Released on: August 11, 2008, 7:45 am

Press Release Author: Howard Schwartz - Communications Coordinator BBB CT

Industry: Human Resources

Press Release Summary: Tight job market demands verifying the reputation of
employment career counseling and job placement services


Press Release Body: Wallingford, CT - August 11, 2008 - As the national unemployment
rate continues to climb, Connecticut Better Business Bureau has advice for
job-seekers, to help them safely navigate the maze of available methods for finding
employment.

According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Hotton, the job
market is tight and competitive.

"In February there were more than 3.8 million openings in the job market. While this
sounds like a lot, there were more than twice as many people applying for those
jobs."

The current unemployment rate is five percent, and the Federal Reserve forecasts
that rate will rise as high as 5.7 percent in the coming months.
Hotton adds, "There are many places job-hunters can go for help landing a job, but
they should ensure they are using an organization they can trust."

Public Employment Service (a.k.a Job Service): This is a federally-funded,
state-operated program with 1,700 offices across the country. It provides free
assistance, and also operates America's Job Bank which lists hundreds of thousands
of job opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.jobbankinfo.org

Temporary (Temp) Services: These agencies place people looking for temporary
employment and their services are usually free of charge. Temporary positions can
sometimes evolve into permanent positions and give job hunters an opportunity to
bring in some money while the employment search continues.

Employment Agencies: In some cases, people looking for jobs must pay a fee to these
kinds of agencies, which search for employees to fill permanent or part-time
positions. Businesses seeking employees, however, typically pay for these
employment agency services.

Executive or Career Counseling Services: They help job hunters evaluate their career
path and provide guidance on resume writing, interview coaching and presentation.
These services may charge thousands of dollars for their services and do not
guarantee job placement.
BBB offers the following advice for job seekers when enlisting the help of an agency
or counselor:

. Always check out a job placement or career counseling organization with BBB
(www.bbb.org) first to view reliability reports that show not only how many
complaints a company may have received, but also if it works to resolve disputes
with clients.

. Carefully review any contracts for counseling or placement services, ensuring all
oral promises are included, even if that means taking the contract home and having a
trusted friend or relative also review the documents.

. Job seekers should be wary of paying upfront fees to a placement agency, and be
extremely cautious when giving out credit card or bank account information.

For additional BBB advice on finding a job, including tips and techniques for
writing a resume and performing well in job interviews, visit www.bbb.org


Web Site: http://www.bbb.org

Contact Details: Connecticut Better Business Bureau
94 South Turnpike Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492