People only know that there are editors and writers in newspapers but when you check at the workforce inside news organizations, there are different kinds of editors and writers as well as a host of other workers that team up to bring fresh news to your doorstep every morning. Here are some of the different careers in print journalism.
1. Editor in Chief
This is the top honcho when it comes to the editorial work. All of the stories that come out in the paper will pass by his desk and get approved. This is why when a newspaper is being sued for libel cases, the name of the editor in chief is always part of the defendants in the case. This is because in the ideal sense, all articles should have been read and approved by the editor in chief.
2. Managing Editor and Associate Editor
These are the assistants to the editor in chief. They are not the ones who bring them coffee and should not be confused with the job description of a secretary. Often, managing editors are the second in command, along with associate editors. They are basically tasked to handle the writers and the contributors for the section. In smaller news organizations like in schools, they are also the ones who manage the day to day operations like the schedule and the budget.
3. Section Heads
In a newspaper, there are different sections. One for instance deals with lifestyle and the other one with news or with sports. To make the job easier for the top officers, there are people who are tasked to handle each of the sections. They are called section heads. They are the ones in charge of assigning work and coming up with different stories. For those sections that have smaller sub sections in them, there are journalists who are tasked to head those chunks and they are called sub-section heads. They are tasked to take care of their own sections along with preparing the materials and closing the page.
4. Writers
These people are the lifeblood of the newspapers as they are the ones who gather and deliver the news to you. These are the people who go to where the action is and see what they can write about it. Often, writers are assigned to different beats. For instance, one may be assigned to report about health while another writes about sports.
5. Correspondents and contributors
These are people who also write for the paper but are not directly under the company’s employ. They can write and submit stories to different newspapers and they are paid per story and not per month like with the in house writers. Contributors are often what we call freelance writers. And because they are not employed by the company, they do not get the regular benefits but they don’t also have to report to work.
6. Editorial assistants
These people are the ones who take care of the day to day operation of one section. They also write when needed but their function is to help smoothen the operations for the writers and the editors.
7. Copyreaders
These are people who check on the article to see if there are typos and in some cases wrong grammar that were missed out during the editing stage. These people basically check the whole article and correct any errors in them. Often, what they do is surface checking and nothing deeper like rewriting the whole article.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Behaving on Your Construction Job Interview
Just like any other job, you are required to submit your CV and cover letter before you can be admitted to work in a construction job. Gone were the days when anyone can simply show up, talk with the foreman, and express his intent of working. Nowadays it is necessary to show your aces and be able to prove that you are qualified for the job. The employers of today are after the efficiency of their workers especially that they can't afford to pay people who are not in any way knowledgeable about the roles that they need to portray.
There are even construction companies that ask the potential employees to register with the reputable job recruitment agencies. They don't like to be going through the fuss of recruiting their own manpower. They want a more organized and ready made list of the workers that they will be employing for the project. Anyhow, it is vital that you create a good impression via your CV and cover letter since they are your aces in getting granted with a personal interview. Now the question is, how should you act during the interview itself?
If you are the type of person whose goal is to work for a construction company, then people are likely to hurl an impression at you that you are rough, tough, and burly. After all, these are the basic characteristics of a construction worker. Then again, there is a need for you to modify your actions. You should keep a modest behavior so you can get a job.
Proper behavior is required of you. Your attitude should never reflect any cue of your lack of breeding. Although it is not expected that you behave with class, you can at least try to arm yourself with a positive outlook and respect. You see, the construction site is always filled with stressors so it is but important that you exude a happy personality that can help you handle such situations. The construction firms have already evolved and you also need to get adjusted. Here are among the pointers that can help you out.
Watch out your actions and language. Some companies prefer to conduct at least two interviews. To be able to qualify for the second or the next ones, you should always put your best foot forward. Don't be rude. Be polite as well as amiable as soon as you step on the premises. Greet the security guard, receptionists, and other members of the staff.
Don't be intimidated to ask questions. Clarify the things which you don't understand. It never hurts to ask.
Don't play with your fingers. Also check out other mannerisms and avoid doing them while having an interview.
Get away from distractions. Turn off or put your mobile phone in silent mode. This can hamper your chances of getting hired.
Speak clearly. Be sure that your voice is loud enough.
Don't bad-mouth previous employers. This will create a negative thought about you. The interviewer may get the cue that you have a tendency to speak ill of the company as well.
Be honest. Don't fabricate stories about your employment. Companies are likely to do a background check.
Exude the positive body gestures. Make it appear that you are interested in the job, in what the interviewer speaks of, and don't forget to make eye contact.
Construction jobs may offer meager wages but still, you have to act accordingly. This is but a requirement that you can never do without.
There are even construction companies that ask the potential employees to register with the reputable job recruitment agencies. They don't like to be going through the fuss of recruiting their own manpower. They want a more organized and ready made list of the workers that they will be employing for the project. Anyhow, it is vital that you create a good impression via your CV and cover letter since they are your aces in getting granted with a personal interview. Now the question is, how should you act during the interview itself?
If you are the type of person whose goal is to work for a construction company, then people are likely to hurl an impression at you that you are rough, tough, and burly. After all, these are the basic characteristics of a construction worker. Then again, there is a need for you to modify your actions. You should keep a modest behavior so you can get a job.
Proper behavior is required of you. Your attitude should never reflect any cue of your lack of breeding. Although it is not expected that you behave with class, you can at least try to arm yourself with a positive outlook and respect. You see, the construction site is always filled with stressors so it is but important that you exude a happy personality that can help you handle such situations. The construction firms have already evolved and you also need to get adjusted. Here are among the pointers that can help you out.
Watch out your actions and language. Some companies prefer to conduct at least two interviews. To be able to qualify for the second or the next ones, you should always put your best foot forward. Don't be rude. Be polite as well as amiable as soon as you step on the premises. Greet the security guard, receptionists, and other members of the staff.
Don't be intimidated to ask questions. Clarify the things which you don't understand. It never hurts to ask.
Don't play with your fingers. Also check out other mannerisms and avoid doing them while having an interview.
Get away from distractions. Turn off or put your mobile phone in silent mode. This can hamper your chances of getting hired.
Speak clearly. Be sure that your voice is loud enough.
Don't bad-mouth previous employers. This will create a negative thought about you. The interviewer may get the cue that you have a tendency to speak ill of the company as well.
Be honest. Don't fabricate stories about your employment. Companies are likely to do a background check.
Exude the positive body gestures. Make it appear that you are interested in the job, in what the interviewer speaks of, and don't forget to make eye contact.
Construction jobs may offer meager wages but still, you have to act accordingly. This is but a requirement that you can never do without.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How to Influence People at Work
At work, there will be times that you will have to cooperate with other people to get the job done. Since brainstorming usually happens before any action is taken, you have to know how to influence the rest of the group so you guys are able to move on from there.
But how do we do that? Well the first thing you have to do is make sure everyone is on the same page with regards to what needs to be done. Although this may make you look bossy, you have every right if you happen to be the project manager.
You don’t have to do this forcefully because this is surely not the first time you have worked with this group. Just go with the flow and try to please everyone so everything will go smoothly until the job is done. The best way to do is to keep the lines of communication open and giving their suggestions some thought before dismissing it completely.
Another great suggestion will be to delegate certain tasks because this will make the other members in the group also feel important. This also sends a powerful message that you believe in their ability and once they get accustomed to this, you boost their confidence and competence.
Your basis in given them an assignment should be based on their experience but if you want to them to try something new, make sure you are ready to help if they encounter a problem. Just be sure to check up on them is to ask for a report at certain stages of the project.
If some people should go off track, remind them that you guys have a deadline and that there are people waiting for what you will be able to come up with. Make sure you say this politely so you don’t sound arrogant or superior even if you happen to be the most senior member in the group.
When everyone is tired after working on the project for hours, tell the group to take a break because you guys need to recharge your batteries.
When the project is over, don’t forget to thank everyone for their help and give credit where it is due. The last thing that your group wants to hear is your boss praising only you for a job well done when the other members contributed their share to make it work. That is another way to have a good relationship with them and ensure that you won’t have any problems working with them in future projects.
Keeping the group together, delegating tasks and saying what you want done properly is the proper way of influencing your colleagues at work. If you have never been a project manager before, don’t worry because this takes a bit of practice and time to gain their respect especially if you were always the one being told what to do for a project.
But if you are given the opportunity, make the most of it because this is the best time to show the bosses who you really are. As long as you maintain your composure and continue to be honest and trustworthy, there is no doubt that you will have influenced these people in some way and will continue to have a good working relationship with them.
But how do we do that? Well the first thing you have to do is make sure everyone is on the same page with regards to what needs to be done. Although this may make you look bossy, you have every right if you happen to be the project manager.
You don’t have to do this forcefully because this is surely not the first time you have worked with this group. Just go with the flow and try to please everyone so everything will go smoothly until the job is done. The best way to do is to keep the lines of communication open and giving their suggestions some thought before dismissing it completely.
Another great suggestion will be to delegate certain tasks because this will make the other members in the group also feel important. This also sends a powerful message that you believe in their ability and once they get accustomed to this, you boost their confidence and competence.
Your basis in given them an assignment should be based on their experience but if you want to them to try something new, make sure you are ready to help if they encounter a problem. Just be sure to check up on them is to ask for a report at certain stages of the project.
If some people should go off track, remind them that you guys have a deadline and that there are people waiting for what you will be able to come up with. Make sure you say this politely so you don’t sound arrogant or superior even if you happen to be the most senior member in the group.
When everyone is tired after working on the project for hours, tell the group to take a break because you guys need to recharge your batteries.
When the project is over, don’t forget to thank everyone for their help and give credit where it is due. The last thing that your group wants to hear is your boss praising only you for a job well done when the other members contributed their share to make it work. That is another way to have a good relationship with them and ensure that you won’t have any problems working with them in future projects.
Keeping the group together, delegating tasks and saying what you want done properly is the proper way of influencing your colleagues at work. If you have never been a project manager before, don’t worry because this takes a bit of practice and time to gain their respect especially if you were always the one being told what to do for a project.
But if you are given the opportunity, make the most of it because this is the best time to show the bosses who you really are. As long as you maintain your composure and continue to be honest and trustworthy, there is no doubt that you will have influenced these people in some way and will continue to have a good working relationship with them.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Carpentry Career Guide
A carpentry career is anything but easy. Being a carpenter for some seems like a lowly job. But it can actually be an enriching one too. Just imagine being able to create beautiful structures out of wood, shaping them from just blocks to something useful such as a roof over people’s heads. There is quite a different sort of fulfillment that one gets being a carpenter. And it takes a different kind of person to become one.
In the field of carpentry, one has to be accustomed to physical labor. For the most part, the work of carpenters always involves the use of hands and muscle power. But it is usually coupled with a good eye for measuring things. Carpentry can also be about an exact science in terms of measurements and not just an artful craft.
Carpentry skills are developed mostly by practice and not just through reading, although skill improvement also requires a great deal of that. Most of the experienced carpenters today have initially picked up their carpentry skills on the job. But there are also educational institutions and vocational school that also offer skills training. Although carpentry may be learned through years of practice, certain employers want to make sure that carpenters have all the necessary skills and proficiency in the field before they hire them.
That is why most employers require carpenters to undergo apprenticeship training. This is considered as the best way for would be carpenters to be provided with the most comprehensive carpentry training. What apprenticeship provides is not just skills development in a classroom setting. What it provides is the essential practical carpentry experience by doing real work.
What apprenticeship does is that it teaches basic design principles and familiarizes would be carpenters with the skills such as framing, interior and exterior finishing as well as layout. The apprenticeship program also helps would be carpenters gain experience in the use of carpentry tools, materials and other equipment. Other aspects of carpentry such as learning about safety issues, basic medical skills, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, shop math, and various carpentry techniques are also tackled.
Apprenticeship programs usually take a certain period of time to accomplish. Some may undergo apprenticeship training that can last from two to four years. The period of training can also depend on the skill level and proficiency of the participant. Aside from apprenticeships, other employers may also provide additional training to carpenter employees.
But these are considered as supplementary skills training in that they are not usually a general prerequisite. Different employers may provide training to carpenters primarily to help them better understand the system being followed. The level of training would also depend on the size of the establishment.
A carpentry career may also require a lot of qualification. Depending on the area or region, qualifications may vary. But generally, getting into carpentry does not necessarily require one to have a high school diploma, although it can be very helpful and advantageous.
In the field of carpentry, one has to be accustomed to physical labor. For the most part, the work of carpenters always involves the use of hands and muscle power. But it is usually coupled with a good eye for measuring things. Carpentry can also be about an exact science in terms of measurements and not just an artful craft.
Carpentry skills are developed mostly by practice and not just through reading, although skill improvement also requires a great deal of that. Most of the experienced carpenters today have initially picked up their carpentry skills on the job. But there are also educational institutions and vocational school that also offer skills training. Although carpentry may be learned through years of practice, certain employers want to make sure that carpenters have all the necessary skills and proficiency in the field before they hire them.
That is why most employers require carpenters to undergo apprenticeship training. This is considered as the best way for would be carpenters to be provided with the most comprehensive carpentry training. What apprenticeship provides is not just skills development in a classroom setting. What it provides is the essential practical carpentry experience by doing real work.
What apprenticeship does is that it teaches basic design principles and familiarizes would be carpenters with the skills such as framing, interior and exterior finishing as well as layout. The apprenticeship program also helps would be carpenters gain experience in the use of carpentry tools, materials and other equipment. Other aspects of carpentry such as learning about safety issues, basic medical skills, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, shop math, and various carpentry techniques are also tackled.
Apprenticeship programs usually take a certain period of time to accomplish. Some may undergo apprenticeship training that can last from two to four years. The period of training can also depend on the skill level and proficiency of the participant. Aside from apprenticeships, other employers may also provide additional training to carpenter employees.
But these are considered as supplementary skills training in that they are not usually a general prerequisite. Different employers may provide training to carpenters primarily to help them better understand the system being followed. The level of training would also depend on the size of the establishment.
A carpentry career may also require a lot of qualification. Depending on the area or region, qualifications may vary. But generally, getting into carpentry does not necessarily require one to have a high school diploma, although it can be very helpful and advantageous.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
How To Have A Great Job Interview
You are going to desire to make the excellent impression of all when you have a job interview - after all, you do not get a second chance to make a first impression. When you are going for a job interview, this is your one chance to genuinely shine. You are going to desire to make the excellent impression possible. How do you go about this?
Grip the following tips when you go for your next job interview so that you can make a express impression and please your prospective employer as well as get that job:
Dress for success
Make certain that you are wearing your excellent clothes when you go for a job interview. You have to wearing a suit of clothes and tie if you are a man and a woman's suit of clothes for a woman with low heels and stockings. Altho most companies go for business casual at present, you do desire to clothe for achievement when you go for the job interview so that you can land the job.
Talk positively about your previous jobs
Employers are going to most likely ask you about your previous job experiences. Make certain that you speak positively about whatever experiences that you may have had when you were working. You have to express in positively about them even if they were obnoxious experiences. Not ever talk bad about a past job or a past employer as it looks bad for you.
Response questions straightforward
If you are asked a question that you do not know, ask the interviewer to repeat the question and then response in a straightforward technique. Job interviewers occasionally are obscure with their calling into question. If you response inquiries in a straight forward way and expect them to elucidate what you don't know, you have a better chance of giving a well informed and intelligent answer.
Bear in mind your manners
Make certain to stay up straight, don't slouch and face the interviewer in the eye when you talk. Do not mumble your answers or look to the floor. Be sure to shake hands as this custom is always observed by both men and women. Bear in mind your manners when you are in a job interview and that admits giving thanks the interviewer for acquiring the time to talk to you.
Toot your own horn
Ne'er assure an employer anything disconfirming about yourself. This is the time to toot your own horn and loud. Whilst being self depreciative could be influencing at a party, it is able to negative stimulation a prospective employer. Don't brag, but be very detailed about your accomplishments and do not be afraid to list them.
Be positive, comfortably dressed, instructive and becharming and you're certain to ace that job interview.
Grip the following tips when you go for your next job interview so that you can make a express impression and please your prospective employer as well as get that job:
Dress for success
Make certain that you are wearing your excellent clothes when you go for a job interview. You have to wearing a suit of clothes and tie if you are a man and a woman's suit of clothes for a woman with low heels and stockings. Altho most companies go for business casual at present, you do desire to clothe for achievement when you go for the job interview so that you can land the job.
Talk positively about your previous jobs
Employers are going to most likely ask you about your previous job experiences. Make certain that you speak positively about whatever experiences that you may have had when you were working. You have to express in positively about them even if they were obnoxious experiences. Not ever talk bad about a past job or a past employer as it looks bad for you.
Response questions straightforward
If you are asked a question that you do not know, ask the interviewer to repeat the question and then response in a straightforward technique. Job interviewers occasionally are obscure with their calling into question. If you response inquiries in a straight forward way and expect them to elucidate what you don't know, you have a better chance of giving a well informed and intelligent answer.
Bear in mind your manners
Make certain to stay up straight, don't slouch and face the interviewer in the eye when you talk. Do not mumble your answers or look to the floor. Be sure to shake hands as this custom is always observed by both men and women. Bear in mind your manners when you are in a job interview and that admits giving thanks the interviewer for acquiring the time to talk to you.
Toot your own horn
Ne'er assure an employer anything disconfirming about yourself. This is the time to toot your own horn and loud. Whilst being self depreciative could be influencing at a party, it is able to negative stimulation a prospective employer. Don't brag, but be very detailed about your accomplishments and do not be afraid to list them.
Be positive, comfortably dressed, instructive and becharming and you're certain to ace that job interview.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Motivation Strategy for Employers
If you are an employer you know that having a motivation strategy is key to keeping your business on the cutting edge. The first thing that employers should know about having a motivation strategy is that it is impossible to motivate another individual. They either have it within themselves to perform or they do not. The goal of an employer is really simple. Your motivation strategy is to simply create the environment that promotes motivation in your employees. It is up to them whether they jump on for the ride, or not.
Once employers understand that they cannot get inside the brains of their employees and push the motivation button they often breathe a sigh of relief. This frees them up to truly focus on an employer’s motivation strategy – which is to make the work place friendly for those who do have it within them to succeed.
Setting up a work environment with the motivation strategy that enables employees to fill they are truly working toward a goal has many benefits. First of all, it makes for happy employees which mean fewer turnovers. Any business owner knows that if you have a low turnover you save time and money because you do not have to divert your time to hiring and training new people. Having a motivation strategy in place where employees are able to tap into their potential raises productivity and performance. Employees who know what they are doing and who are excited about their jobs mean that things often get quicker and with fewer errors.
So, how can you set up a motivation strategy in your workplace? The answer is really rather simple. You need to get to know your employees and understand who they are, what their personal and career goals are and find out what they want from their job. Opening up the communication door with your employees will give you an inside peek as to their motivation for being there.
Next, it is important that you point out, recognize and affirm the efforts of your employees. No one wants to work week after week, month after month without ever being notice. When you recognize a job well done it motivates employees to continue to do their best.
Another way that you can keep employee motivation up is to make your employees feel that they are part of the business. Ask their opinions about any decisions that may be on the horizon. What is their input? How do they see the business being if X was done instead of Y? Asking the opinions of your employees and truly listening encourages your employees and it makes them feel they are truly part of the company.
Lastly, no one is going to stay motivated at a job long if they do not feel they are being compensated for their time and efforts. Make sure you are paying your employees a good wage and that, if possible, you offer them insurance, bonuses and regular promotions and raises. If a person feels they are stuck in a dead end job and they are as high as they are ever going to be on the ladder, they may become unmotivated and eventually move on to other employment.
To recap, an employer’s motivation strategy is not to pick the brain of an employee for a motivation button. It is to set up a workplace that rewards motivation. You do this by making a connection with your employees, asking them for their input and opinions, praising their work, paying them what they are worth and allowing them the chance to move up in the company.
Once employers understand that they cannot get inside the brains of their employees and push the motivation button they often breathe a sigh of relief. This frees them up to truly focus on an employer’s motivation strategy – which is to make the work place friendly for those who do have it within them to succeed.
Setting up a work environment with the motivation strategy that enables employees to fill they are truly working toward a goal has many benefits. First of all, it makes for happy employees which mean fewer turnovers. Any business owner knows that if you have a low turnover you save time and money because you do not have to divert your time to hiring and training new people. Having a motivation strategy in place where employees are able to tap into their potential raises productivity and performance. Employees who know what they are doing and who are excited about their jobs mean that things often get quicker and with fewer errors.
So, how can you set up a motivation strategy in your workplace? The answer is really rather simple. You need to get to know your employees and understand who they are, what their personal and career goals are and find out what they want from their job. Opening up the communication door with your employees will give you an inside peek as to their motivation for being there.
Next, it is important that you point out, recognize and affirm the efforts of your employees. No one wants to work week after week, month after month without ever being notice. When you recognize a job well done it motivates employees to continue to do their best.
Another way that you can keep employee motivation up is to make your employees feel that they are part of the business. Ask their opinions about any decisions that may be on the horizon. What is their input? How do they see the business being if X was done instead of Y? Asking the opinions of your employees and truly listening encourages your employees and it makes them feel they are truly part of the company.
Lastly, no one is going to stay motivated at a job long if they do not feel they are being compensated for their time and efforts. Make sure you are paying your employees a good wage and that, if possible, you offer them insurance, bonuses and regular promotions and raises. If a person feels they are stuck in a dead end job and they are as high as they are ever going to be on the ladder, they may become unmotivated and eventually move on to other employment.
To recap, an employer’s motivation strategy is not to pick the brain of an employee for a motivation button. It is to set up a workplace that rewards motivation. You do this by making a connection with your employees, asking them for their input and opinions, praising their work, paying them what they are worth and allowing them the chance to move up in the company.
Monday, September 29, 2008
On the Dole: The Effects of Economic Recession on Employment
There is a lot of talk about economic recession nowadays. People are complaining how economic recession is making their lives worse. The economic recession often refers to the two quarters of negative economic growth. A severe recession which lasts for more than two years, becomes a depression.
A recession is characterised by rising unemployment, increase in government borrowing, decrease of share and stock prices, and falling investment. All of these characteristics have effects on people.
People have a general understanding of the recessions’ negative effects. But how does an ordinary consumer get affected by a recession, employment in particular is not really clear.
John Schmitt and Dean Baker released a new report on the possible impact of the recession on What We’re In For, Projected Economic Impact of the Next Recession this year. In their report, the 2008 recession in United States is perceived to raise the national employment rate between 2.1 and 3.8 percentage points. This would be an equivalent of between 3.2 million and 5.8 million unemployed Americans. CalculatedRisk stated, based on this report and United States’ recession history, that economic downturn can be measured in how high the unemployed number of people rises.
Based from the United States recession history, there had been a handful of times when the unemployment rate has risen during an expansion. Unemployment had risen by 0.5 percent or and there were instances that it is less. But this scenarios happen when the country is not under any economic downfall. When the unemployment percentage reaches 0.6 percent, the economy is described to be under a recession. This year, the U.S. unemployment rate is nearly 1.1 percent.
Economists, until now have not yet formally labelled the economic downturn of the United States as an economic recession. Amidst falling home equity, the rising cost of food, health care and housing along with disturbing number of unemployment, economists is still claiming that there is still growth in the economy, even though it is small. People found it unnecessary for a formal announcement to actually feel the recession coming in.
According to Miami Herald, people unemployed are starting get desperate. The number or people out of work for six months or more increased from 160,000 from July to August. There are 10.7 percent of people who would like to have a full time job but are unable to do so. Due to unavailability of working positions.
It does not matter if you have a college degree under your belt. College graduates this year are also experiencing the highest unemployment rate since 2004 with 2.7 percent. Meanwhile, 9.6 percent of high school graduates are unemployed and this figure is also highest rate since 1996.
Most of the job losses are in the manufacturing sector, which lost 61,000 jobs this year. In the manufacturing industry, Miami Herald cited 20 percent of job loss even though the export numbers are increasing.
Even though the pay or salary is increasing, a 3.6 percent increase compared to 2007 salary, it is insufficient compared to the fast rate of increase in the prices of primary commodities. The consumers’ buying power is still low. Food and beverage costs are 5.8 percent higher than 2007.
For those who were left employed and thanking their lucky stars, there is still a hitch.
Companies are already cutting the health coverage for their employees. Currently, $694 and $3,281, respectively, according to the most recent data by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Economic recession is an event which is very difficult for everybody. Hopefully, the real economic status will be recognized immediately to be properly addressed and solve.
A recession is characterised by rising unemployment, increase in government borrowing, decrease of share and stock prices, and falling investment. All of these characteristics have effects on people.
People have a general understanding of the recessions’ negative effects. But how does an ordinary consumer get affected by a recession, employment in particular is not really clear.
John Schmitt and Dean Baker released a new report on the possible impact of the recession on What We’re In For, Projected Economic Impact of the Next Recession this year. In their report, the 2008 recession in United States is perceived to raise the national employment rate between 2.1 and 3.8 percentage points. This would be an equivalent of between 3.2 million and 5.8 million unemployed Americans. CalculatedRisk stated, based on this report and United States’ recession history, that economic downturn can be measured in how high the unemployed number of people rises.
Based from the United States recession history, there had been a handful of times when the unemployment rate has risen during an expansion. Unemployment had risen by 0.5 percent or and there were instances that it is less. But this scenarios happen when the country is not under any economic downfall. When the unemployment percentage reaches 0.6 percent, the economy is described to be under a recession. This year, the U.S. unemployment rate is nearly 1.1 percent.
Economists, until now have not yet formally labelled the economic downturn of the United States as an economic recession. Amidst falling home equity, the rising cost of food, health care and housing along with disturbing number of unemployment, economists is still claiming that there is still growth in the economy, even though it is small. People found it unnecessary for a formal announcement to actually feel the recession coming in.
According to Miami Herald, people unemployed are starting get desperate. The number or people out of work for six months or more increased from 160,000 from July to August. There are 10.7 percent of people who would like to have a full time job but are unable to do so. Due to unavailability of working positions.
It does not matter if you have a college degree under your belt. College graduates this year are also experiencing the highest unemployment rate since 2004 with 2.7 percent. Meanwhile, 9.6 percent of high school graduates are unemployed and this figure is also highest rate since 1996.
Most of the job losses are in the manufacturing sector, which lost 61,000 jobs this year. In the manufacturing industry, Miami Herald cited 20 percent of job loss even though the export numbers are increasing.
Even though the pay or salary is increasing, a 3.6 percent increase compared to 2007 salary, it is insufficient compared to the fast rate of increase in the prices of primary commodities. The consumers’ buying power is still low. Food and beverage costs are 5.8 percent higher than 2007.
For those who were left employed and thanking their lucky stars, there is still a hitch.
Companies are already cutting the health coverage for their employees. Currently, $694 and $3,281, respectively, according to the most recent data by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Economic recession is an event which is very difficult for everybody. Hopefully, the real economic status will be recognized immediately to be properly addressed and solve.
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