http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs Jane M. Von Bergen covers workplace issues, health insurance and organized labor for the Philadelphia Inquirer. en-us Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:55:00 GMT 2009-11-18T08:55:00Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69899362&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FSupporting_our_troops.html Veterans Day has come and gone, but the tribulations of soldiers and their families continue. I didn't know this, but 48 percent of our available military power are in National Guard and Reserve forces. Unlike other members of the military who join the Army, or the Air Force, these men and women work in regular civilian jobs until they are called to serve. For them and their families, the support of their employers is crucial. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:20:00 GMT bc4bb3d6fff269d8b3718fec5941ef22 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-17T21:20:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69897502&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FThe_wasting-money_Blues.html Reader Doris Digilio, a senior citizen from Flourtown in Montgomery County, said she's not surprised that Independence Blue Cross is trying to cut costs by asking employees to take early retirement -- not with the way they throw money around. She and her husband each subscribe to the same plan Personal Choice 65. They each receive identical and voluminous mailings. It all ends up in a landfill somewhere, she said, which doesn't help her township with its expenses either. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:10:00 GMT 902278929861bcf4d6c3029ab5dddaaf Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-16T09:10:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69895712&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FGood_news_bad_news.html The bad news is that the job situation is horrible. The good news is that Philadelphia could be a lot worse off, or at least that's the message from juju.com, a job search engine. Juju took the number of Philadelphia job openings posted on the array of websites it mines and compared it to the U.S. Dept. of Labor statistic on the number of unemployed. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:55:00 GMT 497c60070a6cd7715d8f6e3ed498cfe8 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-18T08:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69604387&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FThe_right_number.html Last week, on Friday, the U.S. Labor Department released its monthly report on the national job situation. The headline, of course, was the top number, the 10.2 percent unemployment rate. Earlier this week I got a call from Karen, who lives in New Jersey. She said that the number doesn't tell the story and she's right. It really doesn't talk about her situation and lots of other people who are severely underemployed. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:25:00 GMT de7bcc9fc1a6c2f3c7dd77a266d88757 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-13T08:25:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69602012&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FFirst_buy_soap.html Any of us who have worked on a job for any length of time can probably trade top-this-tales of inept managers, but one of the trickiest of the inept-manager scenarios arises when a co-worker is promoted out of the ranks of the great unwashed into the role of supervisor. First, buy soap, or at least get it included in your compensation package. Just kidding. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT 58b13c82eef4d6d17a1d63ec25f372a3 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-12T08:00:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69600887&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FDancing_on_the_grave.html One positive side (if there can be a positive side) to all the bloodletting on the job can be the opportunity for advancement. No one wants to dance on a grave, but... But, here's the problem. At the same time companies are promoting to fill management holes, they may also be cutting training budgets. That can leave some newly-minted managers without the proper training to do the job, says Colleen McCullough, Senior Vice President of OI Partners-Gateway International (Philadelphia), a career and talent management firm. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:55:00 GMT bc812e17c385d78af1b1040b74a8eb4c Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-11T08:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=69593722&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FSEPTA_strike_Too_much_vitriol.html Lots of vitriol yesterday on my voice mail and email, mostly about the SEPTA workers. One or two had some racial epithets for Willie Brown. One suggested that vets returning from the war replace the drivers, especially "that fat one," whoever that is. One said he'd like to see the whole group replaced. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:45:00 GMT a52c9904621a7da4f111c4f64aabe5f9 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-10T08:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=68946602&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FSwiss_miss.html This blows my mind -- six of the top 10 staffing agencies (based on global staffing revenue in U.S.) are foreign-owned. I guess I should be glad, since Von Bergen is a Swiss name, that Adecco, the number one company with annual sales of $29.36 billion in the U.S., has its headquarters in Glattbrugg, Switzerland. Number two, Randstad Holding, with $25.27 billion is based in the Netherlands, as is number four USG People, with $5.92 billion. This is from a list in Workforce Management magazine, one of my favorite "trades." The magazine sourced it from Staffing Industry Analysts, a unit of Crain Communications, which publishes the magazine. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 GMT 43d0deb4f185a20fa24f2ea99a98aa7d Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-09T09:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=68695892&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FTraveling_mercies_Part_of_the_law_.html Last Friday, I spent part of the day listening to testimony from a number of witnesses about changes to the Americans With Disabilities Act -- the law enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice that is supposed to prevent discrimination against the disabled at the workplace. The session was one of four "listening" town-hall meetings across the nation. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:40:00 GMT 8972f6d310f7ae9e4d05a9399569121b Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-03T08:40:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=68724782&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FWhat_if_he_doesnt_take_his_drugs.html What about this scenario? A company hires an excellent tech worker who does a great job, but then decides, for whatever reason, to go off the drugs that keep his bipolar tendencies in check. Weirdness at work ensues and the excellent worker isn't able to do his job in the same way. Now what? Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, if a person's disability was "mitigated," by some means, say drugs, then the person wouldn't be considered disabled and wouldn't qualify for accommodations and wouldn't be able to sue for discrimination. New amendments to the bill now broaden the definition of disabled and change how this idea of "mitigation" should be applied. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:45:00 GMT adda9f43774d5ae28d679f0bf3c4a5f3 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-05T09:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=68708857&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FTurning_the_ship.html About midway through the morning last Friday, Stuart Ishimaru, the acting chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, took a break from listening to testimony about changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act to talk about changes at the EEOC. Some critics of the ADA amendments say that there will be a flood of new complaints coming into the agency, but Ishimaru says he isn't worried. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:55:00 GMT c55306bc92c78a86b36453f79badb6cc Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-04T09:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=66482027&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FStroking_the_boss.html Bosses bully most when they feel inadequate. If there ever was a reason to kiss-up the boss, this has to be it. Common sense, of course, but two California college profs have confirmed it in a study. When bosses feel they are not up to the job (the key is how they feel -- even if they are actually doing a good job, it doesn't matter) they tend to be harsher with those around them. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:45:00 GMT b89d035350deeab74a2aa17494b22c27 Jane Von Bergen 2009-11-02T08:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=66166537&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FPhillies_statistics_the_As_and_Money_Ball_.html Except for the fact that I love Philadelphia and I want any of our teams to win, I don't care that much about baseball (Go Phillies!!!!!!). But I love any story about management and sports because the lessons apply to any endeavor. So, I'd like to recommend "Money Ball," a baseball book by Michael Lewis. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:05:00 GMT 633e10ad76b9a743e4b807e1227c1357 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-29T08:05:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=66149352&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FOne_sick_child_away_from_unemployment.html I went out to lunch yesterday with Linda Hahn, executive director of the Metropolitan Career Center, a Philadelphia nonprofit workforce development organization. We were talking about barriers to employment, especially for those moving from welfare to work. One of the biggest? Lack of childcare, she said. Often students can't even complete their training because their childcare arrangements fall apart, despite what seem to be valiant efforts. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:35:00 GMT 98a754a1914056ee1f3fc7ad59b503c7 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-27T09:35:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=66154937&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FPrototype_for_success.html How does one predict whether a job candidate, or a student, will be successful? That's another topic that Linda Hahn, executive director of the Metropolitan Career Center, a Philadelphia nonprofit workforce development organization, discussed with me at lunch on Monday. The MCC offers short-term job readiness programs and longer-term vocational training in information technology. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:15:00 GMT 6aa443e19bb7d7eaa09d937860903912 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-28T09:15:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=64535382&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FFree_flu_shots_for_the_unemployed.html The Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, in collaboration with CVS Caremark, is distributing vouchers to 4,000 of its registered participants for free flu shots this fall. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:25:00 GMT f2aa387fc5f747d568a22438a1af5ee8 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-22T06:25:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=64574867&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FA_big_bite_for_the_Big_Apple.html Yesterday's blog post quoted a survey talking about wage declines. U.S. Labor statistics confirm the trend. In New York county (which is the same as New York city), weekly wages declined by 23.4 percent in a year to an average weekly wage of $2,149 during the first quarter. Across the United States, weekly wages dropped by $23, or 2.2 percent, to $882. Locally wages went down 0.5 to 2.4 percent depending on the county. The big exception? Camden County! Wages actually rose by a hair, 0.1 percent, to $877. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:40:00 GMT a32b5b1cc6723febf93fac99ed9206ee Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-21T07:40:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=64536272&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FPay_declining.html The upshot of this wretched economy is that compensation is beginning to decline as people take just about any position to stay employed. For example, in information technology overall, national starting salaries are expected to decline by an average of 1.3 percent, according to a survey by Robert Half International, a staffing company. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:55:00 GMT 9b785a9c3ebaedda77828518e66fc80b Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-20T06:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=64495847&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FTaking_chances_to_keep_a_job.html Monday's tragic accident on 21st and Walnut Street where a worker on a lift fell to his death from 125 feet got me thinking about safety and pressures on the job. When people get hurt on the job, it's easy to try to focus the blame -- either on the worker or on the company. And truly, there are really rotten companies who don't take the precautions they should, showing complete disregard for the health and safety of their workers. But I think the situation can be more complex, especially in tough times Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:18:44 GMT a164c220923a46230fe041f827feea91 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-16T18:18:44Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63892717&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FBoogie_down.html One more goofy survey from Careerbuilders, the online job site. I couldn't resist the undone zipper and the "something in your nose" parts. In a survey of 4,000 workers, 67 percent said they'd tell a peer if a zipper was down. Enough said. It's only interesting if office romance is involved. About half would say something if the peer had "something in your nose." Here's my evaluation. Wouldn't it depend on what the something was? Suppose for example, the something was their boss' tuckus, because they were trying to save their jobs Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:50:00 GMT 2cd78fcde8e62af3ff441a6eea892599 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-14T08:50:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63889897&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FThe_economy_ate_my_doctors_note.html Looks like the economy is a reason that people are calling in sick. Yup, they are sick of working long hours, sick of the stress, sick of doing the work of three laid-off colleagues, sick of worried that they are going to be fired, sick of looking perky to avoid being fired. Some 28 percent of employers surveyed about "hooky" days think more employees are calling in sick because of stress and burnout according to the economy. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT dd64813e078c0496722b250acca87cb2 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-13T09:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63561947&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FA_manufacturing_jag.html I guess I'm on a little bit of a manufacturing jag because of being so discouraged about last week's jobs numbers. Just to give you an idea of what I mean, Pennsylvania lost 97,600 "goods-producing" jobs between August 2009 and August 2008. During that same period, 93,900 service jobs were lost. Of the 97,600 goods-producing jobs, 73,500 were in manufacturing. Just to give you an idea, that's about 10,000 more jobs more than the entire populations of Norristown, Doylestown, West Chester and Media combined-- the local suburban county seats. Nationally, manufacturing lost 51,000 jobs in the month of September, alone. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:55:00 GMT 7c65741886767e6b609145fab52a4032 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-09T20:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63552332&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FManufacturing_the_Eagles_and_China.html So what would it actually take to bring back more manufacturing? (With the idea that manufacturing equals jobs.) Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, talked about that at a meeting of the Inquirer editorial board yesterday. Paul said one of the biggest issues is how China prices its currency in conjunction with the U.S. dollar. The current pricing structure gives China a 20 to 40 percent advantage when it comes to selling goods, he said. Obviously, it is difficult for Americans, including American companies, to buy American products when Chinese goods are less expensive, especially because of currency imbalances, he said... Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:05:00 GMT 886d1ecfc66d6aeee1475ded57cd68ee Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-06T08:05:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63536057&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FThe_media_unemployment_and_Jane.html The Pew Research Center published a study yesterday saying that the media's coverage of the gravest economic crisis since the Great Depression has largely been covered from the top down and that the voices of the unemployed and others who have suffered have largely been absent. What do you think? I have a weird reaction to these studies about the "media." Of course, I am a member of the "media" and happy to be working, actually. But, then again, I'm also a mother, and a wife, and volunteer etc., etc. So it seems disconcerting. Are they talking about me? Jane? Anyway -- I hope I've been including the voice of the people in my stories... Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:25:00 GMT b5c3c1840f57c1bd56c3cc2227849b8f Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-08T08:25:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63537087&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FSome_resume_advice.html If you are polishing your resume, the old-fashioned chronological resume with the most recent job on top is still the favorite, according to 75 percent of those surveyed by Accountemps, a staffing firm that specializes in temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals... Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT 36f986afbf416a4ed40d46f9fe8d51d0 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-12T08:00:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=63534352&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FEagles_and_manufacturing.html The last set of numbers that came out from the U.S. Labor Department profoundly depressed me. I really don't see how the economy is going to emerge from this mess. Besides the big number of 263,000 jobs lost and an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, it was the many, many less-publicized numbers that disheartened me as much. Weekly wages declined by $1.54. No one is making any money anyway. Overtime hours are down. The work week is now down to 33 hours, the lowest in a long time. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:18:07 GMT 7f1ac7a62a1523b5391a169c2f2a5176 Jane Von Bergen 2009-10-05T17:18:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=56720607&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FBeans_for_bean_counters.html Firings continue as more Philly-area chief financial officers expect to layoff members of their crew instead of adding new finance folks in the fourth quarter (which, can you believe it -- starts in four weeks!!??). But the real news here is that both the layoff and hiring numbers are small. It's 10 percent firing, six percent hiring. The remainder are expecting to hold onto the status quo. That's the good news from Robert Half International, a staffing firm that specializes in finance hiring and, obviously, survey taking. This Philly news is based on interviews with 200 local CFOs. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:30:00 GMT 755ee6a3d9183e8b8a2bde83edf1deef Jane Von Bergen 2009-09-08T07:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=56725302&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FLabor_fight_in_the_movies__.html In honor of Labor Day, I'd like to invite you to the movies. Has anybody been following the divorce of Unite-Here? You'll love this video dual. Five years ago, the former needle workers and garment workers' union (Unite) merged with the hotel and restaurant employees' union (Here). The relationship didn't work out and now they are involved in an ugly and confusing divorce. Philadelphia has been a hot bed in the divorce because unlike Las Vegas and Atlantic City, where the former Here leadership retained control of the union, the Unite leadership in Philly took over control of the hotel and cafeteria workers' locals. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:45:00 GMT a658fbc3716985b09da9e7b81bd9e1a2 Jane Von Bergen 2009-09-07T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=56721732&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FQuestion_for_Trumka_Are_unions_relevant.html Next week, I'm going out to Pittsburgh to meet Rich Trumka, the number two guy at the AFL-CIO and a complete shoo-in to take over the nation's largest labor federation when current leader John Sweeney retires this year. So what should I ask Trumka? Trumka's a former miner and a lawyer who grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania. One of the top officials in the United Mine Workers told me that he was happy that Trumka would be leading the AFL-CIO because, as he said, Trumka has chutzpah. He used another word related to the male anatomy... Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:50:00 GMT bf65c97ed6099874b16b2ac3ab309fb0 Jane Von Bergen 2009-09-03T08:50:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=56719752&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FOne_in_ten_out_of_work_in_Philly.html Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry put out a report yesterday with a minuscule piece of good news. The unemployment rate for our larger region, encompassing Philadelphia, the surrounding Pa. counties, Camden and its nearby counties and parts of Delaware and Maryland, dropped by one percentage point to 8.5 percent in July. Nice reading, but close to meaningless.It probably reflects a diminishing labor pool as people leaving the job market in desperation. You really need to see some movement for it to matter, but any glimmer will do... Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:32:50 GMT d96c398c58d9bd6ab29e2cfab7f3e00a Jane Von Bergen 2009-09-02T14:32:50Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=55042862&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FA_sign_of_hope_for_Monday_morning.html One of the first positive signs of a recovering job market will be an increase in temporary hiring. Before employers commit to building their own workforces, they'll hedge their bets by bringing on temps. This is particularly true now as more and more companies try to avoid employees all together by using as large a contingent workforce as possible. That's why this most recent report from American Staffing Association is good news... Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:45:00 GMT 448113037ebca394d61ed78749f6bb25 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-31T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=55037647&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FPractice_your_family_phone_drill_.html If you are unemployed, you need to get your family involved in this very important aspect of the job hunt. They need to be on your side when it comes to a phone interview. Dogs barking, doorbells ringing, babies crying, music in the background, the laugh track from the television, pots and pans clanking -- all these are not good. When you get a phone interview, figure on a quick signal to alert everyone in your home. People (not you) should rush around turning off things and ditching the dog. (Don't ditch the baby, but try to have someone else take care of your young kids, even if it is Big Bird in another room.)... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:45:00 GMT eff6d2841993909f4503f798868dace6 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-27T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=55040642&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FGiving_good_phone_part_three.html When you begin your phone interview, try to get the name and title of the interviewer and write it down. That way, you can refer to it throughout the interview (people likes to hear their names -- that's what Dale Carnegie, the dean of influencing others advises). You may also be able to write a post-interview thank you note or email if you've also managed to get contact info.... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:30:00 GMT 9623fabb95be77dc59063b3982b78176 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-28T06:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=54612612&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FGiving_good_phone_-_Part_one.html More and more job recruiting begins with a phone interview. The good news is that you don't need a fancy tie (see yesterday's post.) But there are some tips that can help you nail the interview. Remember, these tend to be screening interviews, so if you don't make the cut, you might not get another chance. First of all, without body language to interpret, phone conversations can be dull. So you've got to make up with that with animated tone.... Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:15:00 GMT 0824168a4d8d5f3e872f01567bf6b811 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-26T07:15:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=54610472&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FNo_pink_slip_for_the_guy_with_the_pink_tie.html I'm constantly stunned (although I'm not sure why) when companies hitch their marketing wagons to the poor sad nag of unemployment. Here's the latest ridiculousness (with my commentary) ... Here's how the press release begins: "Unemployment rates are at an all time high, with unemployed Americans finding it extremely hard to find a job and those employed scared to lose the job they have." Oh nooooo, what should we do???? But wait, there is a solution. "MR magazine reported in their August 2009 issue that in this job market, many men are stepping up their wardrobe to increase chances of finding a job Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:45:00 GMT 677353a3ba97b43c2379b181feac0603 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-25T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=53856892&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FGood_news_from_Jersey.html Just in case you missed it, there was good news from Jersey last week. In July, private employers added 13,000 jobs, even as public sector employment declined by 7,100 jobs. That bump up was New Jersey's first in 17 months, dating back to January 2008. More amazing news -- manufacturing hiring was up by 3,100 jobs and construction also added jobs, 3,400. Offsetting these jobs were big losses in transportation and trade, 4,500 in all. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:35:00 GMT b597dc840be852109cfad8f7ea039723 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-24T08:35:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=53850052&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FPrevent_workplace_deaths_Layoff_workers.html Guess what?! Here's a great way to prevent death on the job. Lay off all the workers. Then they won't die at work! Wow, yesterday's U.S. Labor Department's annual report on workplace fatalities was a stunner as the number of workplace fatalities plunged, right along with number of people employed. Unless, of course, you had a job, but fell into enough despair to kill yourself. Workplace suicides rose to a series high of 251 in 2008. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:15:00 GMT cc58d2cadb65a6f97c2b5ed3e427fb2e Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-21T09:15:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52976552&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FDont_be_too_proud_to_get_help_.html Even if you are middle-class and not used to going to social service agencies that help the poor, don't be too proud to accept help from their job counselors. That's some advice from Gloria Leidel, a longtime job counselor from Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Because of their long experience in helping people find jobs, they just might have an idea that you haven't considered. And if the price is free, why not?... Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT 22a7a7547575cadbbfac3cede9bab16a Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-14T08:00:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52975182&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FAvoiding_the_career_fair_cattle_chute.html Sometimes it seems like these huge job fairs are big waste. It's like seeing cattle herded into the chute. But, says Gloria Leidel, a longtime job counselor from Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, there is a strategy to using them to your advantage. You shouldn't go into one expecting to get a job (hope is OK, though). Instead, consider them a way of getting information. What type of jobs are available? What is the best way to apply? Where are these jobs? What is involved in them? What distinguishes a successful candidate from the rest of the resumes? How often do resumes drop in and out of their online employment system? Is it best to apply to multiple locations or one at a time? Of course, leave a resume, if you can, but do your best to find out what you need to get the job... Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:30:00 GMT e62101b2fe22efe969300ffc5bc12741 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-13T07:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52974607&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FCheat_sheet_101_.html On Monday, Goodwill Industries job counselor Gloria Leidel was the "star" of an interview on job-hunting tips in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her approach is more nitty-gritty than other counselors I've interviewed. Step one, she said, is to prepare a cheat sheet. This should have detailed work history, dates, salaries, addresses, phone numbers -- all very carefully checked for spelling. It should also have a list of your skills and major talking points, also what you'd like in a job. This is what you take when go to fill out an application anywhere -- be it at a kiosk in a store, or at your computer or wherever. This is a key, key point. Make a lot of copies and put them everywhere you are likely to be. Keep an extra one in your car, in your purse, in your briefcase, in your backpack. Keep copies next to every phone in your house and also within arm's length of your cellphone... Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:15:00 GMT fe32e5b2c0ec41d38233ffeec3cb61e9 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-12T07:15:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52976042&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FDont_be_to_proud_to_get_help.html Even if you are middle-class and not used to going to social service agencies that help the poor, don't be too proud to accept help from their job counselors. That's some advice from Gloria Leidel, a longtime job counselor from Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Because of their long experience in helping people find jobs, they just might have an idea that you haven't considered. And if the price is free, why not?... Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:45:00 GMT 38c2bdf5eb81fd4c3f9a3a2d3d1cd831 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-14T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52911077&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FCommon_sense_job_hunt_tips.html A lot of what it takes to get a job is common sense, but sometimes job loss is so devastating that common sense flies out the window on a pink slip. Yesterday, the Inquirer ran a question and answer interview with Gloria Leidel, a job counselor with Goodwill Industries in Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. When I say the Inquirer, I mean me. In the next few days, I will tell you some of the tips from our interview that didn't get into the newspaper. Here's the first tip: It pays to be organized. Gloria advises that you should keep some kind of log of your job search... Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:45:00 GMT fddb8e34ba644db5e8cc4d37940d3000 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-11T07:45:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52688807&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FJob_hunt_tips_from_a_pro.html Maybe some "lucky" unemployed people get outplacement services when they get booted from their jobs. But a lot of people have to handle their job search on the cheap. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:25:00 GMT f2e842bbb32862c3a7f0e6ca0e7de3b1 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-10T09:25:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52685602&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FChat_live_with_a_job-seeker.html Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:48:01 GMT 707e5a009562464fa1b06c769761c182 Chris Krewson 2009-08-07T20:48:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52646207&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FIs_this_good_news_Let_me_know__.html Today's news from the U.S. Labor Department is heartening, but no reason to pop the champagne bottles. Imagine celebrating because only 247,000 jobs are gone! Still 247,000 is better than 645,000, which was the monthly average from November until April. It's important not to get excited about the change in the unemployment rate. Remember, the unemployment rate is merely fraction. The denominator is the number of people in the labor force. That dropped from June to July. Why are there fewer people in labor force? Probably because some have given up and gotten out. The number of unemployed people also declined. Whatever the numbers, you put the number of unemployed above the labor force and you have the unemployment rate. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:25:50 GMT 8f87b05797df0fa1a61a7e99ab8124c8 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-07T14:25:50Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52368632&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FEngineering_a_change_Well_no.html Philadelphia's CDI Corp. is a great barometer for the economy and, no surprise to anyone, it (meaning the economy) is still in the tank. CDI Corp is a staffing company that specializes in dispatching engineers in three major segments, process and industrial, government services and aerospace. It also has a recruiting and temporary staffing division known as Management Recruiters International, an IT staffing arm and a foreign organization, AndersElite, which specializes in construction hiring in England. (By the way, it's really bad there, if AndersElite revenues are any guide -- down from $60.2 million to $25.5 million) Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:20:00 GMT 3b841d502cb7f7d688cc6332ca8402e1 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-05T07:20:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52371827&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FRegional_boo_squad_on_health_care.html Wow, people are really riled up about these health care changes proposed by President Obama. Today I'm turning over my blog to Bill Love who attended a similar town hall meeting on health care to the story I reported in Monday's Philadelphia Inquirer. I attended a raucous sesssion at the U.S. Constitution Center hosted by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. In attendance were lots of people upset about President Obama's proposed health care system. Boos, jeers, cheers and a lot of passion. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:55:00 GMT 75a850996a53f82e6069240c9e65f1a1 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-04T07:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52365482&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FA_step_back.html After a month or two of optimism, executive recruiters are again worried about the strength of the job market, according to a small survey by ExecuNet, a network of executive recruiters. In a survey taken in July, only 46 percent expressed confidence that the market for executive recruiting would pick up in the next six months. In May, closer to 60 percent were confident. In June, it was exactly half-and-half. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:55:00 GMT 429c38b28adc43e011dcbd3c50736119 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-06T07:55:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52363157&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FSpecter_Sestak_and_health_care_change.html Sunday's health reform confab with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter at the U.S. Constitution Center was right out of the 700 level of Veteran's Stadium. Booing, shouting, cheering. I didn't hear too many expletives, but it was nasty. If anything, it shows that changes to the health care system have many people concerned, to put it mildly. Potential Specter rival, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak had his taste of it on Saturday. Tomorrow, Sestak, who has not officially declared a run against Specter, promises a major campaign announcement. Hmmm. Wonder what that will be. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:27:04 GMT 4fa7debbc00012987d30e56accc13027 Jane Von Bergen 2009-08-03T16:27:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=477547&44=52086067&32=3796&7=490432&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fjobs%2FBlue_Cross_Joe_Fricks_salary.html It's easy to gripe about insurance companies and how much money their executives are making, especially when there are so many people without coverage and so many businesses struggling to pay premiums for their workers. Of course, it all depends on the benchmarks you use to judge. Whatever benchmark you use, it would be nice to earn $2.7 million a year, like Independence Blue Cross's Joe Frick did, in 2007, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:53:51 GMT e0b6279eb0caa41163c4e7486ea211da Jane Von Bergen 2009-07-30T17:53:51Z