By Dan McDermott

While job seekers should be pleased with improvements in the unemployment rate, not all have cause for celebration. With revised legislation beginning to impact the Federal extended unemployment benefits program, Americans who remain unemployed long-term and benefited from upwards of 99 weeks of unemployment insurance assistance, are or will be affected.

While the program has been extended through the remainder of 2012, with an improving employment rate many long-term unemployed have lost or will loose their benefits. Starting in June benefits will be cut back to 73 weeks in states with the highest unemployment, and 63 weeks for all others. More »

By Rathin Sinha, President

Peter Weddle’s new book, A Multitude of Hope: A Novel About Rediscovering the American Dream, offers a provocative take on the job search.

With 12.5 million Americans unemployed, and a stagnant jobless rate of 8.1 percent, Weddle’s overall premise – that “career security” is non-existent in today’s economy – holds a lot of weight.

The book, which chronicles the plight of three out-of-work Baby Boomers, prompts readers to practice what Weddle calls, “economic disobedience.” According to his premise, economic disobedience is the practice of “refusing to accept the “boxes” employers try to put us in.” Weddle counters that these “boxes” limit people’s ability to achieve the career success that is within their control. More »

By Dan McDermott

On May 8, America’s Job Exchange (AJE) attended the New England Industry Liaison Group (NEILG) Veteran and Disability Services Meet and Greet in Woburn, Massachusetts. The event was designed to enable local Federal contractors to interact with representatives from state and local veteran and disability agencies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. For contractors this was a welcome opportunity to get questions answered and engage representatives who can point them in the right direction for resources that can help them improve and support their talent management programs. More »

By Dan McDermott

Do you have plans on May 24 at 1:00pm EST? If not, consider joining America’s Job Exchange (AJE) and co-sponsors Fulbright & Jaworski LLP for an exclusive webinar, “The OFCCP’s New Compliance Developments: What You Need to Do to Get Your Organization Prepared.” The webinar will feature Senior Associate Shafeeqa Watkins Giarratani, an accomplished author on topics related to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP). You can register for the event here. More »

By Dan McDermott

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s (BLS) April jobs report today continues to show mixed signs for the jobs market. While the economy added 115,000 jobs last month – little change in March, the employment rate fell again to 8.1% (from last month’s 8.2%). However, the unemployment decline was attributable to 342,000 American workers dropping out of the labor force. More »

By Dan McDermott

The America’s Job Exchange team is back from the road, having attended the SWARM Conference in San Antonio April 10-13 (as well as the AILG Conference in Phoenix on April 17 – more on AILG in a future post). We savor every opportunity to meet face-to-face with our clients, learn first-hand about employer’s recruiting and compliance challenges, and understand how AJE can better serve them as a partner. SWARM proved to be an exciting conference for all of these reasons and more. More »

By Dan McDermott

Data collection and statistical analysis are already important elements of an effective compliance program. But there is evidence that suggests an increased emphasis on applicant data in 2012. Are you prepared? At the upcoming AILG Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on April 17, Rathin Sinha, president of America’s Job Exchange, will recount some of the signals indicating that the OFCCP is taking applicant data more seriously. In his presentation, Rathin will advise employers on the necessary steps to adjust their recruiting efforts and selection strategies in order to meet the expected changes in requirements. More »

By AJE Recruiting Specialist

Today’s jobs report showed the unemployment rate falling to 8.2% for March – down slightly from 8.3% in February; however, it also showed signs of a slower hiring rate – leaving many with either mixed feelings of optimism or cause for ongoing concern.

More »

By Dan McDermott

The Southwest and Rocky Mountain (SWARM) regional conference – held this year in San Antonio, Texas – is one of the prime meeting grounds for employers involved and interested in OFCCP and EEOC issues. America’s Job Exchange is excited to be participating at this event, as it promises to deliver a thought-provoking and insightful agenda for HR professionals and recruiting managers looking to engage with industry experts. The content fulfills the event’s focus of “Diversity and Inclusion.” More »

By AJE Recruiting Specialist

U.S. employers added 227,000 non-farm payroll jobs in February, keeping the unemployment rate steady month over month at 8.3 percent, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The latest jobs report may be a predictor of an improving economy and the overall jobs market, with more people starting to look for work. However, optimism does need to be tempered with some caution with 12.8 million people still unemployed, unchanged from last month – 5.4 million of which have been unemployed for longer than six months. More »