If you are unemployed and filing tax returns, you want to make sure not to miss out on many deductions available to job seekers. We have recently published Tax Tips to Maximize Your Refund This Year and by popular request decided to continue on that subject, putting together a list of job related expenses that you can and can’t write off this year:
The Ground Rules
In order to maximize your deductions and not get in trouble with IRS, it is important to understand the ground rules:
• You can only write off expenses for a job search in the same field in which you were formerly employed. In other words, you can’t write off job search expenses if you decide to switch to a different career.
• Unfortunately, if you just recently graduated and/or haven’t held a full time position, you are not entitled to writing off expenses associated with your first job search. The tax law only allows you to write off expenses incurred in searching for a position in your present occupation.
Sometimes we are so bored. Many of us have a job that we really don’t like, which is, of course, very boring.
A latest study conducted by researchers at University College London shows that boredom can kill you. The researchers analyzed questionnaires completed between 1985 and 1988 by more than 7,500 London civil servants ages 35 to 55. The civil servants were asked if they had felt bored at work during the previous month.
They then found out how many of the participants had died by April 2009. Those who reported they had been very bored were two and a half times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who hadn’t reported being bored. Read this »
Jobs picture brightens a little with some companies now posting more ads seeking employees. Indeed.com, one of the largest jobs aggregators on the Internet, is keeping records on job postings and has seen the strongest gain in January of 2010.
The following are some of the industries with the strongest gains (when compared to January of last year):
Today’s headline reports indicate that the U.S. unemployment numbers surprisingly fell to a five-month low of 9.7%, according to the government report.
In reality, unemployment reached an all-time high of 18%, which is the official number reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are a few different categories (sets of data) published on a regular basis and the main focus is usually on “official” U3 unemployment rate (currently 9.7%, seasonally adjusted). Read this »
Polls and recent election results in Massachusetts are showing that Americans are gradually losing trust in government to fix the unemployment problem. Many Americans consider Washington too preoccupied with partisan politics, where positions or a political party are often put before the issues that really matter to the American people.
The recent loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat may be a wakeup call for Democrats and President Obama in particular, who campaigned on a slogan of change in Washington. Most Americans agree that there hasn’t been much of a change when it comes to bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.
With Democrats loosing their super-majority in Senate, we may now be seeing attempts to change the course. Leading Senate Democrats have just unveiled a new agenda to focus on job creation with first votes on additional legislation expected on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) did not elaborate on the details of the legislation but emphasized that Democrats are seeking bipartisan support: “We don’t agree on everything, but we certainly agree on the fact that we’re going to move forward on a jobs agenda. That’s why we’re here and we will have a vote on a jobs bill on Monday.” Reid said.
When the U.S. labor market finally starts adding more jobs than it loses, we may find that some of our old jobs don’t exist anymore.
The economy lost over seven million jobs since the downturn started two years ago. The jobless rate doubled and reached 10%, according to the Labor Department. The recession is reshaping the labor market. While some lost jobs will come back, others are gone forever. Read this »
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its 2008-18 employment projections. Based on the relationship between the population, labor force, and demand for goods and services the job openings results have been projected. Let’s see what changes are expected in goods-producing and service-producing industries.
As we can see construction is projected to gain the most jobs (1.34 million). Employment in construction is expected to rise 19 percent. Demand for commercial construction and an increase in road, bridge, and tunnel construction will account for the bulk of job growth. Manufacturing sector projected to lose 1.21 million jobs as productivity gains, automation, and international competition adversely affect employment in most manufacturing industries. However, employment in a few manufacturing industries will increase. For example, employment in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing is expected to grow by six percent by 2018; however, this increase is expected to add only 17.600 new jobs. Employment in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting is expected to decrease by 1 % because of rising costs of production, increasing consolidation, and more imports of food and lumber. Read this »
In today’s economy many companies are forced to lay off employees in order to maintain profitability. Whether you suddenly find yourself unemployed, or you are no longer satisfied with your current job, a change in your career path may be just what you need to make a fresh start. It is a difficult decision which takes time and money. That is why when thinking about making a career change, it is important to consider career skills, job satisfaction, salary and some other points. It is also important to make sure the career you choose will be in demand a few years from now.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its 2008-18 employment projections where presented twenty occupations with the fastest growth and twenty occupations with the fastest decline.
Read this »
The winter holidays are over and many job seekers are now returning to their job search. If you are currently unemployed and haven’t had much luck in 2009, this moment may be a good time to reevaluate and adjust your strategy. We have put together this list of 10 New Year’s Resolutions, as voted by our readers, to help make your Job Search in 2010 more productive.
1. Stay Positive
2009 was a difficult year for many job seekers. If you haven’t been able to find a job, the last thing you want to do is give up looking or lose hope. All professionals agree that a positive attitude makes a drastic difference. If you radiate confidence, potential employers can feel it and you will perform better at interviews. It is easier said than done but we feel it is so important that we have put it up at the top of our list.
Read this »
If you are unemployed and filing tax returns, you want to make sure not to miss out on many deductions available to job seekers. We have recently published 
Jobs picture brightens a little with some companies now posting more ads seeking employees. Indeed.com, one of the largest jobs aggregators on the Internet, is keeping records on job postings and has seen the strongest gain in January of 2010.
Today’s headline reports indicate that the U.S. unemployment numbers surprisingly fell to a five-month low of 9.7%, according to the government report.
Polls and recent election results in Massachusetts are showing that Americans are gradually losing trust in government to fix the unemployment problem. Many Americans consider Washington too preoccupied with partisan politics, where positions or a political party are often put before the issues that really matter to the American people.
The recent loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat may be a wakeup call for Democrats and President Obama in particular, who campaigned on a slogan of change in Washington. Most Americans agree that there hasn’t been much of a change when it comes to bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.
When the U.S. labor market finally starts adding more jobs than it loses, we may find that some of our old jobs don’t exist anymore.
In today’s economy many companies are forced to 
