Workplace
The job market tightens
Most U.S. employers don’t plan to cut jobs in the first quarter of this year, said Barbara Hagenbaugh and Barbara Hansen in USA Today. Then again, most won’t be adding new positions, either. “The job market continues to slowly but steadily downshift,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. The net effect will be a weaker job market for most sectors in 2008—but not all. Manufacturing “has pockets that are still good,” says Jack Hull, manager of Hull Precision Machining in Spencerville, Ind. “We’re trying to tip-toe through that minefield to stay with the healthy sectors.”
Don’t fret over predictions of a slower job market for the year ahead, said Andrea Coombes in Marketwatch.com. “At the same time, workers always should be prepared for things to change, even if their current position and job-market outlook appear rosy.” The best defense is to “know why you matter,” says Cincinnati-based career consultant Andrea Kay. Keep detailed notes of your work accomplishments, which will come in handy if and when you have to rewrite your résumé or sell yourself in a job interview. And never pass on the chance to acquire new skills. “Continued learning is an absolute must,” Kay says.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published