Jan

30

When contemplating layoffs, don’t take off for San Diego — Especially when it’s 14 degrees in Chicago

Posted by Dan

January 30, 2009 | 2 Comments

Not to be overly surly, and I do appreciate the fact that I still have a job — jobs, actually, if you count all my freelance writing — but sometimes the bosses at my main publishing job make me wish I wasn’t some 25 years or so from retirement.
Here’s what has me vexed: Last week, [...]

Jan

29

“We need someone to say things are better!” Is that all it takes?

Posted by Dan

January 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I was interviewing a commercial developer for one of the real estate trade magazines that I write for. When discussing the terrible economy and the negative impact it has had on the commercial real estate industry, this developer sighed, hesitated and then said this: “All it’s going to take to turn this around is [...]

Jan

28

Just a little more bad news: Sprint slashes jobs

Posted by Dan

January 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

It’s a bit depressing I know. When I scroll through the archives of this blog, I stumble upon too many posts about companies slashing jobs.
Well, here’s another one. The USA Today reports that telecommunications giant Sprint is cutting 8,000 jobs. That’s an amazing 15 percent of its workforce.
It’s a tough employment world out there, folks. [...]

Jan

27

How not to keep your job

Posted by Dan

January 27, 2009 | 4 Comments

Things are tough at one of the publishers for which I write. Like most of the publishing industry, the magazines it produces are getting smaller and smaller. That happens when formerly steady advertisers either go out of business or slash their budgets.
You’d think, then, that there’d be a sense of urgency. And there is among [...]

Jan

26

A raise in today’s economy? Maybe …

Posted by Dan

January 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Most people who read this blog are probably either looking for a job or busy holding onto their current job with all their might. In today’s economy, no one has job security.
But there are some folks out there who would still like a raise, right, even as the recession rages on? After all, there are [...]

Jan

23

As economy drops, eavesdropping rises

Posted by Dan

January 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

If you work in a cubicle, the odds are good you’ve had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a few sensitive matters that weren’t necessarily for your ears.
Maybe your office mate will be complaining on the phone about his wife, or your co-worker will confide to a work friend that she never did get that raise [...]

Jan

22

A depressing way to stay employed: Be a brownnose?

Posted by Dan

January 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

We all have our own strategies for staying employed. Some put in extra hours. Some turn in the best work they possibly can and hope that their bosses notice. Others work for themselves, or freelance for as many diverse clients as they can, seeing protection from the uncertainty that reigns in the job market today.
Then [...]

Jan

21

A career to avoid: Anything doing with publishing

Posted by Dan

January 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’ve worked as a journalist since before I graduated from college in 1991. I love writing, and even more I love getting paid to do it.
But I wouldn’t advise any college student today to enter this field. It’s suffering. And there aren’t many signs that things are going to get better any time soon.
Just look [...]

Jan

20

Major cities face big job losses in 2009

Posted by Dan

January 20, 2009 | 1 Comment

I live and work near the city of Chicago. I grew up here, and I love the city. There’s a ton of things to do here, a diverse population and some amazing architecture.
Unfortunately, my hometown is in for some serious hurt in 2009 when it comes to job losses.
And Chicago isn’t alone. Other top cities, [...]

Jan

16

Where are all those blogging dollars I was promised?

Posted by Dan

January 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Remember when blogging first took off? As a freelance writer, I was excited: Here was a whole new market, a whole new way to make money off my writing. I even thought blogging would be largely protected from the struggles that newspapers and magazines are currently suffering.
Turns out I was wrong.
The money you can earn [...]

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