Recession Proof Jobs

According to Robert Half International these are careers that will “actually become more important to firms when the economy slows.” Links are provided to Careerbuilder.com

1. Senior accountants
These professionals are being hired to handle projects ranging from maintaining general ledger systems to analyzing and preparing financial statements.

Career cues: Candidates for senior accountant positions should possess solid communication, technology, organizational and analytical skills. Companies hiring senior accountants generally look for a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance as well as accreditations such as certified public account (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA).

2. Senior auditors
Changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers and other financial events continue to fuel demand for senior auditors.

Career cues: Public accounting firms seek auditors who can manage the audit process and troubleshoot problems. Strong interpersonal, communication and project management skills also are a must for this position. Employers look for candidates who can think strategically and identify, research and resolve tax issues, as well as work with other corporate functions to implement business plans and projects.

3. Web developers
The rise of social media and the expansion of companies’ online presence, Web 2.0 initiatives and interactive Web functionality have fueled further growth in Internet technologies, creating a need for Web developers.

Career cues: Web developers should have an in-depth knowledge of Internet protocols and applications in addition to a solid understanding of business strategy. They need strong communication skills and the ability to work both individually and as part of a team. Employers typically seek individuals with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, plus at least several years of Web-related experience. Candidates should be well-versed in Web technologies and tools such as Java, XML, ASP, ColdFusion, HTML/DHTML and others.

4. Programmer analysts
IT professionals with knowledge of .NET, SharePoint, Java or PHP are at a premium across companies in all industries, including health care, finance and manufacturing. These workers are needed to write code, test and debug software applications, and analyze business application requirements.

Career cues: Most employers look for a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science or management information systems, in addition to relevant job experience. Programmer analysts must understand and conceptualize applications from both a technical perspective and a business point of view. They also need strong interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent programming abilities in common languages such as C++, Java and Unix are necessary for the coding aspects of the position.

5. Administrative health care positions
Even in a grim job market, the health care industry continues to grow and offer great career opportunities. Many medical facilities are seeking administrative professionals with health care experience. Positions in high demand include medical file clerks, medical secretaries, patient admissions clerks and credentialing specialists.

Career cues: Employers typically require previous office or business experience, a high school diploma or equivalent, and basic computer and general office skills. Because these positions usually require collaborating with other office staff, candidates should be cooperative and able to work as part of a team. In addition, applicants should have good communication skills and be detail-oriented and adaptable.

6. Project managers
Advertising agencies and marketing departments need project managers who can ensure that projects come in on time and within budget. Those with experience managing digital projects are especially valued.

Career cues: Because these professionals often serve as a liaison between creative staff and clients, and ensure customer satisfaction, quality control and timely delivery of final products, excellent communication and multitasking abilities are a must. Diplomacy also is helpful when assisting internal and external clients with production-related question and concerns.

Americans Love Guns More Than Life

What’s wrong with this picture? An outbreak of salmonella sickened 453 people, caused 5 deaths and resulted in a national uproar. The Peanut Corporation of America was forced into bankruptcy. Two hundred or more people are killed annually by deranged people and the reaction is a large portion of our population clinging to their weapons and restating their second amendment rights. America has a fixation on gun ownership even if it means the loss of life.

Spring seems to be the time for killers to come out of their hives.

– Virginia Tech –32 killed, killer committed suicide

– Binghamton, NY –13 killed, killer committed suicide

– North Carolina –at a nursing home, 6 killed, 3 wounded

– Pittsburgh PA –3 officers killed

– Oakland, Calif –4 officers killed

– Columbine, Colorado –April 20th, 1999, two boys, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, killed 12 students and a teacher before committing suicide

Presidential assassinations and attempted assassinations have had little impact on the public in controlling gun ownership.

Assassinations

Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln was shot in the head while watching a play on April 14, 1865. He died on April 15, 1865.

James Garfield – Charles J. Guiteau, a mentally disturbed government office seeker, shot Garfield on July 2, 1881. The president did not die until September 19th of blood poisoning.

William McKinley – McKinley was shot two times by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while the president was visiting the Pan-American Exhibit in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. He died on September 14, 1901.

John F. Kennedy – On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was mortally wounded while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. His apparent assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed by Jack Ruby before standing trial.

Assassination Attempts

Andrew Jackson – On January 30, 1835, Andrew Jackson was attending a funeral for Congressman Warren Davis.

Theodore Roosevelt – An assassination attempt was actually not made on Roosevelt‘s life while he was in the office of president.

Franklin Roosevelt – After giving a speech in Miami on February 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara shot six shots into the crowd. None hit Roosevelt.

Harry Truman – On November 1, 1950, two Puerto Rican nationals attempted to kill President Truman to bring attention to the case for Puerto Rican independence.

Gerald Ford – Ford escaped two assassination attempts, both by women. First on September 5, 1975. The second attempt on Ford’s life occurred on September 22, 1975.

Ronald Reagan – On March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot in the lung by John Hinckley, Jr.

Those of us who want stronger gun controls are in the minority. I can only hope that this will change.

It’s Class Warfare

After reading the president’s book, “The Audacity of Hope”, listening to his speeches and presentations I have come to the following conclusions.

President Barack Obama really understands the meaning of class warfare. His father deserted his mother. She was left to struggle with the challenges of survival for Barack and herself in the challenging world of Hawaii. It was his grandparents that helped with the financial challenges that he and his mother faced. Given the large group of wealthy people living and visiting Hawaii, Barack Obama learned the meaning of working class family vs. wealthy. Is it any wonder that he sees the need to increase the opportunities for those of us not born into a wealthy family? Many of us can relate to his view that our society has given an unfair advantage to the rich at the expense of the rest of us.

His view of how our nation functions now and how it ought to function is obviously the driving force behind his push for a stimulus package, an enlarged national budget, a new health care system, and the many other programs he has proposed. He is trying to remake much of the system that makes our society function. This is a tall order. He may not be successful. He apparently believes that reaching his goals is more important than a second term in office.

Obviously many people will oppose his objectives. It will not only be Republicans. Many Democrats will aslo see his ideas as un-American and foreign to our history. Many people reading this column will see his ideas of remaking America as socialist, communist, or some other form of government that they find offensive. They are wrong. His ideas are to make Amercan society more just for everyone. That is the reason I call President Obama’s ideas class warfare.

The warfare is evident in the today’s outrage over the multi million dollar bonuses given to AIG managers. Merrill Lynch managers were given bonuses just prior to Bank of America’s acquisition of that firm. It is obvious that will hear about other bonus packages given to other banking and Wall Street companies. Those people receiving the bonuses and their friends see nothing wrong with the wealth and power they have. They are in a financial class that most of us will never know. That is the reason we are going to see more class warfare. Will the wealthy and powerful win or will it be the rest of us? Stay tuned.

The End of American Auto Manufacturing is Near

I predicted the American Auto Manufacturing Is Coming To An End! in August 2007. Trends seem to be confirming that prediction. It is not what I wanted but the handwriting has been on the wall for about 30 years. Each year imports have sold a greater percentage of the total United States sales. The American companies chose to ignore the fact that an ever shrinking number of buyers liked their products. The management of the American companies is to blame for the current situation. That this situation has grown critical when the entire economy is doing very badly only adds to a problem facing our government. Barack Obama must decide if the government should prop up the car manufacturers until the economy is strong enough to withstand the loss of thousands of auto manufacturing jobs.

My guess is that the U.S. government will support the car manufacturers for at least two years. The continuing support after an overall economic recovery is doubtful. Looking at European manufacturers that have government subsides will be enough motivation to discontinue subsidies at the earliest possible date.

I received Consumer Reports annual car edition just this week. Their conclusions about U.S. auto makers is devastating. Among the top 10 in their rating the only American car was the Chevrolet Corvette. Among the worst 10 cars, eight are American made. The three lowest rated cars are American made. Even worse in the overall rating of 15 manufacturers, the American companies took 12^th, 14^th, and 15^th place. Consumer Reports takes no advertising in order to prevent their ratings being influenced so I trust their evaluations. The have no axe to grind. Just a few years ago they rated all Hyundai cars very low but this year the Genesis 3.8 model landed on that list of top 10.

Today’s report on ABC World News that an Auditor Report Warns GM Survival ‘Doubtful’ only reinforces my opinion about the survivability of the American car companies.

It Probably is to Good to be True

How much time did you spend learning about your new digital camera? You know, that 150 page manual that was enclosed in the box. Then there was your plasma TV that came with a 30 page 8×10 manual. I know you read the part on set up and then filed it away in a place you will never remember. Finally there is the 140 page Franklin Templeton Investments prospectus they send out annually to all holders of their funds. You probably didn’t even open that booklet that is far more important than the digital camera and TV operating guides.

The people who gave their money to Bernard Madoff or Allen Stanford for investment wanted to believe that it was safe and would grow faster than most other investments. Apparently they did not do the “due diligence” that everyone should. They simply had faith. They did not want to read the manual.

We talk to someone for 30 minutes and decide, based on that short discussion, to rely on an “investment counselor”, “financial advisor”, or “financial planner” to invest our hard earned savings in a way that will provide growth and protection. I especially like the TV ad where you see the outside of an office where someone inside has stopped in, on the way to work, to get vocal reassurances that he should focus on his long term goals and not be worried that his portfolio is tanking.

I look in the Franklin Templeton Investments prospectus (printed copy, the on-line version is 11 months old) and find the following statement under the title Temporary Investments:

“When a manager believes market or economic conditions are unfavorable to investors, the manager may invest up to 100% of the funds assets in a temporary defensive manner by holding all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents, or other high quality short term investments. …”

Did you understand that? Although I have limited knowledge on investing I do know enough to look at the performance of this investment during the recent market collapse. I see a 52 week high of 7.14, a low of 5.92, and a current value of 6.51. OK, I am not happy but given the market situation the manager of this investment isn’t doing too badly. If he had made a mess of things I would dump this investment FAST.

What’s the idea I am conveying? Do your own investing. Do not rely on others. Don’t rely on words like “don’t panic” and “focus on your goals.” This is a bear market. You are trying to ensure your investments are safe. Remember, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”