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Workers say pay is stuck on hold

In this weak economy it's good to have a job, no doubt about it. Still, if you have a job, it's not likely you're seeing a bigger paycheck these days.

In an income survey of 170 white-collar professionals, half said they received no raise with their last performance review. Of that group, 54 percent said the company's financial state was the reason, and a third blamed the overall sluggish state of affairs.

Of those who did get more money, about one in four said the raise was smaller than they expected.

The lack of income growth has also affected savings levels, with 70 percent of workers saying their 401(k) contributions have either stayed the same or decreased.

Nearly a quarter, 24 percent, said they have ended their 401(k) contributions. Only 2 percent are putting in more these days.

The survey was conducted last month by TrueCareers Inc., a career search site based in Reston, Va.

Cup holders top auto amenity

What's the must-have feature car buyers demand? A place for their beverage.

More than half of people in a Yahoo! Autos survey said they wouldn't buy a car without cup holders. Another third said mirrored visors were mandatory for them. Of that group, 35 percent were women and 24 percent were men.

As for snazzy but expensive options, global positioning satellite systems were the top choice. A fifth of the 2,137 people in the poll said they would spend an extra $100 monthly for a GPS navigation system. Eighteen percent said they wanted leather seats and 11 percent said voice-activated controls were important.

The online survey was conducted in mid-May by Harris Interactive.

Tips for landing that next job

It's no secret to the jobless how difficult it is to find a new position, with the average U.S. worker's job search now more than four months.

But you can do more during that interim than just mail resumes and fret, according to Management Recruiters International Inc., a Cleveland-based talent-recruitment firm. Their tips:

>> Return to school. It's wise to maximize any advantage you can gain over competing job applicants.

>> Consider switching industries. This remains one of the tried-and-true methods of landing a new job -- align your search with those fields needing workers.

>> Accept a temporary position. These can often lead to a permanent position, and it can give you a prime opportunity to demonstrate your skills to the employer.

>> Volunteer. You have the time, it keeps you busy, helps your community and can be an important addition to your resume. Plus, it can be a great way to network, MRI noted.

"There are ways to fill in the gaps that could make a prospective employer take notice," said Allen Salikoff, MRI's president and chief executive.

Companies focus on diversity

American Express Co. Fannie Mae. IBM Corp. A newly released study by Working Mother magazine names those three U.S. companies as the best employers in the nation for African-American, Asian, Latina, and Native American women.

According to the report, American Express has formal compensation policies that reward managers for helping talented female minorities advance. The company also regularly surveys employees about diversity issues and it holds diversity training for managers.

Treasury chief to rally Britons behind euro

LONDON >> Britain's Treasury chief said yesterday he favors joining the European single currency in principle and suggested he will try to rally skeptical Britons behind the euro.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown is widely expected to announce today that the economic conditions are not yet right for Britain to join the 12-nation euro zone and swap its pounds and pence for euro notes and coins.

But he told the British Broadcasting Corp. he would campaign for Europe and the "principle of the euro" after delivering his verdict, in a bid to "sweep aside anti-European prejudice" in Britain.

The comments by Brown, who is expected to tell the House of Commons today that five economic tests he set in 1997 have not yet been met, are seen as an indication that the government wants to turn around public opinion and leave the door open for a referendum on euro entry before the next national election, which must be held by 2006.

Gas prices dip 2 cents per gallon in 3 weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif. >> Gas prices fell two cents per gallon over the past three weeks, a slower rate of decline than in recent studies, which suggests prices are bottoming out and will soon rise, according to a national industry report yesterday.

The average price for a gallon of self-serve gas nationwide, including all grades and taxes, was about $1.54 Friday, according to the Lundberg Survey of 8,000 stations. On May 16, the date of the last Lundberg Survey, gas cost about $1.56 per gallon.

Gas prices fell 2.28 cents during the two weeks from May 2 to May 16, and 6.44 cents in the two weeks from April 18 to May 2.

The expected turnaround in prices that have been falling since late March is mainly the result of a move by exporting countries to tighten crude oil supplies as of June 1, said analyst Trilby Lundberg.

Gas prices have dropped 22.42 cents per gallon since peaking on March 21 at an average of $1.76 per gallon.

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[Hawaii Inc.]

New jobs

>> City Bank has hired two vice presidents and corporate banking officers: John Taira, corporate banking division and Clyde T. Nakasue, Big Island division. Taira will be responsible for soliciting corporate level loans, deposits, cross selling products and referring internal and external products. He last served as a Bank of Hawaii vice president and commercial real estate officer. Nakasue will be located at the bank's Hilo branch and will develop, retain and grow a portfolio of high value mid-size business clients by delivering superior customer service. He previously served as a First Hawaiian Bank East Hawaii vice president, area manager and business banking team member.

>> Anne G. Landrum has been named director of development at La Pietra. She graduated from the school in 1970 and has been living in Alaska since 1978. Most recently she was the program coordinator for the Commissioner's Office of the Alaska Department of Corrections.

>> First Insurance Co. of Hawaii has hired Calvin Hiraoka as commercial underwriting operations officer, Gary Iwamasa as senior claims adjuster and Paulette Wage as people consultant. Hiraoka previously served as vice president of liability with Technology Integration Group in Texas and has 26 years of progressive insurance experience. Iwamasa has 23 years of claims experience, most recently as a claims specialist at Island Insurance. Wage has 13 years of human resources experience, most recently as American Healthways Inc.'s human resources director.

>> Hilton Waikoloa Village has hired Leanne Pletcher as marketing manager. She will manage marketing and public relations activities for the Big Island resort. Pletcher most recently served as executive director for the Kona Association for the Performing Arts.