You’ve Got the Job! See You in Six Months

Is there such a thing as job security without a job? In this recession, anything’s possible.

To balance a strict hiring freeze with the need to secure talent, more and more employers are signing up new hires with delayed start dates, some as long as six to eight months away.

In a new CareerBuilder survey, one in ten of more than 2,500 hiring managers, HR managers and other recruiters said they’ve recently offered positions with postponed start dates. The move allows them to develop staff for the future, while keeping the current headcount down as the recession lingers.

Less than half of these recruiters said they provided a pay incentive to new hires who were willing to wait out the downturn, the survey found.

The new strategy comes as employers face the allure of a buyers’ market for talent at a time when few have the resources to take them on…

Screwed: 2,000 at Cisco

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Partial Total:4,340

Cisco is planning to cut possibly up to 2,000 jobs…Royal Dutch Shell is considering closing its Montreal oil refinery, putting 550 jobs in jeopardy…Armour-Eckrich is closing their meat plant in Hastings on July 17th, costing 370 workers their jobs…General Motors Mexico plans to layoff 300 employees…Silver Line is closing their Fall River plant, costing 287 workers their jobs…Austrian car interiors manufacturer Eybl plans to cut 230 jobs at its four Hungarian plants…Teleporformance is set to layoff 218 employees in Dublin…Advanta plans to cut 50% of its staff, leaving fewer than 200 employees…West Penn Allegheny Health Services plans to layoff 185 workers…

Recession Briefing 7.13

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Nearly a quarter of the homes listed for sale in the U.S. have had at least one price reduction, with an average discount of 10% off the original asking price. (TIME)

“I don’t think the worst is over,” said Larry Summers, director of the National Economic Council. “It’s very likely that more jobs will be lost. It would not be surprising if GDP has not yet reached its low.” (Financial Times)

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman cite new research that says a healthy dose of estrogen may be the key not only to our fiscal recovery, but also to economic strength worldwide. (Washington Post)

The economic recession, with its associated decline in global commodity prices, has created an unexpected byproduct: Demand for recyclables has all but dried up. (The Daily Beast)

Cabin Fever? Meet at the Apartment.

Even with the sun finally shining, starting the week alone in the city can be a drag. On the first Monday of every month, Meet at the Apartment, an uber-stylish meeting space in Soho, is hosting a day of workshops and hanging out for consultants, freelancers and job hunters.

Throughout the day, there will be interviews with entrepreneurs on how they launched their businesses, and a lesson on networking from One of Those People Who Knows Everybody. They’re throwing in free wifi, coffee, snacks and office supplies. Please don’t embarrass us by walking out with your pockets stuffed full of Post-It pads…

Swap Parties for Small People

Even a bad economy can’t stop parent peer pressure—those overpriced strollers and designer baby sneakers are a persistent part of the dynamic. But for some frugal parents these pint size luxuries don’t cost quite that much, or anything at all.

Even while retailers like Carter’s and Gap are posting solid sales in baby apparel, an increasing number of parents say they’re cutting costs on high-end purchases like strollers and cribs by shopping secondhand. An even cheaper—and more fun—option is the growing number of swap parties for people with kids.

The clothing swap concept has been written about a ton, and is fairly simple. Groups of friends come together to trade duds they no longer wear. The kids’ version is pretty much the same, with parents exchanging strollers, clothes and toys they don’t need.

Hosting a swap can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect, which is why we’ve put together a handy guide for throwing your first kids’ swap party…

Free Dates at Friendly Stores

Good news: the economic big brains (except for Dr. Doom(s), Nouriel Roubini and Marc Faber) think the market is heading for a rebound and that typically precedes a general rebound by 12-18 months. Bad news: joblessness has hit 9.5%. While the statistics and methodology for determining joblessness borders on pseudo-science, it’s a bad sign indeed. So people will have to continue drinking powdered water (just add water) for the time being. But how do you keep the relationship (the old ball and chain) fun during these times of woe? “Be creative and keep your peepers peeled” is how.

Our pahtnahs (sound it out) over at Shine are reporting that Ikea (the Swedish furniture brand that allows you the freedom to construct your own furniture and invariably give you enough extra parts that you’re convinced you did something wildly wrong during the assembly) in New York offers childcare services to customers. In fact, the “customers” need not be even actively shopping to receive 45 minutes of free couch time.

Screwed: 1,000 at Alcatel-Lucent

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Partial Total:2,464

Alcatel-Lucent plans to layoff 1,oo0 employees in France…New Zealand Post is set to let 400 employees go…Corus is planning another round of layoffs, this time affecting 366 workers…PPD is due to eliminate 270 jobs…International Game Technologies plans to cut 161 jobs…Vale Inco is set to layoff 140 workers worldwide…Vandalia Correctional Center plans to layoff 127 employees…

Recession Briefing 7.10

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

The number of people setting up their own households has fallen to some of the lowest levels in a generation, a trend that threatens to prolong the recession. (Washington Post)

A “mancession” is a recession that hurts men much more than women — and we are allegedly in the worst mancession in recent history. (The Atlantic)

Families and business owners all over the country are collecting money to keep open public pools that their cities can’t afford. (Associated Press)

Recessionary Travel Devices

Ah, summer. A time of travel, fun — and trying to cut down on staycations. If you’re getting away this summer, or even thinking about it, The Simple Dollar has these rules for keeping costs down. The list was written for businesses, but it seems useful for anyone heading out on the road:

Plan around public transportation. Before you leave, figure out how to get to your hotel using public transportation in the city, print out the route, and keep it with you. Do the reverse for the return trip as well.

Make lodging reservations directly with the branch you’re staying at. Use web sites to identify places to stay, but before reserving a room, call the hotel directly before using the online reservation system and don’t hesitate to ask for a reduced rate while on the phone. You’re likely to get a much better rate, particularly if it’s out of season, during the week, or you’re staying for a longer period.

Don’t spend a dime in the airport. Throw a few granola bars and an empty bottle into your carry-on bag…

Love in the Time of Layoff: Man Behind the Curtain

Note: Deborah Siegel was due to submit her post today, but her growing responsibilities in a rapidly developing venture have precluded her doing so. In other words— the twins are really kicking her ass. Despite being deep into the second trimester, her “morning sickness” hasn’t let up, and she is currently sitting up in bed with a cold compress on her fevered brow. She has thereby ceded the reins of “Love in the Time of Layoff” to me. You, dear reader know me as her house-husband, Her Man Godfrey, her Sancho Panza, her sometimes Bartleby. And now I’m honestly maybe a little too giddy with power. I am Marco.

Yes, I do exist… even as I eliminate the last traces of my existence in our little one-bedroom apartment.

I spent the afternoon yesterday dismantling my desk and bookcase and moving them out of our bedroom: we are staging our apartment yet again. It’s been on the market for months, and with a looming move to bigger digs in Park Slope we’ve redoubled our efforts to get it sold. New broker, new price, new priorities: we needed to let in more light and air, make the place roomier. It became obvious that my office away from work, my study and refuge from a crazy world, my anchor, was doomed. Into the boxes with my design books, my graphic novels and old Tarzan pulps. Reality beckoned…