Interestingly, though, majority of the job ads didn’t come from more stable and huge companies, those with 500 or more employees. They were “looking for” posts from small businesses. These are the ones that have been badly hit by the slowly growing economy for the last 4 years, as reported by William Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. In November 2011, for example, around 200,000 private jobs were created, yet only 37,000 came from large-scale companies. The rest were from small businesses. Moreover, many are expecting for hiring to increase in 2012 as more people will open their own small businesses. If this were to push through, it would be a far cry from what the industry suffered in 2007: there were more failed businesses than new ones.

In spite of the bright picture, there are some serious challenges small businesses have to address or contend with. One is the lack of right people to do the job. For instance, if the small-based company has adopted certain technologies, it then becomes mandatory to hire someone with the appropriate technical skills. This poses a problem for laid-off workers too, since they may not get their jobs back.

Second, there are still a number of banks with strict credit standards, making it quite difficult for small businesses to obtain loans. They cannot open their businesses on time, compete in the market, or expand their enterprise.

There’s also the volatility of the international market, especially countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Though the European Central Bank is working on providing more long-term and less-risky solutions than bailing out harshly affected banks and countries, it’s still not an assurance things are getting brighter in this side of the world.

The Possible Solutions

There’s no doubt small businesses will continue to play a huge role in a more stable U.S. economy in 2012. What is essential then is the assurance it continues to stay afloat or even improve within the next 12 months.

Needless to say, the small business sector cannot do this alone. It requires the assistance of the government, who has to strengthen small business policies and create guidelines that are beneficial to them. It is also necessary to understand the changes in the needs of small businesses, particularly in employment skills, and determine ways on how to bridge the gap. It may offer tech programs or short courses for current and potential in-demand positions.

The Federal Reserve Bank should strive to maintain a lower interest rate and monitor banks that charge excessive loan charges or implement stringent credit rules.

Check out our CAREER section to find the right job for you!

Here are five tips to know you are dealing with a good one:

1. He or she handles several large accounts.
There are two keywords in here: “many” and “huge businesses.” The former means the headhunter has a much higher chance of assigning you to a job that fits your experience as well as your preferred job description. The second is pretty obvious. If given a choice, you would surely want to work with companies that are more stable and, as much as possible, multinational. There are several positions you can fill in, there is always room for growth, and there’s a good chance the salary and benefits are superb.

2. Find someone who deals with your expertise.
Contrary to popular belief, headhunters do not really deal with you. They are working for employers or companies that are searching for someone like you. Because the demands of these bosses differ depending on the industry or the need, some headhunters tend to specialize. This way, they can recommend the best people for the job.

So if you say you are a marketing expert, go for those that are working for business executives, marketing companies, and enterprise directors.

3. Seek them in fairs.
Here is one good thing about joining expos and fairs: you could meet headhunters. Usually, these are the ones who need countless talents to build their pool of candidates. They can screen you right away. Seeing them in these events also mean they are dependable. Only the serious ones are willing to spend money to look for people at job expos and fairs.

4. Skip Craigslist.
The most reputable headhunters completely understand the importance of making a good impression to their clients (again, this is not you). How can they bring in business if they are nowhere to be found online except on Craigslist and perhaps some message boards? They have to get rid of any shadow of doubt, and the only way to do that is to set up their own website. Their site contains plenty of details about them, especially what they do, the kinds of people they are dealing with, and their list of services. You may also be able to read a couple (or more) of testimonials.

We are not saying Craigslist is not good. You can definitely find some real people there. However, since it is your future job on the line, we are simply reducing the risk of becoming a victim of scams.

5. Listen to other people’s recommendations.
In the end, it is going to be you who will decide which headhunter you should pick. Nevertheless, it still pays to listen to other people’s ideas as well as recommendations, especially if they themselves found jobs through such process. You may even obtain pointers on how to increase your chances of obtaining the headhunter’s attention.

Look no further! You’ve just found yours!
All you need now is to find a JOB you’ll love.

The answer is yes, but it’s going to be a lot of challenge, and the success rate is not that too high. Nevertheless, if you are dead serious of working in your previous company, then there are ways to make it somehow possible. Here are six of them:

1. Determine why you are out in the first place.
There is no reason why you should apply for your old job if you have left because you do not like it. Sooner than you have expected, you will begin to feel the burnout and itching to search for another work again. The chances of getting it back are also nil if you have suddenly dropped out of it without proper explanation, or you have been terminated.

Give it a very serious thought. Sometimes you make irrational decisions when you are in tight situations. Decide when your mind is clear and free from stress.

2. Know if the position is still open.
If you do not know for sure, contact your previous colleagues.

3. Back your resume with much stronger references.
Most definitely, your old boss is going to be apprehensive to hire you back, so you need a more solid arsenal to reduce his or her doubt on you. One of the best ways is to not only update your working experience and skills list but also provide better references. Find out who among your previous employers, teachers, or other professionals can vouch for your sincerity, honesty, and expertise.

4. Be ready to eat humble pie.
It is definitely humbling and even embarrassing to ask for your old job. In fact, some bosses relish on ex-employees who beg to them. So unless you are prepared to drop all airs, admit whatever wrong decisions you have made, and prove yourself 100 percent more this time to them, let go of the re-application idea.

5. Offer something new and different on the table.
Make yourself a lot more valuable than before. This way, there will be fewer excuses for them not to hire you back. Perhaps while you are processing your application, you can already start gaining new skills through trainings and classes. See to it that you can let your bosses know about your current and future plans, which will help you contribute more to the organization.

6. Never ever jeopardize yourself on your present job.
A lot of employees make the biggest mistake by forcing their present employers to terminate them. They usually perform poorly. That will surely not sit well with your old company, as you are seen as a potential headache and liability.

Always remember it is not the company’s fault why you feel miserable, or you feel there’s a need to go back to your old job. Give it some respect and don’t ruin your future by being negative.

…or find a better new one in our CAREER section !

We do know many people crave for their specialty drinks, those Frappuccino and lattes. However, what really drives Starbucks to ultimate success during recession times is their innovative, methodical, and sometimes bold decisions and strategies:

Reduce the pomp and pageantry.

Is your company spending tons of dollars just for your annual or quarterly meeting? Then it’s time to take heed to Starbucks’ technique.

In 2009, Starbucks was badly hit. Their shares dramatically fell to almost 40 percent, and their price in NASDAQ was close to that of a coffee bean pound. So in an effort to save on costs, during their annual meeting in Seattle on the same year, they got rid of celebrity performances and focused on the core: assessing their anti-recession strategies.

Go lean.

The lean method is one of the best ways to ensure you remain afloat after truly difficult times. During the 2008 recession, Starbucks was one of the many companies forced to let go of their employees and stores, closing 900 of them.

Besides that, however, they turned their attention on their own methodologies. They reduced the time spent by their baristas in preparing coffee, carefully selected the best suppliers on their list, and negotiated rental fees with building and lot owners.

Don’t forget your own brand.

Starbucks still remains one of the most sought-after and franchised brands in the world, but it’s also facing huge threats from McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts that are serving cheaper brewed coffees.

Instead of going on the same route, though, they decided to stand out and re-emphasize their brand as a specialty coffee shop. For example, they opened stores that remind customers of the first Starbucks, with wooden furniture made from recycled materials. They want customers to feel as if they’re really inside a coffeehouse.

Go beyond traditional marketing methods.

Starbucks has its own Facebook and Twitter accounts (they were one of the first international enterprises to promote on Twitter, with ads appearing in between conversations or user searches). Its website invokes a homey feel. It has also taken spots in newspapers and magazines.

Yet Starbucks didn’t stop with them. They think outside the box. In 2009, iced coffees in grande were sold at a much lower price and paired with other drinks and sandwiches. This way, customers could also try their non-moving products.

Recently, they joined the Create Jobs for USA Campaign, selling well-designed Indivisible bracelets at $5 all over their branches. By purchasing, customers contribute to Opportunity Finance Network, which provides micro-loans to small business owners.

They also partnered with other application developers and companies. In the coming holidays in China, 20,000 Starbucks patrons can enjoy a free upgrade on cup size as long as they check in on or before December 17 using Jiepang, China’s own Foursquare.

Recession and any type of economic crisis often forces business owners, especially small ones, to reduce their advertising budget, if not stop their marketing campaigns all together. But that isn’t the best solution. In fact, it’s one of the best times to market so you can keep your enterprise afloat.

You just have to be practical with your approaches, seek out the best partners (those that can help you reach your objectives), and stand out by reinforcing your brand, the one thing that makes you worth it against your competitors.

Check out our CAREER section to find the right job for you!

Some of the main provisions of Obama’s health care bill have to do with how businesses operate. For one, companies with more than 50 employees should purchase a certain government-approved insurance coverage. Otherwise, they will be penalized. Second, all businesses are obliged to provide health care benefits to their full-time employees.

At initial glance, this is ideal. Employees are the ones who really work hard for the companies to stay afloat. It’s been proven over and over again that sickness, a high level of physical and emotional stress, and death can definitely reduce any enterprise’s productivity and competitiveness in the market.

However, there are also major concerns that should be raised regarding Obamacare.

First is the cost of insuring the full-time employees. Health care insurance is not as cheap as other people would think. Assuming that an employer has to pay at least $150 for every employee and he has around 30, then the company has to spend another $4,500. With a double-dip recession looming in the horizon, that’s not a small amount that can be ignored.

Worse, not all employees can produce a profit equal to the health insurance cost the company has to spend. In the end, businesses may end up losing more money than earning them.

It’s certainly not impossible therefore for businesses to take actions that can hurt not only the economy but their employees’ jobs as well. They may reduce full-time employment and settle for part-time work, or they may have to let go of those who are unskilled and inexperienced.

Second, there’s the threat of non-expansion. As mentioned, huge companies had to spend more for health care insurance. In order to avoid the additional expenses, they may have to maintain their small size.

Though small businesses are some of the driving forces in this country’s economy, their stagnation will not do us any good.

Many times, major economic and health care policies are often left for the Congress, Senate, and the rest of the executive government to tackle on. Those who always feel the impact are often left on the sidelines and perhaps hoping the government, especially President Obama, would hear them out.

We definitely believe it’s time for a serious dialogue, not only among the people of the government but also among and along with those in the business sector. Though we definitely recognize the grave importance in insuring employees, making sure they can have the financial capacity to take care of themselves and give their family a bright future, we also could not simply ignore the huge negative consequences businesses go through once Obamacare is passed. We don’t want to push ourselves to the brink, forcing us to let go of the employees we learned to care about or worse put an end to an enterprise simply because we couldn’t meet the requirements of the law.

In fact, we find it ironic. The government challenges us to produce more jobs, but the laws prevent us from doing so.

Hourly updated employment opportunities in our CAREER section!

Craigslist and LinkedIn, among other websites, have become their best friends, and many resort to odd work just to keep income flowing: single fathers create furniture or clean lawns, women offer home organization and cleaning, and vets turn into daytime dog walkers. Once full-time employees, some have resorted to per-diem or per-hour charges.

Simply put, these online job sites have become the face of struggle, pain, and lack of options for Americans these days.

But is getting an online job only a temporary solution or even a sign of desperation?

The answer should be no. We’ve practically seen a lot of people landing decent jobs, opening their own businesses, and getting regular clients just by making themselves and their profession more accessible online.

One just needs to be patient, determined, and smart enough to know between scams and real requests.

We are going to outline the different ways on how to improve your chances of getting a good job online:

• Start within your area.
Craigslist, for example, compartmentalizes its pages into states and cities. Go for the latter. The nearer your clients are, the easier it is for you to provide services, send your invoices, and be paid.

• Look for companies.
Many startups and small-time businesses maximize the Internet to advertise several open positions. After all, it’s less costly. Moreover, many of these options are home-based. Who knows, you may definitely land yourself a permanent job through the Internet.

• Leverage by sending resumes online.
While applying for any type of job you can get into, begin sending out your resumes online. Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, and SimplyHired are some of the top Internet job boards where you can set up a profile, upload your resume, and look for jobs. LinkedIn, for one, allows you to network to former colleagues, ex-bosses, companies, and potential clients and businesses.

• Enhance your skills.
Once you’ve started the ball rolling and keep it going for at least two to three months, find time to improve your skills, knowledge, and expertise. These three things can make you even more indispensable, professional, capable, and open to new challenges and tasks. It’s easier to seek out better opportunities not only online but also offline.

A number have decided to take their GEDs, pursue a vocational course, or enroll in an online college or university program. Others sign up for short course trainings and webinars. Legitimate, accredited, and reputable universities, colleges, and training centers provide certifications and even job assistance.

Undoubtedly, the country’s economy is grim, and it seems like it’s not going to pick up anytime soon. Obama’s jobs bill is facing a lot of challenges itself, and the government is at loss in increasing job slots. But you – you can do something and be that catalyst to making things better. Use the power and resources of the World Wide Web to find a good job.

… or just look through our CAREER section …

The problem is there is none. So Obama came up with a jobs bill, which, among other things, aims to reduce biases among the unemployed. Any company with at least fifteen employees should never turn down an applicant because of his unemployment status. If it does, it is considered unlawful, and the candidate has the right to sue and subject the company to litigation, where he can claim for damages.

What do we mean by bias?
How did this came to be? Some companies reject candidates’ applications because of their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, and / or religious beliefs. This practice is considered illegal. It is against the law, and some are in direct violation to the provisions of the First Amendment.

Now many unemployed are allegedly chastising firms for not hiring them simply because, well, they are not previously employed.

At one point, Obama is right. If the claims were true, it does not make sense for a company to reject applications simply because they are unemployed. In fact, they’re looking for jobs because they have none to speak of!

On the other hand, it might bring deeper problems not only for the companies or potential employers but for the entire country as well.

First, it encourages the unemployed to sue companies that refuse to hire them even for a sensible reason. The threat of lawsuits and litigations can be brutally damaging to companies, especially small- and medium-sized businesses. Not only are they time-consuming and dragging, they can also be extremely costly. Most of all, these types of cases can tarnish the reputation and the brand the company is building.

In relation to this, firms may be forced to hire unemployed applicants, even if their resumes are less than stellar or worse their work history is very poor. Any inferior-performing employee is always a liability to a company.

What should they do then?
The jobs bill of Obama was paved with good intentions, and surely there are provisions that are beneficial for the business industry, especially in increasing job creations.

But it may need some tweaking. For one, the bill should be very clear on the definition of the word “unemployed.” Is he out of the job because he has been laid off, or is he always terminated? How long is he out of work? What steps did he take to look for a job?

Second, there must be boundaries, limitations, or exceptions. Businesses should also be protected from unnecessary lawsuits especially on grounds of lackluster employment history, lack of adequate skills, and termination from his previous work.

Definitely, there is an immediate need to churn out jobs to boost economy once again. But to pass a jobs bill that may have a lot of loopholes and costly potential consequences doesn’t make sense to the country either.

Looking for a job? Check out our CAREER section!
You won’t leave empty-handed!

On the other hand, a number of people express their concern. Technologies may also threaten the very jobs that put food on their table and send their kids to school.

But Why Would Companies Do That?
The answer is actually plain and simple: profit. Whether we like it or not, businesses reward their employees in order for them to be motivated to work hard. In the process, they bring in profits and cash flow.

The problem is, humans are prone to sickness, pregnancies, and death. They also desire greener pastures or demand higher salary once commodities go up. Companies are compelled by the government to provide mandatory benefits as well as train them to do their jobs right and better. Employee benefits and training are extra overhead costs for any organization.

This is where technologies come in handy. They don’t tire, they can work 24/7 – 365 days a year, they never complain or demand anything, and they’re easily controlled by mere press of a button. Laptops, tablet PCs, and smart phones now offer mobility that cannot be provided by an office filled with many employees. VoIPs, on the other hand, have features such as Virtual Attendants that tell callers what numbers to press, doing away with telephone operators.

According to CEO Gerhard Gschwandter of Selling Power, in a recent Sales 2.0 conference, by the year 2020 only around 3 million of the 18 million salespeople in the country will remain in their jobs. Over 80 percent will be displaced and replaced by new types of salespeople who use technologies, which automate a lot of sales-driven functions.

What Can You Do?
The reality is indeed harsh, and you are definitely not immune to the power of technology and innovation in terminating people from their respective jobs. And, yes, it’s scary. The good news is they don’t all have to mean you can’t do anything.

One of the first things you should learn is to embrace change – that is, technological change. If you wish to keep your job or find better opportunities, be ready to tackle gadgets and improve your technical know-how. It will also help if you stop seeing those machines as enemies but as allies in increasing your productivity and effectiveness. This way, you don’t end up being one of the easiest to dispense.

Never settle for what you have right now. Enroll in courses and training programs that deal with technologies and how they can be integrated in and to your line of work. Invest in new learning and new skill, especially a technology-oriented one.

With the introduction of a variety of software, hardware, and other hi-tech devices in the workplace, jobs start to evolve – sometimes very fast. But as an employee you need to be a good complement to this change. You also have to evolve.

While there are still jobs for humans, the best ones
are in our CAREER section!

Nevertheless, there are plenty of great technologies that are under way – enough for us to get excited. Moreover, these ideas are especially helpful for those who constantly seek better jobs.

1. T-shirt Gadgets
Stanford University scientists are busy creating textiles, but these are no ordinary ones. They are not only lightweight and stretchable, they’re also powered by carbon nanotubes, with fibers as thin as human hair. Because of these characteristics, the dyed fabric is already a device itself, allowing you to charge your mobile gadgets, surf the web to look for jobs, and / or receive calls for interviews with almost no additional carry-on load. And at the end of the day, you can place your clothes in a washing machine (or perhaps something more sophisticated than that), and get clean ones the next day.

2. Much Cheaper Mobile Broadband
One of the strongest selling points of smart phones and other mobile devices, such as tablet PCs, is mobility. With them you can check LinkedIn jobs or get referrals from friends in Twitter and Facebook on the go. You only have to make sure that there’s WIFI or 3G.

These options, though reliable, can sometimes go out of whack. Besides, why would we settle for them when we can definitely expect another choice that’s a lot faster? It may take around a year or two before we can fully see the impact of the new but cheap broadband network, but the idea itself is already enough to thrill you.

3. Wireless Docking Stations and Chargers for Mobile Devices
Imagine this: You’re waiting for a job offer call from one of the biggest firms in the country. All of the sudden, your phone conks out after losing its power. The solution would have been as easy as getting your charger and plugging it near your kitchen counter. But it’s not, because you’re basically out doing your groceries.

Thankfully, as early as now, you can already anticipate the release and boom of wireless docking stations and chargers for your device. As its name suggests, you don’t have to look for the nearest outlet or wait for someone to finish his or her charging spree. To give you a better idea of how fascinating these wireless tools are going to be, Powermat chargers are filled with magnetic inductors that can generate energy for charging. Moreover, they can charge multiple, even different, devices simultaneously.

4. 3D Printing
It wouldn’t take a long time before traditional, boring, and stiff business cards will be out of the picture. Prototypes and even some models for 3D printing are already available. This means that there’s a far better way of impressing future contacts and employers.

We aren’t sure what else is in store for us in the next few years or decade. One thing is for certain, though – by keeping yourself smart and street-wise, you can tap the different technologies in finding favorable jobs.

Until then search our CAREER section for best jobs

The rest of the financial and web community also took their stand. Just after a few hours of the announcement, Yahoo’s stock jumped to more than 6 percent from $12.91, which interestingly remained almost unchanged since Bartz took over the leadership. Pundits believed that firing Bartz was an excellent decision made by Yahoo. To quote Matt Rosoff of Business Insider, “The company’s stock is up more than 6% after hours on the news, validating the fact that Wall Street was placing a huge ‘Bartz discount’ on the company.”

Her ouster, however, brought another issue, which should never be overlooked by business owners, whether big or small. Is it really right to kick out someone, even as huge as a CEO, by telephone?

The Possible Reasons Why
No one really knows for sure why Yahoo did that. All we heard after Bartz herself broke the news was a series of obligatory well-wishes and apologies for a 30-month job cut short. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop people from speculating.

Topping the list is practicality. If your mind is made up, why should you go through the lengthy explanations? The bottom line is she’s fired, and no amount of reasons from Bartz would probably save herself.

Many also think that Bartz herself scared them off. After all, she was known to be very. To make the saga even more interesting, she broke the “surprising” news to her employees through iPad. Surely, those who hold on to this theory believe Bartz has more guts than the guys currently controlling Yahoo. Besides, she wouldn’t be called “Hurricane Carol” (in reference to one of the most disastrous cyclones of New England) for nothing.

Yet There’s Still the Question of Ethics
But what do we really think about that? We still firmly regard that each management can adopt its own style of managing its employees, including terminating or dismissing someone in the top position. No law considers firing over the telephone is illegal. Nevertheless, we don’t necessarily agree to the process.

Bartz may have made decisions that didn’t sit well with the rest of the Yahoo board or didn’t bring back the glorious status of the search engine company, but one should be able to give credit wherever it is due. After all, she wouldn’t be considered as a CEO if her resume doesn’t speak volumes. On the other hand, the Letting People Go: The People-centered Approach to Firing and Laying Off Employees author, Matt Shlosberg, thinks that firing through telephone is inappropriate and, in turn, may only be risky for companies like Yahoo, who could already be viewed as unethical and unprofessional.

Termination is hard, even for ultra-large and well-known companies. The grim news, especially in these times, is a hard pill to swallow. But for respect’s sake, it’s best if both camps act like true professionals – especially on the part of Yahoo.

Wide spectrum of jobs is available at our CAREER section!