How law enforcement agencies are recruiting future officers in a difficult climate
Small towns and big cities alike are struggling to recruit and retain law enforcement officers amid national controversy over the police profession. Many veteran officers are retiring, leaving agencies in a bidding war for qualified candidates — as they try to hire the next generation to protect and serve.
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Florida’s economy shows signs of improvement, economist says
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s economy is showing some improvement. The unemployment rate for January was revised downward by a full percentage point. Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment is now 4.8 percent for January 2021, up 1.5 percent from the same time last year. For perspective, the U.S. unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in January. Adrienne Johnston, chief economist for the state Department of Economic Opportunity, said the 1-point drop in the revised rate is the biggest revision in over a year.
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Annual Military Job Fair highlights need, value in hiring veterans
Britt was one of hundreds of active duty, veterans, military spouses and retirees who attended Saturday’s Military Job Fair at TPC Sawgrass. It was the 10th annual free event hosted by The Players and the Jacksonville Military Veterans Coalition. “This is my first official job fair,” Britt said. AdThe 18 companies at Saturday’s job fair are ready and committed to do just that. The companies at Saturday’s Job Fair were:
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Going to Saturday’s Military Job Fair at The Players? See this first
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Players Championship hosts an annual Job Fair for veterans, active duty members, spouses and retirees to help them find a perfect fit in a new or continuing career. Last year, Shaylyn Wilhelm found that perfect fit at the Military Job Fair after she moved to the First Coast with her family when her husband was stationed at Mayport just before the pandemic really started to rage in Florida. “But when I got to The Players Championship job fair, the entire atmosphere was different. RELATED: News4Jax teams up with The Players to support local veterans with #Match4MilitaryAdWilhelm’s perfect fit came with the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, and now she’s returning to the job fair this year as a recruitment specialist. AdThe Military Job Fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday inside the main entrance of The Players Championship at 5360 Palm Valley Road.
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Stupid ways smart people lose their jobs
Maybe you got away with it this time … but it could cost you your job next time. Some stupid ways smart people lose their jobs: posting on social media or performing personal business on their phones while at work. A survey revealed that more than 40% of employers have fired a worker for being late. Keep in mind it’s not just that you’re posting on social media while at work, it’s also what you’re posting. Seventeen percent of employers say they’ve fired someone for something they’ve posted on social media.
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Florida jobless claims plummet as travel concerns remain
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida has posted its lowest weekly total of first-time unemployment claims since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, despite mounting issues confronting the travel industry. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 17,621 first-time jobless claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended Feb. 6, down from 69,140 the prior week. The latest figure is the lowest since March, when massive job losses began as the COVID-19 pandemic hammered the state. The U.S. Travel Association reported Tuesday that four in 10 jobs lost nationally over the past year were in the leisure and hospitality industries. Florida has paid about $22 billion in state and federal unemployment assistance to 2.25 million claimants since March 15.
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Hot dog! Oscar Mayer now hiring 2021 Wienermobile drivers
Well, hot dog! Oscar Mayer is searching for its next set of Weinermobile drivers! The 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels may not be easy to handle, but some are up for the job! Carl Mayer created the first Wienermobile in 1936. The company unveiled a Wiener-fleet, including a hot dog-shaped drone, in 2017 but canceled events last year due to COVID-19.
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A resume that resonates: Beat the robot applicant tracking system
It may not be that you weren’t qualified, but that your resume wasn’t qualified, according to the applicant tracking system, or ATS. The first person to read your resume isn’t a person at all! An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software that weeds out job candidates that either don’t fit the description or had an unreadable resume. Forty-three percent of resumes are sent as an incompatible file type, and not every ATS can read PDF. If you want to check to see if your resume is readable to an ATS, go to www.topresume.com/resume-review for a free analysis.
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Police: Actor Eddie Hassell, 30, killed in Texas shooting
The shooting happened early Sunday in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie. Police said in a statement that officers responded to a report of a shooting and found Hassell suffering from gunshot wounds. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP, File)GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The actor Eddie Hassell, known for his roles in the NBC show “Surface” and the 2010 film “The Kids Are All Right,” has died after a shooting in Texas, police said. Grand Prairie police said in a statement that officers responded to a report of a shooting and found Hassell suffering from gunshot wounds. Grand Prairie police said the motive remained under investigation, but that a car had been taken from the scene of the shooting.
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Citing boom in business, Turner Pest Control holding job fair Tuesday
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to scale back, business is booming for pest control companies. Locally, Turner Pest Control has seen so much growth in the past several months, it’s holding a job fair Tuesday, Oct. 20. Beyond the typical calls about ants, termites and mosquitoes, Bricko says Turner Pest Control is branching out. Heading into the cooler winter months, pest control companies expect to see an increase in larger nuisances, like rats and mice. Turner’s job fair runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
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Despite fewer claims, Florida’s unemployment system will get another surge
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – First-time unemployment claims in Florida dropped nearly 25% last week, partly attributed to bars and craft breweries serving drinks again as Gov. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated Florida had 29,360 first-time unemployment claims during the week that ended Sept. 26, down from 39,028 the prior week. State leaders admit some glitches still plague the system that couldn’t keep up with the surge of claims after the pandemic cost the jobs of millions of Floridians. By all accounts, the technical part of the system is working, unlike the last two quarterly check-ins, when the system was overwhelmed. The state Department of Economic Development recently posted a 7.4 percent jobless rate in August for Florida, reflecting an estimated 753,000 Floridians out of work.
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Walmart is hiring 20,000 seasonal workers
Published: September 23, 2020, 11:01 am Updated: September 23, 2020, 11:16 am(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. To meet the demands of increased online shopping, Walmart is hiring 20,000 seasonal associates. Starting Wednesday, job seekers can visit here or text “FC” to 240240 to apply for a variety of positions. Positions begin at a starting hourly rate ranging from $15.75 up to $23.75 based on location, position and schedule. Seasonal employment will begin immediately upon hiring with shifts scheduled as quickly as 48 hours from applying, and it will continue through Jan. 1, 2021.
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Snag a job: Jacksonville job fair has hundreds to offer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new opportunity is available for people down on their luck and out of a job. JobNews USA is holding a job fair with hundreds of opportunities at the Double Tree Hotel on Riverplace Boulevard in cksonville from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.Unemployment rates rose to double digits at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving thousands without work. There’s now an advantage for people willing to make an in-person appearance at today’s job fair, according to JobNews USA director Andy Lemister. FIND THE FAIR: See directions, times, and registration requirements“This job fair today is that opportunity to not rely on just sending online job board resumes, but to actually get the opportunity to sit down with a recruiter and a hiring manager. Today’s event is the second job fair the recruiting agency has held since the pandemic began.
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UK Treasury chief warns of depth of recession
But it could cost the Treasury as much as 9.4 billion pounds, and critics are wondering whether it makes sense. Though he acknowledged he couldn't save every job, Sunak told the BBC he was "throwing everything,' he could at stemming the losses. We are entering one of the most severe recessions this country has ever seen, Sunak told the BBC. The government hopes employers will help get the country back on track during a severe downturn - in March and April alone, the U.K. economy shrank 25%. Many economists think unemployment could more than double to over 3 million this year, to levels last seen in the 1980s.
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Georgia jobless rate falls in May as some return to work
ATLANTA Georgias jobless rate fell to 9.7% in May from 12.6% in April as nearly 150,000 workers reported being back on the job. The states unemployment rate is still sky-high compared to last year, when it was 3.6% in May 2019. If they were still in the labor force and reported themselves as unemployed, Georgias jobless rate would be above 14%. A year ago, the nationwide jobless rate was 3.6%. Georgia has paid more than $6 billion in state and federal benefits in the last 13 weeks, including $1.6 billion in state benefits.
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Floridas unemployment rate rose to 14.5% in May
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Floridas unemployment rate jumped higher in May, hitting a record 14.5% as the state continued reeling from the economic shutdowns caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The department also revised upward the April unemployment rate to 13.8%. Before the coronavirus hit and devastated the states tourism, retail and other industries, Februarys unemployment rate had been 2.8%. Before April, the highest unemployment Florida had seen since World War II had been 11.3% in early 2010. St. Johns County and Nassau counties showed the largest increases while Putnam County had the largest decrease in May unemployment rate.
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Need help with the job hunt? CareerSource Northeast Florida now taking appointments
For anyone who doesnt have internet access, or who needs one-on-one help, CareerSource Northeast Florida now has seven places in six local counties where you can find free assistance. Locations:Baker County: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 1184 South 6th St., Macclenny, FL 32063Clay County: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 1845 Town Center Blvd., Suite 150, Fleming Island, FL 32003Duval County: Gateway: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 5000 Norwood Avenue, Suite 2, Jacksonville, FL 32208; Southside: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 11160 Beach Blvd., Ste. 111, Jacksonville, FL 32246Nassau County: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 96042 Lofton Square Court, Yulee, FL 32097Putnam County: CareerSource NEFL Career Center, 400 Highway 19 North, Ste. Ron Whittington, with CareerSource Northeast Florida, said he expects that to change starting next week. CareerSource Northeast Florida expects those appointment spots to start filling up in the next few weeks, so they recommend making an appointment now.
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5 tips to start a franchise in a pandemic economy
Historically, economic downturns have been among the best times for people to start franchises. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing unemployment rates to soar quickly, starting a franchise might be on people’s minds. Diana Trondsen, a small business and franchising expert who is also a consultant with FranNet, offered five suggestions for those interested in starting their own franchise. When first considering whether to start a franchise, whether it’s a food or retail store, taking the time to analyze your life situation and then brainstorm the best ideas are essential. When researching what type of franchise to open, one needs to see how well competitors have done in that community.
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Game over? Sports bars face long-term slump without live contests
But the long term-prognosis might be worse because of one question: What will sports bars and restaurants do without games or events for the foreseeable future? March sadness for accounting booksJust like other sports bar employees across the country, Russell Luxton was counting down the days until March. Even when sports bars are allowed to resume dine-in services, there won’t be games returning alongside the opening of those establishments. When those youth teams have games or practices in the evening, sports bars are usually popular destinations to go out to eat afterward. Luxton said ideas such as dart and Golden Tee tournaments have been floated about once RJ’s is ready to open again.
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Disney furloughs employees ‘whose jobs aren’t necessary at this time
Disney furloughs employees ‘whose jobs aren’t necessary at this timePublished: April 2, 2020, 11:24 pmFacing a complete standstill across its entertainment empire due to the coronavirus crisis, the Walt Disney Company notified its employees that it would furlough employees "whose jobs aren't necessary at this time" starting on April 19th.
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Delta to hire 12,000 employees by 2020
Delta announced it will hire 12,000 employees by next year, Fox Business reports. The airline's chief executive officer, Ed Bastian, said they are hiring pilots, flight attendants, ground staff and more. More information will be released at a later date. Click here to read more.

Florida Blue hiring 500 positions, no experience necessary
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida Blue is filling 500 temporary telesales positions, and a hiring event will take place Saturday. No experience is necessary, but applicants should have good communication skills, a news release said. On-the-spot interviews will be given at the Hampton Inn on Prudential Drive in San Marco on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both full- and part-time telesales positions are available for July through December, and there are flexible hours. Jobs will be based at the Florida Blue office in Riverside.
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BBB: Summer job employment scams target students
The BBB Scam Tracker has gotten reports of university emails being used to recruit students for fake job opportunities. Scam Tracker data from last year showed that employment scams are the riskiest for students and those between the ages of 18 and 24 with the median loss reported being $1,204. Before school is out for the summer, BBB wants to make sure that students have a firm grasp on the red flags for these scams so they don’t become victims. How the scam works:Scammers will post job advertisements seeking college students for various temporary positions. Recent BBB Scam Tracker reports state that the students have received spoofed emails from their institution advising them of job opportunities.
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Top 10 companies that offer work-from-anywhere jobs
The reality is that even when you find remote jobs, they often still have location restrictions. Flexjobs, which specifically finds jobs for people looking for flexibility in their careers, put together a list of top companies hiring for real, true remote work — like, seriously from anywhere. The company said its list is based on remote jobs posted in its database from more than 50,000 companies for the majority of 2018. Here’s the skinny: These companies had the most opportunities to work anywhere (without location restrictions), jobs that didn’t require any time in an office and full-time and part-time positions. Click here to see more companies that made the list.
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JEA-FPL-owned power plant to be decommissioned
JEA and Florida Power & Light have agreed to terms to decommission the St. Johns River Power Park, the large, coal-fired generating plant located off Heckscher Drive in early 2018. The plant is jointly owned by the two utilities. Retirement of the facility will result in significant annual cost savings that can be directed to debt reduction and important capital projects that will benefit JEA’s customers. JEA’s carbon footprint will be decreased by 30 percent and its nitrogen to the St. Johns River reduced as a result of plant retirement. "This agreement is important for JEA and will allow us to right-size our power generation capabilities while offering, significant environmental benefits to the community,” said JEA CEO Paul McElroy.
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Job fair to be held at Prime Osborn today
Jacksonville, Fla. – Looking for a job? Job News, Captain D's, and CareerSource Northeast Florida are hosting a job fair today at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. It will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Employers are looking to fill hundreds of jobs in accounting, finance, sales, and other areas. Job seekers should come dressed for success and bring plenty of resumes.
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The company that plans bachelor parties is looking for a summer travel writing intern.
Jacksonville, Fla. – Still looking for the perfect summer internship? The Stag - a company that plans bachelor parties - is looking for a summer travel writing intern. The intern will take part in popular stag activities, like adrenaline sports, bar crawls, shooting and more. The intern will travel to four top party destinations and do everything someone would do at a bachelor party there. The Stag Company says they are looking for "high energy, initiative-driven students and recent graduates".