Tips for Writing Persuasive Cover Letters
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A well-written cover letter can not only deliver a solid
first impression, it can actually influence the hiring
manager even before the resume is reviewed.

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Minnesota Employment and Unemployment Release
Minnesota's unemployment rate rose five-tenth of a percentage point to 5.8 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis. The number of jobs dropped by 8,600 or -0.3 percent over the month on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Source MN DEED

Living in a World With No Time Boundaries
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If you have the time to read this (I'll bet that you don't),
I want to tell you about a very prevalent and destructive
force that is now taking over corporate America. What force?
It's the force destroying boundaries on time. Read More...

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Twin Cities Minnesota Manufacturing Company Recruiting Practices

In July 2008, MINNESOTAJOBS.COM conducted a survey of over 500 Twin Cities manufacturing companies to test the health of this sector. Our questions ranged from recruitment advertising methods used, yearly turnover, current and near future hiring efforts, types of jobs they were hiring for and diversity programs . Below is an executive summary of the results of our survey:

Advertising methods:
Print – 52.6%,
Radio/TV - 1.8%,
The Web – 82.5%,
Other (temp services, head hunters) – 11.5%.
Note: The total equals greater than 100% because our respondents frequently selected multiple responses.

Conclusion: The internet has become the most prevalent advertising method. Manufacturing companies are posting jobs on their Web site, career Web sites and other Internet areas.

Hiring Time Frame:
Hiring now: 21.5%,
Hiring in the next 3 months: 12.3%
Are constantly hiring: 50.9%
No short term hiring: 15.3%
Note: The total equals greater than 100% because our respondents frequently selected multiple responses.

Conclusion: Manufacturing companies are, for the most part, in a hiring mode.

Workers needed:
General Production: 52.8%
Skilled Production: 56.1%
Engineering: 43.9%
Office: 59.6%

Note: The total equals greater than 100% because our respondents frequently selected multiple responses.

Conclusion: Twin Cities manufacturing companies are looking for a wide range of skill sets.

The turnover rate in the manufacturing companies we surveyed varied widely. The average yearly turnover rate was 9.4%.

54.4% of the manufacturing companies we surveyed have an active diversity program.

Overall conclusion: Although layoffs make the news, in general there is strength to the manufacturing sector in the Twin Cities based on worker demand. Also, more than 1/2 of the manufacturing companies surveyed are committed to a diverse workforce.

Minnesota Employment and Unemployment Release

Minnesota's unemployment rate dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.3 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis. The number of jobs rose by 3,400 or 0.1 percent over the month on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Source MN DEED