I recently read this email blast below and it is my opinion from here at Berman Larson Kane www.jobsbl.com that this analysis by Ilyse Shapiro is really on the money.

Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Report Paints Rosy Picture; Deeper Analysis Proves Otherwise
The June, 2007 Employment Situation Summary reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a positive picture. Non-farm payroll employment increased by 132,000 in June and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5%. However, a closer look at the results proves that we are in worse shape today than we were at the same time in 2006.“As the results were distributed nationwide, a collective sigh of relief could be heard among many Americans. Unfortunately, deeper analysis shows that we don’t have all that much to cheer about,” says Ilyse Shapiro, founder of the job search Web site, MyPartTimePRO.com.Shapiro found the following discrepancies between the June, 2006 and June, 2007 data:
More than 131,000 women and 32,000 men are not currently in the labor force yet looking for employment, as compared to June, 2006.
An additional 232,000 Black/African Americans and 596,000 Latinos/Hispanics are unemployed (seasonally adjusted).
32,000 more Americans with some college or an associate’s degree are not employed, as compared to last year.
More people are working multiple jobs in June, 2007 vs. June, 2006, 7.707 million vs. 7.378 million (seasonally adjusted).
More people are unemployed in management/business/financial services, sales/related positions, and farming/fishing/forestry, construction/extraction, and production occupations in June, 2007 as opposed to June, 2006.
During the first six months of 2007, job growth among professional and business services sectors averaged 13,000 per month compared with an average of 42,000 per month in the last half of 2006.

These bullets really make us question what is going on in the employment market place. As the stock market gyrates in wild swings & the corporate credit crunch begins to take hold I am concerned for the future job creation numbers.

As for us here at Berman Larson Kane www.jobsbl.com we continue to experience a pocket slow down in some sectors while skill shortages in other continue to heat up. So as usual I have no idea what is really going on……Bob Larson

Well the mystery continues. We at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) continue to be confused by this week’s employment numbers. The good news is that unemployment rate continues to remain in reasonable range. However, the positive upgrade of job creation numbers needs some additional interpretations and is not as rosy as projected by the government.

In looking at these numbers more closely many categories have experience a decrease in jobs. For example, private industry jobs including retail, construction and professional services all reported decreases in employment. The only areas to experience steady job growth were education, government and health care. So the bottom line is that the government or heavily subsides government industries, like healthcare, were responsible for the positive job growth.

Although, we are glad to put as many Americans to work as possible and for each government created job additional private sector jobs are hopefully synergized. My feeling is that these government jobs are at the best detraction from what is really going on in the economy. Our best projection is that hopefully government jobs will be the catalyst to jump-start the economy into creating addition good U.S. based employment.
As for now we at Berman Larson Kane continue to experience a steady flow of new orders from our private sector clients with a continuing battle or war for good and top talent. I guess we must be doing something right? Thanks to all our clients and job seekers for your continuing support

Well as summer begins is this job market hot or not? Mixed signals are appearing everywhere. The department of labor is showing steady job growth for May, with a recent revision up from the sluggish April job creation report….

A Wall Street Journel article suggests that the DOL possibly over counted by as much as 500,000 jobs since January 2007. If correct that would bring the job creation numbers to the equivalent of zero. A recent Manpower survey reported companies are planning to hire at a slower rate in 2007 then the previous year.

The unemployment rate continues to hover in the same vicinity with a slight fluctuation downward suggesting all is well.

And our Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) experience shows a downward number of job orders from our clients starting in December of 2006, with a recent upward surge beginning June 2007.

So up or down hot or cold good times challenging times is this the best time to seek new employment or hire additional staff? Guess its your guess!

As the president of Berman Larson Kane I would report that we are seeing an increase competition for good talent. The top tier job-candidates are receiving multiply offers, with substantial salary increases and quality of life work flexibility schedules. So our recruiters report a war for top talent and are advising our client companies to accelerate the interview cycle to stay competitive.

Our recent surge in new job orders is across several disciplines with legal, information technology and human resources leading the pack. So going forward into the summer if I was to flip a coin I would predict it has slightly better chance of landing on the increase job creation side….to be continued….

Last evening was the awards banquet “Best Places to Work” sponsored by New Jersey Biz. It was a perfectly run event moving at a quick pace through the 50 NJ companies to be recognized as outstanding employers.

We at Berman Larson Kane (https://www.jobsbl.com) were honored with the lucky number “7” ranking and were proud to be in the company of such wonderful organizations.

The room was filled with over 600 attendee’s each awaiting the ranking announcements; it was American Idol “ist” without the singing. The energy in the ballroom along with the caliber of employees was amazing. This room represented many of things that are right about U.S. business, service, community service, loyalty, appreciation, volunteerism, family, fun and rewards. What a refreshing evening…..

My observation of the room……the foundation of a “Best Place to Work” is not benefits, compensation, perks and flexibility (although these are all part of the formula). The real measure of success is hiring the right people who have a passion for what they do and being in the company of passionate people makes for a “Great Working Environment”

Right People in Right Jobs =’s a “Great Place to Work” A simple formula that is extremely challenging to execute.

As for now the employer that offered “dog walking service” to its staff is my favorite extreme perk since I neither have or want a dog…..but the company that figures out how to exercise for you so I can continue to watch television will be the first employer of choice for New Jersey and the nation (just joking) Stay well and congratulations to all….

Berman Larson Kane (https://www.jobsbl.com) was recently selected as one of the 50 Best Places to Work in New Jersey. This award, created in 2005, is sponsored by NJBIZ. I would like to thank you for your support and business. Without your faith in our firm none of our achievements would be possible; I can’t thank you enough.

This award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New Jersey, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Places to Work in New Jersey program is made up of 50 companies split into two groups: 25 medium-sized companies (25-249 employees) and 25 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees). Berman Larson Kane has been named one of the 25 Best Places to Work in New Jersey in the medium-sized category.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
– Have at least 25 employees in New Jersey;
– Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business;
– Be a publicly or privately held business;
– Have a facility in New Jersey;

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the 50 Best Places to Work in New Jersey. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in New Jersey with assistance from ModernThink LLC, who analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

Berman Larson Kane will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in New Jersey evening awards ceremony on Monday, April 16, 2007, at the Hilton East Brunswick. The final rankings will be revealed at the ceremony. As president of Berman Larson Kane I thank you again for your business.

Reprinted by request from Feb 04 posting….

Effortless, seamless, natural, instinctive, in the flow, is the heart-warming expression for those with the right partners and/or the right careers. We at Berman Larson Kane (https://www.jobsbl.com) are always in awe.“Valentines Day” the hallmark/retailers holiday of love. A day to formalize our expressions of love for romantic partners with gifts of flowers, jewelry, cards and foods. For those lucky enough to be in a solid loving relationship all days of the year or at least most of those days are caring expressions of love. (No daily gifts needed) But occasional flowers and jewelry don’t hurt.

Well although it is different type of love. Think of those whom you know who are in the right career and jobs. They are usually successful, but would do their jobs with the same energy and passion no matter what the pay or hours. We all know this person; it might be a maintenance worker, sales professional or the CEO. It might be your accountant (probably not your lawyer just joking) or another service worker who is in a zone that allows them to perform their job perfectly, joyfully and gracefully everyday on every project. These lucky people are the cupids of the work world. These true work-a-world valentines are the ones that carry a company to greatness. Are the ones that all your customer’s love. Are the ones that you always want to embrace on your project team. And are the staffing professionals that you want filling your positions or assisting your careers.

On this day as you buy your gifts, write cards and make those expressions of love to your partners and/or those whom you are wooing. Take a brief moment to feel if this is a natural or forced activity. If it is natural you are in the flow. If it is forced I hope that it is a temporary situation. Because if it is not? Difficult choices could be on the horizon.

One final valentine career thought. Think of your job, as you’re other lover, friend and guardian. Read each hallmark sayings applying it to your job and career. Are you in that love zone? If you are, you are a very fortunate person. You are the ones that our clients love to hire and the ones lucky enough to be guarantee effortless career success. If it is forced? Career challenges are probably in your future.Our Berman Larson Kane valentine wish to all is may the love of cupid strike your heart in all areas of your life. Enjoy the holiday and if you aren’t in the flow, at least you can drown your sorrows with chocolate.

Holiday season is here and this year the unemployment rate continues to remain in a reasonable range. Some would even claim our current rate represents full employment.

We at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) continue to see a demand for talent, however we still are witness to many professionals experiencing underemployment especially in the information technology skill set.

When I have discussions with the underemployed they really are not in a holiday spirit of thanks. Many have a bitter streak that they have been short change by their past employer. My heart bleeds for this underemployed group because most are really hard working, honest, reliable and conscientious people. So is there a common theme to becoming underemployed? Is it possible for one to make underemployment, preventable?

As I try to look at this from a logical non-emotional perspective the answer is that the underemployed person’s wage level becomes unique to the employer. And when this person attempts because of layoff to transfer their skills, the true wage value is too closely tied to their current employer. Sometime changes in the market place like off shoring or out-sourcing will change the dollar value of the skill set. But for the most part a person with a long history with one employer is rewarded with higher pay during their tenure and these higher wages are not always portable.

If I look closely at these natural economic forces this employment selective process is a free market force that ultimately helps make our economy stronger. But for those that must retool, re learn and start anew it is a very challenging often hearth wrenching experience.

With 2007 on the horizon and NJ employers looking to selectively add to staff. I am afraid that wage wrenching will continue in many disciplines with a select few areas experiencing a war for talent. The $64,000 dollar question is “how do I position my skill set to be involved in this competitive war.

I am about to leave for the National Association of Personnel Services (http://www.recruitinglife.com/) annual convention. Attendance is almost sold-out and will be at least 650 plus leaders representing the recruiting and staffing industry.

The staffing industry in my opinion is one of the leading indicators of job creation in this country along the help wanted index. When employment of recruiters rises the general market is usually directly following. From these announced large attendance numbers it appears that the immediate future for employment prospecting will continue to improve. So those of you who are jobbing these numbers would suggest a goodtime ahead. As for employers it appears the competition for talent will only be getting more competitive.

As for the Berman Larson Kane (https://www.jobsbl.com/) micro barometer employment index we are seeing a shifting job growth towards the contractor/ temporary segments. I am not sure of the reasons? Depleted headcount budgets, lack of confidence, project work staffing, budget restrictions, capitalization or just flexible staffing strategies. But the bottom line is that we’ve experienced a dramatic upswing in temporary/contract hiring across several disciplines in September.

As for direct hire clients’ staffing requirements continue at a consistent rate. However; increasing growth of opportunities in niches with an increasing talent shortage include junior accountants, all junior – midlevel financial personnel, midlevel and senior JSP, NET, C#, database developers, technical sales and compensation analysts. This personnel shortage is creating a inflated sense of job openings since our experience here at BLK is at least 3 advertised openings for each available job candidate.

So my ramblings bring again to a prediction of flat unemployment with positive job growth numbers for the near future with increasing talent wars in the above competitive niches. As for the increase in temporary opportunities Q1 07 will determine if this is a year end patch or a new employment trend. So, I guess I am still guessing and after 30 years and I still know nothing.

We are Berman Larson Kane https://www.jobsbl.com experienced a decrease in new search assignments over the past two weeks. As these hot days of summer slow everything down the pace of job creation appears to be joining the weather, slowing down with the heat.

The Labor Department said US employers added just 113,000 jobs to nonfarm payrolls during July, in the fourth straight month of weak gains in hiring. Job creation in prior months was revised upward but remained tepid. Payrolls grew by just 124,000 jobs in June and 100,000 in May; earlier estimates pegged the increases at 121,000 and 92,000, respectively. Other jobs indicators showed weakness, too. The unemployment rate, which the Labor Department tabulates from a poll of households separate from the sampling of large employers used to calculate payrolls, jumped to 4.8% from 4.6%. While a 4.8% jobless rate is low in historical terms, the rise was jarring all the same, as it was the largest upward move in the rate since October 2001.

However we at Berman Larson Kane remain optimistic for job creation for the remainder of the year. Several of our clients are experiencing double digit order growth and plan to add additional staff during the 4th quarter. We are also looking at an increase in contract and temp assignments which usually points to a raise in direct hires on the horizon.

So if you are looking for employment our prediction is that road ahead will continue to ease the journey. Careers in Accounting and Finance remain hot, Information Technologies continues to improve, Human Resource remains steady and the need for additional and better sales professional is a constant.

With the announcement on Friday that the US economy has created about 121,000 jobs during the month of June and that unemployment rate has remained unmoved.

We here at Berman Larson Kane (https://www.jobsbl.com) are experiencing a rate of new orders, search assignments and contractor assignments that would confirm that this rate is close to reality. This is unusual since as you can see from prior postings we are usually either experiencing a more rapid rate of growth or slower than the government reports. However, I must say I was freaked by the ADP prediction of 345,000 new jobs…. since a high number like this would of put us here at Berman Larson Kane way behind the curve in our sales forecasts.

As for the mix of jobs and skills hiring our human resource staffing has increased both on the contract and direct hire sides, information technology continues to increase off the lows of prior years…with a return to all types of hiring including developers in the web arena…..a skill shortage remains in the accounting and finance area with competition for 1-5 year talent continuing to heat up…..other areas such as office support remain steady.

As for the remainder of the year…..we at Berman Larson Kane continue to be optimistic about job prospects as our clients continue to add back to staffing levels not seen for several years. May the placement gods be with you….