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EMPLOYMENT BRIEFS: Saving money; networking; choosing careers

Source: Tribune Media Services

Pinching pennies: If your company is like many others around the country these days, you may have noticed several cost-cutting measures have been put in place. A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that the top five ways organizations are cutting staffing costs are: attrition, hiring freezes, not renewing contracts with existing contract and temporary employees, encouraging employees to use vacation time, and reducing employee work hours. The top two issues impacting these decisions are decreased demand and volatility of the world financial markets.

Networking good for permanent record: Legal professionals seeking employment would do well to cultivate their networks, a new survey suggests. More than half of attorneys surveyed said networking and personal and professional referrals are the most effective resource for finding support staff. “Many attorneys are asking their professional and personal contacts to recommend highly skilled candidates who can support growing practice areas such as bankruptcy and litigation or staff large projects,” says Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal, which conducted the survey. “As the job market becomes more competitive, it is crucial for paralegals and legal secretaries to hone their networking skills.”

Reaching out: If you have a strong desire to help improve people’s lives through your job, you may want to consider a career in social work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is expected to grow much faster (22 percent) than the average for all occupations through 2016. Job prospects are expected to be especially favorable for social workers who specialize in the aging population or work in rural areas. Many job openings are also expected to stem from growth and the need to replace social workers who leave the field.

Put your job to work: When you choose a career and prepare for it, you want some assurances that you’ll be able to find work. You can improve your chances by focusing on careers that have a good job outlook, regardless of the U.S. economy’s ups and downs. According to Laurence Shatkin, author of “150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs” (Jist, $16.95), some of the positions with the greatest hiring outlook include: computer systems analysts; registered nurses; postsecondary teachers; physical therapists; physicians and surgeons; dental hygienists; pharmacists; veterinarians; database administrators; environmental engineers; and public relations specialists.

© 2009, Tribune Media Services