More Jobs Means More Money for You

April, it turns out, in not the cruelest month after all.

The New York Times reports this morning that 32,000 construction and 35,000 service jobs were added to the economy in April. Better yet, 75,000 positions were added to the professional and business service sector, "an area of the economy that is closely watched as a barometer for broader white-collar activity."  

And hiring among private employers showed the "best monthly increase since November." 

These dry statistics mean that you may well no longer be a slave to the recession job you've had since '08, '09 or '10. The job where you picked up the duties of laid-off colleagues without any commensurate raise in pay. The job employers have been all but daring employees to leave while they skimp on wages and benefits.  

"Good luck finding another job in this economy," they smirk. Not so much anymore.

Listen. You're ready for a raise and a promotion and your employer is ready to finally give it to you. They can't afford to lose the part of their workforce that's "engaged." Not "engaged" to be married, but "engaged" in their work. 

For anyone who's still thinking there are 20 people like them just waiting to fill their shoes, understand that only 20% of the workforce is considered "engaged." If you're reading this, you're engaged. That means the chances are only two in ten that you can be replaced. So now is the time to make a strategic plan to get back that part of the value you've been giving away for so many years.