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Tim McMahon, Editor of UnemploymentData.com

My grandfather lived through the Hyperinflation in Weimar, Germany--to say he was an original “gold bug” would be an understatement. I began reading his “hard money” newsletters at the age of 16 and the dividends from gold stocks helped put me through college. I began publishing the Financial Trend Forecaster paper newsletter in 1995 upon the death of James Moore editor of Your Window into the Future and the creator of the Moore Inflation Predictor©. FTF specializes in trends in the stock market, gold, inflation and bonds. In January of 2003, I began publishing InflationData.com to specialize in all forms of information about the nature of Inflation. In 2009, we added Elliott Wave University to help teach you the principles of Elliott Wave analysis. In January 2013, we began publishing OptioMoney. Connect with Tim on Google+.

Why Criminal Justice Careers are Perfect for Military Veterans

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Most people who join the military only serve for a short amount of time. Once they have honored their commitment, many search for new careers. Veterans gain important skills throughout their service, which can be great assets in the workplace. One particularly promising choice is working in the field of criminal justice. There are certain aspects of these careers that blend very well with military experience. Here are a few reasons why a position in criminal justice may be a perfect fit.

Commitment to Serve & Protect

One of the core values of military veterans is the desire to protect our country’s rights and freedom. Our military takes great pride in its commitment to keeping citizens safe. For veterans, there is a sense of duty that does not fade over time. Fortunately, this is a vow that is also shared by the criminal justice system. Whether out in the field or working behind the scenes, you would be a part of upholding the law, which is a huge part of preserving our democracy.

Familiar with Protocol

Because of their service, veterans are [Read more…] about Why Criminal Justice Careers are Perfect for Military Veterans

Manufacturing Jobs Soar Under Trump

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Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment RateOn Friday December 8th the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly employment survey results for the month of November.

According to the BLS the Unemployment for November is virtually unchanged from October to November on both an Unadjusted and Seasonally Adjusted basis. Seasonally Adjusted U-3 was 4.1% for both months while Unadjusted U-3 was 3.9% for both months. Unadjusted U-6 unemployment which is a broader measure of Unemployment rose slightly from 7.6% in October to 7.7% in November. This is still significantly better than a year ago when in November 2016 Unadjusted U-6  was 9%.

Unemployment

Over the last month, the actual number of people working has increased by 532,000  and the civilian non-institutional population (a fairly narrow measurement of population) has increased by a very low 183,000.

This means that not only has the increase in jobs kept up with the increase in the population but it was actually almost 3 times greater than the population growth! And since only about half of the population is working, job growth has far exceeded the level needed to keep things on a steady keel.  See: Current Unemployment Rate Chart for more info.

Employment

Historical Employment ChartEmployment was 147,975,000 in October (148,006,000 when the numbers were originally released in November) and the current numbers for employment are 148,507,000 in November for a net gain of 501,000 over the original October numbers or 532,000 increase over the new October numbers.

See Employment Commentary.

 

Although unemployment rates are virtually unchanged the Employment numbers tell a slightly different story. According to [Read more…] about Manufacturing Jobs Soar Under Trump

Moving on After Being Laid Off: How to Gain Back Confidence

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Getting laid off can be a traumatic experience. If you have found yourself in this situation, you could be wondering what you can do to restore your confidence. Getting motivated to go out job hunting after this hit to the psyche can be pretty tough. Below are a few tips that can help you move on after this difficult period in your career.

Know You’re Not Alone

First, you should know you are not the only person who is in this situation. In fact, layoffs are actually very common. You might even know a few coworkers from the same company in the same boat. Understanding that you are not alone in this situation can help you feel a little bit better about things. It might even help to go out to lunch with a few of these coworkers and lament your circumstance. Let yourself grieve and move on. You can also find support through a hiring service or resources from hiring firms.

Work Out a Financial Plan

A lot of people find themselves [Read more…] about Moving on After Being Laid Off: How to Gain Back Confidence

5 Tips for Starting Your Own Moving Company

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Starting up your own moving company can be a great way to make a good living and to finally work for yourself. However, to ensure your success, you have to make sure that you go about it the right way. These are a few tips that you can follow if you would like to start your own moving company.

Buy the Right Equipment and Supplies

First of all, you’ll need to make an investment in the right equipment and supplies. You should be able to get started with one moving truck, although you might want to expand your business and purchase more trucks later. Then, you’ll need appliance dollies to help with the heavy lifting and a nice stock of cardboard boxes and packing materials. However, if you are on a strict budget you can still get started without a truck. Simply sign up with companies like U-Haul to help people who have rented a truck load or unload. You will need to have a couple of strong helpers but you can get started with not much more than a moving dolly and a vehicle to get you to the jobsite. Become a U-Haul Service Provider.

[Read more…] about 5 Tips for Starting Your Own Moving Company

4 Reasons to Consider a Career as a Civil Servant

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“Civil servants” are employees that work under the local and national government to render services to the public. The state offers numerous services that the public continually requires, therefore considering taking up a career in civil service can be a wise move. People working in civil service, more often than not, have financial stability and are less likely to be laid off during an economic downturn. Here are some four reasons why you should start up a career as a civil servant.

Good Salary

Depending on the position you are holding of course, but most civil servant positions enjoy better than average salaries and benefits. This hasn’t always been the case. Years ago civil servants could expect lower than average salaries in exchange for more stability and less likelihood of being laid off. In recent years however, civil servant salaries have risen to be more comparable to industry averages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has published a guide called, “How to get a job in the Federal Government“. That states “With more than 1.7 million jobs and over 400 occupational specialties (excluding postal service and military workers), the Federal Government offers more choices than any other single employer in the United States. Whatever your interest and background, you can probably find a Government career to match.”

The Availability of Jobs Is Consistent

Getting a job in the civil service sector can be a good option if [Read more…] about 4 Reasons to Consider a Career as a Civil Servant

Why is Employee Development Important for Small Businesses?

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In the corporate environment, there are plenty of opportunities for growth and development. However, on the flipside, it is just as easy to become overworked and stressed out, leading to a series of issues in both your personal and professional life. Although the anonymity of working within larger corporations can be a great way to build workplace relationships and climb the corporate ladder, working in small businesses tends to offer a much more intimate, personal experience.

However, when you do work in a start-up or small business, it is all too easy to end up taking on more than your job role and, often, more than you can realistically handle. With fewer opportunities for career progression, at least during the early days, you can also end up becoming stuck in a rut, performing the same tasks day after day instead of learning new skills and naturally progressing within your chosen field.

Getting a Grip on Employee Engagement

For this reason, it is more important than ever to ensure that employees are happy, content and busy at work; with development on a personal level comes growth for the business as a whole.

But what is employee engagement, and what makes it so important?

Equality and inclusivity are integral to employee engagement, where those at the top are committed to giving each and every employee the ability to work to their best. Each member of the team is dedicated to the business’ values, working together to contribute to its success. However, personal growth and development are also a vital part of this, where employees have plenty of opportunities to better their own careers, learn new skills and develop a greater sense of happiness and wellbeing at work.

Although they may seem like an unnecessary expense, particularly for small businesses, activities which relate to employee development can leave you reaping the rewards well into the future. It is important to get into the mindset where you see your employees not just as a means to an end, but as a real asset to the business and complex, individual people with hopes, dreams and goals in their own rights. In order to motivate your employees and leave them feeling connected, valued and appreciated, you must be respectful and mindful of their individual personalities.

[Read more…] about Why is Employee Development Important for Small Businesses?

October Unemployment Rate Down Again

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On Friday November 3rd the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly employment survey results for the month of October.

According to the BLS, the current “Seasonally Adjusted” Unemployment Rate for October is 4.1% DOWN from 4.2% in September and 4.4% in August. Seasonally Adjusted U-3 unemployment was 4.8% in January and 4.9% a year ago (October 2016).

The current “Unadjusted” rate is 3.9% down from 4.1% in September and 4.5% in August. Unadjusted U-3 was 5.1% in January and 4.7%  a year ago (October 2016).

See: Current Unemployment Rate Chart for more info.

Seasonally Adj U-3 Unemployment Rate

Seasonal adjustment provides something like a moving average leveling out the bumps due to normal seasonal variations. See: Unadjusted vs. Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate for more information about Seasonal Adjustment.

According to the BLS Commissioner’s report for this month:

[Read more…] about October Unemployment Rate Down Again

How to Handle Getting Laid-Off Without Warning

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Getting laid-off without any prior warning can be devastating. You must deal with a wide range of emotions after hearing the news, and you have to plan for the future. You might be upset, but you cannot let your emotions control your reaction. Here are some practical steps you can take when facing this uncertain situation.

Process Your Emotions

It is normal to feel anger and disappointment at this news. Your anger is not a sign of weakness. Take time to process your emotions and feel them fully. When you are away from the office, speak with a friend about your feelings. Be kind to yourself as well. Inform loved one of the situation immediately, just talking it out will help you begin processing the emotions. Try to look on the bright side. This is an opportunity to follow your dreams, get out of a rut and try something new.

You Are Not Your Job

According to Psychology Today [Read more…] about How to Handle Getting Laid-Off Without Warning

September Unemployment Rate Down

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On Friday October 6th the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly employment survey results for the month of September. Every month the BLS conducts two surveys one contacts a sampling of households and the other collects data from businesses. Then they massage some of the numbers to “Seasonally Adjust” them and release them to the media.

According to the BLS, the current “Seasonally Adjusted” Unemployment Rate for September (released October 6th) is 4.2% DOWN from 4.4% in August. The current “Unadjusted” rate is 4.1% down from 4.5% in August.

Seasonal adjustment provides something like a moving average leveling out the bumps due to normal seasonal variations. See: Unadjusted vs. Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate for more information about Seasonal Adjustment.

According to the BLS Commissioner’s report for this month:

“The unemployment rate declined to 4.2 percent in September, and total nonfarm payroll employment changed little (-33,000), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A sharp employment decline in food services and drinking places and below-trend growth in some other industries likely reflected the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. “

Seasonally Adj U-3 Unemployment Rate

See: Current Unemployment Rate Chart for more info.

In the very next paragraph, based on the Household Unemployment Survey, he said, “The unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage point to 4.2 percent in September, and the number of unemployed persons declined by 331,000 to 6.8 million. Both measures were down over the year.”

Declining unemployment means more jobs! So which is it 331,000 more jobs?  -33,000 fewer jobs? Or 340,000 more jobs? [Read more…] about September Unemployment Rate Down

August Unemployment Numbers

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The U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the August unemployment numbers today. The BLS Commissioner says: “Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 156,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.4 percent. Job gains occurred in manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care, and mining. Employment growth has averaged 176,000 per month thus far this year, about in line with the average monthly gain of 187,000 in 2016.”

Actual employment in July was 146,330,000 and 146,541,000 in August for a net gain of 211,000 even though according to the Commissioner it was 156,000 on a “Seasonally Adjusted” basis.

  • Adjusted U-3 Unemployment was 4.4% up from 4.3% in July.
  • Unadjusted U-3 Unemployment was 4.5% down from 4.6% in July.
  • Employment Increase 156,000 on a “Seasonally Adjusted” or 211,000 non-adjusted.
  • U-6 Unemployment was 8.6% down from 8.9% in July.

August Employment Gain and Loss Bubbles

In the following chart from the BLS we can see [Read more…] about August Unemployment Numbers