Need a job? The Better Business Bureau can help

The unemployment rate in the U.S. is at 5 percent, but revised projections from the Federal Reserve forecast that rate increasing to 5.5 percent to 5.7 percent in the coming months.

This means more businesses will be handing out pink slips as they cope with a declining economy. People will be forced to rethink and consider career moves.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 3.8 million job openings in the U.S. in February 2008. That sounds like a lot of jobs, but there are more than 7.6 million Americans currently unemployed.

Industries in which jobs were lost have generally remained consistent, mainly centered in areas hard hit by the housing downturn: construction, manufacturing and retail trade. Jobs have recently been added in health care and professional and technical services.

In the midst of an uncertain economy and employment outlook, the Better Business Bureau can help job seekers understand the kinds of career counseling and job placement assistance available and ensure they use trustworthy organizations.

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (also known as Job Service) is a federally funded and state-operated program that is available in all 50 states. Not only does this service have nearly 1,700 offices across the country providing free assistance to job hunters, it also manages America's Job Bank, which lists hundreds of thousands of job opportunities. For more information, visit www.jobbankinfo.org.

TEMPORARY (OR TEMP) SERVICES place employees at companies that are looking for temporary help. Job seekers do not pay the temp service. Temporary placement is one way unemployed workers can supplement their income while looking for a permanent job, and temporary positions can sometimes evolve into full-time positions.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES search for employees to fill permanent full- or part-time positions. Typically, businesses pay for the service of the employment agency but, in some cases, the job hunter might be on the hook for fees.

EXECUTIVE OR CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES help job hunters evaluate their career path and provide guidance on rÃsumà writing, interview techniques and presentation. Career counselors may even help job seekers identify businesses at which to apply. Counseling services typically charge individuals as much as several thousand dollars and don't guarantee job placement.

The BBB offers the following advice when enlisting the help of an agency or counselor:

- Always check out a job placement or career counseling organization with BBB first. Visit www.bbb.org to view reliability reports that show not only how many complaints a company has received, but also if they work to resolve disputes with clients.

- In some cases, state laws apply to job placement companies or career counselors, so job seekers should make sure they've enlisted the help of a company that meets all licensing requirements. The BBB also recommends visiting the National Board for Certified Counselors online at www.nbcc.org to search for certified professionals.

- Carefully review any contracts for counseling or placement services, making sure all oral promises are included, even if that means taking the contract home and having a trusted friend or relative also review it.

- Be wary of paying upfront fees to a placement agency and be extremely cautious when giving out credit card or bank account information.

For additional BBB advice on finding a job, including tips and techniques for writing a resume and performing well in job interviews, go to www.bbb.org.

KELVIN COLLINS IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF CENTRAL GEORGIA & THE CSRA INC., WHICH SERVES 41 COUNTIES BETWEEN AUGUSTA AND MACON. QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT A SPECIFIC COMPANY OR CHARITY SHOULD BE REFERRED DIRECTLY TO THE BBB AT (800) 763-4222 OR INFO@CSRA.BBB.ORG.