Apr

30

Laid-off workers turning to community colleges

Posted by Dan

April 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment

You never know how the recession is going to impact a person or institution. For instance, community colleges. They’ve long offered programs designed to teach adults very specific job skills.
Turns out, in a recession like this one, that’s a good thing to teach.
A story in the Dallas Morning News says that enrollment among students older [...]

Apr

29

The amazing shrinking economy

Posted by Dan

April 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment

It’s official: We are suffering through the worst recession in at least 50 years.
Feel better? I don’t.
According to this story by Bloomberg, the U.S. Gross Domestic Product fell at a 6.1 percent annual rate in the first quarter. That was even worse than originally forecast, and it follows a 6.3 drop in the final three [...]

Apr

28

Finally, some good news for the unemployed. You’re not as likely to catch swine flu

Posted by Dan

April 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

If you’re unemployed, you should visit Unemploymentality. As perhaps the funniest blog out there dedicated to the unemployed life, it will undoubtedly make you feel better.
The blog, in fact, features a post today that features actual good news for the unemployed: You’re less likely to catch swine flu. Although, personally, this possible pandemic has at [...]

Apr

27

More moonlighting for U.S. workers?

Posted by Dan

April 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment

My dad worked as a typesetter and proofreader at a Chicago-based printing company for most of my childhood. The money was steady, and my father enjoyed the work.
Of course, that didn’t stop him from driving a schoolbus in the mornings. Any extra money helped when raising a family. (We kids liked when he got to [...]

Apr

24

How heartless are employers? They’ll cut even if they believe the economy’s improving

Posted by Dan

April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’m always harping on my friends who seem to live for their jobs. I think by now, though, most of them have gotten the message that their employers really don’t care about them.
Three or four rounds of layoffs will do that.
But here’s even more proof that companies don’t care all that much about the well-being [...]

Apr

23

NY Times: Teaching not a fallback career

Posted by Dan

April 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment

It happens during every economic downturn: Workers fired from their corporate jobs get an idea. They decide to become teachers.
Workers see it as a break from the corporate rat race. They see themselves surrounded by motivated fellow teachers and eager students.
Of course, all of this is fantasy. Just ask anyone who actually works as a [...]

Apr

22

Corporations’ new message: Leave your daughters at home!

Posted by Dan

April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I never quite understood the point of Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. If I was a daughter or son, the last thing I’d want to do is spend time at either of my parents’ jobs. I saw enough of my parents, thank you, I didn’t need to see them during their working [...]

Apr

21

60 cents for a pop? One more reason working stinks

Posted by Dan

April 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment

One of the perks at the publishing company where I work is the pop machine on the first floor that sells Diet Coke for 40 cents. I drink a lot of pop, and that machine might be the best soda value in the city.
Rather, it used to be.
Yes, the terrible happened earlier this month. My [...]

Apr

20

Some job interview mistakes that can cost you dearly

Posted by Dan

April 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

This would be funny if it wasn’t true: A growing number of candidates, once they receive a job interview, spend an inordinate amount of time during these interviews complaining about the financial hardships they’ve suffered because they’ve lost their jobs.
Look, we all know that it’s awful to be without a job. I don’t know anyone [...]

Apr

17

How to stay invaluable at work — and still get fired

Posted by Dan

April 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment

A friend of mine did all the right things to keep his job at a big banking company.
1. He showed up early to work three days a week, at least, and stayed later just as many.
2. He volunteered to take on extra projets, and never asked for any bonus money for doing so.
3. He brought [...]

keep looking »