There are islands of real opportunity in the job market. Here are the positions people are hiring for the most at the moment
October was another dark month for the American worker, as the unemployment rate rose from 9,8% to 10,2%, the highest level since April 1983. More than 15 million Americans are now out of work, and they remain unemployed for an average of 28 weeks. Not suprisingly, the construction has suffered the most, and developers are continuing to wait on the sidelines as the real estate market crawls toward recovery. Manufacturing has also been hit hard; manufacturing companies eliminated 61.000 jobs in October alone.
Forbes has tracked 625.806 layoffs since Nov 1 2008, at America's 500 largest companies, including recent cuts at Sprint Nextel, the video game developer Electronic Arts and Applied Materials, a semiconductor for equipment company. On Nov 19, AOL announced that it would cut 2.500 jobs, or one-third of its workforce, as it prepares to separate from Time Warner.
But amid the gloom, job hunters can find reasons to be optimistic. Pockets of the job market continue to show growth, especially in the fields of education and health service. Last month those perpetually resilient sectors saw some of the country's highest monthly gains in employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market's second biggest gains, after health care, were in temporary help services, as employers who couldn't invest in full time staffers turned to part time labor instead. In October, 34.000 employees entered the workforce in new temporary jobs.
Forbes looked to the online job site Vault.com for a clear snapshot of the current job market. Vault.com developed a list of recession-proof jobs by examining all the 1.2 million jobs it aggregates through its partner site simplyhired.com and the determining that ones were available in the greatest number
Just as health care is the industry leading in job gains according to the BLS, the spesific job at the top of Vault.com's list is Registered Nurse. They're in high demand thanks to a nursing shortage that will intensify as baby boomers age. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care employment increase by 29.000 jobs in October. Since the start of the recession, the field has added 597.000 jobs. Occupational therapists, who help patients perform daily activities like eating and dressing, rank fifth on the Vault.com list
Seasonal jobs occupy the second and third spots. Retail work, including store manager and associate, ranks no , and UPS driver helper is no 3. If you have the courage to face down shoppers on Black Friday, or want to channel your inner Santa while unloading UPS trucks, interview right away. "These jobs wouldn't have been available in March," says Yazad Dalal, Vault.com's vice president for the North American sales." Companies are both ramping up for the holiday season and seeing their sales gradually increase." The UPS job doesn't include benefits, so if you strain your back unloading a flat screen TV, be prepared to foot the medical bill yourself. The hourly pay starts at around $9.50.
Despite last years meltdown on Wall Street, financial specialists are back in demand. Financial advisors rank fourth on the Vault.com list, and financial analyst make the no.9 spot."The last year and a half has been devastating to this industry," says Yazad Dalal." We're seeing job numbers increase just so that these companies can get back to where they were pre-recession."
Companies are still betting on the strength of sheer revenue, so many are ramping up their sales efforts. Sales and marketing reps rank no 6 on the list, ahead of controller, no 8, who direct an organization's accounting function, tipically reporting to the chief financial officer.
Today more than ever, job hunters in every field need to be creative and persistent. "Do as much networking as you can, both offline and online," says Dalal."Some of the jobs aren't advertised"
Jumat, Desember 04, 2009
Proof Jobs Right Now (when Recession)
Kamis, Desember 03, 2009
Most Effective Stress Relievers
A new study shows how America manage life's daily hassles
Rising unemployment, falling property values and dwindling savings have scores of America on edge. How are they coping? Not well.
Though some manage stress with regular exercise, others are relying on sedentary activities such as listening to music, reading, watching television or a movie, playing a videogame or napping, What's more, American blame their poor eating habits on stress and say their anxiety is interrupting their sleep 
Those are the findings in the American Psychological Association's annual "Stress in America 2009" report, released Tuesday. In it,the organization examined the impact of stress on families; the role of lifestyle in behaviour in managing stress; what's causing American's stress; and how they are managing in worry and anxiety. The survey of 1568 adult was conducted online between July 21 and Aug 4.
This year 49% of respondents reported turning to tunes when worried, 44% said they exercise. Reading helps calm 41% respondents, while watching television or a movie and social interaction help ease the stress of 36% of those surveyed.
Despite the prevalance of sedentary activity, a bright spot is that the report found that Americans are looking less to smoking and alcohol use than they did a year ago. In 2008, 18% of respondents said they smoked or drank to reduce stress. This year, that number shrank to 14%. The number of Americans-4%-who said they gamble away their worries was the same this year as it was in 2008.
Though 42% of Americans this year say their stress is rising, compared with 47% in 2008-nearly a quarter of respondents say they experienced high levels of stress in the last year. (This is measured by eight,nine or 10 on a 10 poin scale). Irrability or anger, fatigue and lack of interest of motivation top the list of symptoms.
Such high stress levels can result in conditions such as high blood presure, arrythmia of the heart and hardening of the arteries, says Dr. Stubbs, president of the American College of Physicians and internist in Albany, Ga. Stress also increases adrenaline, which increases the heart rate, potentially leading to high blood presure. The number of migraine headaches may also increase for sufferers.
The cost of Stress
The work place also suffers in absenteeism and lost worker productivity. A study conducted last year by the Emory Institute for Advance Policy Solutions found that firms that focus on improving employee health through worksite healt promotion program showed that the savings are greater than the cost. The study reported that Johnson & Johnson's program, for example, reduced health risks such as high colestrol levels, smoking and high blood pressure, and saved the company up to $8.8 billion anually.
"We found that the design of some of these programs have been found not only to reduce medical costs, but more immediately increasi productivity." says Ken Thorpe, professor of health policy at Emory University. We know the designs of these programs can produce return on investment up to five to one."
Such programs may help Americans deal with health related stress issues, but with unemployment rate at a 26 year high of 9.8% and expected to grow by year's end, it's not likely that American stressors will soon abate. Still, there are ways to cope.
Those dealing with job related stress should mantain healthy habits, even if the amount of time available to devote to them has lessened. This include settin aside time for daily exercise and relaxation techniques. Taking attention away from work by socializing with friends also may help relieve anxiety.
It may seem counter-intuitive in uncertain economic times defined by the constant threat of unemployment, but taking a vacation could hell alleviate job worries. Removing yourself from daily demands and changing your environment allows you to recharge so you're better able to perform in the office.
If getting away isn't an option. Stubbs recomnends lifestyle changes such as getting a good night's rest, eating well and exercising. He also suggests cognitive behavioral therapy, and in some cases, medication.
Source :
Forbes Staff, 11.03.09, 09:00 AM EST
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/02/stress-relief-tips-lifestyle-health-stress.html
Kamis, November 26, 2009
International Grade Comparison
When I browsing about scholarship, and the criteria about Erasmus Mundus program, I found that about International Grade Comparision. So cekidot:
An approximate mapping between UK classifications and US grade point averages can be inferred from the University College London graduate admission criteria. Canadian GPAs differ slightly; UK Graduate Admission Fact Sheet from McGill University state that in their system, where standings are reported in lieu of an average, the CGPA (cumulative grade point average) is determined on the following basis:
From this explanation, I understand why there are some of my friends in USA, seems its easy to reach GPA 3.00. In my opinion standard in US GPA with CGPA (in Indonesia) is same, but in that tabel above, I can see that there a different grade,for instance the lowest grade in US GPA is 3.00, but the lowest grade in Indonesia grade (CGPA) is 0.
Is My understanding correct? correct me if i am wrong ^^
Minggu, November 22, 2009
7 poin penting dalam Menjadi seorang Public Speaker yang handal
Jumat 20 November 2009, tepatnya jam 10.00, ada seminar Change Management, ada juga seminar Public Speaking, mau tidak mau, saya harus memilih sesuatu. Berhubung sudah terlanjur bayar yang seminar Public Speaking, yah ikut yang public speaking aja deh.. walaupun harus mengorbankan seminar Change Management dari CEO Jakarta Post (yang padahal adalah seminar wajib).. hehe3x
Okey, so berikut beberapa sharing pengetahuan yang saya dapat, mudah-mudahan dapat berguna bagi teman-teman yang tertarik dengan dunia Public Speaker. ^^
Materi ini disampaikan oleh Drs. Christiana Sahertian (trainer public speaking in John Robert Power). Ini hanyalah ringkasan singkat, untuk efek yang lebih dramatis dalam perkembangan skill public speaking, mungkin harus menghadiri seminar, karena ini bentuknya adalah seminar praktek, bukan teoritis. ^^
1. Prinsip 7C
a. Credibility --> Etos, Patos, Lohos.
-Etos = keahlian. Sebagai seorang public speaker, kita harus memiliki keahlian di bidang tersebut, agar audiesn percaya terhadap kita (bisa melalui CV, dll)
-Patos = mampu mengungkapkan sesuai emosi. Latihannya: ngomong sesuatu masalah (dengan ekspresi,nada sedih), ngomong marah (dengan eksrpesi marah, nada bentak), dll. Ingat berikan "EMOSI" dalam tiap Kata.
-Lohos = Logika
b. Content
Langkah-langkahnya: (contoh)
1. Tentukan Topik: Stocks (saham)
2. Tentukan General Purpose : Analisa Saham
3. Tentukan Spesific Purpose : 2 Analisa Saham
4. Tentukan Central Idea : 1. Analisa Fundamental, 2. Analisa Teknikal
Dalam mencari ide untuk mengisi content materi tersebut dapat dilakukan, dengan cara:
1. Personal Inventory (andalkan otak kita terlebih dahulu, jangan langsung mencari di internet), dengan cara klasifikasi People, Place, Process, Event, Phenomena, dll. Dari Klasifikasi tersebut, jelaskan sesuai dengan pengetahuan anda.
2. Library, newspaper
3. Internet
Dalam memetakan materi content yang akan disampaikan, dapat menggunakan:
1. Spider grow (mindmapping)
2. Bagan
c. Context
d. Clearity
e. Continuity dan Consistency
f. Channels
g. Capability of audience --> sesuaikan dengan audiens
2. Cara mengucapkan salam pembukan (anggukan dan mata bentuk huruf V atau W)
3. Hal-hal yang perlu diperhatikan saat public speaking:
Variasi suara, Ekspresi wajah, dan bahasa tubuh : melalui Latihan One Eleven atau Latihan Satu-satu (wah ini gak bisa digambarkan dengan kata-kata, lebih gampang klo secara praktek.. he3)
Gambaran singkatnya yaitu (latihan satu-satu): kita berjalan ke arah depan, dengan tangan ke kanan, ke kiri. Awalnya : kita ngomong "Satu-satu" (tangan kanan mengarah ke kanan, ngomong "Dua-dua" (tangan kiri mengarah ke kiri, sambil kaki berjalan, dan nada bergerak, ekspresi berubah), dan begitu selanjutnya. ^^
4. Cara meraih percaya diri:
Ingat semua sukses masa lalu, berikan kata positif dalam diri.
5. Eskpresi wajah :
- Senyum
- Kening ke atas
- Mata tidak terpaku pada suatu benda
6. Membuka dan menutup Presentasi
- Membuka : berikan pujian, anjukan pertanyaan retorikal, mengutip pendapat org bijak, memberikan pertanyaan misterius
- Menutup : membuat ringkasan, kutipan, pernyataan motivasi, tantangan, ulangi manfaat, meminta audiens meneriakan slogan tertentu.
7. Menjadi seorang Public Speaker, ingatlah agar menjadi seorang yang "PERFECT"
P = Personal impact
E = Emotional Content
R = Responsible
F = Fact
E = Encourage
C = Convince
T = Trust
Sekian sharingnya, semoga berguna, dan bisa dapat cendolnya (ala Kaskus) he3x
Lomba Finance Stock Competition (sharing)
Label: My LifeBerawal dari ketertarikan saya dalam dunia saham Indonesia, membuat saya dan rekan-rekan saya tertarik untuk ikut dan terlibat dalam lomba finance stock yang diadakan oleh suatu perguruan tinggi.
Selama ikut, ada beberapa masalah, namun masalah yang mendasar dan paling penting bagi saya dan rekan-rekan saya yaitu mengenai menang atau kalah yang dihitung atas dasar “Konsep ROI”.
Mungkin saya kasih sedikit ilustrasi agar, teman-teman dapat mengerti:
- Modal yang diberikan kita 10 milyard
- Maksimal transaksi 3000 lot / transaksi
- Ada beberapa saham yang diperdagangkan, sebagai contoh ada BBCA, TLKM, TMPI, dan UNTR (sebagai contoh aja)
- Kemudian diberikan berbagai isu,news,pergerakan saham dan dampak (secara fiktif)
Yang menjadi inti permasalahan disini ada 2 pandangan yang berbeda dari beberapa pihak, termasuk panitia:
a. Konsep ROI = Net income / Modal 10 milyard rupiah.
- Contoh:
Selama permainan (sekitar 2 jam), saya dan rekan-rekan saya melakukan banyak sekali transaksi , dengan berbagai volume (risk yang besar), dll.. sehingga pada akhirnya saya membukukan hasil dari modal 10 milyard menjadi 15 milyard. Sehingga menurut saya ROI saya menjadi 5/10 = 50%
b. Konsep ROI = Net income / uang yang dibelanjakan
- Contoh:
Selama permainan sekitar 2 jam, dengan modal 10 milyard rupiah (fiktif), si “X” hanya membelanjakan 1 lot saham TMPI seharga 60 rupiah, dan kemudian menjualnya seharga 120 rupiah sebanyak 1 lot.
ROI = 120/60 = 100%
Menurut Anda konsep ROI yang lebih tepat untuk diterapkan di saham yang manakah?
Konsep A atau konsep B?
Disinilah poin terjadi perbedaan persepsi, karena menurut saya konsep ROI bagian A lebih tepat untuk digunakan dalam saham.
Mengapa ?
1. Untuk membuktikan seseorang itu mahir atau lebih hebat dalam bermain saham, konsep A lebih tepat digunakan (menurut saya pribadi). Atau kemahiran seseorang bukan dilihat dari Persentase keuntungan, tetapi dari modal akhir – modal awal. (konsep “Show me the Money”)
2. Dalam technical,money management, psikologi, kita mengenal batas profit, dan batas loss. Semisal batas profit 10%, dan batas loss 7%. Ini adalah salah satu bentuk money management (menurut saya). Sehingga jika menggunakan konsep B, ini kurang efektif untuk mengukur keberhasilan seseorang dalam ahli bermain saham.
3. Esensi dalam permainan saham yaitu psikologi atas sebuah resiko. Dengan konsep B, artinya kita meniadakan resiko. Ilustrasi:
a. Si “X” transaksi 1 lot TMPI dan untung 60 rupiah/saham (beli 60, jual 120, atau untung 100%)
Profit = 60x500x1 = Rp 30.000
b. Si “Y” transaksi 10 lot ANTM dan untung 200/saham (beli 1000, jual 1200, atau secara persentase 20%)
Profit = 200x500x10=Rp 1.000.000
Menurut saya , kemahiran atau keahlian seseorang dalam bermain saham dilihat dari kemampuan menentukan volume transaksi (sesuai resiko yang dia yakini), sehingga si “Y” menurut saya lebih baik dalam berinvetasi saham “show me the money”. Apakah anda berpendapat demikian juga?
So kembali ke permasalahan awal, yang menjadi kebingungan saya, bahwa ternyata si “X” dengan transaksi hanya 1 lot TMPI (seharga beli Rp 60, dan jual Rp 120, atau untung 100% ) jauh MENGUNGGULI kelompok saya yang telah mampu mengembangkan uang dari 10 milyard (modal awal) menjadi 15 milyard. Ini yang menjadi kebingungan bagi saya.
Pertanyaan
1. Apakah memang demikian dalam menilai kemahiran saham (lomba finance stock), yakni dimana si”X” hanya transaksi 1 lot unggul dari kelompok saya, dengan mengembangkan uang 10 milyard menjadi 15 milyard?
2. Setelah saya klarifikasi, ternyata aturan ini memang dari lomba-lomba Finance di Indonesia (termasuk di BEI atau Bursa Efek Indonesia), apakah memang demikian?
3. Menurut saya pribadi, yang lebih tepat adalah bukan si “X” yang menjadi pemenang. Ada yang bisa memberikan pendapat dan analisa yang berbeda dengan statement saya di no 3?
Mohon diklarifikasi pendapat dari berbagai teman (yang berkecimpung didunia saham), karena ini berkaitan erat dengan perkembangan Financial Education (terutama Stock) di Indonesia.
Note :
- Beberapa data angka fiktif, untuk memudahkan dalam pemahaman
- Prosesnya kira-kira seperti itu (agar mudah dimengerti)
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