"So we pick companies where we'll get a real benefit."

Thus, young job seekers should pick companies carefully while keeping a wary eye on the economy.

He described his strategy as "not picking stocks, but picking companies based on original research, which takes a lot of thought."

But if there is a slow recovery and a patient Fed, then picking companies with higher credit ratings would be a better bet.

One is to pick companies whose futures will be helped by, but are not entirely linked to, a surge in sales of air-pollution control equipment.

Their job will be to help pick American companies in three categories "that demonstrate the highest levels of total quality management.

Republicans still generally oppose the kind of industrial policy under which the Government picks certain companies, products or industries for support.

To pick companies in the selected industries, the managers screen them for low debt levels and high liquidity.

The real question is picking companies with long-term potential.

"I don't pick companies by size or category," he said.