Winter!

It’s Getting Closer!

U.S. Job Openings Increase in Latest Hopeful Indicator

By MARK WHITEHOUSE and SARA MURRAY

U.S. companies are gradually ratcheting up their search for workers, a new Labor Department survey showed, which some economists see as a signal that the steep decline in the job market could be nearing an end.

The Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey found that the number of job openings in the U.S. increased slightly in both August and September, the first two-month rise since early 2007. Hotels, restaurants, education and health care made the largest contributions; even such hard-hit sectors as manufacturing saw a rise.

A job fair in Los Angeles on Tuesday attracted hundreds of veterans.

"This is a hopeful sign," said Richard Berner, chief U.S. economist at Morgan Stanley in New York. "It suggests improvement in the broader labor market is possible within a few months."

The uptick in openings -- which include newly created or just vacated positions -- comes as other indicators have offered conflicting signals on the direction of what has been the worst job market in decades. On Friday, the government reported that the unemployment rate hit 10.2% in October, and economists believe the rate will remain above prerecession levels through 2019. At the same time, nonfarm payrolls shrank less than in previous months, suggesting the situation is worsening at a slower rate.

Separate reports on small business and extended layoffs Tuesday provided more clues that stabilization could be on the way. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that small-business sentiment improved slightly in October. Over the next three months, 16% said they plan to reduce employment, unchanged from the previous month's survey, and 9% said they plan to add workers, up two percentage points from last month.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported that the share of companies planning to recall workers laid off for at least 31 days rose to about 33% in the third quarter, from 29% a year earlier. Still, the number of such extended mass layoffs was at its highest point for any third-quarter period since at least 1995.

Economists found reason for optimism in the details of Tuesday's report on job openings. The rate of new hires as a percentage of all employment stayed steady at 3.1% for the second month in a row, suggesting openings are turning into actual employment. Perhaps more important, companies in sectors that tend to move in sync with the broader economy -- such as manufacturing and professional services -- added to their job openings for two straight months.

"This rise in manufacturing bodes well for at least a mild recovery in other areas," said Steven Wieting, U.S. economist at Citi Global Markets.

Maurice Toueg, a partner at executive-search firm CapstonePartnership, which specializes in hiring finance professionals, said he is feeling a bottom in the market. Recently, he said, one candidate turned down a strategy job at an investment bank paying more than $200,000 -- the first time he had seen that happen in a year.

"Once you start to see candidates turn down jobs, clearly the market has started to turn," said Mr. Toueg, who expects his business to be steady this year after falling about 40% last year.

Still, competition for most available jobs is fierce. The number of job seekers for each opening declined slightly in September, but still stood at about six -- more than double the 10-year average.

The competition is evident at Country Crossing, a new 375-acre entertainment venue in Dothan, Ala., that is hiring 600 people to staff its three restaurants, RV park and other facilities. A recent three-day job fair to hire 100 restaurant workers drew about 3,000 applicants.

"You'd even be surprised at the ages: all the way from 16 to, gosh, 75 years old," said Doug Rainer, director of communications for Country Crossing.

Something New Called Focus 2!

Focus 2 is a new program here with Career Services! We are very excited about it.

It helps you decide what your major should be!

OR if you have a job you want it tells you what major would be best!

FOCUS-2 is a self-guided, online career and education planning tool for use by college students.  It will enable you to assess your interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations as they relate to careers and college majors.  FOCUS-2 is designed to help you choose the best major for you and explore occupations that match your profile.  Students who use FOCUS-2 make better decisions about their goals and plans and learn how to manage their careers.

Be sure to check it out today!

Events for the Week:

11/12	Navy Lunch & Learn
	11:30-1 White Dining Room
11/16	City of Kansas City, MO Info
	212 Union
11/19	Speed Networking Personal Finance Forum
	212 Union
12/1	Career Mentor Closing Session
	5:30-7 Yates Dining Room

Etiquette Tip of the Week:

 If someone sends you an incendiary or insulting email, do not respond immediately.  Do not dwell on it.  Do not read it over and over, which will just make you angrier.  If you can, let it sit for a few hours or even overnight.  If the one who sent it is sitting on top of his/her computer waiting for a response, this will drain some of the steam out of that person like a bag of microwave vegetables. 

When you do respond, respond in a calm and professional manner.  Avoid arguments over email and especially "Reply to all" arguments.

Quote from the Office:

“A bunch of Zetas came and said ‘Oh Manny , we love you! Come and eat chili with us!’” - Manny