The Job Situation [Archive]

Kai

07-21-2009, 11:12 AM

Any idea how much longer it will be until we can find work?

I don't usually watch the news so I'm not sure where we're at as far as the employment situation.

Thanks.

leeanngans

07-21-2009, 12:01 PM

Since arriving in the area 6 weeks ago, my sister has applied for more than 100 jobs. She has gone to TWO interviews...no hire. She recently got her Associates degree in Business Mgment. She has been applying for EVERYTHING.. Also, yesterday's Goodwill job fair (right downtown), netted over 300 applicants in about 4 hours. That should give you some idea how the job market is around here:))

Take care,

Any idea how much longer it will be until we can find work?

I don't usually watch the news so I'm not sure where we're at as far as the employment situation.

Thanks.

"Mad" Miles

07-21-2009, 05:19 PM

Note Highlighted Text near the end of this article:

Leading indicators rise again in June

Newest data on housing, investor optimism and jobs point to recession ending later this year (https://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090721/BUSINESS/907211074/1036?Title=New-signs-that-recession-will-end-later-this-year)


By TALI ARBEL
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 4:03 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 4:03 a.m.
NEW YORK -- More plans to build homes, higher stock prices and fewer people filing first-time claims for jobless aid sent a private-sector forecast of U.S. economic activity higher than expected in June.

It was the third straight monthly increase for the New York-based Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators, and another sign pointing toward the recession ending later this year.
The index rose 0.7 percent last month. Wall Street analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a gain of 0.4 percent. May's reading was revised up to a gain of 1.3 percent from 1.2 percent, while April was scaled back to 1 percent growth from 1.1 percent.
The group also said activity in the six-month period through June rose 2 percent, with an annual growth rate of 4.1 percent. That's the strongest rate since the first quarter of 2006.
The index is meant to project economic activity in the next three to six months.
If these conditions continue, "expect a slow recovery this autumn," said Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein.
The Conference Board's leading indicators index bottomed in March after peaking in July 2007. The decline accelerated last fall after investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed and credit markets froze.
"We're now getting data which points to stabilization," said Josh Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at research firm MFR Inc. "The overall signal they're sending is the slide in economic activity is poised to end. The jury is still very much out in terms of what happens after that."
Many analysts expect modest economic growth in the fourth quarter after the gross domestic product posted the worst six-month performance in about 50 years at the end of 2008 and beginning of this year.
Stocks rose on Wall Street after the better-than-expected index reading and on reports that commercial lender CIT Group had reached a deal with bondholders to avoid bankruptcy.
Seven of the Conference Board index's 10 indicators rose in June, including building permits, stock prices, manufacturers' new orders for consumer goods and positive readings on jobs. Consumer expectations, manufacturers' orders for capital goods and the real money supply weighed down the forecast.
The biggest gainer was the "interest rate spread." That's the difference between yields on 10-year Treasurys and the federal funds rate, at which banks lend to one another, which is at a record low near zero. A big difference between the two is viewed as positive because investors are willing to lend for longer periods.
A government report last week showed construction of new U.S. homes in June rose to the highest level in seven months. That was the "most positive housing report in ages," said IHS Global Insight economist Patrick Newport.
The slump in housing led the country into the longest recession since World War II. The downturn has pushed the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent. The Federal Reserve expects joblessness to surpass 10 percent this year and to stay above healthy levels for years.
A survey released Monday showed the number of firms planning layoffs later this year has dipped. Twenty-eight percent of the companies polled by the National Association for Business Economics said they were still considering cutting jobs through attrition or layoffs in the next six months. That's down from one-third in April and 39 percent in January. Only 18 percent of employers polled said they expected to start hiring, but that's the highest level in a year.
The NABE's survey of 102 forecasters at companies and trade associations was taken June 19 through July 1.
Mass layoffs continue across many sectors, but the pace and depth of job cuts have slowed.
Harley-Davidson Inc. said last week it's cutting 1,000 more employees as motorcycle sales slid. Publisher McGraw-Hill Cos. said it eliminated 550 jobs in the second quarter. Cisco Systems Inc. laid off between 600 and 700 employees last week at its San Jose headquarters.

*******************************************************

"Mad" Miles

:burngrnbounce:

Zeno Swijtink

07-21-2009, 06:55 PM

Your best bet is to start your own business.

Any idea how much longer it will be until we can find work?

I don't usually watch the news so I'm not sure where we're at as far as the employment situation.

Thanks.

Kai

07-21-2009, 06:57 PM

Really?
You think so?

What would be a good business to start?

Your best bet is to start your own business.

Shandi

07-21-2009, 10:14 PM

The real question isn't "how much longer will it be before we can find work?"
Mainly, because there's no answer. And it's also not "What would be a good business to start?" Because there's an unlimited number of answers.

The real question to ask is one that only Kai can answer, and that is
"Who is Kai?" We seem to know who we are when we have a "job". But
who are we when we dont? That's when the rubber meets the road.

And if there's a job opening, will Kai get it or will someone else, and why?
Again, a multitude of answers.

But to suggest that Kai start a business, and Kai answers "You think so?
What kind of business?" Is there something that's hidden from us, from Kai?

Just for fun, I suggest that anyone who's thinking of starting a business,
take this test to clarify if you're "entrepreneurial" material. In the meantime, I highly recommend reading the book by Larry Winget -
"You're Broke Because You Want to Be" Kind of makes ya flinch, doesn't it?

Remember the people that made money during the depression? They knew who they were. They were courageous, risk taking visionaries, innovators, disciplined, motivated, passionate dreamers, and continuous learners.

Anyway, here's the test: If you're honest, you'll get an honest result.

[WARNING! I don't think the "grader - check your score" button below works on WaccoBB.net - You can take this same test at https://www.bizmove.com/other/quiz.htm ]

<center>1. Are You a Self-Starter?
</center>

<input name="a1" onclick="question.answer1.value = 6" type="radio">If someone gets me started, I keep going all right.

<input name="a1" onclick="question.answer1.value = 10" type="radio">I do things my own way. Nobody needs to tell me to get going.

<input name="a1" onclick="question.answer1.value = 0" type="radio">Easy does it. I don't put myself out until I have to.

<center> 2. How Do You Feel About Other People?
</center>

<input name="a2" onclick="question.answer2.value = 0" type="radio">Most people bug me.

<input name="a2" onclick="question.answer2.value = 10" type="radio">I like people. I can get along with just about anybody.

<input name="a2" onclick="question.answer2.value = 6" type="radio">I have enough friends and I don't need anybody else.

<center> 3. Can You Lead Others?
</center>

<input name="a3" onclick="question.answer3.value = 6" type="radio">I can get people to do things if I drive them.

<input name="a3" onclick="question.answer3.value = 10" type="radio">I can get most people to go along with me without much difficulty.

<input name="a3" onclick="question.answer3.value = 0" type="radio">I usually let someone else get things moving.

<center> 4. Can You Take Responsibility?
</center>

<input name="a4" onclick="question.answer4.value = 6" type="radio">I'll take over if I have to, but I'd rather let someone else be responsible.

<input name="a4" onclick="question.answer4.value = 0" type="radio">There's always some eager beaver around waiting to show off. I say, let him.

<input name="a4" onclick="question.answer4.value = 10" type="radio">I like to take charge of and see things through.

<center> 5. How Good An Organizer Are You?
</center>

<input name="a5" onclick="question.answer5.value = 10" type="radio">I like to have a plan before I start. I'm usually the one who lines things up.

<input name="a5" onclick="question.answer5.value = 6" type="radio">I do all right unless things get too complicated. Then I may cop out.

<input name="a5" onclick="question.answer5.value = 0" type="radio">I just take things as they come.

<center> 6. How Good a Worker Are You?
</center>

<input name="a6" onclick="question.answer6.value = 0" type="radio">I can't see that hard work gets you anywhere.

<input name="a6" onclick="question.answer6.value = 6" type="radio">I'll work hard for a time, but when I've had enough, that's it.

<input name="a6" onclick="question.answer6.value = 10" type="radio">I can keep going as long as necessary. I don't mind working hard.

<center> 7. Can You Make Decisions?
</center>

<input name="a7" onclick="question.answer7.value = 6" type="radio">I can if I have plenty of time. If I have to make up my mind fast, I usually regret it.

<input name="a7" onclick="question.answer7.value = 10" type="radio">I can make up my mind in a hurry if necessary, and my decision is usually O.K.

<input name="a7" onclick="question.answer7.value = 0" type="radio">I don't like to be the one who decides things. I'd probably blow it.

<center> 8. Can People Trust What You Say?
</center>

<input name="a8" onclick="question.answer8.value = 6" type="radio">I try to be on the level, but sometimes I just say what's easiest.

<input name="a8" onclick="question.answer8.value = 10" type="radio">They sure can. I don't say things I don't mean.

<input name="a8" onclick="question.answer8.value = 0" type="radio">What's the sweat if the other fellow doesn't know the difference?

<center> 9. Can You Stick With It?
</center>

<input name="a9" onclick="question.answer9.value = 10" type="radio">If I make up my mind to do something, I don't let anything stop me.

<input name="a9" onclick="question.answer9.value = 0" type="radio">If a job doesn't go right, I turn off. Why beat your brains out?

<input name="a9" onclick="question.answer9.value = 6" type="radio">I usually finish what I start.

<center> 10. Can You Keep Records?
</center>

<input name="a10" onclick="question.answer10.value = 0" type="radio">Records are not important. I know what's need to be known without keeping records.

<input name="a10" onclick="question.answer10.value = 6" type="radio">I can, but it's more important to get the work out than to shuffle numbers.

<input name="a10" onclick="question.answer10.value = 10" type="radio">Since they are needed I'll keep records even though I don't want to.

<center>That's it ... <input value="Check your score" onclick="check()" type="button"><input name="good" size="3" value="0" type="text"><input name="resetMe" value="Clear" onclick="zeroit()" type="reset">

[WARNING! I don't think the "check your score" button above works on WaccoBB.net - You can take this same test at https://www.bizmove.com/other/quiz.htm ]

</center>
<hr color="#000000" noshade="noshade">
Grading

Score 100
Excellent. A perfect score. You are a born entrepreneur. If you are not presently running your own small business you should definitely start one -- the sooner the better. You are on the way to fame and riches.

Score 91 - 99
Very good. You definitely have what it takes to succeed in a small business of your own. Don't hesitate, your way to business success is wide open.

Score 72 - 90
Good. You have the qualities of a successful entrepreneur with some weak spots. Read the interpretation below to identify your deficiency. You should be able to cover that deficiency by either retraining yourself or hiring someone with the necessary skill.

Score 40 - 71
So so. The prospect of your success in a business of your own is questionable. You have some deficiencies that might out-shadow some good traits you have. If you still want to go on with it, be sure to call up all the persistence you can get. You are going to face some tough adversity on the way.

Score 40 and below
Unsatisfactory. Forget your dreams of being your own boss, it's not for you. You'd better keep your comfortable and secure job. Why bother with all the risks and hustles of starting a business.

Really?
You think so?

What would be a good business to start?

Really?
You think so?

What would be a good business to start?

Clancy

07-21-2009, 10:57 PM

Great post. As someone who has been self-employed for over 20 years, I might also add that being comfortable with varying income and not knowing what will happen next, especially in this economy, is helpful.

The real question isn't "how much longer will it be before we can find work?"
Mainly, because there's no answer. And it's also not "What would be a good business to start?" Because there's an unlimited number of answers.

The real question to ask is one that only Kai can answer, and that is
"Who is Kai?" We seem to know who we are when we have a "job". But
who are we when we dont? That's when the rubber meets the road.....

tomcat

07-22-2009, 05:54 AM

Many factors exist that will dictate when the employment picture will turn around.
One factor is 'Location'.
Just be glad that you don't live where they don't make many cars any more.

California has gotten into a huge hole of it's own and it could take a LONG time to get out.
In the new budget (if it passes), the state is going to borrow property taxes from the local governments with up to 3 years to pay it back. This pain will spread throughout the state for quite some time, in my opinion.

Things look pretty bleak here, but who knows?
After all, MOST people are still working (at this time).

My advice is to take ANY work you can get for now (temp, part time, day labor), establish a budget based on that income and live within your means.

Things WILL get better, sooner or later...

Good luck to you,
Tom

>>Any idea how much longer it will be until we can find work?

I don't usually watch the news so I'm not sure where we're at as far as the employment situation.

Thanks.<<