Monday, August 2, 2010

“Job Front: Some small firms ready to hire in year's second half” plus 3 more

“Job Front: Some small firms ready to hire in year's second half” plus 3 more

Job Front: Some small firms ready to hire in year's second half

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 10:34 PM PDT

A leading Internet job-search site says some small businesses will be ready to hire in the second half of the year, according to its latest nationwide survey.

CareerBuilder surveyed more than 1,300 hiring managers at small businesses across the country in June.

In all, 32 percent of respondents at firms with 500 or fewer employees said they would hire between July and December. A quarter of businesses with 50 or fewer workers said they planned to hire during the second half of the year.

Just as many job seekers – 26 percent – who were laid off in the last six months and hadn't yet found work were considering starting their own businesses instead of continuing their job search.

"The intellectual capital that companies were forced to lay off over the last 18 to 24 months was substantial," said Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America, in a statement announcing the survey results. "It's not surprising that many are creating their own opportunities."

But many small businesses remain on the hiring sidelines, stalled by lack of access to capital, shaken consumer confidence and persistent high unemployment.

"Small businesses have not seen a turnaround or the needed revenue to justify hiring," said Drew White, chief executive officer of North Carolina-based business analysts Sageworks Inc., which released its most recent report on small-business performance last week.

Indeed, the growth rate and consumer spending in the second quarter posted their weakest showings since late last year, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

White said the recovery will continue to plod along until revenues increase, but that smaller businesses will be poised to move more rapidly on hires than their larger counterparts when the climate improves.

"They are quick to react. They are eager to hire," White said. "We've sort of plateaued. The federal government has put tons of money into the system. International companies are flush with cash. We haven't hit a tipping point yet, but it's there."

Career fair in Elk Grove

A Wednesday career fair in Elk Grove will feature local and regional employers and resources for job seekers.

The free employment fair sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the pavilion at Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove Florin Road.

More than 30 employers and job training resources are scheduled to appear, including Bank of America, Schools Credit Union, 24 Hour Fitness and others. Résumé counseling will also be available.

"We wanted to use the resources of our office to pull together employers and get résumés into the hands of employers," said Michelle Henry, a Buchanan staffer.

Buchanan represents the 15th Assembly District, which includes Elk Grove.

For more information, call Buchanan's office at (916) 319-2015.

Help for military vets

Military veteran job seekers can find help in their employment search at the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center.

The center, at 7270 E. Southgate Drive, offers job training opportunities, Internet job search assistance, résumé counseling and help in preparing for interviews.

Orientation sessions are 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, call the center at (916) 393-8387 or visit www.vietvets.org

We want to hear from you

Is your company hiring? Is your organization hosting a career fair? Is your campus rolling out a job skills program? Contact Job Front at dvsmith@sacbee.com.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.

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Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Westford job seekers

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 03:57 AM PDT

WESTFORD -- The Westford Job Seekers will host Abby Grant from the Boston Business Journal Wednesday, Aug. 18 for a presentation on using the journal as a job-search tool. Grant will discuss how to turn up job leads, connect with leading industries and link up with the area's top business executives.

The group meets every Wednesday at the J.V. Fletcher Library, 50 Main St., from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

The Future of (Offline) Shopping Search Engines

Posted: 01 Aug 2010 09:45 PM PDT

By Bas van den Beld, Search Engine Watch, Aug 2, 2010

http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/sew.us/experts/searching-meaning/story_3622995;sect=site;page=article;artid=3641147;pos=Position3;tile=19;sz=200x200,300x250,336x280,300x600;ord=611640001280778354?

There's a new supermarket in our town. A very nice one. It's big, it has lots more products than the old one had, it's open more, and it has all the latest technology. You can even scan your own products -- no more lines!

So it's perfect! Or is it? When I was walking through the aisles of the supermarket this morning, looking for the macaroni, I realized this supermarket was missing something: a search engine.

Yes, I know, I'm biased, I work in search. I think everything needs a search engine. Or worse, everything is a search engine.

But when looking for that macaroni, which I never had any trouble finding in the old store, it became clear to me how I wanted to see my future shopping. And a search engine is needed for that.

Now, in this case I don't mean online shopping. I mean serious, hard-core supermarket shopping. For my bread, my milk, and yes, my macaroni.

I know I can have things sent home, but I like going to the shop. It gets me out once in a while, and I might even run into some people. It's nice. So, before you start commenting about delivery, I know I can do that, but I still want to go to the shop, OK?

It Starts With Making a Shopping List

There's already talk of refrigerators that can add milk to your list when you run out of it. Of course, I want that, but I want more!

I have an Android phone. I want to make my shopping list with that phone, so it has to be connected to that refrigerator.

But I also want it to scan other products I want to buy and I'll have to be able to talk to it (voice recognition) in order to make the list. And, of course, my wife, or anybody I want, should have access to that list if I allow them to. That's the obvious stuff so far at home.

The Actual Search Engine Comes in Now

It must first point out what shops I would like to buy at. Is it just that one supermarket, or am I willing to go elsewhere (e.g., for a better price)? If so, it should show which shops I can choose from, which has the best prices, which is nearest by, etc.

Based on those choices, it should map me a route that I have to take when going to town (these directions being shown on my phone).

In-Store Search Engine

The application should show me what I need to buy (the list), but it also has to show me where I can find it. So no more searching for that macaroni. It should take me there, based on GPS data. And it should show me where all the other stuff I want is located -- preferably, showing me the best route to take within the store.

(Paid) Suggestions

Oh, and let's not forget the suggestions, which can at the same time be the business model here. When I'm going for that macaroni, the search engine might just suggest I get some cheese with that.

And here's the business part: paid suggestions. Every store could have its paid suggestions in there. Based on where I'm walking, it could offer me discounts for specific products that aren't on my list. Personalized, of course -- I don't want the same offer as that old lady in front of the vegetables.

It might just be I'd be buying a lot more that you'd expect. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Not Search Engine Like At All?

Well, it's a search engine all the way. Search engines are more than just machines that index the web. They (are going to?) index the world.

We might not call them search engines (the word "app" comes to mind...) but they certainly are search engines. Which will make the job of a search marketer much more than optimizing a website. And actually, that already is the case.

Search marketing has already become more than website optimizing. You just have to see it.

Well, that's my take on the future of shopping search. Now, I'm off, gonna make some macaroni and cheese. If I can find the cheese, that is...

Join us for SES San Francisco August 16-20, 2010 during ClickZ's Connected Marketing Week. The festival is packed with sessions covering PPC management, keyword research, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, ad networks and exchanges, e-mail marketing, the real time web, local search, mobile, duplicate content, multiple site issues, video optimization, site optimization and usability, while offering high-level strategy, keynotes, an expo floor with 100+ companies, networking events, parties and more!





Biography

Bas van den Beld

Bas van den Beld is a Web/search strategist, international search specialist, trainer, and well-respected blogger. Bas is well informed about what's going on in the world of Internet and search marketing worldwide and especially Europe.

Bas is the owner of Stateofsearch.com. He is also the owner of NetTraject, a Dutch company that advises on international search matters and provides training in search engine marketing and project management. He is also founder of Searchcowboys.com.

Bas is also a regular speaker on different marketing and search events. He's also host of several podcasts, including a weekly show on WebmasterRadio.FM. Bas also publishes on his personal blog, www.basvandenbeld.com.

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Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Don't be perfectionist in searching for new job

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 09:05 AM PDT

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Here's a question I sometimes pose in workshops for job seekers when I'm asked about the #8220;right #8221; way to do job search: Do you want to do a perfect job search or do you want to get a job?
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