PAST ISSUES: October 2007

Editor's Note:  Employment picture getting gray
Help wanted. We're fortunate to be in an economy where, at least for many fields, there is a need for trained, qualified workers.

Cover Story:  The experience of veterans
It's a veteran work force in New Hampshire — and that's got nothing to do with the region's aging work force.

Cover Story:  Knowledge is king in the new economy
If there was any doubt that we inhabit an information economy, consider a small listing of the most-secure jobs in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — Web developer, Web site manager, computer consultant, software engineer, and computer systems analyst.

Cover Story:  Shoring up the labor pool
The region's labor pool increasingly has its shallow parts, a trend that is prompting renewed focus on worker retraining and keeping more college graduates from migrating to other states. Steps have already been taken over the past year to address the issue, including funding a $1 million job-training fund, and companies have already been searching for critical help.

Entrepreneur Watch:  Roger Elkus and the Me & Ollie's way
Roger Elkus certainly didn't ask for it, but a near-death experience from severe pancreatitis that came out of nowhere has given him a remarkable new perspective on life and how a business can evolve to sustain itself in times of turmoil and stress. Elkus, the founder and owner of the Me & Ollie's bakery and cafes, told Ventures "it's a tribute to the team we have" that he could be gone for an extended period and the business didn't miss a beat.

Featured Article:  Getting the job
Fran Bishop, an employment counselor with the Workforce Development Program in Portsmouth, tackles a common interview pitfall for many people seeking a new job. Your stellar resume lands you the interview. Then, sitting before your would-be boss, he or she asks you the question: "Tell us a little about yourself?"

Politics:  Success by degrees
It is almost axiomatic that education equals jobs for a state. The better educated the work force, the more businesses a state can attract and, of course, more businesses equate to more jobs.

Last Word:  Sacking a tradition of indifference
Intentionally or not, Garin Veris knows how to draw a crowd. After all, he told me he's a "people person" and his personable nature is backed up by an impressive resume: a Stanford University graduate; a former professional football player with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers who played in the Patriots first Super Bowl appearance in 1986; a law school graduate, and recreation director for the city of Boston.