The latest employment numbers are out and it doesn’t look good (emphasis mine). US employers added 430,000 jobs to nonfarm payrolls in May, but 411,000 of those were temporary census workers. That number was also well short of the more than 500,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 9.7 percent from 9.9 percent in April. I still don’t expect to see significant hiring gains until Q4 of this year at the earliest. My highly non-scientific polling (talking to customers) shows that most are still in a tentative mode. Perhaps some more enlightened analysis will surface later today.
Continue ReadingHiring Stunts
Here is a quick read from Yahoo Hot Jobs about desperate hiring moves from candidates. The examples are entertaining – I suggest you read the article to see the different extremes some candidates will go to for a job. My favorite line from the article (emphasis mine): Career coach Bettina Seidman advises sending little “extras” when they are relevant to the job: “If a graphic designer sends a fabulous storyboard or another example of his or her work along with a resume, then that can work. If a labor-relations expert sends a copy of a new collective bargaining that he or she negotiated, that’s good. However, stalkers or flower senders… Read More
Continue ReadingGetting Back To The Basics
I’ve been assessing many existing salespeople over the past couple weeks and have seen many different levels of abilities. The ones that stick in my mind are the salespeople who are presently struggling with their revenue production. Sales is one of, if not the most stressful positions within any company. The overt issue with a lack of sales performance is that everyone in the company can see it. The numbers are very visible. One underperforming salesperson I talked to recently has hit a true low point. He’s not certain where to start. I thought about that discussion for quite some time afterwards. The lack of performance becomes a spiraling nose… Read More
Continue ReadingDetails Matter
From a sales employment ad I read this morning: Job Location: Minniapolis, MN
Continue ReadingCommunicate They Do Not
One of my favorite anecdotal websites is Killian Advertising’s Cover Letters From Hell. I promise you will laugh so check it out. In the meantime, here is a sample of the some “unique” writing: “It is my desire to develop and generate the revolving scheme to filter to the consuming public in.” “I’m looking for work because even though my company was profitable last year, this year they are expecting a large defecate.” “A flaw that I must point out because it even bothers me is that I am impatient. I hate waiting, but then again who does?”
Continue ReadingNow Hiring – The Federal Government
Here is an interesting poll from Gallup – the Job Creation Index. I was not familiar with this one until seeing it on Drudge. I always have a tinge of skepticism for any poll, but this one has a staggering finding (emphasis mine): Gallup’s Job Creation Index clearly indicates that state and local governments are in the midst of significant downsizing, no doubt reflecting budgetary issues resulting from recessionary pressures on the tax (and other) revenue that funds these governments. Hiring at the federal level has apparently to date escaped these same fiscal pressures. Indeed, the federal government appears to be significantly outpacing the private sector in terms of the… Read More
Continue ReadingHeart Attack Hiring
The company name listed in a sales ad I read this morning: Type A personalities wanted
Continue ReadingGood Sign, Bad Sign
As is so often the case in this economy, the market is sending mixed signals. From one article on abcnews.com: The economic strength, both in U.S. and international markets, plus cost cuts, higher rates and fuel surcharges led to a 33 percent increase in first-quarter profit. UPS boosted its full-year outlook when it pre-released its earnings two weeks ago. And one paragraph later: UPS Inc., also known as United Parcel Service, restructured its business over the last 18 months, cutting jobs in the process. The shipper doesn’t plan any significant hiring anytime soon, at least until the recovery is on more solid footing. Jobless recovery anyone? The difficulty is that… Read More
Continue ReadingA Good Employment Sign
From the indeed.com blog: For the first time in 2010, our Job Market Competition report shows all major metropolitan areas have fewer than 10 unemployed persons per job posting – a notable lessening of job competition since our last report. Washington D.C. has only one unemployed per job posting, maintaining its first place position as the city with the least competition for jobs. At the other end of the scale, Detroit moved up one place from the bottom position: it now has nine unemployed per job posting, an improvement from 13 earlier this year. The post contains the top 5 and bottom 5 metro markets based on number of unemployed… Read More
Continue ReadingSpam Sourcing
How is this for a spam approach to applicants? You have been accepted for a high paying work from home job. Click the link below to get all the information: Click Here Sincerely, Hiring Manager p.s. Please claim your position today or it will be given to the next applicant. The “p.s.” line is fantastic.
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