ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2009 > February
February 2009
Would you return part of a severance payment if your employer asked?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Microsoft apparently made an accounting error that caused an overpayment in severance of about 25 recently laid-off employees. So the company sent them a letter, requesting back the overpayment amount. Would you send it back? Let us know at BlogBreak’s new home.
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Best part-time jobs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What are the best part-time jobs in Atlanta? Is it retail, hospitality or UPS? Have we left a great part-time gig off the list? Let us know at BlogBreak’s new home.
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Ready to join the troops?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A recent AJC story talked about how more Georgia residents are deciding to join the military since the civilian job market is so tough right now. As stated in the article, the military readily hires and rarely fires.
Atlanta-area military recruiters are already noticing an upswing of job seekers showing up at their recruitment offices. In addition to the job security, branches of the military offer various enlistment bonuses and tuition assistance.
Are you considering enlisting in the military? Do you think it’s a wise move or a sign of desperation from job seekers?
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BlogBreak is moving!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BlogBreak is moving to the WordPress platform, with a new BlogBreak URL soon, so please update your bookmarks. This move will allow new interactive features that will engage Atlanta’s job seeker community even more.
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Should unhealthy employees face health insurance hike?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last year, we had a heated discussion about Alabama’s controversial move to charge its overweight state employees essentially a fat fee, an additional monetary amount added to the employee’s health insurance premiums. Now the issue has moved closer to home, with the City of Kennesaw proposing to increase the cost of medical insurance premiums if city employees defined as “high-risk” don’t participate in a wellness program.
That premium increase could ultimately double the amount city of Kennesaw employees currently pay. A wellness consultant would identify those as high-risk of health complications, including tobacco users and some overweight employees. Kennesaw dropped traditional health insurance coverage about four years ago and went with a self-funded model.
Kennesaw’s mayor says so far no employees have complained about the new proposal. Do you think employers should have the right to charge employees who they determine to be “unhealthy” more for health insurance premiums or is this just blatant discrimination?
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What are the best jobs for passionate people?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Passionate, creative types often find the corporate world dull and stifling. But there are plenty of careers where passion for your craft will be rewarded, and sometimes handsomely. From professional athletes to actors, chefs and florists, there are a wide range of careers that require a special talent and passion for perfection.
What jobs do you think work out best for creative, passionate people? Can they be successful in an office environment?
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Worst jobs in America
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I know, most people who find themselves unemployed right now would say that there is no job they wouldn’t accept right now, in order to get a paycheck. But let’s face it, there are some jobs out there that are dangerous, have high amounts of stress and don’t offer enough compensation in return. According to CareerCast, the Top 10 Worst Jobs in America are:
- lumberjack
- dairy farmer
- taxi driver
- seaman
- emergency medical technician (EMT)
- roofer
- garbage collector
- welder
- roustabout
- ironworker
While most people would agree that garbage collector isn’t the most glamorous of jobs, other careers like EMT’s may have many dedicated employees who love helping others in crisis situations, but it’s the overall stress and relatively low pay of the position that elevates it to a worst-job status.
So what do you think about the worst jobs in America list? Do you work currently or have you worked in the past in one of these professions? If you are unemployed now, is there any job you would absolutely refuse to take?
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The race from unemployment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Career expert Chandra Fox from e-resume.net offers some career coaching tips for everyone facing an uncertain job market:
It is likely you are reminded of the current recession or unemployment at record highs on a daily or even hourly basis. What do you do if you fear your job is in danger?
Don’t panic. Look for work while you are still employed. You will look less anxious to new employers when finding new work and have better negotiating power. The big sites are great like Monster and Careerbuilder but consider niche job boards as well.
Do file for unemployment. Go to the unemployment office around you.
Update your resume and start talking with people you know in your industry so you do not miss out on any opportunities out there. Transferable skills are key because today’s market is changing and some industries are making enormous changes. For example if you were in the real estate or mortgage industries, instead of focusing on the details of your jobs, focus on your interpersonal skills and ability to make customers feel comfortable. Those will be great skills to have in many industries.
Evaluate how your family spends money. Talk to your family and let them know of the things that will be changing in terms of spending. Do you need to cut back on the $4.15 Starbucks coffee? Almost definitely. Start cutting back now. Have an agreed upon dollar amount that you must discuss with the family before the amount is exceeded. Check out Atlanta Money Saving Tips for more ways to shrink your expenses and stay on budget.
Start networking. It is never too early to try to get your foot in the door with a new company. Don’t overlook any potential networking opportunities. The more people employed with the companies you are considering pulling for you the better. Get your friends with different companies to put in a good word and mention that Bob Jones recommended you look into the XYZ Position with XYZ Company. Personalize your job search.
It is a great time to start thinking ahead and being very informed about your industry and hiring trends. The economy is cyclical. It will turn, but you have to be ready for your next move.
What have you done to prepare for this year’s unpredictable job market?
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Are you a job interview pro?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These days, with a growing number of job seekers competing for a dwindling amount of open positions, landing an interview can seem like quite an accomplishment. But that’s when the real work begins.
Most of us have read interview tips from the experts, and know about the importance of properly preparing for the interview, dressing appropriately, being a good listener, etc. For those of you that have had successful interview experiences, what worked best for you?
But let’s face it, despite all of our preparation, sometimes interviews don’t go as planned. Did you arrive embarrassingly late? Did you freeze on a question from the interviewer? Share your worst interview experiences, as they might help other job seekers out there.
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Find me a job, win a trip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Desperate times calls for desperate measures and leveraging others to help you find a job is one idea that my friend Michael Checkoway has come up with.
Michael is a marketing professional and decided to use his creative marketing skills to help him find a job. He created a Web site which he designed to help him find a job. If you were the one that found him his next gig, he was willing to pay up to $6,000 or send you on a choice of all-expense paid trips. He placed his career search into three categories and the pay for performance rewards were based on how well he did through his self-marketing campaign. He had his resume online available for download.
We (and Michael especially) are happy to report that his unique job search method paid off - he has found a job. He started recently, and says he feels like he’s really going to enjoy his new position as a project manager.
I don’t know about you, but if I had a company that needed a marketing guru, my first choice would be Michael.
Do you think Michael’s job seeking technique is brilliant or a gimmick? Have you come up with any creative ideas to land a job?
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Time to start a small business?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the rise in layoffs and the prospect of long-term unemployment in tough economic times, more and more people are deciding this is the perfect time to start a small business. And experts say it can be, if you plan wisely and are open to being flexible. While funding may be harder to obtain, it will force potential entrepreneurs to develop a stronger business model that will ultimately give them a better chance of success.
If you are looking for inspiration, Georgia is home to many small business success stories. From The Varsity to Home Depot to Spanx, what started out as a small concept grew into a successful enterprise.
So are you thinking about starting your own business? Do you think it’s wise to start a company during a recession?
