6 Worst Interview Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Rosemary Haefner of Careerbuilder

One-in-four workers (25 percent) reported they plan to change jobs in 2013 or 2014. While outrageous actions by candidates in job interviews can result in lost opportunities, so can other behaviors that are seen more frequently. When asked to identify the top detrimental mistakes in job interviews, hiring managers reported: Continue Reading

13 Worst Interview Blunders of 2012

Inexperience with proper interview etiquette or the pressure to make a lasting impression on a prospective employer can sometimes cause workers to show surprising errors in judgment. Hiring managers provided real-life examples of the most peculiar behaviors they witnessed in job interviews: Continue Reading

26% of Employers Plan to Add Full-Time Employees in 2013

Matt Ferguson of Careerbuilder

2013 is expected to usher in more jobs, but U.S. employers will continue to play it safe, according to a new annual hiring forecast. Twenty-six percent of hiring managers plan to add full-time, permanent employees in the New Year, up three percentage points over 2012. The study also points to heightened competition for high skill labor and improved compensation trends.

The nationwide survey was conducted for Careerbuilder by Harris Interactive from November 1 to November 30, 2012 and included more than 2,600 hiring managers and human resource professionals and more than 3,900 workers across industries and company sizes.

“More than 60 percent of employers reported that they are in a better financial position than last year and more than 40 percent said their sales increased over the last six months,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “While this bodes well for job creation, employers are still assessing the implications of a weakened global market and a modest recovery at home. The guarded approach to hiring that has been evident over the last few years was sustained in part by concerns over the fiscal cliff during the time of the survey. We don’t expect 2013 to bring any big surprises in regard to employment, rather it will continue on a path of stability and gradual growth barring any significant economic disruptions.” Continue Reading

11 Most Memorable Gifts From Co-Workers

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When asked to share the most memorable gifts received from co-workers, workers reported: Continue Reading

46% of Employers Giving Holiday Bonuses This Year

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The scrooge economy appears to be loosening its grip, as a new study shows companies plan to offer more perks (bonuses, parties, gifts) than last year. The national study was conducted for Careerbuilder by Harris Interactive© from August 13 to September 6, 2012 and included 2,494 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,976 workers across industries and company sizes.

Bonuses: Forty-six percent of employers expect to give their employees holiday bonuses this year, up from 40 percent last year and 33 percent in 2010. Nearly one in five of them (19 percent) plan to provide a larger bonus than last year. Continue Reading

18 Fields Likely to Produce Most Jobs in 2013

Matt Ferguson, CEO of Careerbuilder

A newly released study by Economic Modeling Specialists (EMSI) provides some interesting insights into the fields likely to produce the most new jobs in 2013.

“Where the U.S. will produce the most jobs in 2013 is likely to follow growth patterns of the last few years,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “It’s no surprise that technology and engineering occupations comprise six of the top ten positions on our list, but workers should also see more opportunities in production-related fields, marketing, healthcare and financial services. The competition for educated, specialized labor has intensified as market demands increase in both the manufacturing and services sectors.”

Occupations requiring bachelor degrees that have produced the most jobs post-recession include the following: Continue Reading

80% of Employers Call References and 16% of Those Call Before Job Interviews

Rosemary Haefner of Careerbuilder

A new study cautions job seekers about the references they cite when applying to companies. Three-in-five employers (62 percent) said that when they contacted a reference listed on an application, the reference didn’t have good things to say about the candidate. Twenty-nine percent of employers reported that they have caught a fake reference on a candidate’s application.

The study was conducted by for Careerbuilder by Harris Interactive© from August 13 to September 6, 2012 and included 2,494 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,976 workers across industries and company sizes.

“You want to make sure you are including your biggest cheerleaders among your job references,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “Before choosing someone, ask yourself ‘Did this person understand my full scope of responsibilities? Can he or she vouch for my skills, accomplishments and work ethic?’ You also want to make sure that you ask your former colleagues if you can list them as a reference. If someone is unwilling, it helps you to avoid a potentially awkward or damaging interaction with an employer of interest.” Continue Reading

Employment Prospects Improving for Military Veterans

Brent Rasmussen of Careerbuilder

Despite higher than average unemployment rates, employment prospects for U.S. military veterans may be improving.

According to a new CareerBuilder study, 29 percent of employers say they are actively recruiting veterans to work for their organizations, up 9 percentage points from a year ago. Twenty-two percent are planning on adding members of the National Guard to their headcount, up 8 percentage points. Sixty-five percent said they would be more likely to hire a veteran over another equally qualified candidate. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive^© of more than 2,600 employers nationwide from August 13 to September 6, 2012.

Where The Job Opportunities Are

Employers are looking to leverage the technical and leadership skills of military personnel, with 3 in 10 hoping to fill information technology positions with veterans. The most common areas for hiring U.S. service men and women are: Continue Reading

How to Discuss Politics at Work

Politics are on everyone’s mind, but workers may feel more comfortable keeping it out of the office. Sixty-six percent of workers don’t share their political affiliation at work, and 28 percent of workers said they feel like they need to keep their affiliation secret around the office.

The national survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive^© on behalf of CareerBuilder among more than 4,100 U.S. workers ages 18 and over between August 13 and September 6, 2012.

The study also found that men are more likely than women to share their political beliefs at work, with 37 percent of men sharing their affiliation compared to 31 percent of women. Continue Reading

5 Biggest Turnoffs for Employers Interviewing for Seasonal Jobs

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What are the biggest turnoffs for employers when interviewing for seasonal jobs?

A recent survey of employers indicated that a lack of flexibility or expressed interest top the list followed by: Continue Reading