Good news for those of you who are cosndiering summer work!

According to a new survey by CareerBuilder, 29% of employers are planning to hire workers this summer. This number is up 21% from last year.

Finding a summer job can be a great way to network and can potentially even lead to longer employment. Of those who are hiring, 71% say that they will consider some hires for permanent positions.

According to the latest survey from CareerBuilder, 37% of hiring managers and HR professional check social media sites to look into candidates. 65% checked Facebook, 63% checked LinkedIn and 16% reviewed Twitter accounts.

Of those who searched, 34% said that information they found on these sites caused them not to hire a candidate including inapproptiate photos, information about drinking or drugs, poor communication skills, badmouthing previous employers, discriminatory comments and lying about qualifications.

Do you think employers should check social media sites before hiring?

Since the rise of social networking, more companies are using Facebook to check out potential employees. Since Facebook offers privacy settings, more candidates than ever have their profiles set to private, making them only available to a selected group of people.

A new trend among hiring managers is to ask for job seekers for their passwords or have them "friend" someone from human resources who will then check their profile.

Would you give your password out? Why or why not?

Careerbuilder recently asked over 3,000 employers about their strangest interviews. Here is a sampling of some of the most unusual incidents- and as a warning, do not try these during an interview!

• Candidate asked "which company is this again?"
• Candidate wore a Boy Scout uniform to the interview and never told the interviewers why
• Candidate asked for a sip of the interviewer's coffee
• Candidate took his shoes off during the interview
• Candidate brought a "how to interview" book to the interview
• Candidate told the interviewer that she wasn't sure that the job offered was "worth starting the car for"

Hiring managers- what's the craziest thing you've ever seen during an interview?

A new survey by consulting firm Towers Watson shows that workers under 40 who are in a traditional company-sponsored pension plan are willing to accept less pay for a more secure retirement plan and health care benefits.

The survey found that 63% of younger workers and 4 in 10 of all employees worry that their retirement benefits will be cut during the next 2 years. In fact, half of all survey respondents said they would trade some pay to ensure access to health care benefits if they retire before becoming eligible for Medicare benefits, up from 40 percent who said that in 2009.

Younger workers- are you worried about your future?

Job fairs are a great way to get in front of recruiters.  Instead of just sending them your resume, you can talk face-to-face, ask questions and truly make an impression on them.  At the same time, job fairs can be very competitive especially if there are many attendees.  To make your time at a job fair worthwhile and to stand out in the crowd, here are some tips on how to prepare for job fairs and advice to keep in mind while you are there.

• Remember to treat the job fair as you would an interview. Dress professionally and on the conservative side if you are not sure what is appropriate.
• Before the job fair, conduct research on which companies will be represented. Visit your target companies' websites to see what job openings they have and what exactly each company does. Your knowledge of each company will aide you in your conversations with recruiters and will make you seem more professional.
• Exhibit a friendly attitude. Smile, make eye contact and give a firm handshake to each recruiter you talk to.
• Prepare a short background on yourself including your experience, skills and interests that will only take a couple minutes to explain to recruiters. Also, be prepared to answer interview-type questions on the spot.
• Plan some questions for the recruiters. Recruiters want to know that you are interested in working for their company too. Asking questions will demonstrate your interest in learning more about the inner workings of the company and positions.
• Bring plenty of resume copies, depending on the size of the event.
• Bring a notepad and pen along just in case you would like to write down any notes or reminders for later.
• Be prepared to fill out applications. Have your work history and other necessary information on hand.
• While it's ok to pick up freebies at employer's booths, make sure that the employers know that you are just as interested in working for them.
• Obtain the business cards of the representatives you talk to. If you plan to apply for a position at a later time, you may customize your cover letter to the hiring representative and mention your experience at the job fair.

Job fairs can be hectic events, and a person without a strategy can easily be overwhelmed.  By taking the time beforehand to prep for the job fair, your preparedness will help to distinguish yourself from other job seekers.

Job website CareerCast recently released the top 10 jobs that come with the most anxiety.

1. Enlisted Soldier

2. Firefighter

3. Airline Pilot

4. Military General

5. Police Officer

6. Event Coordinator

7. Public Relations Executive

8. Corporate Executive

9. Photojournalist

10. Taxi Driver

What do you think? Are you in one of these occupations and have a story to share? Do you think your job position should have made the list?

As you know, looking for a job can be challenging and frustrating. This is especially true if you feel you've already utilized all of your resources. If your job search has been ongoing, now is the time to review some of your tools to make sure you're utilizing them to their fullest potential. For instance, have you been making the most of working with your recruiter?

Recruiters can work as an extension of your job search and act as your own personal salesperson; promoting your abilities to a potential employer. Recruiters also have access to positions that are unadvertised or only available through a placement agency.  Here are several tips to maximize the effectiveness of your experience with a recruiter:

Make sure your recruiter specializes in your field. Recruiters usually specialize in specific job sectors or industries.  You'll have the most success with a recruiter who already knows contacts in your field or currently has available openings for you.

Stay in touch with your recruiter frequently to keep yourself fresh in their mind. Share potential positions or target companies that you have researched. It is also important to provide your recruiter with updates on your resume about your education or experience to maximize potential opportunities that will match your abilities.

Take advantage of your recruiter's inside knowledge of different companies and their key contacts.  Many recruiters have been on hundreds of job searches. They already know many of the common interview questions at their client companies and can help fine-tune your interviewing skills. They are also ready to assist in improving your resume and tailoring your cover letter to appeal to a particular company. Furthermore, never be afraid of working with more than one recruiter to expand your pool of opportunities.

Don't rely solely on your recruiter to find a job. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that your recruiter will find you a position.  Although working with a recruiter is an avenue that is worth exploring, it is important to stay motivated and to explore all options available.

Be patient.  Sometimes your recruiter will contact you for a specific job and have an interview lined up for you within a week.  Other times, recruiters may not have any openings for someone with your experience, but may in the future. 

In any job search, it is important to stay positive and keep in touch with your recruiter to get the most out of your experience.

Starting a new job can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.  You were chosen for the position and it's a new beginning, but there are so many questions.  Will they like me and will I fit in?  What is truly expected of me in my first few days?  Am I prepared enough?

It's completely normal to have the first day jitters, but it's recommended to take some time to prepare to be the new kid on the block.  Provided below are tips on how to prepare for your first day on the job. 

• Remember to eat breakfast. It is easy to skip out on breakfast when you're having a hectic morning. A healthy breakfast will give you extra brain power and will energize you throughout your day.
• Make sure to find out if you are expected to buy any gear or supplies such as note pads, hand tools, steel-toed shoes, safety glasses, etc., depending on your position.
• Be aware of traffic conditions on your way to work. Allow ample time to get there and plan alternate routes if needed.
• Make sure you know where to report to on the first day. In many cases, you could be reporting somewhere different than where you would usually go on a normal day.
• It is common to fill out some paperwork on your first day. Find out if you need to bring any specific documents or forms of identification that would be necessary for completion of paperwork.
• Make sure to dress appropriately. It is best to dress conservatively on your first day. Over time, you will notice how other employees dress and will have a better gage on what's appropriate or not.
• Typically during the first days, you will be introduced to many people at your new company. When having introductions, be polite, friendly, and make eye contact.
• It is common to be orientated or trained on your first day. Make sure to listen closely to what is expected of you. It is helpful to keep a pen and notepad handy to take notes while being trained.
• You want to project a good first impression and seem competent to your co-workers. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. People like helping people and it will show your boss and co-workers that you are eager to learn. No one expects you to be perfect or know everything.

Following these tips will not only help you to be better prepared but will also help to ensure that your first day goes smoothly.

 Preparation is key in giving a good interview.  In addition to studying your prospective employer and brushing up on common interview questions, it is important to examine your speech patterns.  Interviewers will judge you not only on the content of your answers, but also on how you convey them.  Speech errors can reflect poorly on your confidence, your education, your preparation and your interest in the position.  Below are common speech errors that should be avoided.

• Avoid filler words such as "uh," "ah," "um,""like" and "you know." It is acceptable to use one of these words every once in a while, but using them in every sentence is very noticeable to the interviewer. It will make you seem young, inexperienced and unprofessional.
• Do not mumble and speak up. A loud, clear voice will exude confidence in an interview. Also, try to avoid talking really fast. This will show that you are nervous and your words will be more difficult to understand.
• Don't use a monotone voice. Add emphasis to your phrases to seem more confident, enthusiastic. As a word of caution, avoid going into a high pitch at the end of sentences. This may seem like you are questioning yourself.
• Avoid using poor grammar and informal speech. Using poor grammar can reflect poorly on a person's education and intelligence. The manner in which a person talks to their friends is usually not acceptable in an interview or the work place. Avoid using slang words such as "cool," "dude" or "chick" in your interview.
• Avoid using words that show uncertainty such as "maybe", "hopefully", "I think" and "perhaps." Using these words can reveal your lack of confidence in your statements.
• Absolutely do not cuss or use inappropriate expressions in your interview. If you know you have a foul mouth, be extremely careful to not let a swear word slip out. You may offend your interviewer and your professionalism will definitely be questioned.

In preparing for your interview, be aware of how you talk in your everyday life and practice eradicating these bad speech habits before your interview.  You will not only be more eloquent in your interview, but you will also have more professional speech patterns that will be assets in the future progression of your career.