4. Employers want people who can get along with coworkers and for many jobs, will get along well with and present well to the public and/or clients:
a. Do not post anything on facebook or other websites that might distract from this image.
b. For many, if not most jobs, cover up tattoos, remove nose and lip rings. Remember, part of the job is representing the company, not just your own individuality. Some customers/clients/co-workers may dress more conservatively than you. If you see most (more than half) of the workers and the boss with tattoos, nose and/or lip rings, then you can disregard this.
5. Employers want the "cream of the crop":
a. Do extra things to make yourself stand out i.e., good resume. If you can, casually introduce yourself to other workers/staff and ask them for hints in getting a job with this business and for information about the business. Don’t pressure, take up more than a minimal amount of time, or be obnoxious in any way.
6. Target your resume:
a. Keep in mind that many of your experiences may be applicable to the job you are applying for. For example, having been a cub scout den leader teaches you and provides you with a lot of experience in organization, teaching, discipline, communication et etc.
b. Once you know what the business may be looking for, be sure that your resume honestly demonstrates that you have those skills, that you are the "aspirin for their headache," and that you will be a productive and profitable member of their team.
Now if you want to keep the job, make sure you continually confirm to your employer that you are all the things they thought you were when they hired you, and even more. Remember it is always about what benefit you provide the business and their customers.
These are general characteristics most employers want in their employees:
1. Honesty
2. Dependability
3. Punctuality
4. Able to get along with customers and coworkers
5. Hard worker
6. Follows directions (without arguing)
7. Teachable (And willing to learn on your own, there are MANY free ways to gain new knowledge and skills today. Make use of them. Make this a daily priority. At least 1 hour per day at least 5 days a week.)
8. Physically, Emotionally, and Intellectually capable of doing the job
9. Knowledge and Skills to do the job.
(NOTE: MANY employers are willing to forego number 9 if you have the first 8. Also, it is not enough to just think you have the first 8 or say you have the first 8, you need to demonstrate that you have the first 8. This can be in a lower paying job or volunteer work. IF you want to progress in your career and not stay on minimum wage or close to that, develop the first 8 characteristics, prove you have them in a lower wage or volunteer position for sometimes a year or more, then ask your existing employer and other employers for more opportunity. There are lots of positions open for people with the first 8 characteristics, lots of positions with great LEARNING and EARNING and advancement possibilities.)
Friday, March 7, 2014
When People Give Up Looking for Work, What Do They Do? - Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com
When People Give Up Looking for Work, What Do They Do? - Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com: Even though February saw more people returning to the labor force, the percent of the population working or looking for work remains near a 30-year low due to millions of dropouts during the recession.
A Deutsche Bank analysis of Federal Reserve and Labor Department data shows a big chunk of those dropouts – 5.5 million – are retirees. But nearly three million others are counted as disabled and the number of people applying for Social Security disability benefits has spiked in recent years. Others have simply given up looking, likely because they’re discouraged by their job prospects.
A Deutsche Bank analysis of Federal Reserve and Labor Department data shows a big chunk of those dropouts – 5.5 million – are retirees. But nearly three million others are counted as disabled and the number of people applying for Social Security disability benefits has spiked in recent years. Others have simply given up looking, likely because they’re discouraged by their job prospects.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Employment provides community growth and self-worth | PoconoRecord.com
Employment provides community growth and self-worth | PoconoRecord.com: Occasionally you hear someone scoff at the unemployed.
It is sometimes implied that folks enjoy unemployment checks too much, as if they are mostly sleeping in and playing the Wii like a kid on a snow day.
For most, being out of work is financially terrifying.
It is lonely, chips away at self-worth and can be life changing if it leads to career change, lower wages, hunger, utility shut-off, car repossession and home foreclosure.
It is sometimes implied that folks enjoy unemployment checks too much, as if they are mostly sleeping in and playing the Wii like a kid on a snow day.
For most, being out of work is financially terrifying.
It is lonely, chips away at self-worth and can be life changing if it leads to career change, lower wages, hunger, utility shut-off, car repossession and home foreclosure.
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