The recent release of CareerBuilder and USA Today’s mid-year nationwide survey of more than 2,500 hiring and HR managers and more than 4,400 workers shows that the economy is projected to trend upward and that the numbers are on par with last quarter’s positive changes. Employers will continue to hire at a consistent but moderate pace and will primarily focus on preserving current clientele and fueling new revenue opportunities.

Three trends that were highlighted for in the second half of 2010 were:

1. Emerging Jobs – Employers are looking to fill positions relatively new to the work force. Twenty-four percent of employers said they are recruiting for positions in social media, green energy, cyber security, global relations and health care reform.

2. Changing Jobs – Employers are implementing measures to retain top performers. According to the forecast, 29 percent of all workers plan to leave their organizations in the next 12 months as the economy continues to improve.

3. Shortage of Skilled Labor – One-in-five employers reported that, despite an abundant labor pool, they still have positions for which they can’t find enough qualified candidates. Nearly half of HR managers claim there is a shortage of skills in those areas related to IT, Customer Service and Communications.

To view the complete report, you can download a copy by clicking here.

A few weeks ago, I read an article on Mashable that broke down the revamps and additions to existing LinkedIn groups. I was very excited to read about the updates, but what caught my attention was something that actually wasn’t so new to these groups.

According to the article, “You may not know this, but the business social network actually gives you the option to ‘follow’ individuals if you want to see what they’re saying in different groups, but aren’t his or her connection.”

If you’ve read my previous post on LinkedIn, you already know that I am a huge fan of the site (yes, I really am). That being said, the idea of knowing I could be followed by a complete stranger – my every comment instantly shared with them at just the click of a button – made me a little uncomfortable. Could someone that I don’t even know really click on one follow button and instantly receive notifications for my every post within our shared groups? Without even giving me any sort of notification about their follow??

Some of you may be wondering, what is the follow button? Where can you find it? To give you a little breakdown: the follow feature was released in late 2009 and it allows users to quickly find the contributions made by fellow group members they “value.” When you post something on a LinkedIn group, a follow button is added right under your photo. If someone would like to keep track of your comments within your shared groups, they simply have to click that follow button. From there, they receive updates with your latest group comments and what’s more, they can sign up for e-mail notifications of the comments you post.

How can you check out who you’re following and who’s following you? It’s really easy. Hover over the groups tab at the top navigation on LinkedIn. Click following on the drop down list. This will take you to a page with all of your followers and who you’re following (as seen below). If you’ve never followed anyone and wonder why you have names listed under the “people I’m following” category, keep in mind that LinkedIn automatically adds all of your connections to that list, and vice versa for your connections (but being a connection is not necessary to follow someone).

After learning all of this information, I wanted to see what my fellow LinkedIn users thought. So what did I do? I did what any avid and dedicated LinkedIn user would do and I took it right to the groups and asked my fellow users the following question: how do you feel about being followed by someone not connected to you on LinkedIn? I’ve compiled some of the answers I got and am reporting them back to you here (I even got a LinkedIn employee in on the discussion!).

Overall, I received a wide range of responses. Some of my fellow group members felt against the whole idea and some were all for being followed. Both sides presented great points. I’ll let you decide where you stand for yourself, but here are some of the pros and cons to being followed on LinkedIn:

Based off of the findings listed above, I’ve come up with my own conclusion on the LinkedIn follow feature (for now). I think following can certainly present some good opportunities (and obviously, an overwhelming number of responses from other users all show they share the same sentiment) but I also think it’s important to use discretion in your online activity. While I still think there should be an option to opt out of being followed by anyone, as long as you’re aware that this feature exists, you can better protect yourself in the future. So, why not take a moment to stop by your LinkedIn page and check out your followers?

Would you like to read more about potential security risks on social networking sites similar to what you’ve just read? Download a copy of our latest whitepaper, which gives you advice on how to protect yourself on social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If you would like a copy of the whitepaper, please click here.

We tweeted. You clicked. Here are some of the most popular tweets we sent out this week…

How to Get Yourself Head-Hunted | BNET http://ow.ly/1Cmxk

Treasury Unveils New $100 Bill: Fun Facts About the Benjamins – CBS MoneyWatch.com http://ow.ly/1CmFl

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StormStaff is excited to participate in the Great American Bake Sale! We will be hosting the bake sale event in our… http://bit.ly/9CFBTg

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Looking for a job can be tiresome and is pretty much a job within itself! Between applying to jobs, networking and getting on the radar of hiring managers – all while still trying to maintain your personal life – it can be overwhelming. What happens when you’re feeling low on energy? What can you do to boost it up? Here are some tips we’ve gathered to help you bring up your energy any time you’re feeling a little sluggish:

Change your diet. Eat snacks containing protein and a complex carbohydrate. You may look to candy bars or sodas for a sugar boost but those will only provide you with a temporary fix. Sugary foods will take you on a roller coast, making you feel good at the beginning, but sluggish later. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Take breaks. If you take short breaks every now and then, it can actually help you overcome fatigue and get more done in the day. If you take one break of five to ten minutes (or even less), it’ll keep your energy up. Studies have shown that schedules allowing brief, frequent breaks are best in terms of fighting fatigue and increasing productivity.

Move around. Contrary to a belief that exercise may cause tiredness, it actually serves as a great way to bring up your energy! You don’t have to run a half marathon every day, but consider taking a brisk walk for 15 to 30 minutes. This can be done through a number of ways: maybe at the mall, while doing groceries, parking further away from your car, etc. Even a small amount of exercise will send oxygen to the brain, improve circulation and get feel good endorphins running through the body!

Surround yourself with positive energy and avoid the negative individuals that may be around you. These people can drain your energy, so if you have a bad feeling, you’re probably better off just ignoring them. Instead, try to surround yourself with positive people whenever possible. If you’re not sure if someone’s negative enough to affect your levels, think about how you feel around them. What kinds of emotions do they stir up?

Following these tips will bring your energy levels up during the times you need it most! However, don’t forget to keep your mind on the big picture during your job hunt. If you focus on the end result, it will help motivate you towards your goal.

“Why is this position vacant?” “What is the company culture like at this company?” “How are candidates evaluated and what’s the measure of success?” According to Tory Johnson, Good Morning America’s resident job advice expert, asking questions like these during your interview can give you some crucial intelligence  into how the company works and what you can expect if you work there.

When recruiters ask job seekers “Do you have any questions for me?” the worst answer is “no.” Asking questions shows that you’re genuinely interested in that particular company and position, according to Johnson.

Ask about things like company culture, which means what it’s like to work at that company. This includes the vibe, the atmosphere, the values, the work styles and preferences and what it’s like to be in that environment every day.

The “must ask” that you should always end the interview with is “What are the next steps in this process?” Maybe you’ll have a follow up interview. Maybe there’s some testing involved. Asking this question will help you determine the best follow up procedure and timeline, the decision process, the expected start date.

We tweeted. You clicked. Here are some of the most popular tweets we sent out this week…

CB: The Hiring Site Ready for Earth Day 2010? Majority of Employers Are Doing Something to Be More Environmentally … http://ow.ly/178iOi

Our Ft. Lauderdale Office is excited to participate in the Great American Bake Sale!! http://bit.ly/dxC6fu

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Temp Jobs featured on Good Morning America: Need a Job? Skilled Professionals, Low-Wage Workers Needed to Temp http://bit.ly/d83GOF

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CB: The Hiring Site Introducing CareerBuilder’s Ultimate Recruitment Guide (Free Download) http://ow.ly/175Cls

In the current state of the economy, many graduating students may get nervous about starting a job search after graduation. Unemployment rates are high and graduating seniors face an increasingly competitive workforce, but there are still many employers who are open to hiring recent graduates without experience. If you are a senior about to graduate soon, you may want to begin the job-search process now. How can you start?

As graduation approaches, you should start to develop an idea of what you want to do and try to focus on where you want to live, what type of positions you’d like and possible employers. There are several resources that can help guide you in the right direction. Many schools have Career Centers that offer services and resources aimed at helping students make career decisions and conduct their job searches. Individual career counseling, resume/cover letter critiquing, on-campus recruitment, mock interviews and personality tests are just some of the services offered at these centers. There are also several online resources for job seekers (there are too many to list, but you can find some of them on our website – including resume tips, cover letter advice and more here).

Several companies also have college recruiting programs aimed to recruit students straight out of college, which can offer great work experience.  Our sister company, SkillStorm, recently launched the SkillStorm Program for Extreme Educational Development (SPEED), an all expenses paid college recruiting program that targets top students from across the country. If you are interested to learn more about the program, you can visit SPEED on Facebook.

As a recent college graduate who is looking for a job, it is important that you do not limit your job search only to the career you thought you were going to have. Instead, be flexible and broaden the number of fields you are considering. If you can, try to apply for as many jobs and recruiting opportunities as possible. Remember, do not allow yourself to get discouraged. If you can stay motivated and focused, you will find plenty of opportunities to apply for!

Some other job seeking resources include:

-          Signing up for our Career Tips and Tricks newsletters delivered to your inbox each week.

-          Using online career tests and tools that are offered to the public free of charge. These will give you some ideas about career paths that will get you to the career alternatives you’re considering.

-          You can also check our job board for the latest entry level job listings across the country.

Source: The Washington Post

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Whether you’re a recent college grad who just entered the working world or a seasoned professional at management level, utilizing a career mentor can be beneficial to you at all stages.

Take a moment and consider what you would want out of a relationship with your mentor. Your needs may vary depending on your career level. Some individuals need guidance on handling new professional experiences, others may need help reflecting on previous work and getting to the next level. You may also want to think about the types of skills your mentor can help you develop.

When choosing a mentor, there are several other considerations you can take into account:

-          Someone who has had similar goals to your own.

-          Have they had a career path similar to the one you desire?

-          Try to find someone you admire and respect.

-          Do they have time available to put towards this relationship?

-          Find someone who is compatible with your personality.

Career mentors can help you develop or improve upon your career plan, grow your skills for success and work with you to answer career and workplace questions that may come up along the way.

There are several other benefits to having a mentor, including:

-          Helping you develop a strategy, identify your goals and figure out the best way to reach them.

-          Offering guidance to lead you in the right direction and keep you on track with the goals you have set out.

-          Helping you reflect and discover what you want out of your career to get you to the next level.

A great article in Women media gives a brief breakdown of the levels of mentorship and the attributes and experience you need from a mentor at each stage of your career. While the examples are within an organization, they can also be used for meeting mentors outside of employment as well:

Early Career Mentoring
What you need in a mentor:
You need exposure to key players (can be within the organization if you are employed), advice on your business strategy, functional skills required for the future, and feedback on your personal style and communication.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior person (in the organization if you are employed) with successful job/career experience, excellent leadership skills and an effective communication style. He or she should be accessible and known for supporting younger professionals.

Manager Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need opportunities for growth and exposure through projects, initiatives or consideration for open positions, increased understanding of company culture (in the organization if you are employed), and the political skills and key relationships required to advance.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior executive who is supportive of other key managers, well-respected, gives others the opportunity to learn and is known to be politically astute.

Officer Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need visibility at the top of the organization (if employed together), and help with style issues that may be interfering with your success.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior executive who champions people, has the ear of the CEO within the company (if you are employed together) or who may know several executives at that level in other organizations, who will be direct and honest, and who manages an important strategic business area.

Top Executive Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need high-level support, good peer relationships, a person on the same wavelength as the CEO and aware of your successes and accomplishments.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior decision-maker who has a history of supporting the careers of key executives.

Remember, this is a commitment not only on your part but for your career mentor as well. Let them know you are serious and appreciate their efforts. The relationship you share with your mentor should be one of openness, introspection, accountability and sharing successes and failures alike. If you get the most out of the mentoring process, it will be a mutually beneficial experience for both of you.

We tweeted. You clicked. Here are some of the most popular tweets we sent out this week…

- CB: The Hiring Site Know Who You Aren’t: A Lesson In Employment Branding Done Right http://ow.ly/171aoL

- Alexandra Levit’s Water Cooler Wisdom: 5 Personal Qualities Every Resume Should Demonstrate http://ow.ly/1wcdH

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- 162,000 jobs were added last month! http://ow.ly/1uNYr

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We tweeted. You clicked. Here are some of the most popular tweets we sent out this week…

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- CB: The Hiring Site Tweeting When You Should Be Digging? New Survey May Have You Rethinking That Social Recruiting … http://ow.ly/16WEpA

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- Approach Passive Candidates Differently! http://ow.ly/1reEq

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- Oops. Did you just say that at work? http://bit.ly/aEOACz