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(Money Magazine) — Call it anxiety marketing. Sellers of big-ticket items have been rolling out special deals that basically amount to layoff insurance. The gist: If you’re let go soon after making a purchase, the company will either help you with the tab or let you wiggle out of the obligation. Automakers, airlines, and even homebuilders have all been pushing the no-worries pitch. Some promotions have come and gone, but more are likely to crop up as the unemployment rate tops 10%. So should you bite? None of the major programs Money looked at are bait-and-switch tricks. Yes, there’s some fine print to watch out for. But the real catch is the way these programs can influence your buying psychology. Pay too much attention to the offers, and you could miss out on a better bargain. What they’re offeringHyundai promises to take back a new car if you’re laid off in the 12 months after buying or leasing. Meanwhile, JetBlue is promising full refunds on plane tickets or getaway packages booked by year’s end. (No, you don’t get to go on the trip.) And homebuilders Ryland and Lennar are offering to help buyers cover mortgage payments within 24 months of purchasing a home. Why are they doing this? Marketing experts say the goal is to put a halo around the brand. The companies are hoping you’ll be grateful to them for assuaging your anxiety — and are meanwhile betting they’ll generate enough sales to more than make up for the cost of paying out on the promises. “It’s all about building relationships,” says University of Virginia Darden School of Business professor Rajkumar Venkatesan. Forget the warm and fuzzyThat’s all very nice, but in this economy, you need to be a smarter consumer than ever. To that end, if you’re seriously concerned about losing your job, you shouldn’t even be thinking about these purchases, says Jack Gillis of the Consumer Federation of America. You should be shoring up your cash accounts, not making payments on a new car. If your gig is relatively stable, you’re already in the market for what’s being marketed, and all else is equal, these deals can be a nice bonus. But rarely is all else equal. Perhaps it could be true for the JetBlue offer: There’s not much difference between flying that airline vs. others, and it has been known to undercut its competition on price. A house, however, is an investment with a 30-year obligation attached. And other factors — such as location, construction, and so on — rank far above the promise of temporary mortgage-payment coverage. Most important, you shouldn’t let such assurance programs distract you from haggling as hard as you might. While you can’t argue down the price of a plane ticket, cars and houses are, of course, all about negotiation. And you’ve probably never had stronger leverage than today. So try to put the deals in the back of your mind. Or use them to your advantage in negotiations with the competition: Let the Ford salesman know how much the Hyundai deal appeals to you. Finally, the fine printIf you do find all other factors to be equal, keep these important restrictions in mind: You’ll have to fit their definition of “unemployed.” In some cases you need only be eligible for unemployment benefits; others require you to show proof you’re collecting them. Certain programs — such as Lennar’s — won’t kick in while you’re getting severance. Coverage isn’t a family affair. The benefit is typically limited to the buyer, not the household. The unemployed person must be the primary on the car loan in order to qualify for Hyundai’s takeback. You may still owe something. Hyundai will cover only up to 7,500 in negative equity. So depending on your financing terms and the residual value of the car at the time of return, you may have to dip into your wallet to make up for what’s left on the loan. With the mortgage deals, payment is limited to the laid-off person’s share of family income; so if the partner who made 25% of the money is let go, you’ll only get a quarter of the maximum benefit, which ranges from 1,500 to 2,500. Such restrictions further reduce the value of a benefit you might never even have cause to claim.

Source:CNN

NEW YORK: According to the Better Business Bureau, more and more people are susceptible to schemes that prey on people looking for employment. The long-term unemployed may become desperate; certainly they’re vulnerable. Creditors may be knocking at their door.1. What’s going onSome common schemes include having to pay for a credit report to even be considered for a job. You may be asked to fill out personal information on what is, in reality, a fake job application form. Or there may be a fee charged for a background check. Scam artists may try to get victims involved in a money laundering scheme involving counterfeit checks. Scammers may try to get people involved in work at home scams where people have to pay money upfront for services that are never delivered. 2. Know the red flagsHere are some signs to watch out for. First, beware of spelling or grammatical errors. Most online fraud is done by scammers who are located outside the U.S. And their first language usually isn’t English. Be wary of requests for your Social Security number. And don’t believe any claim that you can get rich quickly.3. Use care when posting your informationYou shouldn’t have to worry about using online job sites like Monster.com or Hotjobs.com. Just be careful what kind of information you release. Monster.com has a feature where you can keep some of the info on your resume private. But realize that even the most innocent information can compromise your identity. Even where you graduated can present a problem because some thieves may try to access your student ID number — which COULD be the same as your Social Security number. Don’t put down your address on your resume; a potential employer isn’t going to be sending you anything through snail mail just yet. If you have any suspicions, make sure you report it to the Better Business Bureau at BBB.org. — CNN’s Jen Haley contributed to this article.Got a financial dilemma? Go to CNNMoney.com/helpdesk to submit questions, read the Help Desk articles and check out new Help Desk videos. And tune in to CNN’s Newsroom Tuesdays and Fridays, when Gerri Willis and other experts answer your questions.

Source:CNN

NEW YORK: Unhappy at work? You’re not alone. The recession has left a lot of people out of a job, but many of those still employed aren’t very happy at the office. That’s because layoff survivors are often stuck with increased workloads, fewer benefits and even less pay. But they’re staying put — at least for now. Fifty-four percent of employed Americans plan to look for a new job once the economy rebounds, according to a survey from Adecco Group North America. The sentiment is even stronger among younger workers. Of those ages 18-29, 71% say they are likely to look for new jobs once the economy turns around, the survey said. “In times of uncertainly people tend to hunker down and protect their turf, as a result of that they are staying in their current positions,” explained Gautam Godhwani, CEO of job search site Simply Hired. Waiting on a reboundLois DiTommaso, 28, is frustrated with her current situation, even though she has remained fully employed as a trim assistant, responsible for details like buttons and zippers, at a well established fashion label over the last year and a half. Layoffs at her office have left her with more responsibility, longer hours and no annual salary increase. Despite growing dissatisfaction at work, “no one is going to quit,” she said of herself and her coworkers. “There’s nowhere for me to go, I need my job,” she explained. DiTommaso is eager to start a new job search, once other fashion companies start hiring again. “I can’t wait for the job market to improve,” DiTommaso said in anticipation of finding another position in her industry. She is also realistic about the competitive pool of applicants she will face, including those with greater skills and experience willing to take a paycut and demotion. “Some of the people that got laid off are higher up and I’m not as competitive,” she admitted. Laura Wheeler Todd, 35, has already started looking for a new job, with no success. She is an accountant at an adolescent rehabilitation center in Alabama, but layoffs at the facility have left her in charge of medical billing and insurance coding as well.”I’m doing two people’s jobs right now,” she said, which means late nights and often taking work home. “If there was more stuff out there I would absolutely quit.”Now, Todd says she is considering jobs outside her field as well — even waiting tables like she did in college — if it means a fresh start.”I thought I would never have to put ice in a cup again,” she said.Making lemonadeDisgruntled workers shouldn’t necessarily switch jobs the first chance they get, said Joanie Ruge, senior vice president of Adecco Group North America.Before jumping ship, Ruge recommends that workers approach their employers first. “If you’re feeling a little bit burnt out you should talk to your employer about flexibility or working from home,” she said. As conditions improve, business owners may be willing to offer flexible work hours, telecommuting or other perks to hold on to their top talent.In the meantime, “try to play chess when the world is handing you checkers,” suggests Rusty Rueff, career and workplace expert for Glassdoor.com. Workers struggling with increased workloads can take this opportunity to partner with their coworkers, become a team leader, take on more responsibility at a higher level and expand their skill set. “This is a tremendous time to experiment in the jobs they are in,” Rueff said. “Make the most out of it.” Out of work? Looking for qualified employees? Start networking now. Join Hired! on Facebook.
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Source:CNN

NEW YORK: The battered U.S. labor market took a step backwards last month as employers trimmed more jobs from their payrolls in June, according to a government report Thursday.There was a net loss of 467,000 jobs in June, compared with a revised loss of 322,000 jobs in May. This was the first time in four months that the number of jobs lost rose from the prior month. The June job losses were also far worse than the forecast of a loss of 365,000 jobs by economists surveyed by Briefing.com.The unemployment rate rose for the ninth straight month, climbing to 9.5% from 9.4%, and hitting another 26-year high. Economists had been expecting that the unemployment rate would hit 9.6%.Nearly 3.4 million jobs have been lost during the first half of 2009, more than the 3 million lost in all of 2008.The job losses don’t tell the full picture of the pain the labor market either. The average hourly work week fell to 33 hours from 33.1 hours in May, a record low in readings that go back to 1964. Average hourly wages were unchanged, so the shorter week shaved 1.85, or 0.3%, off of the average weekly paycheck.0:00
/1:36Unemployment’s domino effectThose who have been out of work for six months or more, and thus have run out of unemployment benefits, climbed to nearly 4.4 million, a record high.The only good news reported by the Labor Department Thursday was that the number of workers filing initial jobless claims fell to 614,000 last week from 630,000 the week before. That was roughly in line with forecasts.

NEW YORK: The job market may be a tad less chilly in the months ahead as a majority of employers now think the economy is inching towards a recovery, according to a survey released Monday.The survey, by consulting firm Watson Wyatt, found that 62% of employers are planning to reverse hiring freezes over the next 12 months. It also showed that 69% of companies in the survey plan to eliminate salary freezes. The results reflect a growing sense of optimism about the U.S. economy, which has shown some signs of stabilization after being mired in one of the longest recessions on record. 0:00
/2:501.7 million green jobsDespite the improved outlook, however, the survey also revealed that employers may keep some cost-cutting measures in place, suggesting the impact of the economic crisis may linger for years to come. “While more employers now feel the worst of the current downturn may be behind them, most are not expecting to go back to ‘business as usual’,” said Laura Sejen, global director of strategic rewards consulting at Watson Wyatt, in a written statement. In other words, don’t expect a major hiring spree anytime soon. Even as employers scale back hiring freezes, more than half of the companies in the survey indicated that they expect staff sizes to be below “pre-economic crisis levels” over the next few years. In addition to having fewer workers on staff, nearly 80% of bosses expect their employees to work past their retirement age, according to the survey. While postponing retirement may become more common, help may return in paying for it. The survey showed that nearly half of employers that had reduced 401(k) and 403(b) matching funds said they plan to reinstate them over the next 12 months.However, the benefits of matching retirement savings may be offset by a rise in health care costs. The survey showed 73% of companies expect an increase in the percentage of health care costs paid by employees. “The challenge for companies will be to determine which cost-cutting changes can be reversed and which will become ingrained into the permanent business environment,” Sejen said. The survey was conducted in early June 2009 and included responses from 179 employers. Have you exhausted your unemployment benefits? We want to hear about your experiences. E-mail your story to realstories@cnnmoney.com and you could be part of an upcoming article. For the CNNMoney.com Comment Policy, click here.

Source:CNN

Name: Raul CamejoAge: 45 Home: Ramsey, N.J. Profession: Internal auditor Annual pay at last job: 215,000 Special skills: Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese Personal: Married with two childrenWhen Raul Camejo’s position as head of internal audit for a large insurance broker was eliminated earlier this year, he figured finding another employer would be a snap. After all, at age 45, he was in the prime of a 23-year career spent with such marquee firms as PepsiCo, Avon, and Reader’s Digest. “I thought I was invincible, and nothing would stop me,” he says.But the calls Camejo used to get routinely from recruiters have stopped. So far he’s been to only a handful of interviews and has already been low-balled on salary. At an interview for a job that he was originally told paid 145,000 – far less than his 170,000 former base pay – he was told that highly qualified people were available for as little as 120,000. In the end, though, he wasn’t even offered the job.Fortunately Raul’s wife, Maria, has a small home business importing children’s shoes. But his severance is running out, and Raul is growing concerned about how they’ll pay the mortgage and support their children, Cristina, 10, and Raul, 8. He’s tried talking to recruiters, joining industry groups, contacting former colleagues, and even chatting up parents at soccer games. As the months slip by with no job offers, he wonders what he’s doing wrong. “I’ve never been out of work before,” he says, “so this is new territory for me.”The job huntCareer coach Roy Cohen and executive recruiter John Ferneborg recommend:Take down red flags. Nearly all job hunters have something in their rsum that’s a potential turnoff. For Camejo, it’s the eight companies he’s worked for since 1986. “You have to be careful that people don’t read something negative into that,” says Cohen. Rather than avoid sensitive subjects or seem defensive, face the matter head-on to get it off the table quickly. Camejo should say, “I’d love to walk you through my rsum so that you understand the logic behind these moves,” and then make each decision seem natural and inevitable. Example: “After starting a family, I decided to accept a job that didn’t require so much traveling.”Create an online presence. Camejo needs to be more active on networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook – joining groups, asking questions, providing helpful information to people in his network, and offering links to other sites where he is featured. Camejo should also make the 269 investment to post his profile at BlueSteps.com, which Ferneborg says is often used by members of the Association of Executive Search Consultants to find job candidates after they’ve exhausted their own databases. “I just did a search for a CFO in New York City and found two of the final four candidates at BlueSteps,” says Ferneborg.Don’t talk money upfront. When prospective employers tell Camejo his previous salary seems high, he says, “Based on the market, I can be flexible.” Too apologetic, says Cohen. The coach suggests saying instead, “I’m happy to talk about salary, but first let me emphasize that what’s most important to me is to have a meaningful position at a stable organization.” Then Camejo should detail his qualifications and skills, and how he’d add value to the company. Once he’s sold the interviewer, he’ll be in a stronger position to negotiate salary.If he gets an offer, he should express gratitude but ask for a day to think it over and wind down other conversations. “If you have other options, they can be nudged up a bit,” says Cohen. But don’t wait too long or the offer may be pulled.The financial planFinancial adviser Don Lord suggests:Cut the fat. With Camejo’s severance soon to run out, Lord urges him to look for big-ticket items he can cut from the family’s budget. For instance, they can save 750 a month by not leasing another Acura MDX (the contract ends soon and they have two other vehicles), plus 400 by suspending contributions to the kids’ college funds. Camejo should also look for consulting work to bring in extra income. That way, between the couple’s earnings and Raul’s unemployment benefits, they will be able to cover their living expenses without dipping into savings.Rethink retirement. Before he was laid off, Camejo hoped to retire at 55. But between his unemployment and the hit his investments have taken, that’s probably no longer realistic. Getting back on track will be a two-step process. First, Camejo, who has 40% of his assets in international funds, should dampen the risk in his portfolio by shifting half that money into a mix of broadly diversified U.S. index and exchange-traded funds. Then, once Camejo finds a new job – Lord urges him to focus on employers with a good 401(k) match – he should contribute the max to his plan.UpdateThings are looking up: Camejo is now a finalist for a job as head of internal audit for a telecom company. If he gets an offer, he says he feels better prepared for what to say. Meanwhile, to keep expenses down, he’s returned the Acura and cut back on family meals out. “I only hope in six months we’re not drinking wine out of a box,” he says, only half jokingly. For now the good life that comes with a six-figure job will just have to wait. The challenge: Reversing a career time-out The challenge: Re-entering after retirementGot a question about your job search for our experts? Send your questions to realstories@cnnmoney.com and they could be answered in an upcoming story.

Name: Raul CamejoAge: 45 Home: Ramsey, N.J. Profession: Internal auditor Annual pay at last job: 215,000 Special skills: Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese Personal: Married with two childrenWhen Raul Camejo’s position as head of internal audit for a large insurance broker was eliminated earlier this year, he figured finding another employer would be a snap. After all, at age 45, he was in the prime of a 23-year career spent with such marquee firms as PepsiCo, Avon, and Reader’s Digest. “I thought I was invincible, and nothing would stop me,” he says.But the calls Camejo used to get routinely from recruiters have stopped. So far he’s been to only a handful of interviews and has already been low-balled on salary. At an interview for a job that he was originally told paid 145,000 – far less than his 170,000 former base pay – he was told that highly qualified people were available for as little as 120,000. In the end, though, he wasn’t even offered the job.Fortunately Raul’s wife, Maria, has a small home business importing children’s shoes. But his severance is running out, and Raul is growing concerned about how they’ll pay the mortgage and support their children, Cristina, 10, and Raul, 8. He’s tried talking to recruiters, joining industry groups, contacting former colleagues, and even chatting up parents at soccer games. As the months slip by with no job offers, he wonders what he’s doing wrong. “I’ve never been out of work before,” he says, “so this is new territory for me.”The job huntCareer coach Roy Cohen and executive recruiter John Ferneborg recommend:Take down red flags. Nearly all job hunters have something in their rsum that’s a potential turnoff. For Camejo, it’s the eight companies he’s worked for since 1986. “You have to be careful that people don’t read something negative into that,” says Cohen. Rather than avoid sensitive subjects or seem defensive, face the matter head-on to get it off the table quickly. Camejo should say, “I’d love to walk you through my rsum so that you understand the logic behind these moves,” and then make each decision seem natural and inevitable. Example: “After starting a family, I decided to accept a job that didn’t require so much traveling.”Create an online presence. Camejo needs to be more active on networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook – joining groups, asking questions, providing helpful information to people in his network, and offering links to other sites where he is featured. Camejo should also make the 269 investment to post his profile at BlueSteps.com, which Ferneborg says is often used by members of the Association of Executive Search Consultants to find job candidates after they’ve exhausted their own databases. “I just did a search for a CFO in New York City and found two of the final four candidates at BlueSteps,” says Ferneborg.Don’t talk money upfront. When prospective employers tell Camejo his previous salary seems high, he says, “Based on the market, I can be flexible.” Too apologetic, says Cohen. The coach suggests saying instead, “I’m happy to talk about salary, but first let me emphasize that what’s most important to me is to have a meaningful position at a stable organization.” Then Camejo should detail his qualifications and skills, and how he’d add value to the company. Once he’s sold the interviewer, he’ll be in a stronger position to negotiate salary.If he gets an offer, he should express gratitude but ask for a day to think it over and wind down other conversations. “If you have other options, they can be nudged up a bit,” says Cohen. But don’t wait too long or the offer may be pulled.The financial planFinancial adviser Don Lord suggests:Cut the fat. With Camejo’s severance soon to run out, Lord urges him to look for big-ticket items he can cut from the family’s budget. For instance, they can save 750 a month by not leasing another Acura MDX (the contract ends soon and they have two other vehicles), plus 400 by suspending contributions to the kids’ college funds. Camejo should also look for consulting work to bring in extra income. That way, between the couple’s earnings and Raul’s unemployment benefits, they will be able to cover their living expenses without dipping into savings.Rethink retirement. Before he was laid off, Camejo hoped to retire at 55. But between his unemployment and the hit his investments have taken, that’s probably no longer realistic. Getting back on track will be a two-step process. First, Camejo, who has 40% of his assets in international funds, should dampen the risk in his portfolio by shifting half that money into a mix of broadly diversified U.S. index and exchange-traded funds. Then, once Camejo finds a new job – Lord urges him to focus on employers with a good 401(k) match – he should contribute the max to his plan.UpdateThings are looking up: Camejo is now a finalist for a job as head of internal audit for a telecom company. If he gets an offer, he says he feels better prepared for what to say. Meanwhile, to keep expenses down, he’s returned the Acura and cut back on family meals out. “I only hope in six months we’re not drinking wine out of a box,” he says, only half jokingly. For now the good life that comes with a six-figure job will just have to wait. The challenge: Reversing a career time-out The challenge: Re-entering after retirementGot a question about your job search for our experts? Send your questions to realstories@cnnmoney.com and they could be answered in an upcoming story.

Name: Raul CamejoAge: 45 Home: Ramsey, N.J. Profession: Internal auditor Annual pay at last job: 215,000 Special skills: Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese Personal: Married with two childrenWhen Raul Camejo’s position as head of internal audit for a large insurance broker was eliminated earlier this year, he figured finding another employer would be a snap. After all, at age 45, he was in the prime of a 23-year career spent with such marquee firms as PepsiCo, Avon, and Reader’s Digest. “I thought I was invincible, and nothing would stop me,” he says.But the calls Camejo used to get routinely from recruiters have stopped. So far he’s been to only a handful of interviews and has already been low-balled on salary. At an interview for a job that he was originally told paid 145,000 – far less than his 170,000 former base pay – he was told that highly qualified people were available for as little as 120,000. In the end, though, he wasn’t even offered the job.Fortunately Raul’s wife, Maria, has a small home business importing children’s shoes. But his severance is running out, and Raul is growing concerned about how they’ll pay the mortgage and support their children, Cristina, 10, and Raul, 8. He’s tried talking to recruiters, joining industry groups, contacting former colleagues, and even chatting up parents at soccer games. As the months slip by with no job offers, he wonders what he’s doing wrong. “I’ve never been out of work before,” he says, “so this is new territory for me.”The job huntCareer coach Roy Cohen and executive recruiter John Ferneborg recommend:Take down red flags. Nearly all job hunters have something in their rsum that’s a potential turnoff. For Camejo, it’s the eight companies he’s worked for since 1986. “You have to be careful that people don’t read something negative into that,” says Cohen. Rather than avoid sensitive subjects or seem defensive, face the matter head-on to get it off the table quickly. Camejo should say, “I’d love to walk you through my rsum so that you understand the logic behind these moves,” and then make each decision seem natural and inevitable. Example: “After starting a family, I decided to accept a job that didn’t require so much traveling.”Create an online presence. Camejo needs to be more active on networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook – joining groups, asking questions, providing helpful information to people in his network, and offering links to other sites where he is featured. Camejo should also make the 269 investment to post his profile at BlueSteps.com, which Ferneborg says is often used by members of the Association of Executive Search Consultants to find job candidates after they’ve exhausted their own databases. “I just did a search for a CFO in New York City and found two of the final four candidates at BlueSteps,” says Ferneborg.Don’t talk money upfront. When prospective employers tell Camejo his previous salary seems high, he says, “Based on the market, I can be flexible.” Too apologetic, says Cohen. The coach suggests saying instead, “I’m happy to talk about salary, but first let me emphasize that what’s most important to me is to have a meaningful position at a stable organization.” Then Camejo should detail his qualifications and skills, and how he’d add value to the company. Once he’s sold the interviewer, he’ll be in a stronger position to negotiate salary.If he gets an offer, he should express gratitude but ask for a day to think it over and wind down other conversations. “If you have other options, they can be nudged up a bit,” says Cohen. But don’t wait too long or the offer may be pulled.The financial planFinancial adviser Don Lord suggests:Cut the fat. With Camejo’s severance soon to run out, Lord urges him to look for big-ticket items he can cut from the family’s budget. For instance, they can save 750 a month by not leasing another Acura MDX (the contract ends soon and they have two other vehicles), plus 400 by suspending contributions to the kids’ college funds. Camejo should also look for consulting work to bring in extra income. That way, between the couple’s earnings and Raul’s unemployment benefits, they will be able to cover their living expenses without dipping into savings.Rethink retirement. Before he was laid off, Camejo hoped to retire at 55. But between his unemployment and the hit his investments have taken, that’s probably no longer realistic. Getting back on track will be a two-step process. First, Camejo, who has 40% of his assets in international funds, should dampen the risk in his portfolio by shifting half that money into a mix of broadly diversified U.S. index and exchange-traded funds. Then, once Camejo finds a new job – Lord urges him to focus on employers with a good 401(k) match – he should contribute the max to his plan.UpdateThings are looking up: Camejo is now a finalist for a job as head of internal audit for a telecom company. If he gets an offer, he says he feels better prepared for what to say. Meanwhile, to keep expenses down, he’s returned the Acura and cut back on family meals out. “I only hope in six months we’re not drinking wine out of a box,” he says, only half jokingly. For now the good life that comes with a six-figure job will just have to wait. The challenge: Reversing a career time-out The challenge: Re-entering after retirementGot a question about your job search for our experts? Send your questions to realstories@cnnmoney.com and they could be answered in an upcoming story.

(Money Magazine) — In today’s challenging economy, odds are you belong to one of two camps: You have already lost your job or you’re worried that you could. Either way, you’re feeling the stress of the highest unemployment rate in more than a quarter of a century and wondering what you should be doing now to improve your career prospects. Enter Team Money, a blue-chip panel of career and financial experts that we’ve assembled to provide insights and strategies to help you navigate today’s trying job market. Their mission: to give three accomplished professionals, each unemployed for several months, head-to-toe makeovers that will help them land great jobs. Our goal: to not only help our three subjects find work but to provide you with valuable job advice as well. We chose our panel – career coach Roy Cohen, executive recruiter John Ferneborg, image consultant Sandy Dumont, and financial planner Donald Lord (see their bios at right) – because of their outstanding track records advising people during difficult times. And each of our makeover subjects has indeed had real struggles of late. Raul Camejo, 45, had always been in high demand as an internal auditor – until just before he was laid off earlier this year, when calls from recruiters suddenly dried up. Marketing executive Jane Garcin, 51, put her job search on hold in August to care for her dying mother; by the time Garcin began looking in earnest at the beginning of this year, the economy had tanked. Project-management specialist Robert Bertrand, 62, thought he had planned his retirement perfectly so that he could compete on the Senior Professional Golf Tour. He got to live his dream for three years. But when his wife lost her job and his stock options evaporated in the market crash, he was suddenly back hunting in a market that has little interest in older workers, no matter how experienced they are. While this trio of professionals may be temporarily down, however, they’re certainly not out – of the running for good jobs, that is. And the strategies our experts suggest in the pages that follow may be just the extra boost these job seekers need to land the right position. Among the insights the pros will share with them – and you: how to organize the job hunt, broaden your network, dress for interviews (hint: don’t wear black), keep from getting low-balled on salary, and manage your finances without a steady income. The process may not be quick – studies show it takes at least four to six months for the average professional or middle manager to get the job he or she wants. But there is reason to be hopeful. Despite today’s grim headlines, the fact remains that millions of people are hired each month – 4.2 million during March alone. “There are good jobs out there,” says Ferneborg. “You just have to know where to look and how to go after them.” The challenge: Downsizing expectations The challenge: Reversing a career time-out The challenge: Re-entering after retirementGot a question about your job search for our experts? Send your questions to realstories@cnnmoney.com and they could be answered in an upcoming story.

Source:CNN

NEW YORK: Employers are still jittery about hiring but the pace of job loss is stabilizing, according to a staffing firm survey released Tuesday. Sixty-seven percent of employers said they plan to hold staff levels steady for the third quarter of 2009, unchanged from the last two quarters, according to the Manpower’s employment outlook quarterly survey. “Employer attitudes about hiring remain essentially unchanged compared to the previous quarter,” Jeffrey Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower, said in a statement. “While the numbers may not be as optimistic as we would like, it is positive to see no further deterioration,” he said. Of the 28,000 employers surveyed in the United States, only 15% anticipated hiring more employees during the third quarter, down from 26% last year, the survey said. Another 13% expected a reduction in their payrolls, up from 10% last year. Five percent said they were undecided about their July to September hiring plans. The net employment outlook, or difference between employers who plan to add jobs and those who expect to cut them, was 2%, down from 16% in the year-ago period. “The data shows continued hesitancy among employers,” said Jonas Prising, president of the Americas for Manpower Inc. “They are treading slowly and watching with guarded optimism, hoping a few quarters of stability will be the precursor to the recovery.” Of the industries that plan on hiring, leisure & hospitality had the most promising hiring outlook, followed by wholesale & retail trade, professional & business services, financial activities and construction. Alternatively, employers in mining had the weakest employment outlook in the upcoming quarter, while durable goods manufacturing, transportation & utilities, information, government and education & health services all anticipated a decline in hiring as well. Employers in nondurable goods manufacturing plan to keep hiring levels relatively stable for the third quarter, according to the survey. A government report Friday showed that 2.9 million jobs have been lost so far this year and the unemployment rate now stands at 9.4%, its highest level in 26 years.

Source:CNN