Past Issue

When will the economy turn around? Abridged: MSNBC News

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There is no doubt that times are still tough. But from where we stand, for the very first time, we are beginning to see glimmers of hope. And beyond that, way off in the distance, we can see a vision of an America's future that is far different than our troubled economic past. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke cautioned in a speech recently that once the recovery begins, there still will be plenty of work to clean up the financial mess.

Recently we have seen tentative signs that the sharp decline in economic activity may be slowing. A leveling out of economic activity is the first step toward recovery. To be sure, we will not have a sustainable recovery without a stabilization of our financial system and credit markets.

Until the recovery takes hold, there are other potential hurdles that could slow its arrival or weaken the upturn when it begins. And even if the economy begins turning up later this year, as many forecasters expect, the underlying damage to the financial markets, to the flow of credit and to consumer and business confidence will remain for awhile longer.

Tips to help you find a job faster Abridged: Retired Brains

AUSTIN, TX -- Register with temp firms in your local area. Many temporary jobs turn out to be permanent. Also try to get an interview with an employer you're not interested in working for to practice your interviewing skills. You don't want to go to your first interview with the employer you're really interested in and make easily correctable mistakes.

Consider having your resume re-written or updated by a resume writing professional. They can also help those with specific problems like older workers that have not had their resume updated for many years. Post your resume up on job boards and career sites that connect job seekers with employers seeking to hire them. Niche career sites are particularly effective.

Also consider looking for temporary or freelance project assignments as they are much more available than full-time jobs. When applying for a job tell the employer you are willing to work on a project or temporary basis. This often gives you a leg up on workers who are unable to accept this kind of employment. Temporary employment can often lead to full-time work.

Job boards & niche career sites your resume should be on Staff Writer, The Career News

LOS ANGELES, CA -- With so many people currently in the job market or looking for better career opportunities, how can you make sure your resume will be seen? With advancing technology, the internet is an extremely popular resource for posting and finding resumes. But with all the career sites available, wouldn't it be nice if your resume could be found on all of them?

Consider a site that can make that happen. You post your information to their site once, and they distribute it on up to 85 different top career sites! It's called Resume Rabbit and it's so easy to use. Just fill out one simple online form and in just 5 minutes you'll be well on your way to landing that job you've been searching for. There's also a personal posting report and auto-login feature that lets you log in to the many sites where your resume is posted in just one mouse-click.

Posting your resume online is easy with Resume Rabbit. You could spend hours and hours posting your resume individually to all the top career sites - or you can let a site like Resume Rabbit do it for you. Then, 1.5 million employers can instantly see your resume daily. Post your resume fast with Resume Rabbit today.

Reasons to start your own business in 2009 Abridged: Franchoice

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN -- Business ownership is considered the "American Dream." Being your own boss and setting your own rules. Working to earn rewards for yourself and not just for others. Admit it: you've thought about it many times. There's no better time to consider starting your own business than today. In so many ways, the current economic situation actually works in your favor. Here are some reasons 2009 is the best time to launch your company.

1. Because job security isn't so secure. Unemployment is up!
2. Because the stock market is crashing.
3. Because you're not getting any of that bailout money.
4. Because the cost of property, fuel & goods remains stable.
5. Because we're in a recession and it's not likely to improve anytime soon.

Starting your own business can present some challenges. It's important to make sure you have some experience in business, some financial resources and the ability to think for yourself. If you can do these things and your current employment isn't satisfying, now may be the perfect time to enjoy the rewards of running and owning your own business!

Work for yourself - Get a complimentary consultation! Staff Writer, The Career News

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Have you dreamed of owning your own business but don't know where to start? Franchises are becoming more and more popular as a way for people to buy and own their own business. Here are 4 main advantages to owning a franchise.

First, you're able to operate your own business with the security of working with a large company. Second, the start-up, operations and general business plans are laid out for you with training and support from the franchisor. Third, you reduce your risk due to the success of the franchisor's reputation & experience. Fourth, it may be easier to borrow money to start a franchise than an independent business. If you've been thinking about starting your own business, we recommend a complimentary consultation with FranChoice, the premier "matchmaker" of the franchising industry.

During your consultation the consultants from FranChoice will help you identify franchise businesses that meet your criteria based on your goals, skills and preferences. Then they'll guide you through the franchise investigation process and answer all your questions. Because FranChoice is paid for by the various companies offering franchises to help them find suitable matches, it's complimentary to you. To instantly sign up for your complimentary consultation, just go to FranChoice.

Get a head start on your summer job search Abridged: Richmond Times Dispatch

RICHMOND, VA -- People who are planning to get a summer job should expect a highly competitive market this year. "Last year's summer hiring season was not a good one, either, and this one will be even more tough," said Shawn Boyer, president and chief executive officer of the Henrico County-based job-search Web site SnagAJob.com.

"You 've got fewer employers that are hiring," he said. "You've got so many more people who are in the job market now, and a lot of people who were in full-time salaried positions are now taking anything they can get." A poll by SnagAJob.com found that nearly half of the 1,000 hourly hiring managers surveyed nationwide were not planning to recruit for summer jobs this year. Only 25% of hiring managers said they plan to hire at the same level as last year, and only 6% expected to hire more.

But with more people hunting for jobs, 73% of hiring managers expected to get more applications for summer work this year compared with last year. "This is one of the reasons why we are telling people that this is not the season to be picky," Boyer said. The tough job market makes it more important for people to get a head start. Start your job search right away!

Can't find a job? Take a course during summer instead Staff Writer, The Career News

NEW YORK, NY -- According to the U.S. Census Bureau the difference in lifetime earnings between a high school diploma and bachelor's degree is a million dollars. Add on a master's degree and you can expect to earn an additional half a million dollars in earnings. Those with professional degrees earn much more - about 4.4 million dollars during their working life.

Jennifer Day, Chief of the Education and Social Stratification Branch at the U.S. Census Bureau says, "In 1999, average annual earnings ranged from $19,000 for high school dropouts, to $26,000 for high school graduates, $45,000 for college graduates and $99,000 for the holders of professional degrees. That includes medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians and lawyers.

If you think that the only way to earn a degree is to spend gobs of money and traverse across a complicated college campus, taking anywhere from two to eight years to get your Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's or even doctorate degree...think again. With advances in technology, you can now get your degree online, from an accredited university in your spare time and from the comfort of your own home. To learn more about available schools & programs, and instantly request complimentary course catalogs of the ones you like, go to Find-The-Right-School.

Recent survey shows 'recession is abating' Abridged: CNN Money

NEW YORK, NY -- A key survey of leading businesses showed recently that the nation's economy remained weak in the first quarter, but it also hinted that the decline is slowing. The National Association of Business Economics' April Industry Survey "provides fresh evidence that the U.S. economy's recession is abating," said Sara Johnson, an analyst on the survey and an economist at IHS Global Insight.

"Declines still out number gains, but fewer firms are reporting declines and more are reporting gains," Johnson said in a statement. "This suggests that the economy is at an inflection point but has not yet reached a turning point." The survey is based on data from 109 businesses and industry groups from the first quarter of 2009.

Among the survey's bright spots were less severe declines in industry demand and capital spending. The number of businesses reporting rising demand for their products increased to 27% in the first quarter from 20% in January. Meanwhile, the number of firms that increased capital spending last quarter rose to 15% from 12%. Looking ahead, 6% of firms expected to raise capital spending by more than 10% over the next 12 months.