In this issue
readers will find:


Click on any of the article links below to jump to that article.

Employers Desire Team Players and Communicators in College Grads



Unemployment and Recession Woes Taking Mental Health Toll*



Fast Facts ~ Online Education Student Numbers Grow*



RMAR Hosts Successful NAPS Certification Immersion Class



International Study Finds Unemployment and Job Seeking Stress a Health Hazard*



Sign of the Times ~ More Wireless Connections than People in U.S.



NAPS Scheduling Certification Immersion Classes for 2012



Technology Trends: Internet Use by Job Seekers Reduces Unemployment Time*



Welcome ~ New NAPS Certficants for September/October



Frequently Asked Questions: NAPS Continuing Education Amnesty Program Deadline



Message from the Editor ~ Let The NAPS Credential Hear from You



About The NAPS Credential




Note: Articles that are marked with an asterisk (*) can be read for continuing education credit by NAPS certificate holders. Any CPC, CTS, CERS or PRC who reads three of the linked articles can count one hour of contact time (one tenth of a Continuing Education Unit) toward the 17 hours he or she must earn each year as a part of their certification maintenance. In this edition, for example, five links are asterisk-marked and qualify for professional reading. Reading all six bimonthly editions of The NAPS Credential and their links over the course of the year can qualify the reader for six contact hours or .6 CEUs annually.
Volume 6, Number 6                                                                                                              November/December 2011



The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACA), the organization whose members manage and practice career services on the college campuses of the nation, has released its annual Job Outlook Survey, including an analysis of the skills/qualities employers are looking for in the candidates they interview and hire. Bottom line: Women and men in the Class of 2012 who are team players with strong verbal communication skills stand the best chance of getting hired.

The ten most desirable skills or qualities (in rank order) offered by the employers going on campuses to recruit are the following:


A separate NACE survey found employers stating they plan to increase their hiring of college graduates by 9.5% in 2012. The specific disciplines of targeted interest include accounting; finance; business administration; and mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.



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Unemployment and Recession Woes Taking Mental Health Toll

Separate stories making the national news recently are pointing out how two of the more poignant signals of the recession and struggling economy---unemployment and housing foreclosures---are taking their toll on the mental health of the nation. A study conducted by Washington and Lee University researchers has found those experiencing long-term unemployment--more than 25 weeks---were three times more likely than employed people to experience mental health issues for the first time. The same researchers found that people with more than a high school education and members of racial minorities suffer greater adverse psychological impacts of long-term unemployment than those with less education.

Another example of the impact of the recession on people came in the release of a study by University of Maryland researchers that found that one in five people in default on their mortgages has serious symptoms of depression. About one-third of survey respondents have seen their finances so crimped that they cannot afford to fill prescriptions and get enough to eat, further worsening health problems.

Over time recruiters and staffing professionals have learned to deal with the discomfort and difficulty associated with unemployment and workplace transition. These studies suggest that concern has reached new impact levels with the U.S. workforce.

Washington and Lee University release:
http://news.blogs.wlu.edu/2011/10/21/wlu-ecoonomists-unemployment/

University of Maryland release:
http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=1648



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Fast Facts ~ Online Education Student Numbers Grow*

The U.S. Department of Education has released an analysis of National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data of online education among U.S. undergraduates between 2000 and 2008. The study found the percentage of undergraduate students engaged in at least one online course increased from 8% to 20% over that time. Those fully enrolled in online degree programs increased from 2% to 4%. Students with disabilities, working students, and those with dependents were found to be utilizing distance learning at a slightly higher rate.

NCES Stats in Brief:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012154.pdf



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RMAR Hosts Successful NAPS Certification Immersion Class

The Rocky Mountain Association of Recruiters (RMAR) hosted a successful NAPS Certification Immersion Class (CIC) on November 10th. The class was facilitated by Frank Burtnett, Ed.D. NAPS Certification and Education Consultant, who proudly reports that the 9 students in attendance successfully completed the class and passed the Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) certification examination. Thanks to Melinda Garcia of RMAR for arranging the CIC.



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International Study Finds Unemployment and Job Seeking Stress a Health Hazard*

A new study of German job seekers reported in BioMedCentral.com is showing that the stresses of unemployment and looking for work are causing physical, mental, and emotional ailments greater than normally found in the general population. Using subjects seeking jobs through employment and placement agencies, the study provided information on smoking, risky drinking, diet, obesity, physical inactivity, illicit drug use, and self-rated health. The proportions of each health-risk factor were highest in the job seeking groups with higher numbers appearing in males and long-term unemployed individuals.

BMC study abstract:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/659/abstract



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Sign of the Times ~ More Wireless Connections than People in U.S.

Americans have reached a new threshold in their ability to communicate with each other. For the first time in history, the semi-annual survey conducted by CTIA-The Wireless Association shows the number of wireless subscriber connections (327.6 million) has surpassed the population (315.5 million) in the U.S. and its territories. The new figure means the wireless penetration is 103.9%.



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NAPS Scheduling Certification Immersion Classes for 2012

Very successful NAPS Certification Immersion Classes (CICs) have been held this fall in Columbus, Ohio, Las Vegas, Nevada and Denver, Colorado. You could be on that list in 2012! State or regional staffing organizations, staffing firms or others interested in bringing the CIC to their meeting, community or business should contact NAPS President John Sacerdote to discuss procedures in scheduling the class and beginning the marketing process. Send an email to John at jsacerdote@recruitinglife.com to start the ball rolling.



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Technology Trends ~ Internet Use by Job Seekers Reduces Unemployment Time*

Contradicting a 2004 study showing that using the Internet to look for work prolonged unemployment, a new study has found the better job boards, improved site design, and enhanced technology have dramatically improved the job seeker’s ability to identify positions, make application, and secure employment using the Internet. Also noted by the researchers was the percentage growth of unemployed individuals using the Internet---up from 25% in 1998/2000 to 74% in 2008/2009. In addition to the formal services, the Internet was cited as a valuable “networking” tool where the unemployed could communicate with family, friends and professional colleagues, thereby extending the reach of their searches. Enhancements to job site “user friendliness” were also cited as having an impact on their growing popularity.

University of Colorado-Denver news release:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/newsreleases/Pages/Study-shows-using-Internet-to-find-work-cuts-unemployment-time.aspx



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Welcome ~ New NAPS Certificants for September/October

NAPS would like to welcome new certificants from 20 states and the District of Columbia to the ranks of the certified staffing industry professionals. The following individuals, many of whom participated in Certification Immersion Classes, are now certified:

Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC)

Tom Agugliaro (NJ)
Andrea J. Ashbell (DC)
Darryl C. Baker (TX)
Brenda Berg (IL)
Bruce Billie (OH)
John Bisceglie (IL)
Denise Jordan Bloomfield (DC)
Gates Brelsford (TX)
Wendy K. Brooks (KS)
Ariell Burrey (OH)
Lani J. Caughron (KS)
Mary Ann Couvillion (TX)
Mark C. Douglas (TX)
Rana Ellison (FL)
Zach Ernest (OH)
Amy E. Gibbs (OH)
Christine Hoffman-Hicks (CA)
Ginny Huffman (NC)
Tim Kessler (OH)
Jenny King (OH)
Brain Kreemer (OH)
David Jackson (TX)
Mark Lauterbach (CO)
Edward Lee (OH)
Robin Manning (OH)
Morgan McDonald (FL)
Sue Meier (NC)
Keith Merritt (OH)
Jim Mikula (AR)
Elizabeth Munchel (OH)
Dave Nerz (MI)
Mary Newgard (IA)
Brittny A. Newton (DC)
Craig Novins (NJ)
Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz (DC)
Jim Passias (OH)
Haskel Daniel Portee (IN)
Phil Proell (MN)
Debbie Raines (SC)
Daniel Rice (IN)
Michael Edwin Rodgers (UT)
Natalie Runyan (FL)
George Seipel (OH)
Lionel Simmons (TX)
David E. Skoglund (OH)
Jonathan Sutton (OH)
Gloria Jean Trevino (TX)
Robert Walker II (IL)
Lynn Washington (CA)
Nicki Wipperfurth (WI)
Tobias Yearms (OH)
Patty Yussefieh (CA)
Christine Zeglin (TX)

Certified Temporary Staffing- Specialist (CTS)

Avantika Aggarwal (WV)
Alana Bell (CA)
Alison Boser (AK)
Driedra Brelsford (TX)
Steven Brown (NE)
Matt Cabana (AK)
May Denton (SC)
Rhonda Fogle (OH)
T. J. Haygood (TX)
Chris Hines (OH)
Dorothy Hurt (NC)
Frank A. O’Neill (GA)
Catherine Reynolds (OH)
Katie Sontag (NC)
James Stein (NE)
Molly Timms (NE)
Brandon Vetos (NE)

Certified Employee Retention Specialist (CERS)

Guy F. Hulen (IN)
Brian Swaney (GA)

Know any of the new CTSs, CPCs or CERS personally? Take a moment to call or email them and congratulate them on their professional achievement.



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Frequently Asked Questions: NAPS Continuing Education Amnesty Program Deadline

Question: How long do I have to take advantage of the NAPS Amnesty Program for certificants who have not fulfilled their continuing education requirements?

Answer: The program ends on December 31, 2011. Individuals who have allowed their certification to lapse because of not meeting the continued education requirements have a one-time opportunity to become reinstated as active CPCs and CTSs. Details about the CPC and CTS status can be obtained by contacting Carolyn Boyer at info@recruitinglife.com. Tell Carolyn the approximate time you earned your original certificate. Questions about what education, training, etc. activities might qualify for credit should be directed to Frank Burtnett at fburtnett@recruiting life.com.

The details about the Amnesty Program are posted on the NAPS website at:
http://www.recruitinglife.com/pdfs/2011-amnesty-program.pdf



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Message from the Editor - Let The NAPS Credential Hear from You

Have a question about certification or continuing education? Let us know the issues and concerns that are on your mind and they may become FAQ subjects for future editions of The NAPS Credential. NAPS encourages its readers to submit information about certified persons and accredited firms who are making the news and performing outstanding professional feats. Our goal is to provide news, research and resources that will help CPCs and CTSs do a more effective job. Direct comments and input to: fburtnett@recruitinglife.com.



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About The NAPS Credential

Copyright © 2011. This electronic newsletter is distributed to all active Certified Personnel Consultants (CPCs), Certified Temporary Staffing-Specialist (CTSs) and Certified Employee Retention Specialists (CERSs) for whom NAPS has email addresses. Should you know an individual who is certified and not receiving The NAPS Credential, tell him or her to go to www.nrcsip.com and post their name and basic contact information on the National Registry of Certified Staffing Industry Professionals (NRCSIP). Once his/her credentials have been verified, the individual will be automatically placed on the distribution list for this newsletter.

The reference to a product, service or activity or appearance of a web site in The NAPS Credential does not imply endorsement by NAPS. Any views and opinions are those of sponsoring organization and may or may not be shared by NAPS. Direct comments, questions and submissions to fburtnett@recruitinglife.com. All submissions will be subject to review by NAPS for accuracy, timeliness and relevance to the readership and may be edited to meet space parameters.

Robert Krzak, CPC, CERS, Chairman
Robert@geckohospitality.com

John Sacerdote, CPC/CTS, President
jsacerdote@recruitinglife.com

Frank Burtnett, EdD., Editor
Certification and Education Consultant
fburtnett@recruitinglife.com


Members of the NAPS Credentialing Committee

Jamie Schwartz, CPC, CTS, CERS, Haley Stuart, Chair
jschwartz@haleystuartgroup.com

Ted Angelus, CPC, Custom Staffing
tangelus@customstaffing.com

Katie Basso, CTS, Mountain Limited
kbasso@mountainltd.com

Paula Davey, CPC, CERS, Staff Masters, Inc.
PBDavey@staffmastersinc.com

Don Richard, CPC, PRC, Mountain Limited
drichard@mountainltd.com

National Association of Personnel Services web site:
www.recruitinglife.com

National Registry of Certified Staffing Industry Professionals web site:
www.nrcsip.com



 
© 2011 National Association of Personnel Services, 131 Prominence Lane, Suite 130, Dawsonville, GA 30534
Email: fburtnett@recruitinglife.com.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce anything contained in this newsletter as long as the National Association of Personnel Services is identified as the source.