Just more than a quarter (26.2 percent) of people age 60 and older remain employed. But in some cities, nearly a third of the population continues to work during the traditional retirement years, according to 2013 Census Bureau data. Here are the places those ages 60 and older are the most likely to be employed.
1-Madison, Wis.
Employment in government, education and health care jobs is prolific in Madison. These industries are also known to be friendly to older workers, which could be why 31.9 percent of people age 60 and older are employed in the Madison metro area.
2-Denver, CO
The local, state and federal governments provide a large number of jobs in the Denver area, as does the University of Colorado, Denver public schools and several large hospital systems. Some 31.9 percent of people in their 60s and older continue to be able to find employment.
3-Houston, TX
The largest employers in the Houston area, which includes Sugar Land and Baytown, include several large hospitals and oil companies. Nearly a third (32 percent) of Houston’s seniors are employed at age 60 or older.
4-Des Moines, Iowa
Some 32.1 percent of Des Moines seniors work into their 60s or later. Major employers in the Des Moines area include state and local government, insurance companies and health care services.
5-Boston, MA
Boston’s many hospitals and colleges are the largest employers. Several financial services companies are also among the institutions that employ thousands of Boston-based workers. Some 32.3 percent of Bostonians remain on the job at age 60 or older.
6-Austin, Texas
City, state and federal government jobs, the public school system and tech companies including Dell and IBM keep the economy strong in Austin. Just under a third (32.4 percent) of people age 60 and older are able to keep working in Texas' state capital.
7-Omaha, Neb.
Government institutions, including the Offutt Air Force Base and Omaha Public Schools, and major medical centers such as Alegent Health, Methodist Health System and the Nebraska Medical Center are among the largest employers in this state capital city. Some 32.7 percent of seniors are still working in Omaha.
8-Bridgeport, Conn.
A third of workers (33.4 percent) in the Bridgeport metropolitan area, which includes Stamford and Norwalk, are employed at age 60 or older. Many of the largest employers are health care providers, including Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincent’s Medical Center.
9-Salt Lake City, UT
Just over a third (33.8 percent) of senior citizens remain employed in Salt Lake City. Education jobs at the University of Utah and public schools and government positions at state and local offices are among the most common employment opportunities in Utah’s state capital city.
10-Washington D.C.
More people age 60 and older (36.8 percent) work in the Washington, D.C., metro area than any other area of the country. The federal government and its contractors and businesses that cater to these employees create a steady supply of employment opportunities in the area.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
North Dakota Wants YOU!
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota officials are sending a plea to people across the country: We need you. Officials say, there are some 25,000 more jobs than takers in all industries in the state.
The state's unprecedented oil bonanza has made it the economic darling of the nation — boasting a sturdy economy, a state government budget surplus, and its highest population ever, as swarms of people have migrated to North Dakota.
The $800,000 campaign is being paid for equally by tax-supported state funds and a donation by Hess Corp., a New York based Oil Company.
North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at less than 3 percent. It is leading the nation in population growth and the number of residents in the state is at an all-time high, at more than 725,000 people, according to the Census Bureau.
The surge in economic activity and population growth has come largely from oil. The state has gone from the nation's ninth-biggest oil producer in 2006 to the second, behind only Texas. The turnaround in the state's fortunes began about seven years ago, reversing a more than 70-year trend of migration out, when more people were going than coming.
Contact Black-Peak Technology for our current employment opportunities at:
jim@black-peak.com
info@black-peak.com
The state's unprecedented oil bonanza has made it the economic darling of the nation — boasting a sturdy economy, a state government budget surplus, and its highest population ever, as swarms of people have migrated to North Dakota.
The $800,000 campaign is being paid for equally by tax-supported state funds and a donation by Hess Corp., a New York based Oil Company.
North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at less than 3 percent. It is leading the nation in population growth and the number of residents in the state is at an all-time high, at more than 725,000 people, according to the Census Bureau.
The surge in economic activity and population growth has come largely from oil. The state has gone from the nation's ninth-biggest oil producer in 2006 to the second, behind only Texas. The turnaround in the state's fortunes began about seven years ago, reversing a more than 70-year trend of migration out, when more people were going than coming.
Contact Black-Peak Technology for our current employment opportunities at:
jim@black-peak.com
info@black-peak.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Want to ruin your career? Well follow the details below...
Here are six examples of ways you could potentially ruin your career, and how to avoid becoming a victim of these errors. Yes, mistakes happen to the best of us. They don't always result in major consequences, but sometimes they can cause a bump in your career.
1. Arriving late to an interview
While sometimes you want to arrive fashionably late to an event, an interview is not one of those times. You don't want the hiring manager's first impression of you to be negative, all because you couldn't get your act together to show up on time. If you live far away, you should leave early to avoid any traffic or public transportation issues. a good rule of thumb to follow is to give yourself enough time to arrive 10 minutes early.
2. Being overly confident in an interview
You may have every skill and qualification listed in the job posting, and then some. So you may go into the interview feeling confident, which isn't a bad thing. But taking that confidence too far can backfire. Its best to remain confident in your skills and knowledge but to ensure to portray you are open to new training experiences.
3. Not being accessible to your boss
If your boss asks you to help out on something, you need to accept the work, and enthusiastically, unless you have a legitimate, significant reason why you can't. While always important, being accessible is especially crucial when you're new to a job.
4. Talking a little too casually around the office.
There may be times when you're frustrated with your boss and want to tell him exactly how you feel. Or maybe you just heard a funny, albeit slightly dirty, joke you think your colleagues would enjoy. But do yourself a favor, and hold back from using any potentially offensive language while in a professional setting.
5. That dreaded "reply all" scenario
Let's say you find yourself in a situation where you're the one who just replied all to an email from your co-worker or boss, and the content of your email wasn't so professional. Don't run out of your office, change your name and move to another state just yet. The only good way to put this behind you is to be honest, accept blame, and grovel a bit. Your boss will respect you more for your honesty than for trying to BS your way out of it. Keep it clear, simple, and don't dwell on the details. Ensure he knows that it will never happen again and keep that promise!
6. Cancelling meetings repeatedly
There will always be times when you'll need to cancel or re-schedule meetings. And you'll have meetings cancelled on you as well. Things come up, people get busy -- that's just the nature of business. But be careful not to become a repeat offender, because that can reflect poorly on you. Try to always make your appointments and if you need to cancel, make sure to do so with enough notice and consideration for the other parties schedule.
1. Arriving late to an interview
While sometimes you want to arrive fashionably late to an event, an interview is not one of those times. You don't want the hiring manager's first impression of you to be negative, all because you couldn't get your act together to show up on time. If you live far away, you should leave early to avoid any traffic or public transportation issues. a good rule of thumb to follow is to give yourself enough time to arrive 10 minutes early.
2. Being overly confident in an interview
You may have every skill and qualification listed in the job posting, and then some. So you may go into the interview feeling confident, which isn't a bad thing. But taking that confidence too far can backfire. Its best to remain confident in your skills and knowledge but to ensure to portray you are open to new training experiences.
3. Not being accessible to your boss
If your boss asks you to help out on something, you need to accept the work, and enthusiastically, unless you have a legitimate, significant reason why you can't. While always important, being accessible is especially crucial when you're new to a job.
4. Talking a little too casually around the office.
There may be times when you're frustrated with your boss and want to tell him exactly how you feel. Or maybe you just heard a funny, albeit slightly dirty, joke you think your colleagues would enjoy. But do yourself a favor, and hold back from using any potentially offensive language while in a professional setting.
5. That dreaded "reply all" scenario
Let's say you find yourself in a situation where you're the one who just replied all to an email from your co-worker or boss, and the content of your email wasn't so professional. Don't run out of your office, change your name and move to another state just yet. The only good way to put this behind you is to be honest, accept blame, and grovel a bit. Your boss will respect you more for your honesty than for trying to BS your way out of it. Keep it clear, simple, and don't dwell on the details. Ensure he knows that it will never happen again and keep that promise!
6. Cancelling meetings repeatedly
There will always be times when you'll need to cancel or re-schedule meetings. And you'll have meetings cancelled on you as well. Things come up, people get busy -- that's just the nature of business. But be careful not to become a repeat offender, because that can reflect poorly on you. Try to always make your appointments and if you need to cancel, make sure to do so with enough notice and consideration for the other parties schedule.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Outrageous things people have put on their resumes
Being creative on your resume can be a good thing. But beware of crossing the line between creative and crazy.
While the most common resume mishaps are typos and misspellings, some people venture to the weird and wacky. Career and recruitment experts weighed in on the most ridiculous things they've seen on resumes.
1. A plastic foot
"A candidate sent me a plastic foot, with the opening line of her cover letter stating that she wanted to get her 'foot in the door,'" says Brooks.
"Throughout the letter she added other foot references such as 'her shoe was the right fit.' It wasn't."
2. A vial of fake blood
On another occasion, Brooks received a resume that had a small plastic vial of red-colored liquid attached to it and a note saying the candidate would "sweat blood" for the job.
Creative? Yes. But probably not the best way to win over your prospective employer (unless it's Dracula).
3. Body measurements
Gene Gordon, a sourcing expert for recruiting company Decision Toolbox, says he once received the following information on a resume:
Height: 5'4"
Waist: 28"
Hips: 33"
Bust: 34"
Shirt Size: M
Pant Size: 5/6
Shoe Size: 8 1/2
Hair: Reddish black
Eyes: Earth Green
The physical statistics were in no way relevant to the job application, Gordon added.
4. A table of contents
A good rule of thumb is to keep your resume to only one page. Two pages is pushing it, and anything beyond that is far too long.
5. A chocolate croissant addiction
Just as weird statistics don't belong on your resume, neither do irrelevant interests. Marc Goldman, executive director of the career center at Yeshiva University, says he's seen people list interests such as "eating chocolate croissants" or "Settlers of Catan," the popular board game.
Goldman says people who include random interests on their resumes often do so with the hope of sparking a conversation over a mutual passion with an interviewer. Sometimes that works, but often it doesn't.
6. Knowing how to use a paper shredder
There are skills worth mentioning on a resume, and then there are those that will earn an eye roll from your recruiter.
Some highlights?: Understanding how to use Microsoft Word, the fax machine, and a paper shredder. These skill are not worth mentioning to say the least.
7. Proficiency in the English language
When you've got limited space to sell yourself, you don't want to waste it stating the obvious. Goldman says he once received a resume that listed "English" as one of the candidate's languages. Seeing as the resume was written in English, the clarification was not necessary.
While the most common resume mishaps are typos and misspellings, some people venture to the weird and wacky. Career and recruitment experts weighed in on the most ridiculous things they've seen on resumes.
1. A plastic foot
"A candidate sent me a plastic foot, with the opening line of her cover letter stating that she wanted to get her 'foot in the door,'" says Brooks.
"Throughout the letter she added other foot references such as 'her shoe was the right fit.' It wasn't."
2. A vial of fake blood
On another occasion, Brooks received a resume that had a small plastic vial of red-colored liquid attached to it and a note saying the candidate would "sweat blood" for the job.
Creative? Yes. But probably not the best way to win over your prospective employer (unless it's Dracula).
3. Body measurements
Gene Gordon, a sourcing expert for recruiting company Decision Toolbox, says he once received the following information on a resume:
Height: 5'4"
Waist: 28"
Hips: 33"
Bust: 34"
Shirt Size: M
Pant Size: 5/6
Shoe Size: 8 1/2
Hair: Reddish black
Eyes: Earth Green
The physical statistics were in no way relevant to the job application, Gordon added.
4. A table of contents
A good rule of thumb is to keep your resume to only one page. Two pages is pushing it, and anything beyond that is far too long.
5. A chocolate croissant addiction
Just as weird statistics don't belong on your resume, neither do irrelevant interests. Marc Goldman, executive director of the career center at Yeshiva University, says he's seen people list interests such as "eating chocolate croissants" or "Settlers of Catan," the popular board game.
Goldman says people who include random interests on their resumes often do so with the hope of sparking a conversation over a mutual passion with an interviewer. Sometimes that works, but often it doesn't.
6. Knowing how to use a paper shredder
There are skills worth mentioning on a resume, and then there are those that will earn an eye roll from your recruiter.
Some highlights?: Understanding how to use Microsoft Word, the fax machine, and a paper shredder. These skill are not worth mentioning to say the least.
7. Proficiency in the English language
When you've got limited space to sell yourself, you don't want to waste it stating the obvious. Goldman says he once received a resume that listed "English" as one of the candidate's languages. Seeing as the resume was written in English, the clarification was not necessary.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Easy Ways to Prioritize Work Tasks
Put these into practice and you'll never wonder what to work on first again!
Tip #1: Be realistic
You'll never get everything done, so you may as well accept that now. Those tasks that are at the bottom of your To Do list aren't urgent or important enough to work on right now. It will be easier for you to focus on the important tasks once you realize that your time is limited and that you have to get realistic about what you can achieve in a day.
If something does become urgent or important, it will naturally rise to the top of the To Do list and you can deal with it then.
Tip #2: Use task management software
It's impossible to manage your To Do list effectively if it is split between sticky notes, a notebook, an online system and your diary. Pick one way of managing your tasks and keep to it. This will help you put tasks in order of importance and track progress so you'll always be able to see what your priorities are at any given moment, from wherever you are working.
Tip #3: Create a prioritization code
Find a way of categorizing project tasks that means something for you. That could be High, Medium and Low or giving them a number from one to three. You could use colors and mark the tasks red, yellow or green. Choose something visual that will work on screen and on paper. This will help wherever you are making notes as you'll be able to instantly tell what you should be working on first.
Remember, just because a task is marked on your list as Low priority now, it won't necessarily stay that way. Keep going back to your task list and reviewing the priorities that you have allocated to each item. You'll have to update your categorization as and when something becomes more urgent or important.
Tip #4: Delegate
What can you give other people to do? It might feel as if you have to keep a lot of the project tasks for yourself but there probably are other people on the team who could complete them just as well as you. Look at the workload of the whole team and think about who could take on a few extra tasks.
You could delegate the high priority work but you might feel better if you can keep control of that and delegate some of the work that you have categorized as of lower importance. It depends on how much you can count on your team members and whether you think they will be able to turn around urgent work quickly given their existing workload. However you decide to delegate, it will really help you as it frees up your time to do other priority work and makes you think about how you should be spending your time most effectively.
Tip #5: Ask your supervisor
Still not clear about where your priorities should be? You can always get a second opinion. Talk to your supervisor about what tasks he or she thinks are the most important for moving the project forward. Then focus your time and energy into completing those tasks. Just be sure to ‘sanity check' the tasks that your sponsor highlights as important—they may be essential to your sponsor but not urgent or important to the project overall, so you may have to adapt your priorities accordingly.
Tip #1: Be realistic
You'll never get everything done, so you may as well accept that now. Those tasks that are at the bottom of your To Do list aren't urgent or important enough to work on right now. It will be easier for you to focus on the important tasks once you realize that your time is limited and that you have to get realistic about what you can achieve in a day.
If something does become urgent or important, it will naturally rise to the top of the To Do list and you can deal with it then.
Tip #2: Use task management software
It's impossible to manage your To Do list effectively if it is split between sticky notes, a notebook, an online system and your diary. Pick one way of managing your tasks and keep to it. This will help you put tasks in order of importance and track progress so you'll always be able to see what your priorities are at any given moment, from wherever you are working.
Tip #3: Create a prioritization code
Find a way of categorizing project tasks that means something for you. That could be High, Medium and Low or giving them a number from one to three. You could use colors and mark the tasks red, yellow or green. Choose something visual that will work on screen and on paper. This will help wherever you are making notes as you'll be able to instantly tell what you should be working on first.
Remember, just because a task is marked on your list as Low priority now, it won't necessarily stay that way. Keep going back to your task list and reviewing the priorities that you have allocated to each item. You'll have to update your categorization as and when something becomes more urgent or important.
Tip #4: Delegate
What can you give other people to do? It might feel as if you have to keep a lot of the project tasks for yourself but there probably are other people on the team who could complete them just as well as you. Look at the workload of the whole team and think about who could take on a few extra tasks.
You could delegate the high priority work but you might feel better if you can keep control of that and delegate some of the work that you have categorized as of lower importance. It depends on how much you can count on your team members and whether you think they will be able to turn around urgent work quickly given their existing workload. However you decide to delegate, it will really help you as it frees up your time to do other priority work and makes you think about how you should be spending your time most effectively.
Tip #5: Ask your supervisor
Still not clear about where your priorities should be? You can always get a second opinion. Talk to your supervisor about what tasks he or she thinks are the most important for moving the project forward. Then focus your time and energy into completing those tasks. Just be sure to ‘sanity check' the tasks that your sponsor highlights as important—they may be essential to your sponsor but not urgent or important to the project overall, so you may have to adapt your priorities accordingly.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Top 5 most content places to live in the US - 2013
Most content No. 1: North Dakota
Well-Being Index score: 70.0
Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)
Pct. obese: 26.0 (24th lowest)
Median household income: $53,585 (19th highest)
Pct. with high school diploma: 91.7 (tied-5th highest)
Due in large part to profitable oil discoveries in the region, North Dakota's economy grew by more than 13 percent in 2012,and continues to grow well into 2014. The state's unemployment rate has also been very low in recent years, clocking in at 2.6 percent in December 2013 compared with 6.7 percent nationally. With such low unemployment, it's perhaps not surprising that economic confidence levels in the state were among the highest 10 in the country.
More than nine in 10 adults were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, one of several reasons the state's residents rated their work environment best in the nation. Supervisors in the state were more likely to treat their subordinates as partners than in any other state. With good wages and plenty of jobs, the vast majority of residents had enough money for adequate shelter, food and medicine. This growth continues
5- Montana
4- Minnesota
3- Nebraska
2- South Dakota
1- North Dakota
Well-Being Index score: 70.0
Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)
Pct. obese: 26.0 (24th lowest)
Median household income: $53,585 (19th highest)
Pct. with high school diploma: 91.7 (tied-5th highest)
Due in large part to profitable oil discoveries in the region, North Dakota's economy grew by more than 13 percent in 2012,and continues to grow well into 2014. The state's unemployment rate has also been very low in recent years, clocking in at 2.6 percent in December 2013 compared with 6.7 percent nationally. With such low unemployment, it's perhaps not surprising that economic confidence levels in the state were among the highest 10 in the country.
More than nine in 10 adults were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, one of several reasons the state's residents rated their work environment best in the nation. Supervisors in the state were more likely to treat their subordinates as partners than in any other state. With good wages and plenty of jobs, the vast majority of residents had enough money for adequate shelter, food and medicine. This growth continues
5- Montana
4- Minnesota
3- Nebraska
2- South Dakota
1- North Dakota
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
5 common interview questions, and how to answer them.
An essential part of interview preparation is formulating answers to
specific questions. And there are some standard questions that frequently
come up during any interview. Here are five of the most common interview
questions, as well as what the employer is looking for in your response.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all
interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of
her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present
yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the
job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes
maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company,
including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers
are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly
investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check
current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview
to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively
straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and
identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths
that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your
suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just
one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to
demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a
weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what
benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer
ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you
can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience
will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are
currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to
focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your
predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new
employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible
to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking
for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred
candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that
you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may
also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the
company in five years' time.
specific questions. And there are some standard questions that frequently
come up during any interview. Here are five of the most common interview
questions, as well as what the employer is looking for in your response.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all
interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of
her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present
yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the
job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes
maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company,
including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers
are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly
investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check
current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview
to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively
straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and
identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths
that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your
suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just
one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to
demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a
weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what
benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer
ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you
can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience
will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are
currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to
focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your
predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new
employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible
to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking
for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred
candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that
you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may
also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the
company in five years' time.
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