March Job Cuts Decline 18% to 41,528

CHICAGO, March 30, 2011 – While government-sector job cuts rose to their highest level in 12 months, the pace of downsizing declined in March as employers announced plans to reduce payrolls by 41,528 jobs during the month, down 18 percent from 50,702 job cuts announced in February.

The report on March job-cut announcements released Wednesday by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. revealed that March job cuts were down 39 percent from a year ago, when employers announced 67,611 job cuts.

myStaffingPro’s Chief Information Officer Receives Usability Certification

(Lima, Ohio) March 29, 2011 – myStaffingPro, a leading applicant tracking system provider, is proud to announce that their chief information officer, Jennifer Brogee, has received certification in the Human Factors International Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) program. myStaffingPro is the first applicant tracking vendor to employ a Human Factors International Certified Usability Analyst.

Human Factors International is an innovative program that validates a usability practitioner’s expertise in user-centered design. To receive the certification, Brogee passed an examination to demonstrate her mastery of the fundamental principles of user-centered design.

Is Diversity Recruiting a Thing of the Past?

It may soon be. As reported by the Pew Hispanic Center, Hispanics accounted for more than half of the nation’s growth in the past decade; the 2010 Census counted 50.5 million Hispanics in the United States. The nation’s Latino population, which was 35.3 million in 2000, grew 43% over the decade, and Hispanics now represent 16.3% of the total U.S. population. The Hispanic population also accounted for the majority of the nation’s growth (56%) from 2000 to 2010.

Carefully Choose Your Networks

Just a scant three years ago this whole social networking thing exploded. We started getting networking sites all over the place that were replacing the old communities that traded on the value of discussion boards. They were pushing over places like Yahoo! Groups and other discussion sites that are now gone and whose names are scant to remember.

Now we have sites that provide images of the persons with whom we’re interacting. People have increased identity and relevance. These people can blog and write on walls and send private messages and all sorts of things. However, the basic component of these networks is still getting acquainted with others, building relationships with them, sharing information and opinions, having conversations.

Transforming Talent Acquisition – Using Strategy, a Little Common Sense and Today’s Tools

There is a recording of this webinar available – login to view.

Sourcing and Recruiting requires more than a great network and a strong talent pipeline. You are expected to recruit talented individuals which are not only quick learners, high producers but fit the corporate culture; you are also expected to meet and/or exceed the budgeted ROI at the end of each year.

So how do we insure we spend the right amount of time and effort on sourcing and recruiting talent which indeed adds value to the bottom line?

HRsmart and VMN+ Partner to expand IT Offerings

March 29, 2011 – USA and Argentina – HRsmart International opened a new division via a new venture with VMN+, headquartered in Argentina. The partnership will provide companies a professional and high quality choice in the international IT outsourcing market.

With a track record spanning all around the globe, profound expertise, and over two hundred employees, VMN+’s offerings will complement HRsmart’s long experience dealing with multi-cultural, geographically diversified teams, and proven success worldwide. With over thirty combined years of experience in the IT and HR technology industries, HRsmart and VMN+ will expand their offerings to provide more companies with access to world class IT solutions, talent, and skill.

AP Workplace Media Launches Digital Magazine for Employees

Phoenix, Ariz. – March 24, 2011 – AP Workplace Media, a B2B provider of leading-edge workplace communication products and related services, has launched the inaugural issue of Workplace 411®, the first digital magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of employees.

Designed to serve as an extension of a company’s HR and training departments, and to supplement EAP offerings, the bi-monthly magazine provides employees with solutions to everyday workplace and career questions, allowing them to make a greater contribution to the organizations for which they work.

Switzerland – a picture of the future of recruitment in Western Europe?

March 29, 2011 — Whilst the proportion of foreigners in top management does not follow the internationalization of the economic activity in most European countries, the percentage of foreigners in the top management of Swiss multinational companies has increased dramatically during the last 15 years to over 50% according to some sources whilst the proportion in upper management is only slightly lower. The phenomenon has also hit SME’s where the number of foreign CEO’s is rising, notably with a great proportion of German nationals at the helm of small industrial companies. Finally, a certain number of roles (for example French nationals in procurement roles in French speaking Switzerland) have become almost exclusively populated by foreigners.

PepsiCo Launches First-Of-Kind Careers Mobile Application

March 28, 2011: Global food and beverage company PepsiCo has developed a robust, first-of-kind Careers mobile application for iPad, iPhone and Droid devices in the United States called “Possibilities…” to advance recruiting efforts and better engage with potential talent. Video content and feeds to social media channels invite job seekers to learn about the people and culture of PepsiCo and inspire them to explore the possibilities of a career at PepsiCo.

The ‘Possibilities…’ app captures and conveys the excitement of being part of a dynamic, diverse, global company with powerful brands and top talent,” said Chris Hoyt, PepsiCo’s Talent Engagement and Marketing Leader. “It does more than just post jobs. It takes a new approach to show the people that make up PepsiCo, sharing what their lives are like and what’s possible in a career at PepsiCo.”

CEB’s “Benefits Manager” Survey

The Corporate Executive Board regularly surveys heads of Benefits at some of the largest companies in the U.S. in order to obtain their views on key challenges and topics they follow. CEB this month conducted their latest “Benefits Manager” poll and the results are finally in.

Of note, in Q4 of 2010, many organizations seemed to become more conservative regarding dropping their health care benefits, although this trend has reversed itself in Q1 2011. According to CEB, this change might reflect the fluctuation of repeal activity and how firms came to perceived it; and/or firms coming to realize the impact the reform law would have on their businesses.