Creative Marketing That Works

Is it time to upgrade your career skills?

According to a MSNBC news article new job creation slowed down in July and didn’t meet the expectations predicted in January by economists. Construction, manufacturing, retailing and government jobs seemed to have the most job loses. However, Edward Lazear, chairman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, said businesses are still eager to hire and the want of new employees “is still very strong.”

One of the potential reasons for the loss of jobs and weak hiring outcome is said to be directly tied to the decline of the housing market, seesawing economic activity and high energy prices.

The bad news in July

• Construction companies slashed 12,000 jobs
• Manufacturers shed 2,000
• Retailers cut a thousand.
• Approximately 28,000 government jobs were eliminated.

The good news in July

• Education and health care added 39,000 jobs
• Leisure and hospitality expanded employment by 22,000
• Professional and business services added 26,000 new positions.

Hiring new employees has cooled off in July and has pushed the nation’s unemployment up to 4.6 percent, a six-month high. The average time unemployed people spent in their job searches was 17 weeks in July, which is up from 16 weeks in June.

So wile the employment news is pretty ad there is anther side that many unemployed people don’t know about. The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers and has many programs they may assist you in advancing, strengthen or even changing careers if eligible. In addition, many states have Federal-State funded career centers (in California their called One-Stop Career Centers) which has a big kiddie box of career tools that will help you locate a job, build career skills and prepare you for your new job.

One-Stop Career Centers are sort of a one shopping mall for all career needs. Most centers offer assistance in

• Job search assistance
• Job listings
• Access to phones, Internet, printers, fax machines, copy machines
• Career & job workshops
• Information on wages and trends
• Community resources
• Referrals to other services

Unemployment offices offer benefits such as

• One-on-one specialists to identify your skills and help find a job
• Veterans with disabilities program
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

If you qualify for WIA you can receive assistance in / with

• Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to completion of secondary school
• Alternative school services
• Job & education mentoring
• Locating internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing
• Occupational skills training
• Leadership development
• Guidance counseling
• Supportive services and follow up

Unemployment also has what is called Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits

Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits

“Extended Benefits are available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when a State is experiencing high unemployment.”

Other U.S. Department of Labor programs include

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Special programs for individuals in disaster areas declared by the President.

Trade Readjustment Allowances

Federal program for workers unemployed because of U.S. trade policies.

Self Employment Assistance

Special voluntary state programs in a few states for workers starting a business

Look up your states Employment Development Department website and see what your state has to offer. They’re your benefits, you’ve earned it!

Extra

Career One Stop: Provides a suite of tools for people to use at any stage in their career

It's NEVER too late - 94-year-old woman has earned her masters degree

A 94-year-old woman has earned herself a masters degree in medical science from the University of Adelaide.

Great-great-grandmother Phyllis Turner left school at 12 years old to help raise her 9 siblings but always wanted to go back to school.

After marrying and raising her own family she finally took the time to fulfil an ambition at the grand old age of 90.

Hot Markets Hot Careers

ORLANDO, FL

Hottest jobs:

Senior mechanical engineer ($80,400), physician's assistant ($76,000), IT project manager ($75,200), construction project manager ($71,200), electrical engineer ($64,900)

LAS VEGAS, NV

Hottest jobs:

Construction project manager ($78,800), IT project manager ($74,600), construction superintendent ($71,900), civil engineer ($70,000), executive chef ($65,500)

RALEIGH, NC

Hottest jobs:

Senior software develeoper ($91,000), software project manager ($87,300), senior network engineer ($84,100), IT project manager ($83,300), pharmaceuticals project manager ($82,300), biotech research scientist ($75,300)

CHARLOTTE, NC

Hottest jobs:

IT project manager ($83,000), senior software developer ($82,900), regional sales manager ($80,500), senior financial analyst ($72,900), construction project manager ($71,200)

PHOENIX, AZ

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($84,800), IT project manager ($78,600), semiconductor process engineer ($78,000), physician's assistant ($76,200), construction project manager ($74,000)

WEST PALM BEACH, FL

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($86,100), senior mechanical engineer ($81,800), IT project manager ($80,400), construction project manager ($73,200), construction superintendent ($73,000)

TAMPA, FL

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($80,900), senior IT systems engineer ($75,500), IT project manager ($75,000), nurse practitioner ($70,200), construction project manager ($67,400)

RIVERSIDE, CA

Hottest jobs:

Physician's assistant ($78,800), construction project manager ($77,600), manufacturing plant manager ($77,200), construction superintendent ($75,800), construction estimator ($68,600)

AUSTIN, TX

Hottest jobs:

Senior software engineer ($97,800), senior electronics design engineer ($97,500), senior software developer ($92,700), computer hardware engineer ($83,600), semiconductor process engineer ($81,600)

ATLANTA, GA

Hottest jobs:

Regional sales manager ($86,400), senior software developer ($84,900), IT project manager ($83,000), business process/management consultant ($76,500), senior financial analyst ($72,100), construction project manager ($70,300)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($81,600), electrical engineer ($73,800), IT project manager ($69,200), financial controller ($67,200), construction project manager ($65,800)

JACKSONVILLE, FL

Hottest jobs:

IT project manager ($79,400), senior software developer ($77,800), financial controller ($76,800), physician's assistant ($75,900), construction project manager ($74,600)

DALLAS, TX

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($88,500), operations director ($84,800), IT project manager ($84,500), regional sales manager ($84,300), financial controller ($83,200)

SAN ANTONIO, TX

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($83,900), physician's assistant ($78,400), IT project manager ($76,800), human resources director ($75,800), construction project manager ($66,300)

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

Hottest jobs:

Senior software developer ($84,600), financial controller ($78,600), IT project manager ($75,700), HR director ($73,500), construction project manager ($72,700)

Source: CNN Money - America's best jobs in the hottest markets

Cubicle Farms Are Becoming A Thing of The Past

Most people do not like square boxed in particleboard "offices." Thanks to new technologies many career positions no longer need them. However, these remote working arrangements will completely depend on trust between employer and employee. Whether at an office or working from home, if an employee cannot be trusted to get things done without supervision, they do not deserve to have a job. Both employees and companies continue to discover that the web is revolutionizing the work environment.

Most people, myself included, truly believe they are or can be more productive and happier when working from somewhere other than the standard workplace environment. Whether it’s home, Starbucks or Barnes and Noble the increased use of virtual offices is demonstrating the value of losing the micromanagement in exchange for happier and more beneficial employees.

Thanks to the power of the web, anyone can be anything they want to be in life. A hiring manager gives you an opportunity. It’s up to you to capitalize on it and only one thing will define your career, and that’s your track record. Your office cubicle experience (”track record”) in the corporate world will be the deciding factor on rather or not you will make the switch from cubicle employee to virtual worker.

How To Build An Ideal Track Record

Rarely be sick, never be late, always be early and don’t give a disrespectful “why should I” attitude. Don’t abuse your break time or make excuses or waste time on the phone. Avoid arguments but don’t avoid giving your well thought-out suggestions or opinions.

Be dependable, trustworthy, and don’t loiter around the water cooler or kitchen gossiping. Follows company rules, policies, and protocols and give the extra ten percent by working past office hours occasionally.

Don’t get tipsy at office parties, don’t over shmooze your way into a power clique and don’t succumb to vicious rumors. In other words hold on to your ethics but realize office politics will help a career move forward.

Always strive to be the first team member project managers want to recruit for projects. Have the ability to communicate with everyone from the president of the company to the janitor of the company. The best managers and executive associates never disqualify an idea or opinion based on someone’s job title.

• Learn to listen, listen to learn and be an active member of the organization without becoming a drone.

As we’ve seen time and time again, the companies that adopt will lead the way to tomorrow, everyone else will only follow. Too many companies believe that employees should not be trained to be entrepreneurs for fear of losing them. However, retention rates can increase if employees do not feel the need to leave a company that provides them with an inner company entrepreneur ownership state of mind in relation to the work they do. On the other hand, employee must develop a solid track record and demonstrate they can be trusted working with no supervision.

For the employees who desire nothing more than entrepreneurship starting a business is no longer a risky dream. Employees wishing to make the transition from salaried employee to self employed can develop a business on the side as long as you don’t go after the same clients as your day job. This will only burn bridges and future networking resources and opportunities.

Conversely this will require an education. An education is invaluable to the success of your career. However, too many graduates depend on the illusion that what they learned in college or at a trade school learning foundation is exactly what they will do in the corporate world; it’s not. It is not something that prepares you one hundred percent for your career; it gives you the training you need to step into your career. The development of your career is solely up to you.

Experience (track record) results will speak for themselves when it comes time to seek the virtual office in exchange for the cubicle. Build slowly, listen, learn, take some chances so you can learn from both your success of risks and your mistakes from risks.

Soon you will be presented or you will be able to confidently ask for what you want. You may not conquer the universe, but you might have enough to live the comfortably, which is really the goal after all.

Cyber Tracker - Rhinoceros or Natual Disasters?

U.S. Department of Labor denies

Intel request to help employees they will lay off in August
Source: Computer World

Summary
June 27, 2007 (IDG News Service) -- Intel Corp. plans to lay off 800 workers from a chip-making plant in Colorado by August, after Marvell Semiconductor Inc. began ordering those parts from another supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC).
Intel learned of Marvell's decision to find a new supplier around January, and warned its workers that month that it planned to sell the Colorado Springs plant, said Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy. He declined to say how much revenue Intel will lose when the contract ends.

Intel plans to offer severance packages to its workers beginning in early August. The company also applied for a federal grant to help those workers learn new skills and find jobs, but the U.S. Department of Labor denied the request, he said.

Now Intel is appealing the government's action, and asking the department to reconsider its decision to withhold a grant from its Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Under the TAA, the U.S. government gives aid to workers who lose their jobs through increased imports, providing them training, job search and relocation allowances.

Marvell is struggling with its own problems, including a delisting threat by the Nasdaq stock exchange for failing to file quarterly reports for the last two terms of 2006, or its 2006 annual report. The company is also restating past results, after finding in May that CEO Sehat Sutardja and other top executives had illegally backdated stock options to increase their value.

Second Act Careers

Money Magazine and Salary.com unveiled an special report list of the best jobs in America for people looking to upgrade their careers and or geared as "second act" careers. The list focuses on the best jobs for the following four groups:

• Early-Mid Career Changers
• Parents Returning to Work
• Retiring Military and Workers
• Over 50

EARLY CAREER CHANGERS 1. Product or Brand Manager 2. Registered Nurse 3. Property Manager 4. Certified Public Accountant 5. IT Generalist	PARENTS RETURNING TO WORK 1. Executive Recruiter 2. Nonprofit Manager 3. Sales Representative 4. Marketing Analyst 5. Accountant
RETIRING MILITARY 1. Operations or Intelligence Analyst 2. Network Systems Manager 3. Field Service Engineer 4. Logistics/OPS Manager 5. Senior Trainer/Training Manager	OVER 50 BUT NOT OVER THE HILL 1. Nonprofit Executive 2. Patient Representative 3. Celebrant/Religious Leader 4. Financial Adviser 5. Public School Teacher

Changing Careers

The government plans to WHIP Americans into shape

Work Place Health Trends

As a founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Fitness Caucus, I believe we have a duty to create as many incentives as possible to get Americans off the couch and moving. This is why I introduced H.R.1634, the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act.

Rand Corporation research found the proportion of the severely obese was 50 percent higher in 2005 than it had been in 2000.

Maybe I'm the best example of a person who should not be writing on the subject of Health & Fitness. Than again, I may be the best person to write about it. I'm not a Richard Simmons health groupie but I do recognize my need for structured health activities and work outs.

Automated personal trainer systems such as Access Personal Trainer will never work for me because I find them tedious. Just reading that it offers tables, fields, queries, forms, reports, detailed diagrams, dozens of task-oriented lessons and interactive training simulations is enough for me to grab a package of Chocolate Zingers ( a devilish favorite) and drop into a comfy lounge chair with a book and a Chai latte.

However, I have a variety of activities that I want to try and do before the the Corporate CEO of Life sends down the elevator to pick me up. All of the activities on my list require some small to extended health training. So it's to the gym I go.

I use a Personal Trainer from time to time to help me stay on the right track so I can do the activities I want to do. However, it’s not all about weights. Whether you want to train for a 10K, learn Tai Chi for stress reduction, or your like me and you just want to be able to do activities like surfing or trail hiking – a personal trainer can help you with personal goals.

I know some people find personal trainers annoying because they are always pushing you to buy vitamins and supplements and stop smoking and stop drinking stuff that is bad for you.

But the ugly truth is that vitamins and supplements are a modern day necessity.

If you don't have any kind of health problems, feel very lucky, but you still need vitamins and supplements. If you have any kind of medical aliment or your an alphabet soup of health problems... your crazy for not taking vitamins and supplements (in my opinion).

Once you tell your personal trainer all of your dirty little (junk) food and health secrets, s/he can recommend which vitamins and supplements are best for you.

Reasons to use a personal trainer:

Socializing instead of sweating - When you get distracted by a long conversation, you may not move as much or lift the weights as hard as you would otherwise. Personal trainers exist to make you question if Hell is more pleasant than your gym time.

Following the same old routine - You hit the gym on autopilot. Enough activity to keep your heart healthy but not gain any muscle or lose much more weight beyond a certain point.

Incorrectly using the equipment – Take it from someone with an alphabet soup of health problems... This is bad!

At one point I had actually considered becoming a Personal Trainer, than I decided I loved my chocolate Zingers, Chai Lattes, work free weekends and laziness way too much.

Businesses on the other hand are waking up to the fact that reshaping the fitness of their employees can shave off thousands of dollar pounds off their Worker's Compensation expenses.

In an effort to reduce the costs associated with Worker’s Compensation, many employers are now requiring pre-employment physicals. The law permits a medical examination if the medical evaluation is conducted after an offer of employment has been made. However, one blogger stated that after he took his pre-employment physical and started work the next day (clerical work) the pre employment physical results came back stating he needed to lose weight and he had six months to do so or he would be terminated.

Personal Trainer Careers May Be the Next Big Career Trend

At some point within the 2007 calendar year, congress may approve the Workplace Health Improvement Program - The Whip Act (insert joke here) would exempt a company's contributions for the costs of fitness center membership fees from an employee's income tax.

If the bill H.R.1634 passes, the career opportunities for personal trainers will greatly increase and produce a new search for professionals to fill the jobs and career openings. Not only at gyms, but in a variety of health and physical activity related businesses.

These could include: Click here to read the rest of the article