December 10, 2008

Survey results: Party poopers
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 12:23 PM

Last week's weekly survey here at Boston.com/Jobs asked about a topic that has been in the news a lot lately: The office holiday party. While many companies are paring down - or even eliminating - this yearly ritual, not many of you seem to be big fans of the workplace jolliness. Here are the results:

While a majority of readers indicated indicated they would attend the office holiday party, they also made it clear that they'd prefer not to go. A little less than a quarter of those who responded can probably be described as being "psyched" for the party, while a little fewer than a fifth indicated that the party is canceled this year. Finally, fewer than 10 percent indicated holiday cheer is not something your company ever spreads. Bah humbug indeed.

This week, we ask how many of you spend time on the ole' office computer filling out the various gift lists that have been handed to you. How much of you holiday shopping do you do online at work? Let us know, and come back next Wednesday for the results.

Also, if you are one of those people who surfs the web for gifts, or if you're looking for good ideas for this year's Yankee swap at your job, check out this photo gallery of 20 gift ideas for the cube dweller. I mean, who wouldn't want a walking robot pencil sharpener?

On the other hand, who would want a can of tuna for the holidays? Check out these strange anecdotes of gifts that were not well-received at work. And if you have any crazy ones to add to the list, let us know in our discussion forum.

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December 3, 2008

Win an office party
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 12:35 PM

It's a tough time for yuletide joy in offices around the country.

You may have read the stories of how companies have been cutting back -- and in many cases eliminating -- their annual holiday parties. Now, while some companies have been canceling the celebrations for legitimate financial reasons, others are cutting back simply because it may look bad to party in such gloomy economic times.

But fret not, jolly cube-dwellers. The adult beverage company Kahlua is sponsoring a "Holiday Party Bailout Grant" contest where a lucky company can win $10,000 toward on office party. The contest, which started this past Monday, is only available to businesses in Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado, Georgia, and Illinois. You have to be 21 (obviously) to apply, and have to work for a small business of under 50 people. Here is the judging criteria for entries, from the contest website (Note: You must be 21 to enter the site):

Creativity of written responses - Take creative liberty with this application and feel free to blow us away with your originality and skills.

Persuasiveness of need - Does the mere thought of not having a holiday party send a cold shiver down your spine? Is the company holiday party the only party you're invited to all year? In other words, tell us why you need a holiday party more than any other company in your state.

The embodiment of Kahlua's spirit of exploring curiosity - We are looking for companies that explore the curiosity and needs of their employees by encouraging such things as further education, fun in the workplace, participation in the community, creating and maintaining a work environment that is open to new ideas or celebrating everyday accomplishments.

The website says the contest for submission is Sunday, Dec. 7, and the winner will be notified by Dec. 12. So, hey, if you work for a small business in Mass. and had your company party canceled this year, it could be worth a shot.

That is, unless, you hate holiday parties. Grinch.

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Survey Results Day: Holidays and vacation time
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 12:27 PM

In last week's poll, we asked you if the current economic slump was going to change how you use vacation days around the holidays. The thinking was that, when workers are uncertain how long they'll have a job, they'll likely try and save their vacation days, because those can equate to fully paid days if a layoff comes.

Here are the results of the survey:

It looks like a majority of people aren't going to let the gloomy economic news impact their holiday plans. Still, a pretty high percentage -- almost 28 percent -- indicated they are saving more of theier vacation days this year. Another 7 percent felt some guilt about using vacation days. Pretty interesting.

This week's poll also has a holiday theme, as we ask: Will you be attending your company's holiday party this year?

And if you're unsure of how to celebrate the holidays with your co-workers, you may want to egt in on the ground floor of a new holiday on it's way up: The Sweater Vestival. Classy.

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December 2, 2008

The news is not as bad as you think - or is it?
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 5:21 PM

A few articles today in the Business News Updates blog show that while the economy is still a huge issue for workers in New England, not all news related to the job market is horrible.

First, it seems the IT field may be seeing some job growth in the Boston area, Chris Reidy reports. The latest Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report shows there are some hiring managers out there who anticipate adding jobs in the first quarter of 2009. Another report by Robert Half shows, somewhat surprisingly, that accounting and finance jobs may grow as well. From the article:

A net 12 percent of chief information officers in the Boston area expect to hire information technology professionals in the first quarter of 2009, according to Robert Half International Inc.

In the Boston area, 15 percent of executives surveyed said they plan to add staff in early 2009, and 3 percent anticipate reductions in personnel, Robert Half International said.

In a separate survey that examined hiring in another job sector, Robert Half International said that the hiring of full-time accounting and finance professionals in the Boston area is also expected to increase in the first quarter of 2009.

According to that survey, 8 percent of the chief financial officers who were surveyed indicated thaty they plan to add staff during the quarter while 2 percent anticipate reductions in personnel.

Now, while the somewhat-decent news about the hiring plans in IT, accounting, and finance may make you feel a little better, you may like to know that your boss may be more worried than you about your state of mind in these trying times. That's because some companies are worried that the bad economy will negatively affect employees' morale, which in turn will hurt productivity, a survey by human resources firm Insight Performaces Inc. says.

Regardless of these worries about worrying, the survey claimed that many companies plan to increase salaries in 2009, as well as award their 2008 bonuses. From the article by Reidy:

Small and mid-sized companies "understand the critical roles that employees play in helping them weather economic storms and drive growth," Nancy R. Mobley, president and chief executive of Insight Performance, said in a statement. "One of the most important lessons from past downturns is that companies need to have the right people in place to take advantage of new opportunities when the market begins to turn around."

Finally, some not-so-bad news for the newly unemployed out there: You will have more chances than ever to be one of the lucky callers to get through to the state's swamped unemployment office. The Globe's Martin Finucane reports that the state of Massachusetts will now have hours on Saturdays for people hoping to apply for unemployment over the phone. From the article:

The TeleClaim Centers will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through the end of the year. The state had already said it would increase weekday hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Globe reported last week that a surge in layoffs was straining the state's ability to process unemployment claims leading to long waits for those filing by phone, as well as long lines at local walk-in centers.

First-time claims for unemployment in the state have jumped more than 30 percent from a year ago. A recent forecast projects the state jobless rate, which was 5.5 percent in October, could rise nearly 3 more points over the next year or so, to 8.3 percent, as the national economic downturn worsens.

One Shrewsbury resident told the Globe she had tried 40 times over two days to get through on the phone and had finally given up and gone to a walk-in center.

People who live in the 617 or 781 area codes should call 617-626-6800 to reach the TeleClaim Center. All others can call 877-626-6800.

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December 1, 2008

Coming soon: The return of the Job Doc
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 1:11 PM

You may remember our announcement a few weeks ago that the Globe's Job Doc column, which was pulled from the Sunday editions of the Money & Careers section due to space issues, would be moving online.

Well, we're getting close to being ready. As you may know, we already have semi-regular chats with a few of the Job Docs (Pattie Hunt Sinacole took some of your questions last week.) Now, they will have an even more frequent presence as their Q&A; format moves into a blog here on Boston.com/Jobs.

First, however, we need some help from you. Namely: Questions for them to answer.

So, are you having trouble with your resume? Not sure what to do after a job interview? Recently laid off and don't know where to begin? Contemplating a career change? Have issues with your boss? Our Job Docs are here to help you.

So e-mail us your questions, and stay tuned for the return of the Job Docs.

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November 26, 2008

Wednesday is Survey Results Day
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 10:48 AM

Every Wednesday on Boston.com/Jobs, we put up a new reader survey. Sometimes they are silly, sometimes they are serious, and sometimes they are a little of both.

Anyway, the poll results are always interesting, but tend to get lost on the site a bit. So I'll try and post each previous week's poll results here when a new poll goes up each Wednesday.

Last week, we asked readers to choose an answer that best described their cubicle or workspace. Here are the results:

Looks like a pretty good difference in degrees of cleanliness among our readers. Although there probably aren't too many people who can match the disastrous office messes from our Office Space Makeover finalists. Check out the photos, especially for our winner, Mary Hughes' Canton office.

Be sure to vote in this week's survey, where we ask: Will the economy impact your holiday vacation schedule?

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November 24, 2008

Some companies are hiring
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 2:41 PM

The following article originally appeared in the Business News Updates blog.

By Todd Wallack, Globe staff

The Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development, a quasi-governmental group charged with helping recruit companies to the state, plans tomorrow to recognize some Massachusetts companies that have recently added new jobs.

The honorees include Evergreen Solar Inc., Shire Pharmaceuticals plc, Aspect Software Inc., Electrochem Inc. and Solutia Inc. Julia Tanen, a publicist for the awards, said nine of the 15 companies scheduled to be recognized are manufacturers.

Barry Bluestone, professor of political economy at Northeastern University and a co-author of a recent study on manufacturing commissioned by the Boston Foundation, said the awards underscore the fact that manufacturing remains a key part of the Massachusetts economy, even though it is perceived to be disappearing. The Boston Foundation report projected manufacturing in the state would decline to 268,000 jobs by 2016, down from 289,600 last month.

Over the past year, the number of manufacturing jobs in the state has declined by 4,400 or 1.5 percent, according to a report last week by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

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November 17, 2008

Job search tips list-o-rama
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 10:42 AM

Sunday's Globe had a story by reporter Robert Gavin that painted a pretty depressing picture of the Massachusetts job market. It chronicled the futile job searches of two very qualified workers who had been laid off.

It's no surprise that it's an extremely bad time to be looking for a job. With unemployment continuing to rise as layoff announcements become a daily event, there are many more applicants for much fewer jobs. The competition for available jobs is as tough as it's ever been.

But we're not here to lament. Along with the boom in unemployment has been an equal rise in the amount of advice for those battling through this tough job market. Here are a few checklists for those looking for every bit of job search advice they can get their hands on.

First, Messmer, chairman and CEO of staffing firm Robert Half International, offers the following 10 tips for job seekers:

1. Step outside your comfort zone. Avoid limiting your search to your current industry or field. Identify your transferable skills and experiences, and communicate them to prospective employers.
2. Minimize work history gaps. If you are unable to find a position right away, consider temporary assignments, internships and part-time opportunities, all of which can potentially lead to a full-time role.
3. Be flexible. Remain open to all possibilities, even if the job title, salary and benefits may not be exactly what you hoped for. Once you get your foot in the door, you will have a chance to prove yourself.
4. Find jobs before they're advertised. Read your local business journals and newspapers to identify companies that are hiring or expanding, and send them your resume.
5. Cast a wide 'net.' General job boards can be useful, but don’t forget industry and trade association websites, which may have more targeted career opportunities.
6. Network -- online and off. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job, whether in-person or using professional networking websites.
7. Manage your digital footprint. Think your friends are the only people who viewed those less-than-professional vacation photos you posted online? Think again. With a few mouse clicks, potential employers can dig up information about you on blogs, personal websites and personal networking site profiles. Make sure you do a thorough self-search and take any necessary corrective action.
8. Customize. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each opportunity. Employers want to see why you’re the right person for their job.
9. Enhance your marketability. Find out what skills are most in-demand and take steps to give yourself an edge in these areas. Focus on sharpening both functional and interpersonal skills.
10. Meet with a recruiter. Staffing executives can be your eyes and ears in the job market. Recruiters also provide useful feedback on your resume and interview skills, and help you locate full-time and temporary jobs.

An article in the new career mentoring site Gotta Mentor, which just launched its beta version, also offers job search tips in a bad economy, this time focusing on what recent college graduates and those looking for entry-level work can do to increase their employment chances:

• Think global. Despite what is happening in the U.S. economy, there will continue to be growth abroad. If you do not have a global perspective, which includes language skills and an understanding of how to do business in different cultures, you will limit your opportunities
• Consider the opportunities in which you will learn the most and develop transferable skills. Now is the time to plan for your future. Employers are increasingly looking for people that can hit the ground running. In this economy, don’t take the best sounding job, take the job where you will have the most responsibility and develop skills
• Reach out to alumni in areas of interest to you. They can be sources for job leads and industry insight that makes you look smart in an interview
• Don't be picky. Cast a wide net. In a down market you want to focus on getting experience. Once you're in the door, it will be much easier to move around
• Get a mentor or two. Engage people you know and trust to help you in your job search and interview prep.

There have also been a number of advice pieces in the Globe and on Boston.com in recent days and weeks. Here is a quick list of links.

• 7 steps to take after being laid off

• 10 ways to adapt to the job market in a down economy

• 8 steps to turn your job search into a business plan

Are you fearful of being laid off? What steps have you taken to prepare for the worst? What advice would you give to those who have been laid off? Share your thoughts in our discussion forum.

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November 12, 2008

A brutal year for holiday employment
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 10:14 AM

I wrote about this last month but it looks like the prognostications that the holiday hiring season would be a brutal one were right on.

A story by the Associated Press paints a particularly gloomy picture for those who rely on work in retail or other seasonal business -- as well those who are now looking for any kind of work due to losing their jobs. From the article:

The odds of landing a part-time job at department store operator Bealls Outlet Stores Inc. this holiday season are slimmer than getting into Harvard: It's one out of every 45.

From department stores and convenience chains to call centers, managers who only a year ago had to scramble to fill holiday jobs are seeing a surge in the number of seasoned applicants - many of them laid off in other sectors and desperate for a way to pay the bills.

The flood of job seekers comes even as the retail industry drastically cuts back on holiday hiring because of the drop-off in consumer spending, and the applicants - who differ from the usual pool, teens or stay-at-home moms looking for extra spending money - reflect the nation's fast-deteriorating job market.

"I thought it was going to be pretty easy, but I am not the only one looking for a job. There are thousands of us going for the same thing," said Kimberly Caparo of Chesterfield, Mich., who has applied for part-time jobs at Toys "R" Us Inc., Home Depot Inc., and Lowe's Cos. Inc. in recent weeks since she and her husband were laid off by auto industry supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.

A companion piece by the AP has some of the numbers associated with holiday employment, as well as a gloomy prediction for the post-holiday season:

Holiday hiring: Seasonal hiring is expected to be well below the levels of a year ago. A survey of 1,000 managers by SnagAJob.com found that on average, each plans to hire 3.7 seasonal employees - down from 5.6 last year. A survey of 20 retailers by management consultants Hay Group reported that in September, 75 percent were planning to hire the same number of seasonal workers from a year ago. In November, that figure fell to 53 percent, while 26 percent planned to hire 5 to 15 percent fewer workers.

Post-holiday opportunities: Even those who find holiday jobs folding sweaters or ringing a cash register may not be able to rely on them after the holiday season, since more stores are expected to file for bankruptcy. That's expected to further push up the overall unemployment rate, which could climb to 8 or 8.5 percent by the end of next year.

Are you trying to find a second job this holiday season? The Globe wants to hear from people who have applied to work in retail or in service to earn extra income this holiday season. Are you having trouble finding a second job? Or are there lots of offers out there?

Contact Globe reporter Jenn Abelson at abelson@globe.com to share your story.

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November 9, 2008

The Job Doc online
Posted by Jesse Nunes at 11:18 AM

Globe readers: You may have noticed that the weekly Job Doc was not in your Sunday paper. Unfortunately, because of space constraints in the Sunday Money & Careers section, the Joc Doc will no longer be appearing in print. However, it will live on right here at Boston.com/jobs.

Starting some time next month, the Job Doc will become a blog on Boston.com, and our career experts will continue to answer all of your employment-realted questions. Hopefully, it will become a much better experience for readers online than it was as a once-a-week article.

Until the new blog debuts, we will provide the Job Doc columns that we have in the queue. This week, there are three reader questions and three useful answers from Job Doc Roni F. Noland.

Here are this week's Job Doc entries:

• Work-related injury leads to loss of job

• Should hourly worker get paid for travel time?

• Are post-interview thank-you notes mandatory?

And, as always, if you have questions for our Job Docs, you can e-mail them to jobdoc@globe.com.

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