262,000 new jobs in February

[Nilsen]

Skill and creativity is always in demand. If you dont have the latter you can aquire the former.

I have never met anyone who could not get a job if he/she was willing to try anything or move.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by oboe
What line are you in,  Martlet?   Bankruptcy law or pharmaceutical sales?

IT.  I made a move almost three years ago that was a decent pay raise, then I just made another recently that almost doubled it again.  I stayed within the same industry.

[Gunslinger]

Maybe if your job doesnt pay as good as it did three years ago you were over paid then.

Jobs work on supply and demand.  Places will pay more for workers that are in short supply.

EDIT:

and its not just outsourcing, the technology market is changing/evolving.  I lost my job because Motorola said they'd fix any of our trunked radios for a $200 flat rate.  No longer do you need 3 radio techs making $20 + an hour......1 plus a shipping clerk will do just fine.

all Motorola does is throw the broken ones away after recycling the precious metals.

That's alot of the reason why I re-enlisted.  Garunteed work for 4+ years with a possible retirment check only 10+ years away.

[Steve]

Yes, and all of the ones that I'm being offered pay 60% of what I was making 6 months ago.

Too bad you have job skills that must not be ion as strong demand as it was in the past.  Or maybe your field is flooded with talent.  Nahhh, that couldn't be it, it HAS to be Bush's fault.

[Eagler]

[oboe]

Originally posted by Martlet
IT.  I made a move almost three years ago that was a decent pay raise, then I just made another recently that almost doubled it again.  I stayed within the same industry.

Sorry about that if my comments hit pretty close to home.   The fact is there are thousands of workers in India, China, the Phillippines, etc, who have PhDs in Computer Science and would be most likely willing and able to do what you do for less than 10% of your salary.   And every day more companies are willing to take advantage of the savings.  It gets easier and easier for companies to move IT operations offshore.

I think you are right to job-hop like that - loyalty to companies is dead, killed by senior execs who value short term profits over long term stability.   Get what you can while you can, then move on.   No matter how good you are, you are simply a salary cost to management, one that is being constantly compared to salary costs elsewhere.    If the numbers don't look right to the person(s) making the decisions, you will be out faster than ***** through a goose.

If you are able, go quickly for an ownership stake or high level leadership role in the company to protect yourself.    Or keep at least 6 months living expenses on hand at all times, and get used to looking over your shoulder.

Good luck to you, Martlet.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by oboe
Sorry about that if my comments hit pretty close to home.   The fact is there are thousands of workers in India, China, the Phillippines, etc, who have PhDs in Computer Science and would be most likely willing and able to do what you do for less than 10% of your salary.   And every day more companies are willing to take advantage of the savings.  It gets easier and easier for companies to move IT operations offshore.

I think you are right to job-hop like that - loyalty to companies is dead, killed by senior execs who value short term profits over long term stability.   Get what you can while you can, then move on.   No matter how good you are, you are simply a salary cost to management, one that is being constantly compared to salary costs elsewhere.    If the numbers don't look right to the person(s) making the decisions, you will be out faster than ***** through a goose.

If you are able, go quickly for an ownership stake or high level leadership role in the company to protect yourself.    Or keep at least 6 months living expenses on hand at all times, and get used to looking over your shoulder.

Good luck to you, Martlet.

That's not completely true.  You aren't just a salary cost to companies, you're an asset.

If they can get the same asset elsewhere for less money, they will.  However, it has to be an acceptable asset.

My worth to the company isn't my set of job skills, they can find plenty of other people with the same skill set willing to work for less.  My worth is my knowledge of the industry in New England.  You can't hire someone from India that has the same knowledge and connections that I do.  I made myself valuable, not just another resume.

I'm not loyal to a company.  I am, however, loyal to people and ethics.

[OneWordAnswer]

Originally posted by oboe
Lower wages, fewer jobs qualifying for overtime pay, much more expensive healthcare, and now your guaranteed retirement benefits are being threatened.

Oh, and I read to today crude oil at $80/bbl is possible.

Pretty tough row to hoe for the American worker these days.

Victim.

[Lye-El]

Originally posted by Eagler

Health execs cash in big $$$
February 14, 2005 TRACK0214
   

February has been a red-letter month for a half-dozen officers and directors of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group. Collectively, the six exercised stock options that resulted in sales totaling $29 million during the first two weeks of the month.

General Counsel David Lubben was the largest benefactor, netting $12.1 million after exercising nearly 156,000 options at $11 to $13 a share and selling them at $90 a share. Other executives making some cool change were William Munsell, chief executive of the Specialized Care Services unit, $5.7 million, and Uniprise CEO Tracy Bahl, $5.6 million.

Board members who cashed in options included former Clinton Cabinet member Donna Shalala, $3.3 million; former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean, $1.3 million, and William Spears, $1 million.

UnitedHealth has had several years of record revenue and double-digit profit growth, which has translated into a strong stock price. Company Chairman Dr. William McGuire last year took home $114.5 million from stock options.



Yep, money to be made there. Especially if they give you the stock.

I guess health care expense isn't the band aids or the treating doctor.

[Nilsen]

dear mr OneWordAnswer

please say you also have another account here that is less annoying

[Eagler]

when did your case of class envy start?

[oboe]

Feeling threatened Eagler?

[Steve]

I'm in the best financial situation of my life.  I like the road I'm hoeing just fine, thanks.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by Steve
I'm in the best financial situation of my life.  I like the road I'm hoeing just fine, thanks.

It's just another case of the "too lazy to make its" blaming someone else.

[Eagler]

Originally posted by oboe
Feeling threatened Eagler?

LOL
I hope no one is envious of my "got married, had a son at 19 and worked every possible hour to support my wife and two kids" collection of wealth
LOL