On the last day of January, there were 2.7 million job openings in the U.S. — up from last month.  The job openings rate of 2.1% is the highest it’s been since February, 2009.

Manpower released our Second Quarter 2010 Employment Outlook Survey today and things are looking up.  Of the more than 18,000 employers surveyed throughout the country, 16% anticipate an increase in hiring while 8% expect a decrease.  73% expect no change — which is a record-breaking number for the third quarter in a row and good news for those who are currently employed.

U.S. employers anticipate hiring to inch ahead in the second quarter.  We’re headed in the right direction, but the labor market is still going to take time before it begins accelerating.

To see the details and what is happening in your community, go to Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey.

These are my favorite two days of the year, but this time there were conflicts.  Olympic figure skating?  Or Westminster Dog Show?  Tough decision — thank goodness for DVR so I got to see both.  But I had two late nights in a row!

About Westminster… gorgeous, fabulous, beautiful and exciting as usual (although the female commentator on USA got on my nerves).  This year there were three new breeds:  Irish Red and White Setter, Pyrenean Shepherd and Norwegian Buhund.  See pictures at the Westminster site.  Way cool dogs but they didn’t advance.  I wonder how the veterans accept these newbies.  My hunch is they are accepted with grace — we could learn a few things from our canine friends.

The best in show line-up was fabulous.  I was cheering for Bru the terrific French bulldog, but the winner was the number one dog in the country — Sadie the Scottish Terrier.  I loved her reaction — sincere, unbridled excitement at being recognized.

Congratulations, Sadie!

Take a few minutes and watch Manpower’s CEO Jeff Joerres interviewed by Hub Culture at the World Economic Forum in Davos.  He has some insightful comments about the recovery:

• Yes.  We are indeed in a recovery now.
• But there are confusing and distracting statistics that make it somewhat difficult to truly understand.
• Companies and employers are feeling cautious momentum but they’re not ready to push unemployment down to normal levels because the consumer isn’t in the game quite yet.
• This appears to be a classic start to the recovery — no surprises.

It sounds much better coming from him — so take a listen.

Last week there was an excellent article on Forbes.com called Three Tips For Getting That Job Offer Now.  The point of the article, written by Jerome Young, is that you might be perfectly suited for the position, but if you don’t have excellent interview skills you won’t be selected. 

Jerome’s three tips:

1. Have an interview plan.
2. Prepare answers for the questions you’re most likely to be asked.
3. Know your interviewers before you step into the room.

If you’re getting ready for some job interviews, read the article for the details.  It just might get you that job!

There was a good piece on Good Morning America yesterday morning — about where the jobs are.  In Finding a Job: Target Areas That Are Hiring, a good case is made for registering with a temporary help service.  A few other areas where hiring is taking place were also covered.

If you follow my blog, you’ll begin to think I sound like a broken record.  And while I am biased, I believe the facts support the suggestion that registering with a temporary help service is a great way to get work.  The temporary help industry created 200,000 jobs last month and according to experts, half of the jobs created during the recovery will start out as temporary.  I say started out, because nearly 40% of our temporary employees are hired permanently.  What a way to go!

No matter your skill set — up to and including high-level professionals — please consider my suggestion.

What are you waiting for?

If any of you feel virtual meetings are not as good as face to face, please read on.

For the past ten years, Manpower has held Global Leadership Team meetings in various places around the world.  Approximately 100 top managers from the company gather at the beginning of the year to discuss strategy and tactics for the year ahead.  It was always a highlight to travel to a cool place to hear from top management and to get together with colleagues.

But this recession changed our approach.  Last year, for the first time, we held the meeting virtually.  Many were skeptical and felt that the value of the meeting would be diminished to the point that it wouldn’t be worth the savings.  Well, were we wrong!

I felt — and I know many of my colleagues felt — that last year’s meeting was the best ever… because:

• No one was jet-lagged or had, had too much to drink the night before.
• We weren’t sitting in a huge, darkened, crowded room listening to talking heads and watching powerpoint slides — trying to stay awake.
• Every voice was heard during our discussion threads.
• Accents did not get in the way of understanding — we could understand those who didn’t speak English very well and they had the opportunity to read rather than hear the very fast, idiom-filled comments from the Americans.

The consensus was we all were more engaged and learned much more than in past years.  And the commitments we made were seen by all so the accountability during the past year was at an all-time high.

This year’s meeting starts today.  I can’t wait!

I was recently interviewed by the local Business Journal.  The original story was about how HR departments have changed since recruiting and retention have slowed down due to the poor economy.  Slowed down?  I didn’t think so!  I told the reporter that while recruiting might be a bit easier in today’s economy, the role of HR is more important than ever before.

In Don’t Forget About Existing Employees  we talk about the importance of keeping existing employees — particularly critical employees — engaged.  Recall a few posts ago in Get Engaged I talked about a Right Management survey that indicates that over 80% of existing employees are at risk when the economy turns.

So read the Business Journal article to understand the importance of engagement. 

P.S.  And you’ll get to see a picture of me bald!

Yes.  Even though I’m a baby boomer, I do know what LOL means — laugh out loud.  And that’s what my Wilson makes me do every single day.

• He has goofy eyes that look at me from different angles.  I call them his ‘goo-goo-googly’ eyes.
• His legs can’t get traction on my hardwood floors so he’ll start out sitting very smartly and end up flat on the floor with his back legs splayed out behind him. 
• When his big sister Hannah has a rawhide, he doesn’t bark or growl — he sits in front of her and talks.  I can almost understand him whining, “It’s not fair that you get the rawhide.  I know you’re older, wiser and much bigger, but I want something to chew on, too.”
• When I walk toward the treat jar, he follows me doing 360 degree twirls until he gets his treat.
• And when he settles down in my lap after a long day of play, he sighs with utter contentment.
• I could go on and on…

…but my point is I’m lucky to have the opportunity for a healthy belly laugh every day.  Never underestimate the power of laughter and humor — whether you’re at home or at work.

And if you don’t have a dog (or cat) to laugh at, try laughing at yourself every once in a while.

BTW:  Wilson laughs at me sometimes, too!

What makes you laugh?

… when you grow up?

My answer is, “Just like my Hannah.”  No, I don’t want to be a dog, but she has qualities I admire:

• She is gorgeous!
• She is serene.
• She is fit.
• She is independent, yet
• She is obedient.
• She is very happy ‘in her skin.’
• She loves unconditionally.
• She accepts everyone (even the postal carrier) without judgment.

If I keep working at it… maybe someday!

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This post may look familiar to you — it’s one of my very favorites from 2007.  And I think it’s a good way to lead into the holiday season.