The February jobs report indicates that unemployment is starting to consistently decline. Photo Credit: Nightscream/Luigi Novi/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 3.0

The February jobs report indicates that unemployment has declined slightly since January. The rate of unemployment declined .01 percent to 8.9 percent over February. It is the third month in a row that unemployment has decreased.

Employers adding jobs

The February jobs report was recently released by the Department of Labor, and it showed that the increase in hires during the month of February was a small one, but an increase nonetheless. The unemployment rate decreased by a paltry 0.1 percent, from 9 percent in January to 8.9 percent in February, according to CNN. Employers added 192,000 jobs to the economy, which was a dramatic improvement over January. In January, employers added 63,000 jobs to the overall economy, but January was slower than February as winter weather brought many areas to a near standstill, according to the Los Angeles Times. Besides an increase in hiring once the snow relented, December and January jobs reports were revised by the Labor Department to reflect that 50,000 new hires had gone previously unreported.

Third consecutive month of decreasing unemployment

The unemployment rate has declined for the third month in a row. The rate of unemployment has waxed and waned for the past several years, and there have been declines noted all along the way, but the unemployment rate declined nearly an entire percentage point from December to February, marking significant progress. The number of initial unemployment claims fell to 368,000 recently, marking a three-year low for new filers. More than 9 million people are claiming unemployment benefits, according to Forbes.  The economy is projected by the Federal Reserve to grow between 3.5 and 4 percent during 2011, though rising gas prices are sure to cause some hiccups over the next few months.

Government spending cuts could scuttle recovery

Congressional Republicans are on a mission to drastically cut the federal budget down to size, which some economists believe will negate any progress made toward curbing the high rate of unemployment, according to CBS. Mark Zandi, the chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, predicted that the House Republican plan to cut $61 billion from the federal budget could result in more than 700,000 people losing their jobs. A similar projection was also released by Goldman Sachs, though the objection was raised immediately that Zandi had been one of the most prominent supporters of the various stimulus packages and had claimed that unemployment would stay below 8 percent with stimulus spending.

Sources

CNN

Los Angeles Times

Forbes

CBS

Lawmakers in Maryland are facing a huge budget deficit. Image: Wikimedia Commons

State budget time is here again, and shortfalls are plaguing almost every state. Maryland is attempting to fill a $1.6 billion shortfall using emergency money and creative tactics. With several unfunded long-term liabilities, however, the state may have to take on more than a single year’s budget.

The Maryland budget shortfall

The Maryland state budget is currently facing a $1.6 billion shortfall for the fiscal year. Governor O’Malley is proposing that the full budget shortfall be filled without adding any taxes or fees to the state budget. Beyond the individual year’s deficit, Maryland also has more than $18 billion in unfunded pensions due in the next 25 years. There is also an estimated $15 billion in Medicare, Medicaid and health care costs.

Addressing Maryland’s budget deficit

Democratic governor O’Malley is proposing several reforms to help fill the budget shortfall. There will be several million, if not billions in cuts to state budgets. State employees, however, will also be providing a large amount of the emergency money the state needs to make ends meet. The state is inviting applications for a buyout offer — where the state pays employees to leave their jobs. There have already been 1,500 applications for buyouts, most of which the state is very likely to accept.

Health care costs a point of contention

A point of contention for a large part of the Maryland legislature is health care. There is a huge deficit built into the system. Long-term care providers in Maryland are already facing over $180 million in budget cuts. States are responsible for a significant portion of the costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and with budgets being stretched to the limit, the amount they are willing to pay is going down. For many long-term care facilities, that means trying to care for seriously ill patients on less and less money every day. In Maryland, no additional fees or taxes mean they could have to try and make do with even less.

Sources

Bloomberg

Unemployment office image from Flickr.

During the month of April, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 290,000. Despite this increase in employment, the unemployment rate in the United States increased up to 9.9 percent. Sizable employment gains occurred in manufacturing, professional and business services, health care and in leisure and hospitality. Federal government employment increased due to hiring of temporary workers for Census 2010. Since December, nonfarm payroll employment has expanded by 573,000 with 483,000 jobs added in the private sector. The vast majority of job growth occurred during the last 2 months.

Unemployment categories

Percentages of unemployed workers:

• Less than 5 weeks, 18.3 percent
• 5 to 14 weeks, 20.4 percent
• 15 weeks or more, 61.3 percent
• 15 to 26 weeks, 15.4 percent
• 27 weeks or more, 45.9 percent

In April, the civilian labor force participation rate increased by 0.3 percent to 65.2 percent, as the size of the labor force rose by 805,000. Since December, the participation rate has increased by 0.6 percent. The percentage of the U.S. population that is emploued rose to 58.8 percent during April.

Manufacturing, construction, business and temporary

Manufacturing added 44,000 jobs in April. Since December, factory employment has gone up by 101,000. Over the month, gains occurred in several durable goods industries, including fabricated metals (9,000) and machinery (7,000). Employment also grew in nondurable goods manufacturing (14,000). In April, construction employment edged up 14,000, following an increase of 26,000 in March. Over the month, nonresidential building and heavy construction added 9,000 jobs each.

Employment in professional and business services rose by 80,000 in April. Temporary help services continued to add jobs (26,000). Employment in this industry has increased by 330,000 since September 2009. Employment also rose over the month in services to buildings and dwellings 23,000 and in computer systems design 7,000.

Health care, hospitality and government

In April, health care employment grew by 20,000, including a gain of 6,000 in hospitals. Over the past year, health care employment has increased by 244,000.

Employment rose by 45,000 in leisure and hospitality over the month. Much of this increase occurred in accommodation and food services, which added 29,000 jobs. Food services employment has risen by 84,000 over the past four months, while accommodations has added 18,000 jobs over the past three months.

Federal government employment was up in April, reflecting the hiring of 66,000 temporary workers for the decennial census.

Consumer credit for first quarter declines

However, it is the health of the banking system — which can be determined by the outstanding credit and loans taken out by U.S. consumers — that provides a clearer picture of the true state of the economy and its health or distress.

From its January 2010 high of $2.746 billion in outstanding U.S. consumer credit, which most likely is due to paying down 2009 purchases during the holiday season, outstanding consumer credit has declined every month since January. Consumer credit has fallen to $2.446 billion in February and $2.433 billion in March 2010.

Those statistics show that most Americans are either saving more or cutting back spending to pay outstanding bills, thus not using credit to make as many new purchases. Thus, because of less consumer spending for the month of April, there are fewer Americans employed.

Sources:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. Federal Reserve Survey of “Consumer Credit Outstanding”

Want to drive a UPS truck? UPS jobs can involve intensive training. Image from Flickr.

UPS Jobs are, all things considered, incredibly good jobs. The UPS system usually promotes from within, and getting a job in UPS Careers means starting as a package sorter and working your way up to delivery person training. However, over the next five years, UPS is expected to hire more than 25,000 individuals for UPS careers. Are you looking to UPS jobs as a possible pay day? Here’s the lowdown.

UPS Jobs are very good jobs

On average, UPS careers pay very well. A driver for United Parcel Service can make up to $75,000 a year, depending on the area of the country they are in and how well they do. UPS Jobs have been listed as one of 2009′s “World’s Most Reputable Companies” by Forbes Magazine. UPS Careers were also listed as one of the Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign, 50 best places to launch a career by Business Week, and America’s Top 10 most socially responsible companies by Fortune Magazine.

UPS Careers expected to grow

Currently, UPS Jobs include about 99,000 drivers across the United States. In the next five years, about 25,000 of these drivers are expected to retire. This means that every year, UPS jobs will account for an average 5,000 hires throughout the United States. This doesn’t include the package sorters, administrative and technical support staff, and more. There will be even more UPS jobs if the rumors that UPS might be taking over TNT Mail in the United Kingdom are true.

Training for UPS Jobs

If you want to become a UPS Driver, the training is much more complicated than a simple test. The UPS Careers training center outside of Washington, D.C., uses high-tech tough training to make sure drivers are up to the task. There are video games that require UPS jobs applicants to navigate obstacles and challenges. There are also physical requirements – like carrying a 10-pound box over a greased-down runway. It may sound tough, but UPS jobs are the face of the company, and they don’t loan company uniforms out to just anybody.

Applying for UPS Jobs

If you want to apply for UPS jobs, the best place to start is at the UPS jobs web site. At the UPS jobs web site, you can apply for jobs, check hiring appointments, inquire about open positions, and more.

Sources:

UPS jobs website
Business Week

For the unemployed, looking for payday cash can be harrowing. There is good news, though, since more companies are expected to open their doors this year. The recession is finally considered over and that means that slowly businesses are hiring. The government is taking the lead on squashing the unemployment rate and promising to create 600,000 jobs this year. That’s great news for an unemployed public that is well into the millions.

Government jobs on the rise

For anyone looking to work for the government, there are perks. The number of six-figure earning employees is set to rise along with the larger pool of workers. Here are some of the jobs that the government is currently looking to fill:

• FBI/Special Agent. This job isn’t only made up for the movies. In fact, it is a real position that is needed. The job description, according to the FBIJobs.gov website, is “As an FBI Special Agent you may work on matters including terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, organized crime, white-collar crime, public corruption, civil rights violations, financial crime, bribery, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, interstate criminal activity, fugitive and drug-trafficking matters, and other violations of federal statutes.” The annual salary is anywhere between $57,000 and $74,000.
• IT Specialist. Though this position is a bit more boring than an FBI Special Agent, it still has its perks. The annual salary for an IT Specialist is $123,000 to $155,000. The job entails the procurement of equipment, hardware/software maintenance, training, design changes, long range planning, and all other system integration within the division.” (www.FBIJobs.gov).
• Aerospace Engineer. This is a job that focuses on designing and developing civil aircrafts. The job is an exciting one for any engineer and can hone his or her skill. This job has an annual salary range of $91,000 to $414,000.
• Writer/Editor. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking for help. The job involves proofreading and updating materials related to financial services. The salary for this position is between $96,000 and $171,000. That’s good news for struggling writers who have the credentials to warrant payday cash from the government.
• Wildlife Biologist. This title is also called a “Grizzly Bear Habitat Coordinator” and the employee will be a “principle liaison for grizzly bear management among the Forest Service’s northern Region, Rocky Mountain Region and Intermountain Region.” The annual salary is $68,000 to $89,000.
• Intelligence Officer/Defense Intelligence Agency. An intelligence officer is the closest to what people watch on TV and in the movies. These are the agents that take on high-threat issues for US officials and representatives. The salary for this position is between $89,000 and $136,000 a year. Projects include counter-intelligence work and monitoring of national level operations.

Government positions

The key to finding the right position is to focus on skills. Just like any other employer, the government is looking for the right person for the right job. It’s crucial to create a good resume and then follow the application instructions at the FBI website. It may take some careful planning, but having payday cash directly from Uncle Sam can be a blessing to anyone who has been searching for a job since the recession first began.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

It’s an exciting time for those moving back into the world of earning payday cash. The recession was difficult on the mainstream worker. Almost every industry suffered setbacks and had to lay-off and let-go of good workers. A lot of jobs were eliminated during the process. Now that the recession is over, workers are again entering into the workplace and hoping to return to their old ways of life. Though it may seem like an easy transition, some workers are finding it difficult to commit to a healthy financial life. Here are some tips on what priorities to have if a worker is returning to work.

The new priorities of Americans

Pre-recession, priorities were different. Most Americans were stretched beyond their limits and relied on credit to put off payments. While that lasted for a few years, it soon came crashing down as lenders started closing their doors. Now that consumers are moving back into the workplace, they have a new set of priorities in terms of financial management. Here are the new issues consumers are concerned with:

• Confronting debt. All consumers who are newly employed need to take a hard look at their debt. Not having a job for a few months inevitably drains funds and can make debt increase quickly. Those new to the workforce need to be focused on paying down debt before shopping for the latest trend. It’s easy to get caught up in spending without addressing financial obligations. Experts will say that high debt is bad from numerous viewpoints. There is money lost to interest, lowering credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios to threaten future credit. It’s best to put as much of the new paycheck towards paying down high-interest debt as quickly as possible.
• Getting insured again. Numerous Americans let their insurance lapse due to lack of funds from unemployment. Now is the time for them to get back their appropriate level of financial protection. The newly employed should talk to their employment’s HR department and find out how to sign up for health insurance. There normally are strict windows of time when employees can sign up and new hires should be aware of the procedure.
• Being thrifty. Again, it may seem like a good time to get back into spending, but that isn’t the best idea. Financial planner Adam Leavitt said, “The best way to rebuild after unemployment is to act like you still are.” Using payday cash wisely means remaining on a strict budget to build up cash reserves and investments. Most likely after long-term unemployment, cash accounts were depleted and investments were ignored. After finding employment, the best thing to do is start readdressing savings goals.
• Refinancing options. It’s also a good time to consider refinancing once a stable job has been found. It’s a great time to refinance due to all-time low interest rates. According to Bankrate.com, some consumers can still find a 30-year fixed rate loan for 5%. Saving money can be that much easier with some mortgage flexibility.

Employment after the recession

Anyone who has been unemployed knows the stress that comes along with it. Now that the recession is turning around, more people are finding full-time employment, and that means being wise with new payday cash coming in. Spending is still not the best idea, but rather putting money to work for financial goals is wisest. Careful examination of finances can create a plan that will benefit savings goals, investment accounts, and overall future financial health.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

More and more workers are concerned about their payday cash. It’s not just a matter of money, though; they are also worried about moving into a new job position and their new boss. With the number of unemployed in America reaching the millions, that leaves people in a precarious situation. The unknown of a new employer and a new boss makes it touchy for any new hire.

One of the biggest concerns workers have today is blending back into the workplace after a long period of unemployment. It is good news to get the job, but there are concerns once workers return to the office that go beyond just daily routines. Having the right boss can make or break a new employee, and knowing what to look for is crucial for any worker.

Questions to ask when reviewing a boss

There are some things to think about when taking a new job. First of all, does your new boss showcase what you can do? Every employee wants recognition and a good boss will let you shine. Carter Michaelson, career coach in Louisville, Louisiana, said, “A good boss isn’t insecure. In fact, good bosses hire people who are smarter than they are and then channel their talents to better the company. Managing good and qualified people is their forte.”

Another question to ask is whether or not your new boss has problem solving abilities of their own. The ideal boss is one who is able to work with lateral managers and fix problems, not just postpone them. When you talk to your boss about an issue, you want to feel like they are on the same page and going to put their efforts into changing the situation. A good boss should also be able to go to bat for you and your issues. Change may not happen immediately, but there should be some effort to correct unmanageable conditions.

Thirdly, find out if your boss lets you complete tasks from start to finish. Anyone working for payday cash should have the responsibilities to warrant it. A good boss knows when to take a step back and give full ownership to a worker for tasks and projects. You may have to ask questions for clarification and meet with your supervisor for updates, but overall, the project should be yours.

Finally, see if your boss listens to your suggestions. No one wants to be ignored, and if you have good ideas, it can be frustrating to never see them brought to fruition. A good boss will take an idea and let you develop it. He or she will encourage you along the way. Michaelson added, “A good boss knows that if you look good, they look good, so they’ll support your good ideas.”

A good boss can make a huge difference

Moving back into the workplace after a long period of unemployment can be difficult. Though workers are excited to be bringing in payday cash again, there are still other concerns to think about. Namely, finding the right boss can be the best asset a new worker finds. It may be difficult to find, but for those employees who do find the perfect boss, work life can be that much simpler.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

Many consumers miss their payday cash. The reason is that there are millions of Americans out of work these days. Though the recession is over, the unemployment rate is still huge and employers aren’t creating enough jobs to turn things around. For the lucky few who are on the road to employment, facing a job recruiter is the first step to conquer. They have already researched the company and know how they fit in with the business, but their next job is to convince the recruiter that they are right for the job. With an unemployment rate average of 10% throughout the country, recruiters have more than a few options to sort through when trying to fill a position. And anyone who wants to stand out needs to know how to manage their limited time with a recruiter and put their best face forward.

Dealing with a job recruiter

Recruiters are usually the first base of meeting with a new employer. It’s important to remember what to do and what not to do. Here are some tips:

1.) Don’t be overly friendly with the recruiter. Yes, applicants want to make the recruiter like them, but they need to remember that the recruiter is a respected coworker. It’s best to keep them at that level and remember that the tone an applicant sets is the one the recruiter will bring back to managers. All conversations should be kept professional and personal anecdotes and joking kept to a minimum. Job recruiter Erin Hovanec said, “A useful rule of thumb: Don’t say or do anything in front of a recruiter that you wouldn’t say or do in front of your boss.”

2.) Don’t come in looking for counseling. Applicants need to remember that the recruiter is working for the company they want to work for. He or she is not an independent worker there to offer suggestions on the interviewee’s career choice. Hovanec added, “If you are looking for suggestions, talk to a career coach first, but during the interview, leave that outside.” The goal of finding a job is creating payday cash and an interviewee who isn’t sure they want the job will be weeded out quickly by a good recruiter.

3.) Don’t request delicate information. Never ask a recruiter who the other applicants are or how well you weigh up against them. Hovanec stated, “Asking about other applicants is like going on a first date and demanding to know who else your date is seeing… it makes you seem insecure with your own skills.” There are some acceptable questions to ask like “Are you still interviewing?” and “How would you describe the ideal applicant?” Engaging in a dialogue about general job requirements is perfectly acceptable during the interview.

4.) Don’t request special treatment. Though it may be tempting to ask the recruiter to “put in a good word”, it’s not acceptable. It is always best for candidates to rely on their experience, skill and education to do the talking. If a candidate is right for the job, the recruiter will convey that to a hiring manager with no problems.

The crucial 20 minutes

The ratio of jobs to candidates is high in today’s market and it’s a good idea to act as carefully as possible with a recruiter. He or she is there as a screener and their job is to find the perfect candidate for the job. For applicants wanting payday cash to start again, it’s crucial to understand and manage the relationship. Even though it most likely will only last for twenty to thirty minutes, it can make all the difference in getting a job or walking away empty-handed.

Apply for a payday cash advance HERE!

Photo from Picasa

The Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

We are all aware that money is tight for a lot of people these days, but somehow when the actual statistics come out it can still be quite shocking. A recent Associated Press article (See: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-millionplus-collect-apf-2239818806.html?x=0) is reporting that more than 20 million Americans received unemployment payments over the course of 2009. The unemployment rate for the year reached a whopping 10 percent. It is easy to see why sales of many products are way down when one in every 10 people is out of a job.

It has been a Drawn Out Struggle for Some

While there are not as many workers being laid off or let go as there were in recent months, many employers are still reluctant to re-hire until they see a dramatic upturn in the economy. Some of the people who have lost their jobs have been fortunate enough to find work elsewhere, even if their new jobs are not optimal. While lifestyle adjustments are often required, those who have had to take on casual jobs to remain employed should count themselves lucky to have found some work. Among those without a job, 5.8 million have been unemployed for over six months. This circumstance can take a toll not only on the pocketbook, but also on a person’s pride.

The Vicious Cycle

With so many people out of work or working low paying jobs, there is little money being spent. Businesses that rely on sales of some sort are still struggling to bring in customers. They cannot take on extra employees because they are not making enough money to keep them, or at the very least, they are wary of what the economy has in store for us in the upcoming months and years. Also, government stimulus programs are beginning to wane, meaning there is even less money for businesses to work with. So with consumers unable to spend and companies powerless to hire, the economic crisis seems to be here for the long haul.

Just how Long will the Crisis Last?

The unemployment rate is showing signs of declining, but not at a speed that most of us would like to see. Experts are estimating that within a year’s time the rate will be above 9 percent, slightly down from the current 10 percent. With such a scarce job market the government has been forced to extend the term of unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26 weeks several times in 2009 and will likely have to continue to do so, otherwise millions of people will be left with even less to spend.

Job Competition is Fierce

If you are one of the many Americans who is unemployed and looking for work the odds are definitely not great. It is estimated that for every open job there are six unemployed candidates. Of course, there are also many other people to consider. This number does not include the many employed people who are searching for full time or higher paying opportunities.

Try to Remain Positive

It can be tough to stay optimistic is such trying times. Taking a casual job can be humbling, but you can take pride in the fact that you have beaten the odds. Also, try thinking outside the box. If you have skills that would allow you to take on freelance work, this can be a great time to use them. Companies are far more likely to take on freelancers than regular employees right now. The internet has opened up a wide range of online opportunities too.

Photo from Picasa

Just when We thought it was Over

While many people who have been hit hard by the recession are thrilled to hear that it is coming to a close and believe that they will finally be able to earn some much needed money now, this may not actually be the case. Most of us would not expect that the end of a recession would include more tough times, but the truth is that in this case it likely will for many people. A recent Associated Press article speculates that people who are out of work or hoping to make more money will be apt to run into more employment difficulties, possibly for as long as another decade. The best case scenario is thought to be a 5 year wait for the unemployment levels to return to where they normally are.

So where do We Currently Stand?

With 7 million jobs that have been completely eliminated, the unemployment rate currently stands at a dismal 10 percent. This means that there are approximately 15.4 million people who are out of work and in desperate need of some money now. This does not even factor in the additional hardship caused by people who have had to take on lower paying jobs or have taken a cut in pay to keep their job. Also with the cost of living on the rise, people have been hit even harder.

Why will it Take so Long?

Adding jobs back in will take time. The economy is picking up, but it is moving along slowly and employers will tend to be cautious about taking on more people or giving raises until things have really improved. Add to this slow progression the fact that there will be huge numbers of job seekers in the market, all competing for the limited positions, including some retirement-aged people who will choose to work longer to help ensure their security. Sadly, the recession came just after a period of time where relatively few new jobs were created, making the unemployment situation even more precarious.

What do the Experts Think?

According to the article, economist David Levy believes that the next decade will see unemployment at around 8 percent and that average wages will drop. These issues will result in people having more trouble paying off money that they owe. The experts tend to believe that the improvement will be very slow and painful. The optimists in the group tend to be of the opinion that many of the jobs will be back in place by the middle of the decade, but that so many more people will decide to get back into the job market, that the unemployment rate will stay high because there will be more people than jobs.

Where do We Go from Here?

The country, its citizens and its companies have been hit extremely hard by this recession. Healing will take a great deal of time. If you are one of the many who is seeking a way to earn some money now you will likely have to think out of the box. Taking freelancing or odd jobs can often help bring in some cash until a regular job comes along.

Need Money Now? Click here to apply.

(Photo via Exalthim, Flickr.com)

The power of the internet is unlimited. It has evolved into something of global demand as more people are leaving the traditional ways of communicating and running to the internet to give ‘fast’ and ‘convenience’ a whole new meaning. Just about everything can be accessed online; payday loans, cars, household goods, clothing, and even tools for credit repair. The internet has become one of the major, most dynamic ways to communicate. It has only improved over the years and continues to open new doors to other monetary options and striking opportunities.

Employment Opportunity: Netflix Jobs

Netflix, the nation’s largest online DVD service, has been the number one source for online movie rentals for the past decade. Now, Netflix is taking their online service to a professional standpoint by offering employment opportunities to everyone across the United States. Netflix jobs can be reviewed on their website. Get on their job opportunities page, type in a preferred position, and easily search through their locations and departments for job openings.

Company History

Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings who said he had no idea if people would actually use his service. The Internet has proved itself yet again to be a viable asset to any market. In 1999, Netflix launched its Internet-based subscription service and signed up some 239,000 subscribers in the first year. Today they have amassed a vast collection of 100,000 titles and approximately 10 million subscribers. What an accomplishment!

More Netflix Jobs Info

According to Wikipedia, the company is well-known for its worker-oriented culture, including unlimited vacation time for salaried workers. Netflix is also known for its innovative management practices. In order to attract the best talents and employ the most qualified individuals, the company pays salaries that are generally much higher than customary. Netflix is one of the few companies that allow employees to take any amount of their paychecks in stock options.
“We’re unafraid to pay high… At most companies, average performers get an average raise,” says Hastings. “At Netflix, they get a generous severance package.”