My Louisiana Jobs

Louisiana's Business Climate Earns Highest Ranking Ever

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:21:00 +0000

11/01/2011

Site Selection magazine ranks Louisiana No. 7 in the U.S. – up two spots from 2010 and 18 spots from 2009

BATON ROUGE, La. – Site Selection magazine magazine today ranked Louisiana the No. 7 business climate in the country – the state’s highest ranking ever. The overall business climate ranking improves Louisiana’s standing from No. 9 in 2010 and No. 25 in 2009.

In the half-dozen categories used to generate the business climate rankings, Louisiana ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for per capita project expansions, No. 1 in competitiveness, and No. 3 in new projects attracted so far in 2011.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said, “Since day one, we have made economic development our top priority by cutting taxes, revamping workforce training, and reforming our ethics code. These changes have helped transform the way businesses view Louisiana and that’s why our economy is outperforming the South and the nation. The bottom line is that Louisiana has become one of the best places in the country for businesses to create jobs, but we’ve got more work to do. Moving up to seventh best in the country is a great sign of our progress, but we will not rest until Louisiana is the number one place in the world for businesses to create jobs for our people.”

Louisiana also was the most improved state in Site Selection's ranking of top business climates in 2010 when the state jumped from No. 25 to No. 9. The Site Selection ranking follows Louisiana’s highest-ever business climate ranking in September from Area Development magazine. That publication surveyed site selection consultants who collectively ranked Louisiana No. 6 in the magazine’s Top States for Doing Business report. Over the last few years, Louisiana has moved up significantly in every national ranking of state business climates, including those published by Area Development, Beacon Hill Institute, Business Facilities magazine, Chief Executive magazine, CNBC, Forbes, Pollina Corporate Real Estate and Site Selection.

Louisiana now stands at its highest-ever position on every national ranking of state business climates. Three of those national rankings (Area Development, Business Facilities and Site Selection) now rank Louisiana among the Top 10 states for business in the U.S.

Since 2008, Louisiana Economic Development has secured economic development projects that are creating more than 45,000 new jobs, more than $10 billion in capital investment and hundreds of millions of dollars in new sales for small businesses across the state.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret said, “We are delighted that Louisiana has moved up to its highest ever position on every national ranking of state business climates. That means that even more companies will become aware of all that we have to offer in Louisiana, which ultimately will result in even more attractive job opportunities for Louisiana citizens. Louisiana’s brightest days are ahead of us. We are just getting started.”

About Site Selection
Site Selection, the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council , is published six times annually and distributed to more than 44,000 executives responsible for site selection and facility planning decisions around the world. For more information, visit www.siteselection.com.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill Cleanup Work

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:42:00 +0000

Looking for potential work that may arise from the Gulf Coast Oil Spill? The Louisiana Workforce
Commission may be able to help you. Business and Career Solutions Centers throughout Louisiana can accept applications from job seekers interested in potential jobs that may become available due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. LWC is working with companies that have been contracted to provide oil spill-related services. A variety of job positions requiring a range of skill levels may be needed. Each Business and Career Solutions Center can provide details on available oil spill-related jobs and process applications. To find the closest Business and Career Solutions Center, interested job seekers can go to the LWC website, www.laworks.net, and select the link "Business & Career Solutions Ctr" in the navigation table in the top right of the home page.
Workforce Commission services are offered at no cost to employers and participating job seekers.

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Payscale.com Ranks Lafayette, Louisiana 9th for Jobs in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Top Cities for Jobs in 2010

by Siri Anderson, PayScale.com

There was a whole lot of shaking going on in 2009 -- job losses, volatile markets, recovery packages, a new president. But in surprising contrast to that, the rankings for top cities this year remained fairly steady.
"None of [the top 10] had a meteoric rise over the last year. Most of them went up and the couple that dropped did not drop dramatically," commented Kevin Klowden, managing economist at the Milken Institute, and co-author of Best-Performing Cities 2009 report. "The fact remains essentially that there are certain locations that have advantages in terms of lower costs, improved access to talent, certain key industry resources, and other factors that help to drive things."

The Milken Institute's report highlights the fact that the top cities didn't experience the same inflation in housing prices as the rest of the country, and so they avoided the devastating correction experienced elsewhere. Another factor in success was a prominence of the oil and gas industry. These two came together favorably for Texas, whose cities took five of the top 10 rankings.

All top performers, however, showed only mild increases in employment, if any at all. High marks in 2009 reflect how well a city's economic infrastructure weathered the storm, so it is important to look at a city's performance relative to the nation and other metro areas -- 2009 is not the year to focus on the numbers alone.

The Milken Institute rankings are based on a variety of factors, two of which include job and salary growth trends. Put together, these factors demonstrated a well-balanced local economy that should remain strong into the next year and likely beyond that for the following top 10 cities for jobs. Also listed is an example job position and its median annual salary in each town, according to online salary database PayScale.com.

1. Austin-Round Rock, Texas (pop. 1,653,000)
Last year's rank: 4
Job growth: 0.32%

Due to its well-prepared grads of top research institutions and its entrepreneurial spirit as evidenced by the high rate of self-employed workers, Austin has been cooking up a hot economy in recent years. It has been recruiting a lot of technology companies, due to low business costs in the area. Plus, Austin is positioning itself well in the clean tech industry, giving it an excellent outlook for the foreseeable future. Environmental engineer - $73,500

2. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Texas (pop. 379,000)
Last year's rank: 13
Job growth: 1.81%

A major army base, a strong concentration of health-care services, and robust higher education joined forces to earn this area the top spot for job growth in 2008, and it is continuing on that track in 2009. Texas A&M is in the process of building a new major satellite facility, drawing work that is already strong from Central Texas College's strong enrollment. Consolidation of military bases to Fort Hood has increased the population of stably employed workers as well. Additionally, the region had a very low rate of sub-prime mortgages, so the bursting housing bubble had a minimal effect on this region's economy. Registered nurse - $54,000

3. Salt Lake City, Utah (pop. 1,116,000)
Last year's rank: 3
Job growth: -2.58%

Holding steady in third position is Salt Lake City, with its strong technology industry and high number of quality jobs. The finance industry is also strong here, but appears to have played the lending game a little smarter than most of the country. The region demonstrated much less speculative activity and was minimally affected by the sub-prime mortgage fallout. State budget problems have been occurring, as in many capitals across the country. However, cutbacks appear to be modest, and Utah as a whole appears to be poised for growth and strong recovery in the next year. Financial analyst - $61,300

4. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas (pop. 1,116,000)
Last year's rank: 7
Job growth: -0.01%

McAllen has been coming on strong in the list of top cities over the past few years, driven by its top ranking for employment growth and high-tech GDP growth between the years of 2003-2008. The area has been luring companies with is low business costs, which has fueled employment growth numbers and helped to increase population. The service-based industry, which has taken such a hit elsewhere, continues to prosper. Software developer - $63,100

5. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas (pop. 5,728,000)
Last year's rank: 16
2009 Job growth: -0.69%

As a leader in the oil and gas industry, and a major health services center, the greater Houston metro area rose from 16th to 5th in this year's top city rankings. Though it has experienced a slip in job growth in most recent months, partially due to cutbacks in natural gas exploration, forays into new energy technologies -- nuclear, wind, and other alternative sources -- are helping to set this area up for strong growth potential in the next year. Petroleum engineer - $114,500

6. Durham, North Carolina (pop. 490,000)
Last year's rank: 21
2009 Job growth: -1.75%

Making an even bigger jump up the list is Durham with its strength in technology, biopharmaceutical, medical research, and higher education. This area is a hotspot for young professionals, which has spurred positive population growth and has helped mitigate the effects of falling property prices. Most recently, communication technology company Nortel Network's bankruptcy has caused some hardship and layoffs, but the strength of the health and education industries has given Durham the balance needed to get through economic difficulties smoothly. Research laboratory technician - $42,800

7. Olympia, Washington (pop. 245,000)
Last year's rank: 9
2009 Job growth: -0.39%

Olympia, Washington's capital, offers a high percentage of government jobs. In recent years, the economy has also been bolstered by an influx of businesses relocating there due to its relatively low business and living costs compared to Seattle. This has encouraged employment rates; in fact, Olympia placed 14th in the nation for job growth between 2007-2008. However, significant state budget cutbacks are on the horizon, and employment with the state government is expected to take a dip in the coming year. High school teacher - $49,500

8. Huntsville, Alabama (pop. 396,000)
Last year's rank: 5
2009 Job growth: -2.19%

If you're looking for a new place with a well-diversified economy, Huntsville might be the spot for you. This city has been ranking consistently well in the last few years with its diverse industry profile, which includes professional, scientific and technical services; computer and electronic product manufacturing; biotechnology; aerospace industry; and a growing military base. Electrical engineer - $77,400

9. Lafayette, Louisiana (pop. 396,000)
Last year's rank: 14
2009 Job growth: -0.37%

High energy prices have been a boon to Lafayette's oil and gas exploration industry, pushing this metro area into the top 10 for the first time. This side of the economy is extremely vulnerable to price fluctuations, however, and for sustained growth and stability, Lafayette will need to begin moving away from reliance on its traditional industries for revenue. A focus on developing a skilled workforce, luring new businesses, and continued building of the already strong education and health industries are essential for prosperity down the road. Engineering technician, oil & gas - $51,100

10. Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina (pop. 1,089,000)
Last year's rank: 2
2009 Job growth: -3.36%

This metropolitan area's economy is founded on a strong base that educational and research institutions have created with the business community. It has laid the groundwork for Raleigh's strong technology, biopharmaceutical, and professional and business services industries. There seems to be a little bit of rough road ahead with state budget constraints leading to cutbacks, and looming changes to the pharmaceutical industry. However, Raleigh is expected to fare much better than other major centers during the readjustment and recovery. Information technology (IT) manager- $80,700

Source: Salary data from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing.

Pixel Magic Opening Louisiana Studio in Lafayette

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:07:00 +0000

AP) LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Pixel Magic, which creates digital visual effects for film and television, announced Friday that it will open a Louisiana studio in December.

The studio will be located at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise center in Lafayette. Officials said the company will create 12 jobs within the first year and 40 jobs within three years.

Pixel Magic has worked on films like "Marley & Me," ''Get Smart" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

Company vice president Ray Scalice said Pixel Magic chose Louisiana because of its variety of locations, the growth of the film industry in the state and its lucrative tax breaks for film production and digital media.

"Pixel Magic's decision to locate in Louisiana will send a signal to Hollywood and to other leading digital media companies that Louisiana is a major player in the digital media industry," Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a statement.

The LITE center will give Pixel Magic one free year of office space.

Louisiana Engineering Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:43:00 +0000

So you are looking for Louisiana engineering jobs? Where do you start? You can check out our job board, here are some companies you can do a search on, Schlumberger, Baker Oil Tools, Chevron,Devon Energy, Stone Energy, Shell and Exxon-Mobil all hire petroleum engineers or individuals with industrial technology degrees. Have an electrical or mechanical engineering degree try to search companies like Entergy and other similar utility companies. Government entities also hire engineers, though the pay is usually a lot less than private companies. Engineers are such a commodity nowadays that more and more women are entering this field once dominated by men. Louisiana engineering jobs are one of the hottest Louisiana Jobs today.

Louisiana Lafayette Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Looking for employment and a great place to live. Nestled just a few hours away from New Orleans is one of the best kept secrets in the South, Lafayette, Louisiana. A hub for the Oil industry as well as home to some of the best restaurants anywhere, Lafayette,Louisiana offers job seekers a great place to settle down and offers some of the best paying jobs around. If you're looking for offshore work, there's plenty to be found. Companies such as Chevron, Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, just to name a few are great places to work. If you are interested in the restaurant business, Lafayette, Louisiana is one of the best places to cut your teeth, with tons of local restaurants as well as many national chains such as Olive Garden, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Chili's needing tons of workers to fill their shifts. Mylouisianajobs.com has a great job board which lists jobs in Lafayette as well as the rest of Louisiana. Lafayette also is home to the second largest university in the state,Louisiana Lafayette. Louisiana Lafayette, also known by their nickname of the Ragin Cajuns are one of the premier universities in the South in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering and Nursing, just to name a few.Once you visit Lafayette, Louisiana, you won't want to leave so do yourself a favor and explore Louisiana's Lafayette job opportunities.

LOUISIANA JOB OF THE WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:01:00 +0000

This weeks highlighted company is Devon Energy Corporation. Devon Energy(NYSE: DVN), is the largest U.S.-based independent natural gas and oil producer. The company's operations are focused primarily in the United States and Canada. However, Devon also explores for and produces oil in select international areas such as China, Brazil and Azerbaijan. Devon is one of North America’s larger processors of natural gas liquids and owns natural gas pipelines and treatment facilities in many of the company’s producing areas.
The company is ranked among Fortune's 500 largest corporations in America, and is also included on the publication's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Most Admired Companies lists. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Devon is also included in in the S&P 500 Indes and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DVN. For a more complete and official overview of the company, visit www.devonenergy.com or click on the JOB OF THE WEEK link above.

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Job Hunting during the Recession. Get Career Advice from Vault.com and SAVE 15% with Gold Membership.

Great Article from Kiplinger.com about Cities with the Most Job Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Best Cities: It's All About Jobs

By Kiplinger.com

May 27th, 2009

ARTICLE TOOLS:

Stable employment and new career opportunities give these cities an edge.

What a difference a year makes. Last summer, the energy and finance sectors of the economy seemed to be thriving, and manufacturing was going strong.

Today, many cities are relying on government programs, universities and stalwart industries, such as health care, to bolster employment in a weak economy. Those factors appeared frequently when we assembled candidates for our 2009 Best Cities list, which focuses on places that have stable employment plus the talent to create new, well-paying positions. A robust job market makes these cities safe havens during the recession and will give them a head start toward growth when the recovery takes off.

More from Kiplinger.com

» 13 Jobs in Hard Timess

» Which City Is Best For You?

» Ten Cities Home Values Are Rising

When our numbers guru, Kevin Stolarick, evaluated U.S. cities for their growth potential, he looked not just at the overall number of jobs, but also at the quality of those positions and the ability of cities to hold on to them when the economy softens. Says Stolarick, who is research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity: "Although downturns are felt by everyone, our research has shown that the impact is less severe for those in the creative class -- people who are paid to think."

One key indicator of such heartiness is the presence of people who work in professional occupations, such as science, engineering, architecture and education. And given that many of you, our readers, work in such professions, these are places where you may find not only a job but also the company of people like yourselves.

We included the cities' greater metro areas because the suburbs and surrounding communities contribute to job stability. And big cities don't have a monopoly on vitality; this year we considered smaller metro areas as well.

Take a spin through our 2009 Best Cities to see which places have the right stuff in these tough times.

No. 1: Huntsville, Ala.
Population: 378,057
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 39.7
Cost-of-Living Index: 91 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $51,275
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.7%

Huntsville isn't called Rocket City for nothing. This northern Alabama city represents critical mass for the nation's missile-defense and aerospace industries.

No. 2: Albuquerque, N.M.
Population: 819,570
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30
Cost-of-Living Index: 98 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $45,634
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 7.8%

The city and state crave high tech jobs, especially in the renewable-energy industry.Albuquerque is developing its film industry with the same zeal. Albuquerque also bills itself as a green city and, figuratively speaking, it is. The city requires everything from homes to commercial buildings to be energy-efficient.

No. 3: Washington, D.C.
Population: 5,263,322
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 43.7
Cost-of-Living Index: 138 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $81,163
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 8.7%

For better or worse, the federal government is big and getting bigger. Uncle Sam fuels nearby companies in almost every sector, especially law firms, lobbyists, and aerospace and defense companies.

No. 4: Charlottesville, Va.
Population:190,560
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 38.2
Cost-of-Living Index: 106 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $53,076
Salary Growth (2004-2008):4.8%

The home of Thomas Jefferson's university is an unexpected blend of Southern charm and liberal edge, with a strong business base. UVA provides Charlottesville with more than employment. The city is a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and three hours from Norfolk Naval Base. This proximity helped it draw the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, which employs 750 people in a variety of fields, including engineering and foreign affairs.

No. 5: Athens, Ga.
Population: 183,351
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32.2
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $40,115
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.3%

Nicknamed the Classic City for both its name and neoclassical architecture, Athens is anything but old-fashioned. The University of Georgia is in large part responsible for the city's energy. Athens also boasts a hub of regional medical services and has an unexpected manufacturing base. Hospitality is another driver of the economy and the only sector to have shown employment growth in 2009.

No. 6: Olympia, Wash.
Population: 233,113
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.1
Cost-of-Living Index: 105 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $55,129
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 22%

Olympia is a cultural diamond in the rough of the Pacific Northwest. Mischaracterized sometimes as a sleepy government town, Washington's state capital enjoys a thriving visual and performing-arts scene. But its state government continues to be the keystone of the city's economy; it employs about half of the city's workforce. Education is another big driver of the city's growth and character.

No. 7: Madison, Wis.
Population: 548,154
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35.1
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $58,090
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 8.2%

You can't argue with Madison's numbers. It has a long track record of low unemployment, and its jobless rate is currently three percentage points below the national average. The city also wins for its low crime rate, first-rate public schools and a ready-made economy that feeds off its two largest assets: The University of Wisconsin and the state capital, comprising 20% of Madison's jobs. The other 80% come from its strong mix of tech and biotech firms.

No. 8: Austin, Tex.
Population: 1,533,263
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.8
Cost-of-Living Index: 94(100 being the national average)
Median Household Income: $54,827
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 7%

While most cities around the country posted job layoffs in the past year, Austin added 3,300 jobs, the biggest bump in the country. The increase covered a broad swath, from professional services, education and hospitality to health care and government. Gains in those sectors more than offset losses in manufacturing and IT -- though the unemployment rate in the area has crept up.

No. 9: Flagstaff, Ariz.
Population: 126,087
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 28.8
Cost-of-Living Index: 116 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $48,171
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 9.8%

Unlike the trains that regularly come through town, singing out reminders of Flagstaff'sheritage, this city is far from predictable. You can feel its Old West charm through and through, but Flagstaff is infused with new energy -- both from its residents and college students and Northern Arizona University. The university adds jobs to the city's economy, plus arts and entertainment to its cultural scene.

No. 10: Raleigh, N.C.
Population: 1,001,313
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35.6
Cost-of-Living Index: 100 (100 being national average)
Median Household Income: $57,974
Salary Growth (2004-2008): 5.7%

Raleigh has an enviable economic base, built on three universities -- UNC, Duke, and North Carolina State -- and Research Triangle Park, where employers in everything from biotech to computers still thrive. Although the local unemployment rate has doubled in the past year, to 8.6%, it's still lower than the 10.8% rate for the state as a whole.

LOUISIANA JOB OF THE WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:27:00 +0000

In keeping with the theme of Springtime, this weeks highlighted company is Lowe’s. The second-largest such chain in the U.S. behind Home Depot is the weekend destination of millions of do-it-yourselfers, all aiming to outmodel their neighbors' kitchens, bathrooms and gardens. Each Lowe's carries a wide variety of products, up to 40,000 in total. Building materials, lumber and paint make up 20 percent of sales, but receipts from appliances (9 percent) are growing handily. Those plus all manner of plumbing (fixtures and supplies comprise 10 percent of sales), millwork, flooring, lighting, tools and cabinets generated just over $48 billion for the company in fiscal 2008, a figure just a tick higher than the previous year. Just in time for the spring/summertime rush this would seem like the perfect time to apply for a full/part-time job with Lowe’s. To visit Lowe’s website and apply for employment click on the Job of The Week link above.

Stock Symbol: LOW
Stock Exchange: NYSE
Chairman & CEO: Robert A. Niblock

2008 Employees: 216,000

2008 Revenue ($ mil.): 48,235

2008 Income ($ mil.): 2,200

1000 Lowe's Boulevard
Mooresville, NC 28117
United States

Phone: (704) 758-1000

Fax: (336) 658-4766

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:27:00 +0000

I found the following article in Global HR News, if you've been considering contacting an Executive Recruiter or have been contacted by one its a must read.

GM

The Lowdown on Recruiters

by GALEN TINDER, Senior Consultant and Manager

RICKLIN-ECHIKSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

Every year a new edition of The Directory of Executive Recruiters lists approximately 2,500 recruiting firms practicing in the United States. One reason the Directory is published annually is the high turnover rate of firms entering and departing the business. Despite the ubiquity of recruiters and their widespread use by job seekers, many people looking for a job have only a vague understanding of how they work. By the time you finish this article, you will have a basic knowledge of what these recruiters do and how they may be able to help you. Here are some of the questions most commonly asked about recruiters:

What is the difference between recruiters and career counselors? This is a point of confusion for many people who expect career counselors/consultants to find them jobs and recruiters to help them with self-marketing. The difference is this: career consultants work for individual clients, while recruiters work for client companies. Career consultants help people to find jobs, while recruiters help companies fill positions.
Do either recruiters or career consultants place people in jobs? No. Recruiters recommend qualified candidates to companies and sometimes conduct preliminary screening interviews. Career consultants work with people on career goals, resumes and cover letters, networking, interviewing and other aspects of the job search to help them market and present themselves as effectively as possible.
What about these so-called career management firms? These are different altogether from both consultants and recruiters. For a hefty fee, they claim to connect you with employers who may be looking for somebody with experience and skills similar to yours. Many employment experts believe that these organizations misrepresent themselves, and several have been investigated by the government.
Do all recruiters work the same way? No, there are two kinds of recruiters – retainer and contingency. Retainer firms have an exclusive contract on their assignments and are usually paid a portion of their fee at the beginning of their search and the balance at the end of their assignment, whether or not they fill the position. Contingency recruiters seldom have an exclusive assignment on a position and compete with other contingency firms. They are paid only when they fill the position.
Are there any other differences between retainer and contingency firms? Retainer recruiters usually deal with positions that pay $75,000 or more, while contingency firms handle positions around $50,000 and up. In addition, there are placement companies that may handle assignments between $30,000 and $50,000.
How about executive recruiters? And headhunters? What are they? Executive recruiters are the same as retainer recruiters, though some contingency recruiters will advertise themselves by that name. Headhunter is slang for recruiter.
Who should use recruiters? Mostly people who are looking for managerial and professional positions that pay at least $50,000 should use recruiters. In some measure, the higher your salary, the more useful a recruiter can be.
Are there people who should not use recruiters? Yes, people who have been out of work for a while, and career changers should not use recruiters.
Recruiters usually call you, right? Often they do – sometimes to test your interest in a position they are filling and other times to ask you whether you know of a person who would be suitable for a position. Even when you are not interested in a position that a recruiter calls you about, it is advantageous to be as helpful as possible in recommending other quality people who might be interested. This will build good will for you down the road when you are ready to use a recruiter.
Can job seekers also take the initiative to make the contact with a recruiter? Yes, and this is done all the time. Recruiters are flooded with resumes and inquiries from job hunters. Many people can use recruiters for their job search, but few should rely on them exclusively, or even primarily.
Why not? The reason, as noted previously, is that recruiters work for companies, not individuals. Recruiters are not interested in finding jobs for people, but in finding people for jobs. You are not going to interest a recruiter unless you have the qualifications that match those of a position he/she is currently seeking to fill.
What is the best way to initiate contact with a recruiter – by calling or sending a resume? Recruiters themselves are divided on this question, but the majority prefer to see your resume. If you happen to be a round peg to the round hole they are trying to fill, they will call you. Otherwise, you won't hear anything.
Should I follow up my resume with a telephone call? Be forewarned that most recruiters prefer not to get "cold" calls. If you leave several messages without a return call, you don't need to guess about the message you are being sent.
What do I have to be careful of in working with a recruiter? Recruiters are like all other professionals. Most are competent and ethical; some are easier to work with and more user-friendly; a small minority are unreliable. Take the same care in choosing a recruiter as you would in selecting a lawyer or auto mechanic. If you chose your doctors and dentists out of the yellow pages, go ahead and do the same with your recruiter.

Second, treat recruiters with the same respect you would a company human resources representative or a hiring manager. If you behave unprofessionally with a recruiter – send your resume on yellow paper, misrepresent your qualifications, leave telephone calls unreturned – you will lose all credibility with at least that recruiter, and perhaps some of his colleagues and clients.

Third, don't have unrealistic expectations of recruiters you work with. Remember that recruiters are not in business to find you a job. Do not rely on recruiters to the exclusion of other job search methods, especially networking.

Galen Tinder is a Senior Consultant and Manager for Ricklin-Echikson Associates, Inc. Ricklin-Echikson Associates, Inc. (REA) delivers customized programs to address the diverse needs of expatriates and repatriates. REA consultants, located throughout the world, are International Human Resource professionals who have lived and worked abroad and have been specially chosen for their expertise in career counseling and their experience in handling the unique challenges of international relocation. Services assist the spouse and family in acclimating to the new host country and culture. For additional information about REA's International Services, contact Susan Ginsberg at 800-593-3311 or srgreacareers@worldnet.att.net

Louisiana Job of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:07:00 +0000

This weeks featured employer is The Home Depot. The Home Depot is the world's leading home improvement retailer with 1,806 stores located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It's also the second-largest retailer in the States. The company combines cavernous, warehouse-style buildings with friendly and knowledgeable customer associates. Stores average 130,000 square feet and offer about 40,000 to 50,000 kinds of building and gardening products, making the outlets a mecca for do-it-yourselfers as well as for professional contractors and designers. The Home Depot also offers free "how-to" classes on basic home improvement projects. In addition to its eponymous retail locations, the company operates more than 50 Expo Design Center Stores, which offer bath, kitchen and lighting products. Click the Job of The Week link above to visit The Home Depot website.

The Home Depot story

Handy Dan Improvement Center executives Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank found themselves out of a job in the wake of a corporate merger in 1978. Marcus and Blank teamed up with a former co-worker and opened the first three Home Depot stores the following year. In 1981, when the company went public, Home Depot operated eight stores and had expanded into Florida. The company grew rapidly over the next few years and by 1986 it had 60 stores, 6,600 employees and $1 billion in sales. Two years later, Home Depot stores began sprouting up in the Northeast, and the company had set down roots in the Pacific Northwest by 1993. In 1998, the company opened its first store in South America, located in Santiago, Chile. In 2001, Home Depot continued its expansion south of the U.S. border, acquiring Mexico's Total Home chain of home improvement stores.

Today, the company boasts 300,000 employees, adding 20,000 new jobs in 2003 alone. Home Depot's 2003 sales topped $68 billion and 2004 is shaping up to be another good year. Second quarter sales surpassed $19 billion, with the company's net earnings valued at $1.5 billion.

In January 2006 Home Depot announced plans to acquire Hughes Supply Inc., one of the country's biggest construction, repair and maintenace-related products companies, for around $3.19 billion plus the assumption of $285 million in debt. The takeover was expected to more than double Home Depot's Supply unit, comprised of wholesale distributors specializing in selling to commercial and industrial contractors. The deal was the largest in Home Depot's history.

Employer Type: Public Company

Stock Symbol: HD
Stock Exchange: NYSE
Chairman & CEO: Frank Blake

2007 Employees: 331,000

2007 Revenue ($ mil.): 77,349

2007 Income ($ mil.): 4,395

Louisiana Job of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:20:00 +0000

This weeks featured employer is Schlumberger. Schlumberger,(pronounced "shlumberjay"), Ltd. is one of the world's largest oilfield services companies, supplying technology, project management and information solutions to the oil and gas industry. The company is made up of two primary business segments: Schlumberger Oilfield Services and WesternGeco. Oilfield Services offers a wide range of products and services that support industry exploration and refining operations. WesternGeco, jointly owned with Baker Hughes, is the world's largest seismic company and provides advanced acquisition and data processing surveys. The company's core business, oil field drilling, is vulnerable to the energy industry's boom and bust cycle. The company employs more than 64,000 people in 80 countries. Schlumberger's principal offices are in Paris, The Hague and in Houston, where it is headquartered. Revenue in 2005 was over $14.3 billion, with a market capitalization of $71 billion as of January 20, 2006. Click the Job of the Week Link Above to visit Schlumberger's job site.

Company Website: http://www.slb.com/
Employer Type: Public Company
Stock Symbol: SLB
Stock Exchange: NYSE
Chairman and CEO: Andrew Gould

2007 Employees: 80,000

2007 Revenue ($ mil.): 23,277

2007 Income ($ mil.): 5,177

Louisiana Job of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:56:00 +0000

I am starting something new this week. I am going to pick one particular Louisiana company to highlight during the week. I will call this section of the blog our "Job of The Week". I will give you information about the company as well as a listing of their current job openings, hope it helps you in your job search. As always good luck and God Bless.

GM

Our company for this week is a company with strong ties to the Louisiana oilfield community, Baker Hughes Inc. Baker's main headquarters is in Houston but it has several facilities in Louisiana. Click the Job of the Week Link Above to visit Baker Hughes job site.

Corporate Information:

Operating Areas: 90+ countries worldwide
Employees: 35,800
Financial Highlights
Total Revenue: $10,428.2 million
Net Income: $1,513.9 million
Diluted Earnings per Share: $4.73
Total Assets: $9,856.6
(Numbers in millions, except for share amounts)
Stock Exchanges: NYSE (BHI), Swiss: BHI
Fiscal Year Ends: 12/31
Shares Outstanding: $315.4 million (12/31/2007)
52-Week Stock Price Range: 62.65 - 100.29

Corporate Office:
Baker Hughes Incorporated
2929 Allen Parkway, Ste. 2100
Houston, Texas 77019
713.439.8600

Great Interviews Get The Job

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:48:00 +0000

By Linda Matias
www.careerstrides.com

It can be easy to convince ourselves that the job interview doesn't matter so much, as long as our resume is outstanding, our dress is impeccably professional, and that we are nice people. After all, nice people do win in the end, don't they? Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth. Even though the resume, attire, and likeability factor all play a part in an employer's decision to hire someone, the answers that you provide to the questions during the job interview will demonstrate what the employer is most interested in: your confidence, skills, and knowledge of the job.

The Top 10 Job Interview Questions
Your best weapon to mastering the job interview is to practice, practice, practice your answers to the most commonly asked questions by employers. The most certain way to sabotage your chances to win over a potential employer is to try and wing the interview. Your answers can appear aimless and without direction, making you look unprepared or worse, unqualified.

Don't risk the future of your career by flying by the seat of your pants. Prepare yourself by developing answers to the most commonly asked questions:

Tell me a little something about yourself.
This is probably one of the most dreaded questions of all time. We quiver and sweat in our seats wondering what the employer really wants to know. Hey, relax! For starters, this is a great opportunity for you to sell yourself to the employer. Talk about your key accomplishments and strengths and how these factors will benefit the employer in the desired position. Write down ahead of time what you plan to say; perfect it; then practice it every chance you get.
Why do you want to leave your current job?
This question is basically a wolf in sheep's clothing. It appears harmless enough, but it can damage your potential in a heartbeat if you're not careful. By all means, keep your answers to this question as positive as possible. Above all, do not dwell on how much you hate your current boss! The interviewer wants to hire a team player to the position, not a negative and vindictive hater.
Are you still employed and if not, why not?
If you are, great, but if you aren't, you can still use your answer to this question to shine a light on your positive features. For example, if you were laid off or terminated, focus less on the actual termination and more on what you learned from the whole process. You'll look mature and wise in the employer's eyes!
Do you have any budgeting experience?
If you haven't, be honest; but you can answer in a way that shows that you have had some exposure to adhering to a budget - on a project, for example. If you do have budgeting experience, discuss your fiscal responsibility.
Have you ever managed anyone?
This question is most important to those who are seeking a supervisory type of position. If you have managerial experience, elaborate on how many people you have supervised and what their positions were in the spectrum of the organizational chart. However, if you haven't had direct managerial practice, talk up how much you were a part of the decision process of a team project, or how you organized volunteers for a fundraiser.
What are your strengths as an employee?
To adequately answer this question, you need to be aware of the strengths you possess in the following areas: personality, experience, and skills. Once that information is known, match your strengths to the requirements of the position for which you are interviewing.
What are your weaknesses?
Obviously, no one likes to admit that they have any weaknesses, especially in front of a potential employer. So what do you do? You can provide ONE trait about yourself that is the least important to the position. Refrain from canned responses such as you are a perfectionist or a workaholic.
Discuss how you make important decisions.
If you are interviewing for a supervisory role, you definitely want to come across as someone who is able to ask for input from others, yet is comfortable making the final decisions. Also, consider the type of position and company. For example, is it a budgetary role at a financial institution? In that case, you probably will want to emphasize that you exercise great care and caution when making big decisions.
Where do you want to be five years from now?
Suffice it to say, do not answer this question with, "Retired." Keep your answers positive and simple, with just a tinge of ambition. Think along the lines of a "motivated" versus "rat race" mentality.
What have been the biggest accomplishments of your career so far?
Focus on accomplishments that directly relate to the open position. Discuss the challenge you were presented with, your actions, and the end result. Did you streamline processes? Devise a way to increase customer satisfaction? Were you recognized by management for your efforts? The way you answer this question will distinguish you from other applicants since your answer will require you to go beyond the basic job responsibilities.
A Final Note
As you can see, the interview is more than just showing up on time in the right clothes. It is your best and only opportunity to convince an employer that he or she should hire you. If you were selected for an interview, consider yourself lucky because you are halfway to the finish line. Make sure you are prepared with relevant and well thought out answers to bring in a home run interview.

Back to Job Related Articles

Certified in all three areas of the job search - Certified Interview Coach™ (CIC) Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) - Linda is qualified to assist you in your career transition. Whether it be a complete career makeover, interview preparation or resume assistance. You can contact Linda directly at lindacareerstrides.com or visit her website www.careerstrides.com for additional career advice and to view resume samples.

krc2apvseh

Louisiana Employment Statistics Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Click the Louisiana Workforce Commission link under Job Search Tools to see where the jobs are in Louisiana. Baton Rouge is a particularly hot area for jobs at this time. I will try to update this employment information as it is posted by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Bookmark our site and check our job database frequently as it will be updated daily. Good Luck and God Bless.

GM

Five Ways to Generate Job Leads

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:11:00 +0000

When you’re looking for a new job, it’s never enough to simply check newspapers and other publications—the local paper is no longer the best place to look, and many positions are filled without even being advertised, so it’s important to develop alternative methods of generating leads.

1. Networking

This might just be one of the most effective ways to find out what jobs are available in your field. Networking means making contact with family, friends and neighbors as well as work colleagues and associates. The more people who know you’re looking for a job, the better. This is such an important point that it’s good to create these kinds of contacts even if you’re not looking for a job—the contacts you make may benefit you in the future.

2. Professional and College Organizations

Most professions have organizations with web sites or publications that include job postings. Annual conferences can be great places to network and make professional contacts, too. If you have a degree, joining your college’s career or alumni association can be equally effective.

3. Cold Calling

Cold calling—and even “cold emailing” can still be an effective way of hunting down those “hidden” jobs that don’t get advertised. It’s often fairly time-consuming, however, since it involves creating a list of employers, researching each one (including the name of the hiring manager), and sending a cover letter and resume to the hiring manager for the relevant position.

4. Career Fairs

Job and career fairs are held fairly regularly, and many companies send one or two employees to these fairs to network and recruit the best candidates. Attending career fairs requires extensive preparation, since you’ll need to find out what companies will be sending people, research those companies, and then create strategies for actually getting to talk to their representatives. These are usually very crowded events, so you really want to make sure that they remember you, too.

5. Online Job Listings

Online job sites can be a great resource if you use them effectively and selectively - however, the larger sites are not always the best. In fact, a study carried out by iLogos Research suggests that many Fortune 500 companies tend to publish job ads on corporate careers sites rather than the larger job boards and many companies in the health care sector, as well as IT and other industries tend to use corporate sites too.

© 2009 Resume-Help.org. All Rights Reserved.

Is your Company Preparing for Layoffs?

noreply@blogger.com (My Louisiana Jobs) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Most companies are tight-lipped up until the last minute when it comes to announcing layoffs. Unfortunately, the shock of being laid off only makes losing your job that much worse. Dealing with the stress of layoffs is much easier if you have some advance warning. There’s no need to be continually worrying about the possibility that layoffs might be on the horizon, but having some awareness of the possible warning signs will leave you better prepared if they should occur.

Management or executive-level restructuring, such as sudden resignation of senior employees
Decrease in production levels or inventory
Decreasing value of company stock
Cancelled projects
Termination of temporary staff or contractors
A hiring freeze, or failure to replace employees who leave
Departmental budget cutbacks or warnings to reduce spending
Impending merger with another company
Layoffs among competitors, customers or suppliers
Rumors of work being outsourced to other companies
None of these signs are necessarily indicative of layoffs if they occur in isolation. For example, restructuring of management-level employees may indicate a change in direction for the company, but layoffs may not necessarily follow. Similarly, budget cutbacks might just mean that management has decided to reduce the waste of company resources. Any single event doesn’t always mean layoffs are coming—company production or sales often change with the seasons, and most companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce overheads.

However, if several of these warning signs occur within the same few months, it’s worth taking notice. For example, if several senior-level employees resign at the same time as management announces hiring freezes, budget cutbacks and a reduction in production levels that might very well be a cause for worry.

If you do find yourself in this situation, it might be prudent to start preparing for the possibility of losing your job. Until you know for sure that layoffs are coming there’s no real need to panic, but there are some easy and quick ways you can prepare yourself should the worst happen. Update your resume, brush up on your job-hunting skills—take the time to find out about new methods of job hunting such as Internet job sites—and start reestablishing network contacts that might be helpful if you need to find a new job.

© 2009 Resume-Help.org. All Rights Reserved.