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Labor Day is viewed by many as the unofficial end of Summer, but it is not known as a sad day. Friends and family gather in backyards, in parks, on beaches and by pools to celebrate the seasonal passing with parties and barbecues. However, as fun as it might be, many have forgotten the day's important origin.
The Labor Day holiday was created to reward American workers for a year of hard work and achievements! It's your day, by all means, enjoy it! Just remember that the honor is yours.
Have fun!
Best wishes from everyone at RealStreet!
Katy Cook, CSP
Marketing Coordinator
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What's New at RealStreet?
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RealStreet Hires Sales Representative!
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We are thrilled to announce the addition of a Sales Representative
to the RealStreet team: Adam Lindsay!
Adam joins RealStreet as the Sales Representative for the Dallas office, where he will be responsible for building the branch's pipeline and achieving strategic sales objectives. His primary duties include business development and customer relationship management (CRM) within the territory.
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CELEBRATIONS!
CONGRATULATIONS LINA!
Congratulations to Lina Guzman, a Recruiter in our Tysons Corner office, who recently earned the American Staffing Association designation of Certified Staffing Professional (CSP)! RealStreet appreciates your hard work and commitment to continuing education.
RealStreet wishes you a very
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
- Kenneth A. - 09/23
- Chris D. - 09/30
OFFICE CLOSING:
RealStreet will be closed on September 4th in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the day off!
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Interesting Industry Information
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How Does the Job Market Look?
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The U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a "M
onthly Jobs Report"
soon after the beginning of each month. Each report describes the previous month's employment situation, based on data such as the number of jobs that were added to the economy and the unemployment rate. The US economy added 209,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.3%. For more information, check out the BLS' interactive graphs,
one of which is provided to the right.
July was the 82nd consecutive month of job growth. While economists often have varying views regarding the results, the overall consensus, (according to a
CareerBuilder article) leaned towards positive.
CNN stated that the US is nearing "full employment," meaning the unemployment will not drop substantially from its current rate. On the other hand,
Reuters points out that while
"the economy is near full employment, wage growth has not been strong in part because many of the jobs being created are in low-wage industries." Barclay's chief US economist, Michael Gapen, was quoted in the New York Times not only saying "this is a Goldilocks report for the markets" but also that the healthy payroll and hourly earnings "really bodes well for macroeconomic growth."
Construction Starts:
Future Indicators:
According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) the July Architecture Billings Index (ABI) shows an increase in demand for design services for the sixth straight month. According to the AIA, the ABI is the leading economic indicator of construction activity, as it "reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and nonresidential construction spending." According to the AIA,
- July New Projects Inquiry Index: 59.9 (58.6 - June)
- July New Design Contracts Index: 56.4 (53.7 - June)
Engineering News-Record (ENR) featured a
recently released study by FMI Capital Advisors, which showed that the confidence in US infrastructure spending forecasts is driving an increase in joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions
with the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. According to the article,
- Labor shortages and increased competition for qualified talent has contributed to the trend, as companies strive to combine resources and protect market share.
- The AEC industry has seen an increase in metaprojects. These complex projects often require larger, more technically sophisticated firms to provide integrated services, while ensuring accurate and timely project delivery.
- President Trump's $1 trillion proposed infrastructure program is 2-3 years out, but it will create a significant demand once approved. In fact, it has already led to the approval of state spending (e.g. a recently approved $120 billion infrastructure program in California). Private sector firms will need to be prepared (expectations, knowledge, capabilities, etc.) to respond to the challenge.
- Nearly 50 deals have been announced in the global engineering-and-construction sector during the second quarter of 2017.
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| Security Risks on Mobile Devices |
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If someone was able to gain access to your phone, whether it was lost and not secured well, or via a malicious attack, what is at risk? Consider everything that is on your mobile devices; contact information, emails, pictures, access to apps and much more! The damage could be devastating.
Use the following security precautions to enjoy the conveniences of technology while maintaining peace of mind while you are on the go:
Keep a Clean Machine
- Keep security software current on all devices that connect to the Internet: having the most up-to-date mobile security software, web browser, operating system and apps is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.
- Delete when done: delete all apps you no longer use.
Protect Your Personal Information
- Secure your devices: use strong passwords, passcodes or other features such as touch identification to lock your devices.
- Personal information is like money. Value it. Protect it.: be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it's collected through apps and websites.
- Own your online presence: use security and privacy settings on websites and apps to manage what is shared about you.
- Now you see me, now you don't: disable WiFi and Bluetooth when not in use.
Connect with Care
- Get savvy about WiFi hotspots: limit what you do on public WiFi as public wireless networks and hotspots are not secure.
- When in doubt, don't respond: mobile requests for personal data or immediate action are almost always scams.
The aforementioned tips are from the
Stay Safe Online website, powered by National Cyber Security Alliance.
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HOT JOBS!
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How many job seekers do you know? Would they be a good fit for one of these positions?
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RECENT PLACEMENTS
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RealStreet has recently filled the following positions!
- QA / QC Analyst
- Program Manager
- Electrical Engineer
- Field Superintendent / Quality Control Managers
- Construction Manager II
- General Planner II
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Four Tips to Improve your Focus
and Stay on Task at Work
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If you have trouble concentrating at work, you are not alone. Many people find their mind wandering at certain points of the day, potentially impeding productivity if it happens too often. Thankfully, there are ways to boost your concentration. A simple shift in your way of thinking or a few slight adjustments to your standard routine can get you back on track.
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Are You Getting Prepared for Retirement?
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Increasing contributions to your qualified retirement account little by little may have a big impact on your savings - and you may not even notice the change!
Try
this
Annual Contribution Calculator
from John Hancock to see the difference increasing your annual contribution by 1% each year for 5 years can make on your retirement savings.
Like what you see? If you have a 401(k) plan with John Hancock through RealStreet, simply login to your account to get started!
Need to register?
Online: go to www.jhpensions.com and click on "Register"
- Enter your contract number, last name, social security number and date of birth
- Enter your email address, and create your username and password
- Choose challenge questions and answers
Track your progress towards retirement at any time!
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September is National Preparedness Month
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This year, National Preparedness Month (NPM) will focus on planning, with the overarching theme "Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can."
The goal is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, school and on the go.
Use the opportunity and the many resources provided on the
NPM site
to become informed, plan ahead and, if necessary
, take action. Resources include:
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Fall Cleanup and Maintenance for Your Car
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Tips for Getting Ready for the Change of Seasons
With summer but a fading memory, it's now time to start thinking about getting your car ready for the colder months ahead. Here are a few simple maintenance checks to help keep your vehicle in top condition.
Car Battery
Fall is a good time to inspect your
car battery
making sure the cables and terminals are snug, and tighten as necessary for good contact. If your connections are dirty or showing a lot of corrosion, disconnect and clean them with a wire brush or cleaning tool. Be aware that when you disconnect the battery, you may have to re-enter a security code in your radio or navigation system. If you have a sealed, maintenance-free battery with no removable caps, there's little else you need to do. If your battery has removable caps check the water level periodically, and refill with distilled water as needed.
Last, if the vehicle is going to be parked or stored for an extended period of time, you may want to consider investing in a trickle charger to keep it charged. All batteries lose strength over time, so it's prudent to be proactive in replacing your battery. Batteries come in a variety of sizes, and it's important to choose the right size. Check your owner's manual or in-store guide, then check Consumer Reports'
car battery ratings and buying advice
to choose the right ones for your needs.
Headlights
As cars age the headlights can become cloudy or hazy, especially on cars that are routinely parked outside. More than a cosmetic problem, clouded lenses can pose a serious threat to safety, compromising night vision and reducing the effectiveness of your headlights by up to 80 percent, based on our measurements. Fortunately, our tests show that for a modest cost, even junkyard-ready lens covers can be made clear again using a headlight restoration kit costing less than $22. By following the directions closely and using a bit of elbow grease, good results are possible. But as we found, the restoration lasts longer with some products. Learn more in the Consumer Reports'
headlight restoration kit buying guide
.
Wipers
If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, then it's time to replace or clean them. Wipers degrade quickly and typically need to be changed every 6 to 12 months. Should performance deteriorate in less time, try cleaning the blade with a paper towel and glass cleaner. Often, that can renew the blades for a few more weeks or months of streak-free operation. For ratings and advice see the Consumer Reports' wiper blade buying guide.
Tires
Proper maintenance and responsible driving can maximize the mileage in a set of tires. Monthly tread inspections can inform when the tires warrant replacement. If you notice that your tires have less than 1/8-inch of tread left, then it's time to go shopping. (The distance from a quarter's rim to George Washington's hairline is about 1/8 inch.) Most people buy all-season tires because it's easier and cheaper than buying one set for the winter and another for summer. All-season car tires deliver good, well-rounded performance but are never outstanding in any way. By contrast, winter tires have outstanding snow traction but just fair braking ability on cleared roads. To choose the best tires for your vehicle see Consumer Reports'
tire ratings and buying advice
.
Wash & Wax
Fall is a good time to clean up your car so that winter's mess doesn't land on top of the summer's dead bugs, bird droppings, and tree sap. If you want to go further than soap and water, you can try
car wax
to keep your car's finish looking new. Most waxes we tested showed a significant loss of protection within about five weeks. For that reason, we recommend waxing even new cars every two or three months. Think of it as a seasonal chore to protect and beautify your car. See Consumer Reports'
do's and don'ts of car washing
for more tips, as well as Consumer Reports'
car waxing buying guide
.
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Feedback Wanted!
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We Value Referrals!
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Would you mind taking a moment to
write a few sentences
about your experience working with RealStreet?
Thank you!
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Who in your network is looking for a new opportunity?
Check our
open positions
to see if any are a match to the job seekers that you know. At RealStreet we value great candidates and when it comes down to it, we know you're the Real Deal! We have a great referral program that compensates you for every qualified referral you provide us.
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