JOBWIRE

Grooming Your Job Chances

Ever wonder if an earring is a barrier to a man getting hired? What about a beard or a mustache? All of the above are generally considered acceptable by most employers, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Even body piercings, obvious tattoos, and nontraditional hair coloring are not considered a barrier to employment by a vast majority of employers. Poor grooming, however, as well as nontraditional interview attire can create a very negative impression. “Job candidates need to remember that their overall grooming and choice of interview attire project an image,” notes Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. “They are marketing themselves to the employer as a potential employee, and part of marketing is the packaging.” Despite the survey, Mackes warns that going to extremes in any area of appearance can eliminate a candidate from contention.

On the Job Front

NATIONWIDE – Corporate recruiters report that hiring is brisk for middle managers and beginners in the job market. According to CareerJournal.com, hiring is solid in many fields, especially financial services such as insurance, private banking and consulting. Industrial areas are also making a strong comeback. Industries to avoid include airlines and automakers . . . As a consequence, USA Today reports that employees are feeling more confident about the labor market and their own job security. Workers reported high confidence, with more than 80% predicting little or no chance they could lose their jobs in the coming year, according to a May survey of 1000 full-time employees by Philadelphia-based Right Management. That’s a big jump from six months ago, when nearly a quarter of employees said they might lose their jobs . . . The Laborers’ Union, which represents 700,000 construction workers nationwide, has broken away from the AFL-CIO. This was just the most recent of many defections, with breakaway unions upset that the AFL-CIO focuses too much on politics, rather than building membership . . . Rising interest rates could stem borrowing and has already led to drastic cutbacks in the mortgage industry. Some experts are saying employment in the field could be trimmed by as much as 25 percent . . . Washington Mutual bank is slashing 1400 call center jobs in the US, but plans to add 4400 jobs in foreign countries over the next few years, according to CEO Kerry Killinger . . . General Motors has begun hiring temporary workers at some of its US plants to replace union employees leaving because of buyouts and retirement incentives.

SAN FRANCISCO – A successful culinary school that offered an intensive three-month program in culinary skills and life counseling has had to close its doors. The Haight Ashbury Food Program no longer has enough federal funding to continue. Over the course of its ten years, the program helped many win jobs, find housing, and overcome mental challenges.

SANTA CLARA – Sun Microsystems is beginning to trim staff, announcing last week the elimination of 50 jobs from its Boston operations. In January, the company said it would be closing 120 offices this year. Earlier this month, Sun cut 200 jobs from a division responsible for designing high-end servers.

SILICON VALLEY – An estimated 6000 jobs worldwide will be erased by disk-drive maker Seagate Technology as it completes its takeover of Maxtor Corp. Approximately 2400 local positions will be lost in the process. No Seagate personnel will be dismissed.