By: Jeff Sanford
The bad news on jobs is even worse in the U.S. I see the Labor Department says the U.S. economy lost another 524,000 jobs in December, enough to boost the unemployment rate to 7.2 million, and the largest number since the Second World War. Ouch.
It’s official. The real economy in the U.S. is in freefall. There are a lot of people looking to Obama’s stimulus package as a cure for this. But it’s interesting to note today that New York Times columnist and Nobel-laureate economist Paul Krugman says the package Obama has outlined do enough to keep the economy from unravelling, so steep is the drop-off in economic activity.
We’re moving into the most turbulent part of this thing in terms of real economic effects, and it’s getting scary. Let’s just hope the stock market begins looking through the bad news at some point and begins pricing in a recovery.
In fact, this is already happening says Jeff Rubin, CIBC World Markets chief economist and chief strategist. In his latest portfolio strategy report released this morning he says, “The bad news is that we are in a recession, and a fairly deep one at that. The good news is that the stock market has already discounted a depression.” He’s calling the TSX at 11,000 by the end of the year.
So that’s good news. Though, it is likely of little comfort to those who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic turbulence. For those affected by the jobs cuts, a reader has brought to my attention a new networking group for mid-level executives looking for work, HAPPEN.
I can’t vouch for the service, as I’ve only just been made aware of it. But considering today’s job numbers, the services might be something many professionals might like to look into. They’ve set up weekly meetings in Mississauga, Burlington, Toronto and Vancouver. Here’s the link to their site: http://www.happen.ca/
5 Responses to “ A few more thoughts on jobs and a new service for unemployed execs… ”
I am presently a member of HAPPEN, and have been so for the past couple of years. They have successfully aided myself and others to find new employment. Sadly, the reality of corporate jobs in Canada now is that many of us will land a new opportunity for only a short time. HAPPEN’s true strength lies in helping executive to network – albeit during a difficult personal time – with others, and then maintain that network while employed. If you chose to strike out on your own (as I did) then HAPPEN continues to provide networking support and business contacts. A powerful group that I encourage even those gainfully employed (so now) to join! Great people, good friends (now) and valuable support. You can’t lose!
By John Heckbert on Jan 9, 2009
It’s also worth noting that the same analyst was calling for 16,200 for Q42009 back in April of 2008. I think he provides some good research and analysis on what’s been happening, but just as with anyone else they are not working with the level of information required to put any faith in their predictions for the near term (or beyond).
It’s not that he’s not smart, he just doesn’t have all the information. No one can or ever will, hence listening to analysts is only slightly less fruitless than listening to a fortune teller who has to ask if you want your fortune read. (they should already know, and they should have your change ready before they ask)
By Anon on Jan 10, 2009
It was good to read the HAPPEN organization mentioned by Jeff Sanford.
If you need to obtain direct and indirect services totaling in the hundreds for a very modest fee and want to engage in professional weekly networking events boasting unforgettable speakers and unforgettable members then you need the HAPPEN organization.
(Halton and Peel Professional Employment Networking). More interestingly, however, is that the organization also reaches into the more ethereal realms of the human psyche—you know, the portion of our humanity that, if resilient enough, can help us to reach our personal best. Cultivating, then, a “Resilient Attitude” is, in fact, one of HAPPEN’S vintage credos offered by the superlative international lecturer Dick O’Brien. It is the quality organization for quality people!
By Linda Hazelden on Jan 10, 2009
Jeff, I thought that I would share with you some of my own experiences and insights about the fabulous professional networking organization you mention in your article. First of all, I can attest that HAPPEN is lead by a very talented and dedicated executive providing an exhaustive array of direct and indirect services including mentoring. Services include weekly networking events boasting unforgettable speakers that prove tremendously effective in shaping the content and spirit of the weekly meetings, i.e., learn to create spectacular marketing letters, control your personal branding on the internet, cultivate a resilient attitude and receive help in every conceivable aspect of conducting effective job searches, learn razor-sharp interview techniques and have leaders in the industry create a stunning video resume. And much much more! (Weekly meetings are held in Vancouver BC, Toronto, Mississauga and Burlington, Ontario). But as you can probably guess—the face-to-face meetings—is at the very heart of HAPPEN. Members, animated by the speakers, accomplish a tremendous amount of work assisting one another by sharing experiences, industry information, contacts and job search techniques that will lead to new employment.
Equally important,is Happenlink—the online member-to-member electronic communication available 24/7. Finally, Robin Wright, Jim Geraghty and volunteer Greg Brown continue to set a new standard running this terrific organization for professionals in transition. HAPPEN is unequivocally a first class organization.
By Linda Hazelden on Jan 18, 2009