The State of Urban Jobs

What You Need to Know About the State of Urban Jobs!

NUL’s State of Urban Jobs site at iamempowered.com gives you everything you need to know about jobs including the monthly employment report with stats for Blacks, recipe Whites and Latinos, dosage the National Urban League’s position on employment and job creation policy, here the facts about how investing in job creation is the best strategy for reducing the deficit, as well as resume writing tips and job listings. Click here to view and stay abreast of the latest developments.

Highlights of the March 2011 Employment Report:

The economy gained 216,000 jobs in March while private sector employment (excludes government losses) increased by 230,000.  Together with last month’s revised numbers of 194,000 net total job growth and 240,000 net private jobs, this represents the fastest two month pace since before the recession.  The number of unemployed people in March declined to 13.5 million, while the labor force participation rate was unchanged.

The largest private sector job growth occurred in professional and business services (+78,000), education and health (+45,000; 36,600 in health care alone), and leisure and hospitality (+37,000).  Most losses were concentrated in government , with local governments shedding 15,000 jobs in March.

The unemployment rate changed little – now 8.8% (from 8.9% in February).  The black unemployment rate increased slightly to 15.5%(from 15.3%) – the unemployment rate for black men was up to 16.8% (from 16.2%); for black women, down to 12.5% (from 13.0%). The unemployment rate for whites was 7.9% (from 8.0%) while the Hispanic rate was 11.3% (from 11.6%).  Rates of teen unemployment were 21.6% for whites (from 21.3%), 42.1% for African-Americans (from 38.4%) and 31.9% for Latinos (from 30.6%). The rate of underemployment (including the unemployed, marginally attached and those working part-time for economic reasons) was 15.7% (from 15.9%).

The ranks of long-term unemployed (jobless for 27 weeks or more) has been trending up since September 2010 – now at 6.1 million (from 6.0 million) or 45.5% of all unemployed.

The March 2011 Employment report is available at the State of Urban Jobs website.  For more information on state and regional unemployment statistics for January 2011 (latest available), click here.  For more information on metropolitan area unemployment statistics for January 2011 (latest available), click here.  Also, available from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the March 2011 edition of its state-by-state snapshots which detail each individual state’s economic progress for the previous month.

Check out the original post on NUL.Org

Ways to Ask for the Job at Interview’s End

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[info_box]Originally posted on the Simply hired Blog By Phil Rosenberg[/info_box]

What do you do at the end of an interview?

Everyone tells you to ask for the job … but few people will tell you how to ask for it.

Many job seekers take a passive approach and just don’t ask for the job. There are not many situations where a passive approach works well and is often interpreted in a lack of interest in the job.

Interviewers and hiring managers typically assume that if a candidate doesn’t ask for the job, view they just aren’t interested. From the candidate point of view, diagnosis asking for the job makes many uncomfortable, approved opens themselves up for rejection – this is especially common among candidates who have had long term frustrations with job search. Others feel that asking for the job is “too pushy”.

I give this general career advice to all candidates: Take a risk and ask because you miss 100% of the shots you never take. So far, this isn’t earth shattering news.

Here’s the real meat of today’s career advice: Let’s go over some strategies that work well, and contrast with a few that don’t. In addition, I’ll help you translate the interviewer’s response to better understand if you’ll move forward in the hiring process.

7 ways to ask for the job at interview’s end:

Common Approaches

[dropcap1]1[/dropcap1] Direct Approach: “I’d really like to work for your company – the job sounds perfect for me”
While the most popular approach, this method is riddled with problems. It’s centered around what the candidate wants, not what the company wants. If delivered with the wrong tone, in the wrong situation, or to the wrong person, it can be perceived as desperate or pushy. This approach doesn’t ask the interviewer for their opinion of the candidate, which could even appear insulting. Where this can work – for a high pressure, transactional sales position, this demonstrates an ability to go for the close. At an employer that values relationships and taking the time to build trust, this approach can ruin an otherwise great interview.

[dropcap1]2[/dropcap1] Feedback Approach: “So how did I do?”
This approach asks the interviewer for feedback, and puts the interviewer on the spot. If you are one of the leading candidates, and the interviewer definitely has you on the callback list, you’ll probably get a strong answer. The problem with this approach is if you are on the bubble for callback, you’ll rarely have an interviewer tell you this (interviewers don’t want confrontation, or to make a discussion uncomfortable – plus they probably have to move on to the next candidate). If you’re on the bubble, you’ll probably get a non answer telling you that they will review all candidates and make callbacks in the next week or two – basically “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”.

Closing Approaches

[dropcap1]3[/dropcap1] Next Steps Approach: “What’s our next step?”
While a favorite among salespeople, this approach can have drawbacks also. This approach uses an assumptive close technique common in the sales world, assuming there’s a next step and that the interview process will move forward. If you’re a leading candidate, you’ll likely get the response you want, otherwise you’re likely to hear that the company is still reviewing candidates and …. “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”.

[dropcap1]4[/dropcap1] Objections Approach: “Do you have any remaining concerns about how well I could do the job?”
This is another approach that might work more effectively for a sales position than for others. For a transactional sales position, it demonstrates closing techniques. For non-sales positions, you risk that you haven’t asked the right question. The interviewer may answer “no”, which can still leave the candidate in confusion – The interviewer may have decided that you are not a good fit, so they have no remaining concerns … the interviewer’s decision has already been made.

Leveraged Feedback Approaches

[dropcap1]5[/dropcap1] Ranking Approach: “In comparison to other candidates for this position, how do I rank?”
This is a higher level approach, which can give the candidate insight as to chances of getting the job. Higher quality feedback is one of the advantages to this approach. You open the interviewer to give some great feedback, allowing a comparison of how strong of a fit the interviewer perceives vs your own perception of how the interview went. If the response that doesn’t translate into “you’re one of the top candidates” … move to the next opportunity, because this one’s not happening.

[dropcap1]6[/dropcap1] Fit Approach: “How do you see me fitting in with your company?”
This approach can uncover unmentioned objections in an interview and can give feedback to understand how well you “read” the interview (do your perceptions of fit match the interviewer’s perceptions). This can be effective especially when a key criteria is sensitivity to others. If the response isn’t excited and glowing, if the word “fine” or something similar is used, or if the interviewer is waiting to review all the candidates, you aren’t a top choice. Again, move on and don’t wait by the phone.

[dropcap1]7[/dropcap1] 1 to 10 Approach: “On a 1 to 10 scale (10 being best), how do you think I’d do in the position?”
For most situations, I like this approach best, other than for highly transactional sales positions. This approach treats your desire to get feedback as an employee review, showing that you truly seek constructive criticism. It’s also a process that HR personnel, recruiters, and hiring managers are very familiar with, increasing your chances of getting an honest response. To get additional feedback, you can ask a secondary question “What could I do to make that a 10?” This approach gives you a very clear idea of where you stand and your best shot at understanding any objections in the interviewer’s mind – maybe even a chance to clear up any misunderstandings. If you get anything but a 9 or a 10, move on.

Employers and Recruiters – What are some of the best approaches are you’ve seen for a candidate to ask for a job at the close of the interview?
Read more on the Simply Hired Blog: http://blog.simplyhired.com/2011/03/7-ways-to-ask-for-the-job-at-interviews-end.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mar22#ixzz1HR0xaZNa

Action Alert! Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

Please Join Us for a Jobs Information Session on November, sickness malady 29, here 2010

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6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

University of Toledo, Scott Park Campus

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Please R.S.V.P. by November 27th at ToledoJobs@pngaming.com

This session will provide an overview of

the types of positions, requirements and hiring timelines for those interested in a career at

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This is an information only session – resumes will not be accepted at this time.

[download_box] Download flyer Hollywood Casino Job Information [/download_box]
Please Join Us for a Jobs Information Session on November, treatment 29, see 2010

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

University of Toledo, Scott Park Campus

Auditorium

Please R.S.V.P. by November 27th at ToledoJobs@pngaming.com

This session will provide an overview of

the types of positions, requirements and hiring timelines for those interested in a career at

Hollywood Casino Toledo.

This is an information only session – resumes will not be accepted at this time.

[download_box] Download flyer Hollywood Casino Job Information [/download_box]

?!!LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT!!

UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS FACE BLEAK HOLIDAYS AFTER NOVEMBER 30th IF CONGRESS FAILS TO CONTINUE FEDERAL JOBLESS BENEFITS

[info_box]Issue: Congress returns from its extended mid-term election recess today, remedy November 15th. If Members don’treauthorize existing unemployment insurance (UI) benefits by November 30th, seek approximately 2 million U.S. workers – in December alone – will prematurely lose this crucial lifeline in the middle of the holiday season![/info_box]

Action Needed

  • Participate in a National Call-In Day on Tuesday, page November 16th. The tool-free number is 1-866-606-1189 and you’ll be patched through to your Congressional members. Urge them to extend UI benefits through December 2011 in light of the slow economic recovery. [See attached Talking Points to assist you.]
  • Sign a PETITON TO CONGRESS by logging on to a special UI initiative by the National Employment Law Project (NELP): http://www.unemployedworkers.org/page/s/Sign_the_Petition_to_Congress
  • Provide unemployed workers the opportunity to tell their Personal Stories by directing them to the following special project by the National Unemployment Law Project (NELP): http://www.nelp.org/page/s/uistories
  • Share this Action Alert with your local community contacts to generate further calls, sign petitions and share personal stories of the unemployed.

Talking Points

? Unemployment benefits have kept 3.3 million Americans (including 1 million children) from falling into poverty in 2009 alone!

? The average unemployment check is only $293 a week, covering less than half of the average family’s expenses for food, housing and transportation!

? Hardworking Americans have paid into the UI system their entire working lives – it should be there when Americans need it!

? Jobs are so scarce that if someone could wave a magic wand and instantly fill every job opening with someone who is unemployed, 4 out of 5 of the unemployed would still be out of work!

? UI payments are good for business – they go right back into the economy, bolstering local businesses and saving jobs! The retail sector will take a major hit during this critical holiday season if Congress lets the UI program expire!

[download_box]Download the PDF and share amongst your peers. Action Alert Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits Nov 15 2010 [/download_box]

Bridges Part 1

On your mark! Get set! Go!

The Greater Toledo Urban League is going for the gold and only with your help can we claim first prize. We are well on our way to becoming the most social media connected non-profit organization in Toledo and beyond and with your help we can be the best. Right now we are launching a major social media campain that includes all of the top social media
Official Statement regarding the “reduction in workforce” At the Greater Toledo Urban League

On June 30, mind 2009, viagra the Greater Toledo Urban League reduced it’s workforce by a total of seven positions.  Of those seven positions, generic five involved the displacement of staff and two were positions that will remain unfilled.  The reduction, while unfortunate is a direct result of a loss in funding for the coming fiscal year (2009-2010).

Each staff person was apprised of this possible reduction in January 2009, as we were projecting our financial position for the second half of the fiscal year.  Official notice of these position eliminations was communicated to the staff two weeks prior (June 16, 2009).  John C. Jones, President and C.E.O. stated, “The loss of funding and most importantly these staff persons, is difficult, but it is also an all too true reality that many organizations, businesses and institutions are facing during these very tough economic times”.

The positive news is that the Urban League is very much alive and continues to operate valuable and needed programs for this community.

  • We are continuing our work at the J. Frank Troy Senior Center with a full complement of services designed to assist seniors.
  • We are working with our youth this summer through three programs:
    • S.T.R.I.V.E., which is designed to assist high school students pass the Ohio Graduation Tests
    • Summer G.A.M.E.S., which is a collaborative effort between the City of Toledo, United Way and FunGame Sports that teach youth life lessons through sports
    • Summer Basketball, which is a collaboration between Frederick Douglas Community Association, Sleepy Hollow Athletic Association and the GTUL
  • We are proud to be a collaborative partner through funding from the United Way to offer assistance to the Toledo community in the area dealing with “situational poverty” and financial literacy training.

“At the end of the day, our mission – “to improve the social and economic conditions of each person in our community, particularly African-Americans, other minorities and those that are disadvantaged” – is paramount to all that we do, and we must ensure that we are making solid business decisions that ultimately impact the service we provide”, states Mr. Jones.  The Urban League continues to actively seek funding from all sources (local, state-wide and national).  We ask for the support from this community by way of memberships, volunteers and alternative forms of giving.  For more information on how you can support the Greater Toledo Urban League, visit us at http://gtul.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (http://twitter.com/GTUL)

The Greater Toledo Urban League was officially established in August of 1996 as a National Urban League Affiliate.  Through the operation of programming in the areas of Education and Youth Services, Workforce Development, and Health & Quality of Life, we serve hundreds of families each year and utilize thousands of volunteer hours.  We serve a broad range of people from all ages (6 – 60+).

See the coverage featured by our media partner 13abc [Urban League Lays off 7 employees]

Doni Miller speaks with members of the Greater Toledo Urban League including the president and CEO John C. Jones, story the Director of Workforce Development Brandon Tucker, viagra approved and Employment Coach Phillip Cunningham. Today, online they focus on the rising numbers of unemployment among African Americans. Courtesy of 13abc


Bridges Part 2



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Doni Miller speaks with members of the Greater Toledo Urban League including the president and CEO John C. Jones, side effects the Director of Workforce Development Brandon Tucker, ampoule and Employment Coach Phillip Cunningham. Today, they focus on the rising numbers of unemployment among African Americans. Courtesy of 13abc