Service Providers Lead November Hiring

US employers added 94,000 jobs in November, slightly more than the 90,000 forecast by Wall Street economists. The Labor Dept’s monthly report showed that 127,000 of the new jobs were created in service-providing businesses, while 44,000 jobs were lost in manufacturing and goods-producing industries. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.7 percent.

Best Positions for Introverts

Do you despise working in teams or cringe at the thought of networking with strangers? Ever break into a cold sweat before giving a presentation? Although introverts make up only 25 percent of the population, they represent a majority of the gifted population. "Many highly successful people are thought to be introverts – even some presidents of the United States," declares Laurence Shatkin, PhD and co-author of 200 Best Jobs for Introverts (JIST, 2008). Introverts sometimes get very frustrated working in today’s service-based economy, with so many jobs that emphasize serving the public or working in teams. "Fortunately, there are plenty of good jobs that let people work by themselves and without interruption," Shatkin notes. He identifies the following occupations as some of the best jobs for introverts who want a career that complements their personality: accountants and auditors, software engineers, systems experts, actuaries, editors, market research analysts, graphic designers, technical writers, electrical and electronic engineering technicians, auto body workers, and postal workers. To order Shatkin’s book, go to Jist.com.

On the Job Front

STATEWIDE – California’s minimum wage will rise to $8.00 per hour on January 1st. This is the second scheduled raise under a plan approved in 2006. A year ago, the minimum wage went from $6.75 to $7.50 per hour. The 2008 increase will give California the highest minimum wage in the nation, along with Massachusetts.

MONTEREY COUNTY – The Monterey County Workforce Investment Board has received a $650,000 state grant to help train up to 140 workers affected by job losses in food processing, agriculture and residential construction. The funds will be used to help displaced workers learn new skills and find employment in commercial construction, healthcare and public safety. According to the Employment Development Department, the county lost 2700 farm jobs from October 2006 to October 2007.

SAN JOSE – In the first walkout by city workers in more than 20 years, a strike by inspectors has halted construction on two buildings. The 90-member Association of Building, Mechanical and Electrical Inspectors primarily wants an arbitrator to handle discipline disputes.

VISALIA – Lowe’s is opening a new home-improvement center in Porterville. The store will open in January and employ about 175 workers.

Holiday Shopping at Work Increasing

‘Tis the season for shopping online in the workplace. According to the latest Spherion Workplace survey, 30 percent of workers use their computers to shop for or buy gifts online, up from 27 percent in 2006. Although it was not clear whether the holiday shopping was occurring on personal time, the number of employees who felt this was an acceptable use of their work computers rose from 30 to 32 percent.