In case you missed it: Dec. 30

Posted by: Matt Rivera

Right now, writers and reporters everywhere are rounding up, ranking, and highlighting the best, worst, and most impactful events of 2011. Whether you’ve decided to flip through the top tech stories of 2011 or the year’s worst-dressed TV characters, here are four stories that emerged this week that we deem worthy of your to-read list:

Bloomberg: Jobless Claims in U.S. Hit Three-Year Low in Past Month

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the four-week moving average for unemployment claims fell to 375,000 for the period ending Dec. 24, the lowest since June 2008. In this article, reporter Bob Willis says this is “a sign that the U.S. labor market is on the mend heading into the new year.” The number of Americans continuing to receive jobless benefits, however, rose by 34,000 to 3.6 million, and these figures do not include those receiving extended benefits under federal programs.

Fortune: 10 hot careers for 2012 — and beyond

Anne Fisher compiles her predictions for the top jobs of the upcoming year based on the skills that will be in high demand by employers. Not surprisingly, highly technical sectors such as biotech, engineering, and healthcare made the list, with information technology snagging the #1 spot. As Fisher reports, 65 percent of hiring managers said that they hope to add tech staff in the first half of 2012, with 27 percent of those managers wanting to expand their IT headcount by more than 20 percent.

Wall Street Journal: Companies, Take Heed Of Online Reputations

According to a Corporate Executive Board survey, 56 percent of job seekers reported that they have lost interest in a potential employer because of something they read about the firm on social media or corporate review websites. Negative remarks online most commonly involve issues such as poor pay, difficult managers and bosses, and work cultures.

This report is a reminder that recruiting begins long before hiring managers post a job opportunity, and it reiterates the importance of not just increasing, but also effectively communicating, the value of employment with your company.

And finally, since we just can’t resist the 2011 bests and worsts either, we suggest The 9 Oddest Job Interview Questions Asked at Tech Companies in 2011.