Building a Better Workforce for a Brighter Future! 1 February 2005 Welcome to the Pikes Peak Workforce Center Job Seeker Newsletter. We hope you find this newsletter to be informative and timely. If you have a subject you would like to see covered here, please contact ferguson.p@ppwfc.org.
In this issue: · IT Unemployment Falls to 4.3% · To Stand Out as a Candidate, Hunt Down the Hiring Manager · Tech Hiring: An Oxymoron No More · Tax Tips for Job Seekers · High Paying Jobs in the U.S. · How to Determine Your Salary Range · How to Handle a Request for Salary History · Upcoming Events Unemployment Rate (SA) Colorado: 5.1% (12/04) USA: 5.4% (12/04) Colorado Job Growth (SA) Nov. '04 - Dec. '04:  5,400 Nov. 2003 - Nov. 2004: 40,900 Workshops PPWFC offers a variety of workshops for all levels of job seekers. For more information on or to register for one of our workshops visit us at http://www.ppwfc.org.	IT Unemployment Falls To 4.3% In 2004, Lowest Level In Years Unemployment among American IT workers last year fell to its lowest level in three years. Click here for more information. To Stand Out as a Candidate, Hunt Down the Hiring Manager With so many jobs posted online, applicants find it much easier to submit their resumes to dozens of openings without much extra effort. But with hundreds of other applicants doing the exact same thing, the chances of success with this "click-and-hope" method dims. Tech Hiring: An Oxymoron No More In 2004, the tech industry labor market picked itself off the canvas -- bloodied and scarred after two years of heavy beatings. While this year looks to be another step in the right direction, don't expect a return to the knockout growth last seen during the tech boom. Indeed, tech employment is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the same globalization and consolidation pressures that have jarred the rest of the labor market for decades. Tax Tips for Job Seekers Tax season may be one of the most financially stressful times of the year. For individuals without a job, everyday financial burdens may be multiplied by an unexpected tax liability. Fortunately, the tax code offers some relief for the unemployed, which may help you reduce or avoid a tax bill. High Paying Jobs in the U.S. “Do what you love and the money will follow" is great in theory, but the truth of the matter is, certain jobs and fields simply pay more. How to Determine Your Salary Range The elusive salary range ... Every job seeker needs one, but most don't know where to find it. Salary ranges are a critical and often confusing part of job seeking. Salary ranges change constantly. They vary from company to company, from bullish markets to bearish days, and from person to person based on experience. They also vary dramatically among different industries and geographic regions. How to Handle a Request for Salary History There are four words that strike fear into the hearts of even the most valiant job seekers: "Please include salary history." Most job seekers fear that disclosing their previous salary could put them at a disadvantage during salary negotiations. For example, if your past salary was lower than the position pays, an employer may offer you less than they had planned. On the other hand, if your past salary was significantly more than a prospective job pays, you could scare off an employer. Use these tips to keep the upper hand when sharing your salary history. Upcoming Hiring Events February 2^nd – Swift Transportation February 3^rd – Springs Transit February 8^th – Schwan’s *You MUST pre-register to attend any of these events. For more information and to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events, please see our web page at http://www.ppwfc.org/job_seekers_hiring_events.asp
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