Employers expect to increase hiring for professional-level positions in the first quarter, but they have concerns about finding qualified candidates for these roles, a new Robert Half survey shows. A net 10 percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report plan to add full-time staff in the first three months of the year, up three points from the fourth-quarter forecast. However, the number of respondents who report recruiting challenges also is on the rise: 67 percent of executives said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled employees today, up from 59 percent last quarter and 42 percent in the third quarter.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53176-robert-half-professional-employment-report-q12012
Restaurant.com today announced its holiday giving program, Feed It Forward, returns for a fourth year to celebrate the gift of giving. Feed It Forward enables participants to give away free $10 Restaurant.com eGift Cards now through Christmas Day. Individuals can give up to 40 gifts per day to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or anyone who deserves a kind gesture.
Carol Platt was caught in the middle of the economic downturn with no backup plan. Searching for a stable job in an unstable economy proved to be difficult without a college degree. Her work history and past successes were overlooked. It had always been a dream of hers to complete her degree; after a failed first attempt, she was unsure of her ability to follow through. She began researching online education options and felt that Kaplan University stood out; she decided to complete her college degree online. Carol enrolled in Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management and earned her bachelor’s degree online, focusing on business with an emphasis in human resources.
The adult continuing education program at Kaplan University is designed for working professionals who seek to further their career or, like Carol, want to earn their university degree online.* Students can complete assignments on a schedule that fits their lives. It’s this type of flexibility that helps prepare Kaplan University online students for success. Even if you already have an established career, it’s never too late to consider online business school to further your knowledge and update your skills. Increase your marketability with one of Kaplan University’s online bachelor degree programs without taking time off of work to attend class.
* Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
“I grew up in Graham, North Carolina. My parents both worked for the textile mills, both had fourth grade educations and my mom always wanted me to get an education. When I graduated from high school it was my dream to go to college. I failed the first class of my life which was my chemistry class. I was just overwhelmed so I left after about a year and half, got a job and kept trying to go back to school. For me it was personally devastating. It really bothered me. I felt like I was failing. I had one shot and I blew it.
When Jenna left for boarding school I couldn’t even open the door and go in the room and I was almost 52. All of that coincided with the downturn of the market. I had almost $6 million dollars in contracts waiting to close and they all fell through—every single one of them. I thought, ‘now what? I don’t have a degree, there are no jobs.’ It doesn’t matter what I had done or how much success I had, the requirements are to have a degree. Not only that, I had to walk back in the door competing with people half my age and many of them had MBAs.
It was just a matter of figuring out how to do it—so that’s when I started to check into what were the institutions, what was the cost, how were they respected. Kaplan [University] had a degree in business with a specialty in human resources. As I started narrowing the options down, it made it into about the final three. I took those three finalists to my traditional education friends and I said, ‘I want to know what the most respected online degree would be if someone was coming into your office looking for a job.’
The IT Dean, the Computer Science Dean, felt like Kaplan [University] had the best online delivery program that was out there. The Academic Dean’s advice was that this is a respected degree that you’re not going to have people questioning whether you were competent when you came out. Everything that you take there will be accepted if you go on to a master’s [program] anywhere so that was a very good recommendation. When I sat down at graduation, 31 years later, and I’m looking up at the podium and it says, ‘Kaplan University: a Different School of Thought’ that was probably more me because I do think a little differently. I’m willing to work on things that innovate and I think that’s more of an opportunity for me and many students like me.~N
The launch of the fall television season is underway and with it, the influx of commercial interruptions. Lexus is offering an alternative to the traditional 30-minute sitcom with the debut of its fourth season of L Studio. The popular broadband channel, which has delivered such award-winning entertainment as “Web Therapy” and “Puppy Love,” is now partnering with Academy Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno”) to debut her Web series “Red Band Trailer.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52359-lexus-l-studio-diablo-cody-red-band-trailer-celebrity-interviews
ConocoPhillips Company, the nation’s fourth-largest lubricants supplier, today introduced an inspiring testimonial featuring one of its long-time Kendall Motor Oil customers who has put more than 500,000 miles on his car, reinforcing the oil’s benefits to passenger car motorists including remarkable engine wear and friction protection. Jim White of Shreveport, La., is featured in a testimonial video (www.youtube.com/OfficialKendallOil) in which he proudly shares his personal story and appreciation for the value provided as a result of his consistent use of Kendall Motor Oil.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52198-conocophillips-kendall-motor-oil-car-shreveport-mileage-mile-500000-engine
Discovery Communications today announced the premiere programming slate for Velocity, set to debut October 4 at 7:00 PM (ET). An all-HD network targeting upscale men, Velocity will be available in more than 40 million homes at the channel location currently occupied by the HD Theater cable network. Velocity’s lineup for fourth quarter 2011 features an all-new primetime schedule and more than 140 original premiere hours overall; representing the best of the travel, leisure, automotive, adventure and sports genres.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52197-discovery-communications-q4-2011-velocity-programming-slate-for-men
In an unprecedented Food Network event, ten of the world’s most celebrated super chefs go to battle to become a member of the elite Iron Chef culinary society in a new eight-episode season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs, premiering Sunday, October 30th at 9pm ET/PT. Hosted by Alton Brown and shot in Los Angeles and New York, the fourth season of the series amps up the competition to meet the elevated skills of these supreme experts - challenging their kitchen chops, mental toughness and masterful instincts.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/46439-food-network-next-iron-chef/
The membership for Swissôtel Circle is divided into three alpine-inspired tiers: Inizia, Elevà and Zenit. These categories make reference to the brand’s Swiss origin and are expressions from Romansh, the fourth official language in Switzerland and language of the craggy eastern Alps – a region where Swiss tourism was born.
The journey with Swissôtel circle starts for loyal guests with Inizia as soon as they have registered and stayed for five nights in one or more of the company’s properties. These guests enjoy benefits such as personalised room preferences, priority waitlist status, complimentary access to spa and sport facilities as well as Advantage Awards, which they may exchange for free upgrade, free breakfast or free internet access.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/swissotel/50538/
Twelve percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report say they are planning to hire professional-level staff in the fourth quarter of 2011, while 5 percent foresee making cutbacks. The resulting net 7 percent increase in hiring activity is up four points from the third-quarter forecast. The portion (82 percent) of hiring executives saying they anticipate no change in staff levels is down from 90 percent three months ago.
Meanwhile, 59 percent of executives interviewed for the report said it is challenging to find skilled professionals today, up 17 points from the third quarter.
Fourth-quarter hiring projections were higher than the third-quarter forecast in nearly all professional segments.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/roberthalf/50680/
For the fourth year, Men’s Wearhouse has held a successful National Suit Drive, the country’s largest collection of gently used professional attire. The company devoted the month of August to encouraging patrons to transform their unwanted businesswear into a second chance for millions of disadvantaged Americans facing joblessness.
Despite recent job increases in select industries, the unemployment rate is still hovering just above an alarming 9 percent.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51934-men-s-wearhouse-fourth-annual-national-suit-drive
A CAPITOL FOURTH, the live PBS broadcast of America’s favorite Independence Day tradition, will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country’s best-known musical names topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star line-up that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; two-time Dancing with the Stars champion and chart-breaking Sony recording artist Mark Ballas, with his debut album HurtLoveBox in stores now; dancer and Emmy-nominated choreographer Chelsie Hightower from Dancing with the Stars; Rock ‘N Roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/capitalconcerts/47461/
Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti claimed victory for the fourth time at the fifth annual La Costeña “Feel the Heat” Jalapeño Eating Championship Challenge. Bertoletti, currently the second world ranked competitive eater in the sanctioned sport of Major League Eating (MLE), ate 275 whole jalapeños in eight minutes. The fifth annual challenge was a highly anticipated rematch between the reigning champ and his fiery arch nemesis: five-foot-tall, 100-pound Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. Thomas is the only other competitive eater, besides Bertoletti, who has won La Costeña’s grueling competition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/lacostena/49875/
