With Rhode Island in a recessionary period, which employment sectors are expected to grow during the next few years?

On November 20th , the New England Economic Partnership presented the economic forecast for the region at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Each state has forecast managers who use data from Moody's Economy.com and other sources to prepare their state's economic forecast. Professor Edinaldo Tebaldi of Bryant University and I serve as co-state forecast managers for Rhode Island. We reported that the state is expected to lose about 23,000 jobs from 2007 through 2009. Job growth should begin in 2011.

The current economic downturn has negatively affected employment in all industries in 2008 and will cause job losses in all sectors of the Rhode Island economy in 2009 except for education and health services. For 2009 and 2010, the forecast indicates a job loss of 2,400 in financial services, 2,700 in manufacturing, 1,400 in construction, 3,600 in trade, transportation and utilities, 3,000 in professional and business services and 2,300 in leisure and hospitality. Rhode Island had an unemployment rate in October of 9.3 percent, the highest level since February 1983.

The unemployment rate is forecasted to be 9.5 percent in 2009 and 10.2 percent in 2010, and will not be below 8 percent until 2012 unless action is taken to create jobs. The employment sectors forecasted with the greatest growth in percentage for 2010 and 2011 are information, leisure and hospitality and high-tech. In 2012, every employment sector except government is expected to grow from 2.5 percent (financial services) to 7 percent (leisure and hospitality.)

What career opportunities can result from being in the Army National Guard?

The National Guard serves the state and the nation in a number of military occupational specialties which include artillery, infantry, signal, engineer, aviation and military police. The Guard offers members college tuition assistance, signing bonuses and training in many career fields. When an individual joins the National Guard, they select a military occupational specialty from several hundred options including, among others, building and servicing satellite dishes, working on computer networks and operating communication systems. After basic training, there is then advanced training which includes hands-on learning and then-doing-this-job. The National Guard prepares you for a career in the armed forces, communications, government, human resources, the police force, the FBI and the CIA, computer technology, health care and supply chain management. There is a corresponding private sector job for almost every job in the National Guard.

While I am looking for a new job, where can I get health insurance?

COBRA gives individuals and their dependents the right to continue their job-based health insurance after employment ends for up to eighteen months. Their group health plan is converted into a non-group health insurance policy that is purchased from the former insurer. The individual keeps their health coverage and pays 100 percent of the premium which is often five times the amount they paid while employed. COBRA must be taken within sixty days of leaving the company. The federal COBRA law applies to companies with at least 20 employees. Some states have passed laws that apply to smaller companies.

Over thirty states offer high-risk pools as an option for people who are otherwise unable to qualify for health insurance coverage. Individual health insurance policies are also available for people who do not have access to job-based coverage from insurance companies and professional associations. There are short-term policies for six months or less with high deductibles and a low premium. Medicaid provides medical care to individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs to help uninsured individuals get the medications they need.

Married individuals may be eligible for health insurance coverage through their spouse's employer. You can search the internet for Web sites where you can get a quote on a health insurance policy. Also, you can contact the state health insurance commissioner for a list of insurance companies issuing health policies. It is important to read any policy carefully before you pay the premium so that you know you are getting the coverage you need.

How do I find a job in the entertainment industry as a writer?

Getting into show business is difficult. Where you went to school and who you know could be important in getting a job. There are many different types of writing jobs in the entertainment business such as being a jingle writer for radio and television, writing scripts for a sitcom, being a staff song writer or a producer of a film. There are thousands of jobs involved in the creation and production of films, television shows, theatre productions and radio programs. There are full-time jobs and free-lance opportunities. All jobs involve preparation and luck. Many writers are graduates of communications, film, theatre, music and journalism programs. In college, it is also wise to take courses in other areas such as marketing, accounting, finance and business law that will help you later on in the industry.

The best known college programs are in large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and New York where the entertainment industry exists. If you are interested in getting a job in the film or television industry, it is better to go to California. New York is home for independent film or theatre and the music industry. While enrolled in college consider a non-paying internship or assistantship to get hands-on experience. Often full-time jobs result from these positions. The important thing is to get as much experience as possible doing different things so that you can select what you would like to do when you graduate. Also, get involved in film and theatre productions on campus or work on the college newspaper or magazine staff. There are directories that list job opportunities and specialized employment agencies for the entertainment industry. Working in the entertainment industry is no guarantee of a high paying job at the start but can lead to high income as you get better known.

I have a one hour airport interview scheduled for later this month. How can I prepare for the interview?

The airport interview, which generally does not take place at the airport, is used to screen a limited number of job candidates before deciding which ones to invite for a follow-up interview where you will meet others, learn more about the company and see the environment in which you may be working. Sometimes the "airport interview" takes place on the telephone or through video-conferencing. Often there is more than one interviewer present. The objective is to maximize your chance of getting a second interview and to learn enough about the job to determine if you are still interested in the position. You interview the company as the company interviews you. You should approach a job interview in a calm and cool manner. You only get one chance to make an impression.

Conduct research on the industry, company and the job before going to the interview so that you will be more confident when it comes to answering and asking questions. If you have had previous experience in interviewing, you can guess many of the questions you will be asked. Don't just tell the interviewer what he/she expects to hear. Talk about how you would add value to the organization, and how you would solve problems. The interviewer is interested in your communication skills and technical knowledge. You will be asked questions about current and past jobs, personal achievements and the most challenging or difficult situations you have faced. The questions are designed to assess your confidence, enthusiasm, motivation and leadership potential. Try to make the interview a conversation. Talk about your accomplishments. After the interview, send a thank you letter for their time and the opportunity to meet with them. The best way to improve interviewing skills is to go on interviews. Every interview is a learning opportunity.