Unemployment

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A Great Job

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And I'd be a willing customer. Isn't that what makes a good economy? Easy jobs.. lots of customers..

Applying for a Job

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Unemployment Rates By County By Month, Jan. 2007 - May 2010

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No Beating Around The Bush Obama There

Thanks Rick!

U.S. Unemployment: A Historical View

Track the national unemployment rate since 1948 -- the first year in which the government provides data that can reliably be compared with the current rate. Numbers are seasonally adjusted. Updated: 05/07/2010

Click the banner image to see the interactive chart.

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The Best Jobs In America

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You might think that determining what makes a job "great" is pretty easy, but the truth is there are so many factors that could play a role - from exceptional rates of pay, to superior growth prospects, to employee perks and benefits - that finding one definition often isn't as easy as it might first appear.

In fact, while for many workers the paycheck is the be all and end all, for others a sense that the work they are doing is more "meaningful" holds the key to job satisfaction.

And that's before you factor in issues pertaining to how organizations can match the needs of different generations of employees, a common challenge for HR managers.

Take a look at Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies To Work For list for 2009, for instance, which demonstrates how, even in this economy, some companies are going out of their way to please employees:
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Internet giant Google, for example, once revered as way out in front in terms of employee satisfaction, has now slipped considerably to fourth place this year - despite still attracting over 777,000 applications each year. Meanwhile, in its place, data management firm NatApp has been catapulted to the top spot, offering such benefits as five paid days for volunteer work, $11,390 adoption aid, and autism coverage - used by 43 employees since 2006 ,at a cost of $242,452.

But aside from individual companies looking to bolster their satisfaction credentials, there are some jobs that simply far outpace others in terms of "greatness." Some because of the paychecks they offer, others because of the long-term prospects they bring to workers, but all of them noteworthy.

And now, with the help of Payscale.com, CNN Money has rated and compiled a list of the Top 50 Jobs in the US - and you've guessed it, they all offer great pay and even better prospects.

The top end of the list is largely populated by roles in both the information technology (IT) and healthcare sectors, which are obviously determined after considerable investment from workers in terms of training and experience; but other roles, both in the financial services and government sectors also feature prominently, highlighting that there is room for true satisfaction in a plethora of fields.

At the top of the list the authors place the role of System Engineer - defined by CNN as the "big think managers on large, complex projects." According to the findings behind the list, demand is soaring for systems engineers, as what was once a niche job in the aerospace and defense industries has now become (or is becoming) commonplace among a diverse and expanding universe of employers.

The good news? Pay can easily reach six figures for top performers, and CNN highlights how there - even in this economy - remains ample opportunity for advancement.

Something else to make readers smile is that fact that, ranking pretty highly at twentieth on the list, is the role of Human Resources Manager, suggesting that HR's diversified role and transformation from a largely administrative role to a more strategic business player hasn't gone unnoticed. As CNN themselves put it, do HR Managers have great jobs or what?

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Unemployed Livestock

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In related news, more goats, sheep, and deer have flooded the unemployment lines.

Unemployed Per Job Opening

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Recession

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Growing Gains - 6 Jobs With High-Rising Numbers

In a competitive job market, maximizing the potential of your education could hinge on a question of numbers: How many workers might be hired in a given field?

Since crystal balls aren't exactly what one might call reliable, the U.S. Department of Labor has done some projecting of its own when it comes to employment outlook.

Here's a closer look at six of the fastest growing occupations, in terms of numbers hired, through 2016.

1. Network systems and data communications analysts perform a number of tasks in relation to data communications systems, like the Internet, including designing, analyzing, testing, and assessing systems and their performance. Analysts might also supervise computer programmers and work as specialists who handle the interfacing of computers and communications equipment.

How Fast Is It Growing? This is considered the leading occupation in terms of the percentage of growth in jobs. In large part, this is due to the increasing use of computers and information technology. The rise from 262,000 employees in 2006 to 402,000 in 2016 represents a 53.4 percent increase over that span - that's 140,000 new jobs.

How Do I Get Started? Many jobs require a bachelor's degree, although some might only require a two-year degree in computer science or an information technology-related field.

Salary: $73,800 a year

See the rest..

Debunking 5 (Un)employment Myths

Finding a job is one thing. Putting our gifts to work and creating security is another. Which are you really looking to do?

Unemployment can present many confusing dilemmas. During this stressful time, we can lose a sense of the beliefs and values that are important to us. Our fast and furious search for income can lead us onto paths that may not be best for us.

Understanding some of the myths of (un)employment can help one improve their chances of success.

Myth #1- The greater your qualifications, the better.

Reality: There are a large number of unemployed people in the US. Add to that the number of unhappily employed that are also seeking a new position. Job security is an issue for everyone. The last thing an insecure hiring manager would want to do is bring on someone that could someday assume their own duties. They would rather hire someone who they do not perceive to be a threat to their own job security. Have you ever been told you are “overqualified"? Maybe this is what they really meant.

Strategy: Tone down your resume and your presentation. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes knowing too much can actually work against you. Convey your skills as carefully as you can in writing and in person.

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