Old Cheezhead

Layoffs in Dallas

The Dallas-Fort Worth area’s March unemployment rate slipped only slightly from February’s 4.3 percent to 4.2 percent, despite the fact that the state’s average rose from 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent. Considering the much hyped possibility of a national recession, this relative stability is a good sign for the area’s economy. The countrywide unemployment rate rose from 4.8 percent to 5.1 percent.

Statewide 13,500 nonagricultural jobs in Dallas were added, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Over the last 12 months, employers added 213,700 positions.  This means that Texas had an annual job growth rate of 2.1 percent. 

Tom Pauken, the Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, says that “Texas economy continues to show significant underlying strength with gains of nearly 40,000 jobs during the last three months.” He went on to say that “unemployment rates remain near record lows, and our annual job growth rate remains as strong 2.1 percent, well above the U.S. job growth rate of 0.4 percent.”

TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton says that the continual Dallas job gains and those elsewhere in the state are providing great opportunities for area workers. He finished by saying that “Job seekers are in tremendous demands as employers try to fill open positions during this period of such low unemployment.”

Western Union Co. will soon be freeing up workers to meet the employer’s demands. The company recently announced that it would be cutting 114 Dallas jobs when it closes its facility in the area. These layoffs will begin sometime between June 9th and June 23rd and hope to finish in August for union employees and September for nonunion employees.

The closing of their Dallas facility is part of the company’s closing of some of its business in Missouri and Texas. Over all, 650 jobs are expected to be done away with as Western Union closes several call centers along with some of the settlement and operational accounting ventures. A spokesperson for the company said that these parts of business will either be moved to other locations or handled by a third -party. 

Closing these operations is expected to cost the company $60 million, $20 million of which will go towards those losing their jobs in Dallas and elsewhere as part of severance packages and other employee-related benefits. Despite these expenses, the company says that the cost of shutting down these offices will be made up for in savings within two years.

The Definition of Diversity

By Melissa Uhniat & Sean O’Grady, CareerTV 

If you looked up the definition of diversity, Mr. Webster would tell you that the word means a group of people that are different from one another.  The most common perception of diversity is a difference in appearancem, but  DiversityInc Media Co-Founder, Luke Visconti would tell you diversity is defined not by the way you look but by way you think, and understanding this can make you more marketable when job searcking. 

Diversity is a mind-set

A company that specializes in diversity should be run by a person of ethnicity, right?  Luke Visconti says wrong and advises a change in the way you view diversity.   

“If you think about diversity, it is what makes us up, but if you think about it more clearly, it’s race, orientation, disability, age and gender,” Visconti said. “Diversity if more about the way you think than the way your look.”

DiversityInc Media is a company that has researched and analyzed diversity in corporate America for over a decade.  The company’s monthly publication, DiversityInc Magazine, and website are geared toward diversity in the workplace.  The staff works to motivate employers to manage diversity according to the needs of their customers.

“It’s not good enough to look like your customers. You have to think like them as well.  And having diverse people in your workforce is the beginning point to enable people to think like their customers,” Visconti said.

Finding diverse employers

An organization may claim to promote diversity in the workplace, but Visconti advises job seekers to put the company to the test.   

Before the interview, research the company’s website.  Check for diversity on the homepage, what diversity programs are affiliated with the company, and if there is a statement from the CEO.

At the interview, take a gander at the office environment.  Make sure you see diversity in the employees as well as of the people interviewing you. 

See the video of this article at The Definition of Diversity and get more career help and employer videos at www.careertv.com where you’ll find the largest collection of career videos online. 

Copyright 2008 CareerTV, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For Additional Related CareerTV Videos check out: 

• Diversity Interview and Resume Advice
• Diversity Resume Advice
• Diversity at Microsoft

Medical Transcriptionist Jobs

Job security and competitive pay are some of the most important elements that a career path can offer, but in today’s employment market many feel that they are denied these things by their lack of a four year college degree. One of the sectors that offers these things most easily is the healthcare industry, which actually has several positions available for those who have not had the opportunity of a advanced degree.

One possibility that does not require an advanced degree is the occupation of medical transcriptionist. Those with this job in healthcare usually have a high school diploma or a GED and a certificate that says they are qualified. Certification programs can take anywhere from 6 months to two years, which is significantly less than the amount of time it takes to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Medical transcriptionists work in a variety of settings where the usual environments where healthcare jobs exist.

There is also a recent increase in work from home opportunities for medical transcriptionists who already have a few years of experience. These individual are responsible for transcribing dictated medical reports about patients’ conditions and medical procedures into documents that can be used by insurance companies and doctor’s offices. Medical transcriptionists are expected to edit such information for grammar and proper medical terms. On average this healthcare job offers salaries anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 a year, depending on the location of the position and experience the individual has.

Other healthcare jobs similar to that of medical transcriptionists are those of medical coding and medical billing professionals. Those who work in medical coding maintain patients’ records using a universal coding system in order to ensure compliance with federal regulations and insurance requirements. Medical billing is a sub-specialty of medical coding. Certain certification programs may offer medical billing training by itself, but it is more beneficial to invest in a program that offers both. On average these individuals make anywhere from $31,236 to $40,000 a year.

Another healthcare job available for those who do not wish to get a four year degree is that of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Those with this healthcare job are responsible for assisting hands-on in patient care through taking vital signs, general care, and some administrative work. With the nation supposedly on its way towards a national nursing shortage, the demand for CNAs and their wages are increasing, making this an excellent opportunity for those who want a job in healthcare but do not wish or cannot put in the time needed for a four year degree. CNAs only have to complete a certification program and pass an exam to be qualified to work. The average median salary for this position is $21,196 a year.

Chad & Cheezhead - Episode II

Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman discuss job board traffic data, video resumes, good PR, the ERE conference and more.