Today the Commerce Department reported that consumer sales rose .5 percent in October, the fifth consecutive monthly increase and the largest sales gain since March. Retail giant Wal-Mart also reported revenue gains in its U.S. division last quarter, the first time the company has seen a quarterly revenue increase in the U.S. in more than two years. Finally, the producer price index released this morning showed that nationwide, wholesale prices dropped by the largest amount in four months.

This is all good news for the economy, but the best news may be for job seekers. Higher consumer spending plus lower wholesale prices mean companies have more money to spend, and in turn are able to hire more employees.

But, since it still remains to be seen exactly how much of an impact increasing consumer sales will have on employment levels, here’s a look at 10 companies that are hiring immediately:

1. Aon
Industry: HR/consulting
Sample job titles: Producers (P&C), Benefits (H&W) Consultants, Reinsurance Analysts, IT, Finance

2. Ascend Performance Materials
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Chemical manufacturing engineer, senior project manager

3. Bunge
Industry: Global food/Agribusiness
Sample job titles: Senior accountant, grain management trainees, operations manager, sales support specialist, engineer, business analyst, human resources manager, grain operations manager, export documentation specialist, grain merchandiser, trader

4. Cardinal Health
Industry: Health-care distribution/supplies
Sample job titles: Sales representative, marketing, courier driver, customer service, IT

5. Certified Payment Processing
Industry: Finance/banking
Sample job titles: Sales, account manager, customer service

6. Family Home Health Services
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Business development managers, nurses

7. FirstFleet, Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: Class A CDL drivers, transportation manager and transportation dispatcher

8. Harbor Freight Tools
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Senior financial analyst, manager – store operations, sales associate

9. Macy’s
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Holiday retail sales, holiday loss prevention, by appointment executive, fulfillment center manager, developer

10. PNC Bank
Industry: Banking, mortgage lending, securities
Sample job titles: Mortgage loan officer, bank branch manager, part-time teller, financial advisor, software engineer

Want some more good news? Here’s a list of 10 companies hiring this week:

1. American Management Services
Industry: Consulting, sales/marketing, management
Sample job titles: Field sales manager, consultant/senior executive analyst, business coordinator

2. Bob Evans
Industry: Restaurants
Sample job titles: Restaurant assistant manager, marketing intern, GM

3. Cardinal Health
Industry: Health-care distribution/supplies
Sample job titles: Sales representative, marketing, courier driver, customer service, IT

4. Certified Payment Processing
Industry: Finance/banking
Sample job titles: Sales, account manager, customer service

5. Cracker Barrel
Industry: Restaurant and retail
Sample job titles: Restaurant manager, retail manager

6. Family Home Health Services
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Business development managers, nurses

7. Harbor Freight Tools
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Senior financial analyst, manager – store operations, sales associate

8. Reyes Holdings LLC
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: Drivers, warehouse workers, sales account managers, IT, finance

9. The Delta Companies
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Physical therapist, OT

10. Walden Security
Industry: Security services provider
Sample job titles: Unarmed security officer, EMT/security officer, force protection officer, general manager

By Debra Auerbach on Nov 8, 2011 in Companies hiring, Featured, Job Search, Jobs

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The fourth quarter gets a bum rap when it comes to hiring, but if you’re a job seeker, you shouldn’t completely discount the final months of the year. Though it is true that some industries put the brakes on hiring during Q4, November can actually be a fruitful time for job seekers.

For one, many employers want to get positions filled before the holiday season kicks into high gear, motivating hiring managers to make decisions before Thanksgiving. Plus, hiring for holiday positions ramps up in November as hospitality, retail and transportation companies scramble to get staff in place before busy season begins. Finally, the end of the year can mean less competition for job seekers, since many people put their searches on hold until the New Year in order to enjoy the holiday season.

Still need proof that it’s possible to get a job before 2012? All 15 of these companies are currently hiring:

1. Ascend Performance Materials
Industry: Manufacturing
Number of openings: 52
Sample job titles: Chemical manufacturing engineer, senior project manager
Location: Ala., Fla., S.C., Texas,

2. Bunge
Industry: Global food/Agribusiness
Number of openings: 50+
Sample job titles: Senior accountant, grain management trainees, operations manager, sales support specialist, engineer, business analyst, human resources manager, grain operations manager, export documentation specialist, grain merchandiser, trader
Location: Ark., Ala., Calif., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kan., Ky., La., Miss., Mo., Neb., N.J., Tenn., Texas, Va.

3. CareOne/HealthBridge Management
Industry: Senior care
Number of openings: 200+
Sample job titles: Physical therapist, occupational therapist, RN
Location: Conn., Mass., Mich., N.J., Ohio, Penn., Va.

4. Chico’s (Chico’s, Soma Intimates, White House/Black Market, Boston Proper)
Industry: Women’s apparel retail sales/marketing
Number of openings: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Corporate positions, store manager, sales associate, visual manager, learning and development
Location: Nationwide for in-store positions; Ft. Myers, Fla. for corporate positions.

5. Convergys
Industry: Outsourcing
Number of openings: 13,000+
Samples job titles: Program management director, sales, customer service, tech support
Location: Nationwide

6. FirstFleet, Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Number of openings: 75 – 80
Sample job titles: Class A CDL drivers, transportation manager and transportation dispatcher
Location: Nationwide

7. InVentiv Health
Industry: Pharmaceutical/Biotech
Number of openings: 250
Sample job titles: Pharmaceutical sales representative, clinical nurse educator, database administrator, utilization review nurse auditor
Location: Nationwide

8. Loving Care Agency
Industry: Health care
Number of openings: 75+
Sample job titles: Branch manager, clinical manager, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, home health aides
Location: Ariz., Ill., Ind., Mass., N.J., Penn.

9. Macy’s
Industry: Retail
Number of openings: 78,000
Sample job titles: Holiday retail sales, holiday loss prevention, by appointment executive, fulfillment center manager, developer
Location: Nationwide

10. Panera Bread Company
Industry: Restaurant
Number of openings: 225
Sample job titles: Restaurant manager, catering coordinator, helpdesk, regional facilities manager
Location: Throughout the U.S. and Toronto, Canada

11. Pilot Flying J
Industry: Retail and restaurant
Number of openings: 300+
Sample job titles: Retail general manager, restaurant general manager
Location: Nationwide

12. PNC Bank
Industry: Banking, mortgage lending, securities
Number of openings: 1,000+
Sample job titles: Mortgage loan officer, bank branch manager, part-time teller, financial advisor, software engineer
Location: Chicago, Milwaukee, D.C., New Jersey (multiple locations), Florida (multiple locations), Ohio

13. Reyes Holdings LLC
Industry: Transportation
Number of openings: 50+
Sample job titles: Drivers, warehouse workers, sales account managers, IT, finance
Location: Nationwide

14. Tara Therapy
Industry: Health care
Number of openings: 50
Sample job titles: PT, OT, ST, CODA
Location: Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia

15. Walden Security
Industry: Security services provider
Number of openings: 50
Sample job titles: Unarmed security officer, EMT/security officer, force protection officer, general manager
Locations: Nationwide

Want to procrastinate about All Hallows Eve a little bit longer? Check out this list of 10 companies hiring this week:

1. Addus HealthCare
Industry: Home health care
Sample job titles: Agency director, home care aide, branch director – home health

2. A.M. Castle & Co.
Industry: Metals distribution/industrial/manufacturing
Sample job titles: Territory manager, inside sales representative, director of strategic sourcing, warehouse operator

3. Aon
Industry: Insurance and consulting
Sample job titles: Account specialist, .net developer, QA specialist, account manager

4. BrightStar Care
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Certified nursing assistant, caregiver, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse

5. Bunge
Industry: Global food/agribusiness
Sample job titles: Senior accountant, grain management trainee, operations manager, sales support specialist

6. Certified Payment Processing
Industry: Merchant services
Sample job titles: Entry level sales, customer service, outside sales

7. DialAmerica
Industry: Direct marketing
Sample job titles: Customer service agents, contact center sales agents

8. HGS – Hinduja Global Solutions
Industry: Business process outsourcing
Sample job titles: Inside sales representative, customer service representative, team leader, trainer

9. Sisters of Mercy Health System
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Nurse, physical therapist, surgical technologist, senior business analyst

10. TeleTech
Industry: Business process outsourcing – call centers
Sample job title: Customer service associate

By Debra Auerbach on Oct 18, 2011

Perhaps today will be a memorable day for you in your job search. To help, here’s a list of 10 companies hiring this week:

1. AutoZone, Inc.
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Store manager, parts sales manager, territory sales manager, front line supervisor

2. Cablevision Systems Corporation
Industry: Telecommunications
Sample job titles: Customer service representative, residential account executive, technical support representative, inbound telephone sales representative

3. Con-way
Industry: Transportation/logistics, IT, supply chain
Sample job titles: Truck driver, mechanic, project manager, account executive, customer service associate

4. Medcor 
Industry: Occupational health care/health care
Sample job titles: Registered nurse, paramedic, licensed practical nurse, IT developer

5. Microsoft
Industry: Software, hardware and services
Sample job titles: Program manager, software development engineer, software development engineer in test

6. Senior Helpers
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Caregiver/companion, certified nursing assistant, scheduler, registered nurse

7. Silpada Designs
Industry: Consulting, sales/marketing, fashion/apparel/textile
Sample job titles: Silpada Designs representative, Silpada Designs independent representative

8. The Toro Company
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Production line labor, legal assistant, solution architect (SharePoint)

9. Visiting Angels
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Certified nursing assistant, home health aide, registered nurse

10. Zenta
Industry: Banking/finance
Sample job titles: Mortgage underwriters, team leads, mortgage operations

By Debra Auerbach on Oct 11, 2011 in Companies hiring, Featured, Job Search

While we like to think it’s our quality counsel that keeps you coming back, we also know that what you really want are jobs. So, each Tuesday, we give you those, too.

Today, we’ve got a list of 15 companies that are hiring all month long. We expect that you’ll put all of our job search advice to good use when you apply. Now get out there and make us proud.

1. Addison Search
Industry:  Recruiting 
Sample job titles:  Coder, customer service, escrow, credit analyst
Location: Texas, N.Y., Ill. , N.J., Mass.

2. Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Industry: Nonprofit/Healthcare
Sample job titles: Registered nurse, behavior support specialist, caregiver/ direct support professional, area director
Location: Calif., Colo., Ill., Ind., Kan., Mich., Mo., N.J., Ohio, Ore., Texas, Wash., Wis.

3. CapTech
Industry: Professional consulting
Sample job titles: Java developer, Java architect, SharePoint developer, and SharePoint architect
Location: Richmond, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia

4. Carfax
Industry: Consumer services
Sample job titles: Marketing manager, business analyst / operations analyst, customer support specialist, field sales consultant, production support specialist, Java developer, senior web designer, project manager, national accounts manager
Location: Nationwide

5. Dollar General
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: District managers, store managers, store manager candidates
Location: Nationwide

6. Family Home Health Services
Industry: Healthcare
Sample job titles: Business development manager, occupational therapist, physical therapist, nurse
Location: Fla., Mich., Ind., Mo., Ohio

7. Farmers Insurance 
Industry: Insurance
Sample job titles: Insurance sales agent
Location: (cities or states): Ill., Ind., Minn., N.J., Ohio, Penn., Va., Wis. 
 

8. John Knox Village
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Food service, CNA, LPN, RN, EMT
Location: Mo., Kan.

9. Men’s Wearhouse
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Sales consultant, sales manager
Location: Nationwide

10. Modern Woodmen of America
Industry: Insurance and banking
Sample job titles: Managing partner, financial representative
Location: Nationwide

11. PricewaterhouseCoopers
Industry: Professional services 
Sample job titles: Accountant, auditor, tax accountant, consultant 
Location: Nationwide

12. The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Industry: Financial services
Sample job titles: Financial professional associate (entry level and experienced)
Location: Nationwide

13. Titlemax
Industry: Consumer services
Sample job titles: Store manager, district manager, bilingual customer service representative, commercial construction field estimator, customer service representative, general manager trainee, store manager trainee, regional manager
Location: Nationwide

14. TMG Health
Industry: Business process outsourcing/professional services
Sample job titles: Analyst, senior market research; supervisor, operations compliance; supervisor, workforce management, analyst II, systems, account executive
Location: Dunmore, Penn.; King of Prussia, Penn.; Dallas; Little Rock, Ark

15. Warner Chilcott
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Sample job titles: Pharmaceutical sales rep, women’s healthcare pharmaceutical rep, osteoporosis pharmaceutical sales rep
Location: Multiple states

By Kaitlin Madden on Oct 4, 2011.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had an artistic side. Growing up, on any given day you might have caught me in a dance costume singing “Born Free” to my sisters (I’m the youngest of three), writing a poem about some worldly injustice like the demolition of forests or performing a self-composed ditty at a piano recital. (As you can imagine, many of these performances/poems “magically” resurfaced at my wedding rehearsal dinner, courtesy of my sisters.) Some may say I had a flair for the dramatic, but I’d like to think I was just fostering my creativity.

As I grew older I grew out of playing dress up, but I found other ways to channel my creative talents. I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, launched my career in public relations and recently changed course to focus more on writing and editing.

Turns out, my career path may have been written in the stars. A new CareerBuilder study looked at how workers compare in terms of chosen profession, title and salary based on astrological sign, along with birth order and sibling status. I’m a Cancer, so according to the survey I’m attracted to editing/writing jobs. Plus, the youngest-in-the-family status means I tend to prefer creative roles. I think it’s safe to say this study summed me up pretty well.

Some other key findings from the study:

• An only child is more likely to earn six figures and is more likely to hold a C-level position (CEO, CFO, Senior VP, etc.), but workers with siblings are more likely to be satisfied in their jobs.
• Among workers with siblings, a first born child is the most likely to earn six figures and hold a C-level position while a last born child is the most likely to work in middle management. A middle child is the most likely to report holding an entry-level position and earning less than $35,000.
• An only child has a higher tendency toward working in technical and health-related fields and protective services. First born tend to be drawn to government positions and science. Middle children lean toward public service and care-taking roles while the youngest in families prefer more creative roles and technology.
• Virgo, Aries and Scorpio signs are the most likely to earn six figures.
• Capricorn and Leo signs are the most likely to hold an upper management position (VP and above) with more Capricorns in C-level jobs. The Aries sign is the most likely to work in middle management while Aquarius is the most likely to hold an entry-level job.
• Virgo, Libra and Taurus signs are the most likely to report being satisfied in their jobs.

So if you are a job seeker but you aren’t quite sure what career path to take, it may be worth checking out the chosen profession of others who share your sign or sibling status.

Click here for more survey results.

After your boss walks away, your face turns from fire-engine red back to its normal hue and your brain starts functioning again, you kick yourself because you do know the answer. Well, sort of. The other day you’d read a summary from the earnings call and you remember some of the details, or at least enough to have pieced together a more coherent response.

Unless you’re one of those lucky (some might say annoying) people who always has the right answer or has mastered the art of sounding like you know what you’re talking about even if you don’t have a clue, then you have been or will be faced with similar situations where you aren’t fully prepared. But chances are, even if you don’t have the full answer, you do know enough to share some information and then follow up once you know more. This way, you show your boss that you do have something of value to contribute, while still being honest about not knowing everything.

According to Jodi Glickman, author of “Great on the Job: What to Say, How to Say It. The Secrets of Getting Ahead,” answering a question you don’t know with intelligence boils down to a simple three-part strategy:

1. Here’s what I know.

The first thing to remember is that you aren’t expected to know everything about every topic at all times. Given how busy we are these days, it’s nearly impossible to always have an answer on the tip of your tongue. According to Glickman, if the question is related to something you’re working on or should be familiar with, you likely do know something – and that something is worth contributing. So instead of just going straight to, “I don’t know, sorry,” take a second to collect your thoughts and provide your boss with the fact or tidbit you do know.

2. Here’s what I don’t know.

“After you’ve given your client or boss a little something to work with, then be transparent and admit that you don’t know the answer or have that exact piece of information,” writes Glickman. I know sometimes it’s easy, when caught off guard, to make something up, but it’ll only hurt you in the long run. Your boss would much rather you be honest and plead ignorance than find out later your client didn’t actually acquire a new company as you’d told him in your attempt to sound smart. Lying will just ruin your credibility. Instead of dancing around it, simply tell her you aren’t completely sure.

3. Here’s how I’ll figure it out.

While you aren’t expected to know everything, you are expected to do what you can to figure out the answer, even if it requires taking some time to research and pull the right information. Step three of Glickman’s strategy suggests closing the conversation by proactively offering your game plan — you’ll do some digging and get back to her. It might help to ask for her deadline or if there’s anything else she’d like to know while you’re looking — that way you ensure that when you do get your boss the answer, you get it to them on time and with no missing pieces.

Notes Glickman, this method works well because it allows you to bury the negative (that you don’t know what you’re talking about) in between two positives. “The idea of ‘sandwiching’ the bad news between the good news ensures that you start off and end on a solid footing.”

Here’s an example of how you can apply this strategy to the above situation:

1. Here’s what I know. “I do know sales for X client are up from last quarter.”

2. Here’s what I don’t know. “However, I don’t know the exact sales numbers for this quarter off the top of my head.”

3. Here’s how I’ll figure it out. “So let me go back to the earnings release, double check the numbers, and get back to you. When do you need this information by?”

So the next time your boss stops by unannounced, take a deep breath, remain calm and use this three-part strategy to confidently (kind of) answer the question you (sort of but not really) know the answer to.

But it is possible to create a summer work wardrobe that’s comfortable yet professional, and cool yet collected. Here’s how.

1. No flip flops: Ladies, this faux-pas is typically committed by you, so listen up: “Flip flops are beach wear which transpired into ‘commuter-wear’ and then slowly into office wear,” says Lizandra Vega, author of “The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want.”

Not only do they look unprofessional, but their namesake “flip-flop” noise is an easy way to drive your co-workers nuts every time you walk by their desks, so opt for strappy sandals, espadrilles or ballet flats instead.

2. Choose light colors: “Lighter color garments help you keep cool during hot summer months,” Vega says. “Dark colors absorb heat, while light colors reflect heat.” That said; make sure the color isn’t too light. See below.

3. No peep shows: Summer clothing is often made of lightweight, lightly colored fabric. This can make for a comfortable commute, but it can also make for awkward over exposure. “Avoid apparel in fabrics that are so lightweight that they are see-through,” Vega says.

4. Wear an undershirt: It may seem counter-intuitive to add an extra layer when it’s hot out, but (men especially), if you don’t already wear an undershirt, you might want to start now. The extra layer will help absorb sweat during a mid-summer commute.

“Wearing a cotton undershirt actually helps men feel cooler as it will absorb perspiration,” Vega says. “[Plus],if a lighter fabric shirt is chosen, the undershirt will prevent it from being see-through.”

5. For women, dresses are best: Women are at a serious advantage when it comes to dressing for summer at the office for one simple reason: They can wear dresses.

“Dresses are a great option because it avoids having to wear a jacket,” Vega says. “A wrap dress, a sheath or shift dress are appropriate options.”

If you will be forgoing the jacket, look for styles with short or three-quarter length sleeves, even sleeveless if you feel comfortable. Tank-style dresses are too casual for the office without a jacket or cardigan, though.

6. Keep an extra layer at work: Women can keep a wrap or lightweight, neutral-colored cardigan in their desks in case the air conditioning is kicked into overdrive. Men can do the same with a blazer or sweater.

What is your go-to outfit for summer? What’s the biggest faux-pas for office attire? Share your opinions in the comments section, below.

By Kaitlin Madden

Each year, new graduates wonder what kind of job market they’re about to enter. Obviously the last several years have been tough for everybody, but especially for entry-level workers. This year, many graduates will be packing up and moving to a new city, where the job opportunities are better. Others who were lucky and smart enough to secure a job with the company they interned with are set. But most graduates are just looking for a place to begin their new career in the fabled Real World so they can pay the rent and make use of their degrees. At this stage in life, few workers are looking for a permanent job to stick with for the next 10 years. What they want is a place to earn valuable experience and see what suits them.

Recently, we had some good news for graduates: 46 percent of plan to hire recent college graduates this year, and many of those companies will be paying higher starting salaries than they were in 2010. Meanwhile, the National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted its own survey and found that the average offer to new graduates is expected to be $50,462, which is 5.9 percent higher than last year’s figure.

In short, things are looking up. Although we couldn’t make it to your graduation ceremony, we wanted to give you a gift. Therefore, we decided to provide you a list of companies who are looking for recent graduates. They want smart, educated workers who are ready to begin their careers. Consider this our way of saying, “Congratulations! We’re proud of you!”

You can always find companies hiring new graduates at CareerRookie, which is one of our sister sites and is devoted to career advice, resources and listings for the college crowd.

Here are companies hiring new graduates:

AT&T
Industry: Telecommunications
Sample job titles: Business account executive, retail store manager, associate applications developer

Cbeyond
Industry: Telecom
Sample job titles: Entry-level sales representative, sales consultant, territory sales representatives

Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank
Industry: Banking
Sample job titles: U.S. associate, analyst, paralegal, specialist, administrator, middle office support, front office support, helpdesk support

Dayton Freight Lines
Industry: Trucking
Sample job titles: Apprentice, account manager, customer service representative, management internship

Ferguson
Industry: Wholesale distribution (plumbing products /building materials)
Sample job titles: Sales trainee program, credit trainee program

Gentex
Industry: Manufacturing, technology, engineering
Sample job titles: Electrical design engineer, associate engineer, research engineer, project engineer

Hertz Corporation
Industry: Transportation/sales
Sample job title: Manager trainee

Insight Global
Industry: Information technology
Sample job titles: Developers, engineers, project managers

The Kroger Co.
Industry: Grocery
Sample job titles: Assistant store manager and co-manager

Liberty Mutual Group 
Industry: Insurance
Sample job titles: Sales, claims, underwriting

Maximus
Industry: Government services
Sample job titles: Associate analyst, health systems, associate consultant, professional services consulting, associate engineer, software engineering

Plymouth Auctioneering Services
Industry: Sales, entertainment, fine art
Sample job titles: International fine art sales and consultant

TATA Consultancy Services
Industry: IT consulting
Sample job titles: Software engineer

University Sports Publications
Industry: Sports publications sales
Sample job titles: Inside sales, inside advertising sales, inside sales representative

ZS Associates
Industry: Consulting
Sample job titles: Business associate, operations research associate, business information systems associate, consultant