Old Cheezhead

New York Employment Outlook for IBM

IBM Corp recently announced that it will be creating at least 1,000 New York jobs as part of a $1.5 billion investment package it has been working on with state officials. In addition to the money from IBM, the state will be investing $140 million, which means that the company is committing to more than $10 for every $1the New York state government is willing to put into the project.

Of the jobs in New York being created, 325 will be at the University of Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. IBM, which already has around 200 employees at this facility, is currently the largest tenant at the College. In order to help in the creation of these new positions, the state will be dedicating $25 million towards the expansion of the company’s operations there.

“With the investments [announced] today,” John Kelly, senior vice president and research director of IBM told a group of over 500 gathered at the University of Albany, “I think we’re going to continue to see our competition in nanotechnology in our rear-view mirror.”

Another $50 million of the state’s money will go towards helping with the construction of a semiconductor research center which will be located somewhere in upstate New York. Although the location for this facility has yet to be determined, the 120,000-square-foot center will be owned and run by Albany NanoTech.  Officials say that, once fully operational, the center will create more than 675 New York City jobs. Already Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has agreed to be a tenant once the center opens.

CEO of Albany NanoTech, Alain Kaloyeros , believes that this deal is a “visionary and pioneering investment” which will bring about “critical job creation and funding benefits spanning from Buffalo to Hudson Valley.” 

IMB’s John Kelly said that the company’s plan to expand its research into semiconductors is to accommodate a growing demand for more advanced computers, telecommunication systems and consumer electronics.

The remaining $65 million  of the state’s money will go towards upgrading IBM’s operations in East Fishkill. Through this effort the company will be able to retain the 1,400 employees it has working in this area, despite announcing that other IBM workers elsewhere in the country will be losing their jobs.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, a significant number of people are leaving upstate New York communities. Because of this Gov. David Paterson believes that these efforts will help to keep the population up and restore prosperity. “This is one of the steps we took to turn New York around,” he said.

Healthcare Jobs in Kansas

The 2004-2014 Kansas Occupational Outlook found that five of the 10 fastest growing occupations in the state are health care jobs. According to the report, the fastest growing industry jobs in Kansas are expected to be those of medical assistants, home health aides, dental hygienists, dental assistants and physician assistants.

Associate dean of Fort Scott Community College’s Pittsburg campus Judy Collins said that the need for dental hygienists in Kansas is something they have long been aware of. She went on to say that “the need was emphasized to us years ago by the Kansas Dental Association and local dentists.” 

The report found that the number of healthcare jobs for Kansas dental hygienists are expected to increase from 2004’s 1,850 to 2,620 by 2014. Despite the anticipated 42 percent increase in available positions, the FSCC Dental Hygiene School, which is affiliated with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, is only able to admit 12 students a year. Still, Collins says that accepted will have no troubles finding employment due to the number of opportunities available.

In the southeastern region of the state, the fastest growing healthcare jobs are expected to be those registered nurses and nursing aides, orderlies and attendants. The number of Rns needed in this area is anticipated to increase by 22 percent over the next few years, going from 1,800 jobs in 2004 to an expected 2,200 in 2014. Barbara McClaskey, a professor at the Pittsburg State University Department of Nursing, says that the college is accepting as many students as possible at this time. At this time, 100 percent of those that graduate from the program have been able to find jobs. 

The healthcare industry is expected to be fastest growing sector in southeast Kansas and the second fastest in the state, behind transportation equipment manufacturing, according to the report.

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.

Seasonal Employment

Overall, the holiday season can make it more difficult to find a full time job during the end of the year. Because of this many find it best to take on a temporary job until more opportunities open up. Aside from retail and some entry level jobs, many feel that they have few options at this time. In actuality, seasonal employment is not limited to local malls.

With holiday shoppers not wanting the added stress of cooking dinner, restaurants find themselves overwhelmed by a larger than normal dinner rush. Because of this many  hire on extra servers and cooks to handle the increase in orders. Although many of these positions are not advertised as jobs online or in newspapers, that does not mean they are not there.

In most cases, it is best to simply ask popular local restaurants if they are recruiting instead of waiting around for them to announce openings. On a similar note, due to increases in business caused by students being out of school for winter break, movie theaters and other locations dedicated to entertainment bulk up staff to meet the needs of the public.   

Also often overlooked are seasonal jobs with companies that handle shipping purchases. Online shopping for the holidays is at it’s highest, creating more business for FEDEX and UPS. Many locations are currently hiring additional staff, both drivers and package handles, to make sure holiday purchases arrive on time.

With temperatures dropping, companies that handle heating and air are bulking up staff numbers. Very few individuals are willing to live with a broken heater during the colder months, making it necessary to handle service requests immediately. Instead of losing business to local competitors, these companies often increase the number of those the employee to meet demands. In many cases one does not have to have prior experience to apply.

And unlike many seasonal employment opportunities, these positions tend to last longer. This is because the availability of these positions is not linked to the holidays. Instead, these employees are needed for as long as it remains cold. With the period of these temporary positions being longer, it makes it easier to turn them into full-time jobs. After all, after it warms up people demand quick repair for broken air conditioners.

Government Jobs in Minneapolis

For those in search of Minneapolis jobs with a government agency, knowing where to start can be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Many of these jobs do not ended up being announced in the same manner that private sector positions are. For many, finding a government job comes down to knowing someone or simply getting lucky.

With the benefits offered by government agencies and the level of job security offered by heavy bureaucracy, these positions are often snapped up quickly. Therefore, knowing where to access these job postings for the Minneapolis area is extremely important. One web page that can give an individual more of a competitive edge is the job search engine USAjobs.com.

Often used by prior military to locate private sector positions, USAjobs.com is not as heavily advertised as other job search engines. This web site provides job postings for positions throughout the country and abroad, but can easily be tailored to an individual city. To find a Minneapolis area job, all one has to do is make sure that the city is highlighted in the search criteria before requesting results.

All of the jobs in Minneapolis yielded require a civilian to fill them although some may require that the new employee work to support military operations. At this time, the website has 28 different positions that need to be filled in the Twin Cities area in 14 different government agencies. Current unfilled Minneapolis jobs include positions with the IRS, the Veteran's Health Administration, local Postal Services, and Customs and Border Protection.

USAjobs.com also offers a variety of different industries for one to work with.  Positions often vary from computer work to health care to a variety of different positions that require artistic talents. At this time, Minneapolis job openings needing to be filled are heavy on IT work and human resource support. There are also positions listed for an attorney, an economist, and even an animal care-taker.

Resumes can either be filled in manually or uploaded from a personal computer. For those that do decide to use this site to search for a job with a government agency in Minneapolis, remember to be very concise and specific in the language used when creating a resume. One's qualifications must be explicitly stated due to the fact that most government agencies receive a bulk of applicants and therefore use software to background check those whose resumes do not seem to fit with the position applied for.

Human Resources Over The Phone

Trying to find the right employer to fit an open position can be extremely difficult.  Even with the assistance of software to weed out those that are unqualified or unsuited for the job, many human resource departments find themselves loaded down with resumes. To make matters worse, many people look great on paper, but don't live up to expectations in person. To save time and increase efficiency, many a human resources department has the initial interview with a potential via phone, which unlike a background check, is possible.

By doing the original interview through a phone call one call determine if the would-be employee's qualifications, experience, and expectations are in line with what they company has to offer. One can also draw conclusions about the individuals communication skills. Another positive to this approach is the fact that one can often begin such interviews immediately as opposed to having to schedule several days in advance for a face to face meeting.

That being said, interviewing over the phone to fill jobs effectively does require a certain amount of skill. Being casual, to a degree, can aid in making  the process a lot easier. Many people are uncomfortable talking on the phone due to the fact that they can not read the other person's facial expressions. A good strategy for putting the potential employee at ease with the phone interview is to not make it seem like that is the point of the conversation. When one calls the applicant, via recruiting software, for example, they can say something to the effect of “I was calling to confirm that our company received your resume.

I do, however, have a few questions.” This makes the process seem less formal.  If the individual answers these questions in a positive manner, one can always schedule the secondary interview at this time. If one cannot make up their mind up about an applicant they can easily buy more time by telling them that the company will get back in touch with them at a later date.

Interviews done over the phone in this manner can easily alleviate some of the work load that is placed on a human resource department when new employees are needed.

London Jobs

If you want to look for London jobs you’ll be heartened by the volume of online UK resources, and their extensive databases of vacancy postings.

The London Telegraph, founded in 1994, is the much-lauded first online daily newspaper in the country. Its current recruitment ad volume includes 506 London-based positions. The jobs run the gamut, from media manager to social work, account executive sales positions to library assistants.  Two featured vacancies are an Operations Manager opening posted by an executive search firm. The person who accepts the position will oversee a local staff of 500 for a global firm. A major pharmaceutical firm is looking for two project managers, the first overseeing financial and human resource functions, the second leading a team of sales executives.

Along with a voluminous list of London and UK jobs, the London Telegraph also lets job seekers add their CVs to its database at no charge, and receive up-to-the-minute e-mail alerts on relevant jobs. The paper’s online career advice from vendor partners includes the help of career coaches and resume writers.

The London Times, The city’s premier daily since 1785, currently has 2909 London jobs posted on the Web, from a total database of 6200. 52 London jobs in the field of accounting, for example,  include a business development director for the London division of a consultancy, several SAP openings with a financial firm, a financial manager, a senior finance accountant, a temporary auditor, a senior accounting job, an administrative assistant for a CPA firm, and a CFO. Along with job search and CV posting, the Times also gives job candidates an online management tool for storing and managing their job applications and their publicly-visible profiles.

Dozens of sites advertise the details and online applications for thousands of London jobs. All provide job search by category, and most offer e-mail alerts to help job seekers with their ongoing job search, and free CV posting.  One directory, 1st 4 Jobs in London, has gathered the London Jobs board and recruitment agency options under a single Internet roof. Additionally, 1st 4 Jobs provides hyperlinks to recruitment agencies that can help a candidate find her or his ideal London job. Both job postings and agencies are divided by category.

If you’re interested in contract or temporary London jobs look at Lets Temp, which features positions in the fields of banking, construction, accounting, healthcare, catering and leisure,  IT, human resources, administrative and secretarial.   Of its current 155 job listings, 140 are in the London area. They run the gamut from sales administration, to reception, and paralegal work.

The advanced search mechanism of Lets Temp allows the job seeker to search by industry, and to additionally narrow down by area, by job type (temporary, contract or temp to perm) and by a range of hourly rates. Employers can advertise Urgent Jobs under a home-page banner, letting job seekers know of the immediacy of the hiring. Job seeker career advice includes tips on filling out the application, writing an effective CV and honing your job interview skills.

For automated and timely help with your London job search there’s no resources better than the Internet.

Internships

Internship, “What is it?” “What does it accomplish?” “What benefits will it bring me in future?” These are a few questions that a graduate student, or a recent university graduate, might be contemplating when considering internships.

An internship is defined as: Work in a company or agency related to a student’s degree program and career plans, usually for academic credit and often also for payment. This sounds like a fantastic idea when reading its definition, especially to an individual contemplating an internship, this promise of experience and compensation seems fantastic. 

The primary goal of an internship is to give the individual real world application to circumstances they have only experienced in theory. For example, if someone has a degree in Information Technology, but has never actually worked in the Information Technologies field, upon the conception of their career the adjustment to the industries demands and its particular idiosyncrasies, could be particularly overwhelming to someone with little or no experience. 

However, an internship will provide an individual the ability to experience the in’s and out’s of their particular industry. Along with experience, is the ability to observe the requirements placed upon other individuals that are already on a similar career path. With the assistance of an internship an individual can effectively judge which part of the industry they will be best suited for.

Internships can be a vital stepping stone for an individual’s career when on the job search. However, doing some research before applying to any prospective recruiting companies would be an intelligent process to follow. There are a myriad of different resources that can be implemented in order to find the facts out about a particular company. A major resource would be the university that an individual is affiliated with.

Most universities have relationships set up with particular companies, with the soul purpose of giving their students the ability to have real world experience before leaving the world of academia. This usually manifest itself as a “gap year” or a “year out”, whereby the individuals’ goal is to gain real world experience with the full support of the university. 

Another method of attaining information about a perspective internship is via the internet; Usually this occurs through job postings, message boards and human resources websites. An individual can see on line if the companies they are interested in offer internships. More often than not, the qualifications for the internship, the length of the internship, and if it is accompanied by a salary, are posted along with the contact details. 

When considering an internship, length of time is a mitigating factor, it could be “gap year” or three months in the summer. Weather the internship is voluntary or if you are issued a salary, the most important factor is if an individual is able to afford a three to six month voluntary internship, in order to add real world experience to their Resume’ or CV.

If the answer is no, an individual’s better option is a salaried “gap year” in order to gain real world experience, and earn a living simultaneously. The best solution for weather or not being an intern is the right career move for someone is less about wanting and more about if it is feasible to do so.

Recruitment’s very own evolution

To those of you too young to remember I say “trust me”: This is how it used to be in the old days. This is how business got done.

When recruiting, an employer (whether corporate or an agency consultant) would receive a job order, and go straight to the newspaper to publish an ad. It’s too hard to search the database; it’s quicker and easier to get fresh applications. 

The recruiter would write one of those ‘leading firm requires a seasoned accountant to work in the business district’ pieces and leave the rest to the imagination of the job seeker. No need to call, just send your details … please

CV’s and cover letters were chiseled away and sent to this virtual application black hole - particularly tough for internships, for example. The chosen ones were phoned. For the rest, rejection letters came months later, and there wasn’t much by way of feedback or two-way interaction even if you made it to the interview but dropped during the culling stage of the process. 

It’s not that recruiters wanted to be mean or nasty. They were being economically rational, adhering to issues such as workplace diversity, extracting value from the intermediation in imperfectly informed markets (pairing job with job seekers); whilst perpetuating the need for them to intervene in the matchmaking process, taking care of background checks; given the talent supply and demand ‘curves’.

There are a number of well reviewed factors and forces that contributed to wreck this modus operandi, namely:

    * Evolving clients’ needs and expectations, impacting the talent delivery models
    * Demographic and economic Trends, affecting talent supply and demand
    * Technology, such as recruiting software, increasing the ease of access to the information about jobs and job seekers

In this landscape, one of the resulting phenomena is the perceived increase in the value of what we can call ‘recruiter transparency’ which, by definition, involves the sharing of sufficient and pertinent information about a job/employer/intermediary aimed at producing an educated candidate choice.

Transparency so understood occurs when questions like the following ones can be answered through a combination of networking, word-of-mouth, research, further information requests, etc.

    * What is the recruiter’s track record?
    * What is the reputation of the company it represents?
    * Do the company and the candidate values align? What is the evidence?
    * What are the views of the candidate’s would-be peers, should I join?
    * What is the core of the role, above and beyond the job advertisement? How will I be successful? Can I be successful as part of this organization?

When the information is exchanged or sourced, the recruiter-candidate relationship becomes more symmetric which - we hypothesize - produces better quality matches.

More to the point, we want to argue that this increased symmetry is not a current-cycle symptom. The next recession will not bring the old recruitment practice. Things have changed for good and the better. There is an opportunity for recruiter to embrace the transparency of Internet recruiting and make it work for their clients and candidates.