An Attractive Market to Consider

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If you’re a recent graduate and considering a move to a different market to kick off your new career, consider South Florida.  Now I know what you’re saying.  Yes, South Florida has been one of the hardest hit markets in the US.  But according to an article from Bloomberg, the excessive build up of luxury condo towers in the vibrant, multicultural gateway that is Miami – the build up of inventory that was in part to blame for the collapse of that metro market – has had an unexpected consequence.  It seems that the owners of those lavish, extravagant (but empty) towers are getting tired of taking a beating.  Knowing they will not sell them anytime soon, many have taken to renting these beautiful, often ocean-view apartments at fairly affordable rates.  As a result, the downtown area of Miami is experiencing a rebirth.  Whole communities of renters have reinvigorated the neighborhoods there and the tropical lifestyle one can lead there is absolutley wonderful.  I know because I have been spending time in the Miami metro area since 1975.  It is a paradisical place to spend time.  Why not consider renting a luxury condo unit and working amidst the azure waters of a tropical paradise?

The Inside Info on What Hiring Managers Want

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Healthcare Career Hiring ManagerOne of my other jobs involves working with thousands of staffing companies.  As a result, I have regular contact with hiring managers across the United States.  When I saw this article in US News entitled, “21 Things Hiring Managers Wish You Knew”, I was impressed with how spot on it was.  Hiring managers have seen it all when it comes to people’s ideas of what is appropriate behavior in the pursuit of that “perfect job”.  If you’re about to embark on a job hunt, with your Allen School diploma in hand, have a quick read of this piece so you can get some idea of what hiring managers are looking for in today’s difficult employment environment.  Remember, there are 6 job seekers for every available job today.  So it pays to be as well prepared for the critical interview process as you can be.  Never before has it been so important!

Its Never Too Late to Learn

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The Great Recession of 2008-2010 has destroyed alot of formerly good-paying jobs.  Many reports indicate that even once employment begins to pick up again, many of the lost jobs are not likely to return.  Either rendered obsolete by automation technology or outsourced to lower cost labor markets overseas, some gigs are gone the way of the Dodo. This may be for some of our readers, the very reason they took the prescient step of seeking retraining in a new field; one that will not meet with the same fate.  For those who may be considering striking out in this bold direction, the task may seem frightening.  “Am I too old to learn a new career skill?”  “How can I choose a new career when my whole adult life I have always been a <insert your lost job title here>?” Well, buck up.  Consider the story of Hazel Soares of San Leandro, CA who just graduated from Mills College at the ripe old age of 93!  Read her story here and then gather up the courage that surely resides in every member of the human race and get going on your new career in medical billing and coding!

Good Resource for Job Seekers

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While we’re still in a deep hole in terms of the huge numbers of jobs lost during the recession that began in 2008, we are definitely seeing unmistakable signs that the job losses have ceased.  In fact, for the last two months, the US economy has added jobs.  But we still have lots of lost ground to cover if we’re to simply return to pre-recessionary levels of employment.  For students of the Allen School Online who may be nearing the end of their course of study, thoughts are turning to where the jobs are in this very difficult environment.  To help, I have uncovered a very useful resource that I want to share with our users.  It’s called the Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2010-2011.  It is a website maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For hundreds of different types of jobs—such as teacher, lawyer, and nurse—the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you:
  • the training and education needed
  • earnings
  • expected job prospects
  • what workers do on the job
  • working conditions
In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more. You can also view frequently asked questions about the Handbook. Have a look around this useful site for good, up-to-date info on ways you can supercharge your job search.

Keeping Stress in Check

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Its difficult to work, study, take care of family obligations and find time to relax.  As a result, each of us experiences stress and stress is bad for us.  It is very important to your health to get both enough sleep and to find outlets that can help us vent or otherwise mitigate the stresses and pressures life often places upon us.  But what about the people whose very careers are inherently stressful?  Take a look at the slide show here to see the list of top 10 most stressful jobs and be thankful that the career choice you’ve made will not likely add stress to your life (although some of your future employers have a place on this list).

To Land the Interview/Job: Think Inside the Box?

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Standing out from the competition is always a challenge in a job search.  And, although it is said that “there is nothing new under the sun,” there are those individuals who come up with novel ideas for breaking through in terms of getting noticed by a hiring manager.  Follow me over the jump for some truly innovative strategies for getting noticed in the sea of resumes. Continue reading…

Update: Non-Manufacturing Jobs Up

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April 5 (Bloomberg) — Service industries expanded in March at the fastest pace since in more than three years, a sign the U.S. recovery is extending beyond manufacturing and starting to create jobs. The Institute for Supply Management’s index of non- manufacturing businesses, which make up almost 90 percent of the economy, rose to 55.4, the highest level since May 2006, from 53 in the prior month. Today’s figure exceeded all forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. Readings above 50 signal expansion. This is good news.  Read the whole article here.

Jobs: Turning the Corner

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They say employment figures are a “lagging indicator” which is stock market speak for measurements that we look back on for perspective.  That is, economic growth happens first, then employment picks up.  This makes logical sense because obviously, companies don’t start hiring before new business picks up.  But once new orders come rolling in for all manners of products and services, companies scramble to hire in order to accommodate the increasing demand.  This is why it is so heartening to see the following chart showing the employment figures over the last two years.  Follow me over the jump for analysis. Continue reading…

Best Affordable Suburbs in the US

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Finishing studies and embarking on a new career is often accompanied by a move to a new city where one hopes to find good availability of jobs in the field they’ve chosen.  However, beyond the availability of work, there are many other considerations to be made about where to live.  In year’s past, many of the “Best Places to Live” lists published by numerous magazines were focused on such things as access to luxury amenities; golf courses, nice restaurants, etc.  Today, the calcuations are much more focused upon things like affordability and quality of life issues like schools and crime rates.  This is why the recent “Best Affordable Suburbs in America 2010” article published in Business Week caught my eye.  Follow past the jump to read the article. Continue reading…

Speaking 1,000 Words Without Opening One’s Mouth…the remarkable aspect of nonverbal communication.

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In Argentina, the “thumbs up” and “okay” gestures we use regularly in America are considered to be really vulgar. In Cambodia, it is bad manners to meet the eyes of someone who is older than you. In Turkey, people routinely stare – at foreigners and at each other! In China, winking is considered to be highly offensive. In India, it is expected that one will allow an arm’s length of distance from another in conversation, to provide personal space. Similarly, in Britain. In Mexico, however, people who converse stand very close to one another as do people in Russia and backing away appears rude. In Thailand, a nod doesn’t  mean “yes,” but is merely a sign of respect. In Japan, one must point with the entire hand, as pointing with the index finger is rude. One of the most sought after transferable skills (a skill that can be taken from one job to another) for those who work in the medical industry, is the ability to perceive nonverbal messages. It is through nonverbal messages that people communicate their real feelings and their intentions become evident.  Continue reading…