It is predicted that families will not survive without opportunities for increased income. However, research shows that US workers are stuck between a rock and a hard place due to the lack of income-earning opportunities for the unemployed and the unlikely ability to be awarded raises at their current job. Manufacturing appears to be the only industry getting progressively healthier.

Analysts believe that the job market will continue to rebound and as American workers gain access to higher paying jobs and income increases, the consumer spending numbers will also go up. But right now Americans are finding it hard to increase their current spending amounts because they have to fork over the extra cash to make the commute in to work and feed their families. As of this week, regular fuel was averaging around $3.89 a gallon which is the highest pricing recorded since August 2008. Food costs are also a burden with costs rising 0.8% in just the last month which is the biggest increase seen since July 2008.

Consumer Spending Increased in March Thanks to Rising Prices was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The new employment is based on the need for growth in the next-generation technologies due to GE Aviation’s investment in aerospace technology infrastructure. Out of the new 220 jobs, 90 will be added to the Johnson Technology facility in Muskegon which manufactures jet engines and 130 will be out of the facility near Van Buren Township. The new plant will be producing high-tech coatings for both commercial and military aircrafts.

GE stated they are in the early stages of a partnership with the state of Michigan and they are looking forward to growing. GE Vice Chairman John Rice said in a statement “The exceptional number of talented, experienced professionals — coupled with the state’s strong advanced technology manufacturing capabilities — makes putting additional jobs here an easy decision. Growing jobs in Michigan means growth for GE.”

The Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center located in Van Buren Township held a ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility is General Electric’s focus for new efforts, already employing over 200 information technology professionals. Hiring of new employees at the location is currently ahead of original plans and is moving forward hiring approximately two people each day.

General Electric already employs about 2,400 people in the state and with the hiring situation the total employment is expected to reach over 3,500 people who are employed in the various facilities throughout Michigan. The company employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. Officials in Michigan say the General Electric hiring in the area is significant, not only for the state but for the country. With the new innovations expected to come out of research and be brought to the manufacturing floor, the industry will remain competitive.

The value of General Electric’s expansion project is estimated to be up to $200 million. The state of Michigan gave GE $74 million in tax incentives if GE were to bring the project to the state.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) Bringing New Jobs To Life In Michigan was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Colleges and Universities across the country are reporting that this year college graduates are struggling, like no time in the past, to find employment. Many schools have seen a huge decline, up to 40% or more, in companies coming on to campus to recruit. A University report of 5574 four year schools showed that in 2008 67% of graduates were able to find full time employment within 6 months of graduation, down from 75% from 2007. Statistics are not yet available for this year, but many schools are reporting that their numbers are considerable lower than last, even as low as 30%.

History shows that in times of recession, young people looking to enter the work force do have a tough time. They can expect lower entry level salaries and slower mobility within companies. This has a huge impact on family life and on consumer spending. These young people can be expected to wait longer to start families and to make big purchases like cars and homes.

Many recent grads who cannot find employments are being forced to move back home. Others ,who have the means, are applying to continue their education in hopes that once they have a master’s degree or PhD that the job market will have improved.

For those recent grads that are still looking to find a job, there are some things they can do to possibly increase their chances of obtaining employment. First, they need a great resume. Students must be willing to apply for a variety of employment options, even those not in their field. Temporary jobs are also an option, offering experience that may be helpful to obtain full time employment in the future. Being willing to relocate is also a plus. Those attempting to enter the workforce should know that they will most likely have to take a job with lower starting pay and expect to stay at the entry level for the long haul.

Looking ahead to 2010, experts say that job prospects should start to rise in the spring. Just how many more jobs will be available, no one seems to know. Only time will tell.

Job Prospects for Recent Grads are Bleak was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

So you have the call letter for a job interview in your mail. Get going and do your homework done immediately. Find out all about the company, the job you applied for, the competitors, the products and all other relevant information by browsing the Internet, company literature, the annual report. Get the facts in your application right. If you perceive a weak area be prepared with convincing answers – if you spend enough time on it, you will find some. There is no reason why you should not be able to answer any question about you if you are prepared.

While preparing for the interview, get your perspective right. Pitch in hard for the job by showing your best side. By showing a good learning attitude and displaying qualities such as team spirit, ability to communicate well, ability to take upon responsibility and to think independently, you will make a positive impression on employers.

All your preparation for the job interview will pay because the interviewer will instantly know how serious you are about the job. One thing about preparation is that it shows in small ways. It is as simple as a layman who can make out the difference between a performing artist on the stage who has prepared and one who has not.

Once you have packed your soft skills well it is time for you to make the best physical impression. Dress well in clothes and colors that suit you (in conservative shades). Some clothes make you feel more confident than the others, so get those clothes out. Dress like a thorough professional in business clothes. Get your hair, beard, fingernails etc done. Use colognes or perfumes that are subtle and not too loud. Check your papers and leave for your interview early to avoid any unforeseen traffic delays etc. Land up at the venue early, relax and enjoy the process.

Be prepared to answer all the regular questions that interviewers ask such as why you want the job, something about yourself, how you fared in your last job, your strengths and weaknesses, why you think you are good fro this job, how you would be contributing to the job, why you want to work for the company, what you know about the company and the industry, whether you will be willing to travel, what is the salary you expect etc. Similarly be ready with your own set of questions about the organization. You may want to know your growth prospects, the hierarchy, job responsibilities, company’s future plans, company’s expectations from your job, training and other such questions.

Do not forget to ask about when they will decide on your interview results. Practice all the questions in front of a mirror or have someone ask you the questions while you answer.

Prepare your entry into the room as well. Walk in confidently but without being brash or overly aggressive. Smile, wish everybody, shake hands firmly and warmly. Speak clearly. Look at the entire interview panel in the eyes. Sit straight, be relaxed (not too loose and not too stiff). Keep your legs together (don’t shake them nervously), bend slightly forward (show receptivity, no slouching), use your hands if you wish to be more expressive etc. Do not say negative things, do not lie or fib (its simpler to say that you don’t know the answer), do not speak too fast or unclearly, do not drop names, make excuses, speak badly of ex-employers etc. Please switch off your mobile phones, do not smoke, do not be aggressive. Or shy.

Concentrate on what the interviewers are saying, ask them to repeat themselves politely if you have not understood the question, smile and be relaxed and confident. At the end of the interview thank the interviewers for their time and ask them the next step in the hiring process. Shake hands firmly, smile and make eye contact with everyone.

Follow up the interview with thank you letters to the interviewers and a call at the appropriate time to know the decision regarding your interview. But with all this preparation, there is a good chance that you would have bagged the job already.

Have a Job Interview Coming Up? Here’s How to Not Screw It Up. was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Your name and contact address on top of the page along with your contact details, phone numbers. e-mail ids etc. followed by the date of writing the letter. Below the date, print the name of the person to whom the letter is addressed. A word here. Find out the correct name of the person who is reading the letter and you will serve your cause well. Make sure that you have the name and the designation right (no spelling mistakes) because the slightest oversight here could make a big difference. People are very sensitive about their names and designations. A bit of research (such as calling the company to confirm the details) will do. Address the person formally with a Mr. Or a Ms or whatever is appropriate – do not ignore any Dr. or Professor wherever required.

Having thus put the employer in a pleasant state of mind, your letter must now proceed to make a real impression. Form letters will make no impressions on anyone, so customize your cover letter for each job. Keep the content of the cover letter simple and professional in tone and about half a page in length (stretching to a maximum of one page). Briefly mention the job you have applied for in the first paragraph and the source from where you have heard of the opening.

In the second paragraph briefly highlight the qualities that make you the best candidate for the job. Think creatively and write persuasively and crisply. Put yourself in the employer’s shoes and present yourself in a manner that would attract his attention. One way is to mention how you could add to the organization’s bottom line. Be careful not to repeat what is in the resume. Merely use a line or two to say why you are the best person for the job. A phrase that gives them the idea that you have done your homework about the company would leave them in a favorable state of mind as well.

It is important that you leave your personal mark so write it in your own words because that adds a touch of authenticity to it and makes it stand out from a lot of form letters. Having put together a neat letter make sure that there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Check and recheck and get it proof read by a third person.

Add the most important bit i.e. closing the transaction by requesting time for an interview and mentioning the time when you would follow up. And having done that, please do follow up. Mention the enclosures after your signature.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Doesn’t Suck was created by and is property of American Consumer News.