Job Market Begins to Thaw, Companies Increase Hiring
By Trish Freshwater, Senior Communications Manager

Many people begin the New Year with hopes for new opportunities. For job searchers, opportunity may be knocking in the near future.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings are increasing. At the end of October 2010, there were 3.2 million private-sector job openings, up from 2.3 million a year earlier but well below the 3.7 million in October 2007, before the recession. Still, the numbers are encouraging. Read more»

Sustainability Trends Create Job Opportunities and Honors
By Tami Carter McNulty, Senior Recruiter

Sustainability – or the responsibility to use our resources wisely and to protect them for future generations – is a hot topic for many companies and college campuses. In fact, sustainability-related job opportunities on Sodexo's client college campuses are growing. And, our employees are doing great things.

The campus dining team at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif., a Sodexo-managed account, recently received accolades for its sustainability efforts in the Green Report Card published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute for 2011. Read more»

Will You Meet Sodexo Recruiters at the NSMH Conference?

At Sodexo, we believe that the quality of daily life contributes to the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. On February 10-11, 2011, Sodexo will attend the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) National Conference in Atlanta, Ga. Last year, Sodexo hired more than 20 NSMH members. This year it could be you! Learn more on our Facebook event page.

2010 Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report Celebrates Accomplishments
By Trish Freshwater, Senior Communications Manager

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to Sodexo and are an integral part of our company culture. We value the diversity of our workforce and realize that it is a driving force in our success. Our 2010 Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report captures our many initiatives and the progress we are making. Read more»

It's a New Year: Have You Made a New Year's Career Resolution?

Are you among the 40-45 percent of Americans who made a New Year's resolution this year? Traditionally, people make resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking or start exercising. For 2011, why not try something new and make a New Year's Career Resolution? Satisfaction with your career choices may impact the other, more traditional New Year's resolutions you might have made.

We want to hear your opinion! Take our poll and rank your top three 2011 Career Resolutions!

The poll will close on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Results will be posted in the Sodexo Careers blog on Friday, February 18.

Sodexo Earns Several Top Honors in Education

• Most Vegan-Friendly College in America – With thousands of votes cast for the country's Most Vegan-Friendly College in America, Sodexo helped client Northwestern University emerge as the top pick for 2010 in the small college category by PETA2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization.
• Employer of the Year – The Louisiana Governor's Office of Disability Affairs recognized Sodexo at Nicholls State University as the Employer of the Year for its best practices, including employer policies and programs to benefit hourly workers, such as health benefits, employee assistance programs, paid leave and training.
• Gold Award of Distinction – Sodexo partnered with Chicago's Namaste Charter School to earn the Gold Award of Distinction certification in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's HealthierUS School Challenge, the highest ranking possible in the program designed to promote good nutrition and physical activity. This is the first Gold Award of Distinction for a Sodexo-served school.

Apply for the Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholarship

The Sodexo Foundation, the anti-hunger charitable arm of Sodexo, Inc., is now accepting applications for its national STOP Hunger Scholarship program. Up to five students will be selected as national winners. Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship award and a matching $5,000 grant in their name for the hunger charity of their choice. In addition, up to 20 students will earn regional recognition with a $1,000 donation in their name to the hunger charity of their selection. Application deadline is February 18, 2011. Get more information here.

Create Your Weight – A New Year's Resolution for 2011
By Susan Laramee, Recruiting Manager, Clinical

Each January, many of us are inspired to create resolutions for the New Year. Weight loss, improved fitness and more exercise top most lists that many Americans made to begin in 2011.

Create Your Weight is a program designed by Sodexo Registered Dietitians to help participants with weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes in a group setting. This program is offered in hospital accounts across the country where Sodexo manages food and nutrition services. Read more»

This Bud's for You
By Trish Freshwater, Senior Communications Manager

Patient rooms and staff offices at Grossmont Hospital, part of the Sharp HealthCare system in San Diego, Calif., are looking a little brighter these days, as the Sodexo Landscape Team recently started delivering flowers within the building.

The flowers aren't just any flowers, though. They are roses and other flowers in bloom around the hospital campus that the team picks, places in vases purchased at a local 99-cent store, and delivers with customized cards containing an inspirational quote. Read more»

Employees Enjoying Farm Fresh Veggies at Work
By Beth Lasky, IST Communications Manager

While providing local fruits and vegetables for our clients and customers is a common practice, employees at Sodexo's Buffalo, NY, Service Center are now enjoying farm fresh veggies at work and eating healthier.

Last Spring, the "Green Team" at the Buffalo Service Center, where some of Sodexo's key finance and information technology support staff are centralized, set an aggressive goal: encourage Sodexo employees to eat more local, fresh produce. Read more»

Guiding Steps to Your Career: Implementing an Effective Job Search
By Jennifer Heth and Karen Graham, Senior Recruiters

You've created a resume that effectively conveys your skills and experience. It's time. You're ready to begin your job search.
As you begin the process, think about the types of jobs that appeal to you. A common job seeker pitfall is applying to too many positions and not utilizing a narrow, well-targeted search. It is often tempting to apply to positions that we may not be well qualified for or that may not be exactly what we want with the hopes of "getting a foot in the door." But, this strategy can cause job seekers to lose focus on the best opportunities for him or her. Read more»

Sodexo Benefits Help Employees Manage Good Health
By Trish Freshwater, Senior Communications Manager

Sodexo employees have access to a service called LifeWorks, a comprehensive resource to help employees face life's everyday challenges. Through the service's resources, employees can uphold their New Year's resolutions to get healthy through personal coaching, exercise, a healthy diet, smoking cessation, managing stress and much more. Read more»