Earlier this week, I spoke on KPBS, San Diego’s NPR affiliate. The topic: San Diego’s underemployed. Take a listen and review the transcript. If you’re working these days, do you feel like you’re getting enough hours or are you among the ranks of the underemployed?
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/mar/26/under-employment-holding-back-san-diego-economy/
I noticed this interesting article in the New York Times. It examines marital status and how employment levels differed during the recession for married and unmarried women. Certainly, hard economic times complicate lives in more ways than one. It’ll be interesting to follow the plethora of research that’s sure will arise about the impacts of the recession.
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/marital-status-and-the-recession/
Spesso, grandi scoperte si verificano quando gli altri pensano si sono persi.
“Often, the greatest discoveries occur when others think you are lost.”
This quote attributed to Christopher Columbus has been on my mind this week. I was speaking at yesterday’s Boardroom session and commented on how when we let our minds wander, all kinds of wonderful thoughts come into our heads. For men it may happen when we are shaving or showering, and for women, maybe it’s while putting on makeup.
We all need time in our day to let our minds wander and to let even outlandish ideas enter — often those about our jobs and careers. This is one reason I always recommend that job seekers spend time running, swimming or any other kind of exercise that lets them temporary turn off their minds. This is when sometimes that “aha” moment comes out of the blue. Maybe you’ll think of a whole new career path, simply because you allowed yourself some mental relaxation and wandered. Like good ‘ol Chris, maybe there’s a great discovery in your future. But first you’ve got to go with the flow and let it happen!
March 13: Latest Manpower San Diego Employment Outlook Survey Released
“The employment forecast for the second quarter is brighter compared to the first quarter of 2012 when the Net Employment Outlook was 1 percent,” said Manpower spokesperson Phil Blair. “Employers expect similar employment prospects compared with one year ago when the Net Employment Outlook was 10 percent.”
March 11: Red Flags Flying at Your Job?
I was recently quoted in by Mildred Culp of The Advocate in Baton-Rouge. I reminded her readers that being aware of what’s happening around your workplace is essential. Even if the drama is happening “beyond your pay grade,” it’s still good to keep your eyes and ears open for workplace situations and relationships that could impact your future.
Related Article: Diligence is Key
March 10: Phil Blair Comments on the New State and National Employment Figures
May is approaching, which puts the employment focus on college graduates. Many undergrads will be taking their first major career steps. Meanwhile, others with advance degrees will be re-entering the workforce or seeking to elevate their job titles and salaries.
What are you feeling as graduation approaches? Are you anxious, nervous, confident –-all of the above? Please share you thoughts in the comment section below.
There’s still a fair amount of chatter in the wind about how your credit report can influence your job prospects. Here’s what I said earlier this year on this hot topic, in an interview with NBC San Diego.
Each Monday, I’m on television delivering insights on the local and national job market. The big picture on employment is what everyone’s curious about, so be sure to tune to KUSI’s Good Morning San Diego at 6:40 a.m. Here’s a recent segment on Tricky Interview Questions.
Related Post: KUSI Says: “Ask Phil Blair A Question”
I’m very excited to announce that my first book will be published later this year. It’s a personal and professional memoir, with lots of employment and general business insights. Some of the inspiration for the book from an article I did a few years back with Biz San Diego magazine. After that Q & A, people seemed to want to know more about how I built my business, so I started working with Scott LaFee, a multiple Pulitzer nominee for his work at the San Diego Union-Tribune. No release date for the book yet, but I’ll keep you posted. Until then, here’s that article from Biz San Diego.
So many, questions so little time, right? My good friends at KUSI television in San Diego are gracious enough to host me on Good Morning San Diego every Monday at 6:40 a.m. We cover a lot of information, but we recognize that viewers still might have questions. KUSI has set up an easy way for you to ask me a question and continue the conversation.
Business travel is booming, with people from all types of industries regularly flying away to meetings, conferences and remote sites. As the Internet had created an increasingly global market with the possibility of instantaneous electronic commerce, ironically, the need for good old-fashioned, in-person, face-to-face meetings has also grown. More travel means that corporate staff members often find themselves far from their desktop PCs and rolodexes, but still in need of a way to track e-mail and communicate with their offices.
Many business travelers take laptop computers on the road and some even tote new model hand-held computers. Having a computer with you may seem like the best way to ensure that the lines of communication stay open as you visit a client out of town, but have you considered all the technical ramifications and requirements? The equipment needed may vary and the ability to hook up is different in different locations. Communication from foreign countries can be especially challenging, because some have unpredictable phone systems. While most hotels in the United States are business-friendly these days, you should have a plan to handle any contingency you might encounter.
Bring a Computer
Don’t assume that all hotels have a business center which is fully connected to the Internet, because it’s not necessarily so. If you only need to log on for a few minutes to check a stock report, call the hotel in advance to find out if they offer online services in the hotel’s business center. (Don’t forget to ask the hotel about their usage fees.) If you think you have more than a few minutes of work to do online, then arrange to bring a computer along if possible Check with the Management Information Systems (MIS) department of your company to see if you can take a laptop computer on your trip for business use.
Choose a Travel-Compatible Internet Service Provider
Even if you have a computer with you, you can still run into all kinds of connection problems and extra fees as you travel. Research your Internet service before you depart. Some Internet Service Providers (ISP) offer toll-free 800 access from anywhere in the United States so that you avoid accruing long-distance charges. If yours doesn’t have a toll-free way to dial in, find out if they offer a local access number that you can use from your destination. Make a list of access numbers before you leave and take it with you.
You should also find out if your ISP offers international service and what the restrictions and charges are. You may be able to access an American 800 number from another country, but you will probably still be paying for an international call. With thousands of ISPs to choose from, you should be able to find one that meets your needs, but make sure to read the fine print in the service agreement.
Call the Hotel for Connectivity Information
Hotels that are frequented by business travelers often have high-speed connections in guest rooms, but don’t assume so. Call the hotel and ask about their options. You may need to bring a cellular modem for you computer if the hotel has a digital phone system, because most PC modems run on lower currencies. You may also need an electrical adapter, especially when traveling abroad. Find out if the hotel offers adapters for guest usage, if not, you’ll have to bring one. Usually, they aren’t feather light, so leave room in your luggage.
Have a Cup with Your Computer Access?
If carrying a computer, floppy and CD-ROM drives, a modem, a power adapter, requisite software and lists of phone numbers doesn’t seem appealing, there may be other options. Many cities have cybercafes where you can pay for the convenience of sipping a latte as you log on to the Internet, or local libraries with free Web access. Again, check your destination cities in advance to see what they offer. To utilize these options for e-mail, you will have to have an account with a Web-based e-mail service.
Two of the most popular Web-mail services are Hotmail (http://www.hotmail.com) and Rocketmail (http://www.rocketmail.com). They are free for you to use, as long as you are willing to tolerate banner ads as you write and read your e-mails. The best part about these services is that you can use them from any Internet-connected computer. Whether you are at your friend’s house or a coffee house, all you need to know is your password to log on. You may be able to have your business e-mail automatically forwarded to your Web-based service when you travel. One tip: Don’t use a cute handle or nickname for your Web-based e-mail account. If you plan to use it for business, your login name should be as close as possible to your actual name. It’s more professional and that way the people you write know it’s an all-important e-mail from you.
When you run to the gate to catch your next business flight, you might sprint right past a credit card-operated Internet kiosk. With every headline and every business report screaming out about technology and the World Wide Web, you might assume that it’s already everywhere you need it. But don’t get caught unprepared as you roam around closing important deals and establishing business contacts for your company. Make sure your Internet connectivity plans are laid out before you board the plane.
