Are You Holiday Shopping for a Job?

While many people are shopping for gifts during the holidays, others are looking for employment.  Just like trying to get the best deals when shopping, job searching requires preparation to get the best results.  Some tips to remember if you are shopping for a job include: Continue Reading

Will the 2011 holiday shopping season bankrupt retailers?

 There’s a new brand of holiday shopper.

This person spends less, shops online, and requires more convincing than ever. With fallout from the recession and growing reliance on the Internet, the 2011 holiday shopping season will be a key litmus test for retailers.  Will they dodge the bullet and report healthy profits in 2012? Continue Reading

More companies restrict online shopping at work

If you are trying to get some holiday shopping done while on the job, it may be more challenging this year than last.

Workers looking for a jump-start on their holiday gift lists will have a harder time browsing for bargains at the office. The majority (60 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed by Robert Half Technology said their companies block access to online shopping sites – up from 48 percent last year. Another 23 percent said they allow access but monitor activity for excessive use. The CIOs whose firms allow online shopping said they expect employees to spend four hours per week, on average, surfing for deals this holiday season.

CIOs were asked, “What is your company’s policy regarding employees shopping online while at work?” Their responses: Continue Reading

Half of U.S. Employers Monitor Internet and Email Use of Employees

Cyber Monday broke online sales records last year, and according to CareerBuilder’s latest survey, the trend may be poised to continue. Fifty percent of American workers plan to spend time holiday shopping online at work this season – on par with 52 percent last year. Of these workers, 34 percent will spend one hour or more shopping (up from 27 percent in 2010) and 16 percent will spend two or more hours (up from 13 percent in 2010).

The survey – conducted August 16 through September 8, 2011, among 4,384 workers and 2,696 employers – points to a larger trend of increased, non-work related Internet activity met with steadily tightening online policies on the employer side. Half of U.S. companies monitor Internet and email use of employees, which is up from 47 percent last year. Continue Reading