Jobs are getting slightly easier to find. At least that's what consumers reported this month when they were asked in the survey of consumer confidence compiled by the Conference Board. The percentage of respondents included in the "jobs hard to get" series fell to 37.5% this month from 40.7% during March, significantly lower than a recent peak of 49.4% last September and the lowest since November 2008.
But don't get too excited, because the number of people who reported jobs were "plentiful" fell from 9% to 8.4%, and the unemployment rate is still hovering around 8.2%. What's more, today's release of initial jobless claims came in higher than expected for the fifth straight week. A total of 388,000 Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, higher than the 375,000 most economists were predicting.
Statistics aside, the reality is that the recession has created new paradigms about work and reshaped some of the old ones. To get ahead in today's economy, you have to understand a number of simple truths, including these five:
All jobs are temporary. So try to have more than one source of income. It's the equivalent of diversifying your investments. Capitalize on a hobby, do a little consulting, prepare for a potential second (or third) career. Granted, you may not make enough from your weekend endeavors to quit your day job. But you'll build a safety net -- one that will give you a potentially larger cushion than a weekly unemployment check if you lose your primary job.
You can't stay young, but you can stay current. That means constantly updating everything, from your knowledge and skills to your hair and clothing. And don't forget to evaluate your attitude. Employers value a "can do" attitude from applicants more than specialist skills, according to one recent survey in the United Kingdom. Experience is nice, but enthusiasm makes it even better.
Relationships really do matter. Remember the first time someone told you it wasn't what you know but who you know? They were right. So use LinkedIn to build your professional network online. And while you're at it, start tweeting, update your timeline on Facebook, pin on Pinterest, check in on Foursquare, and upload images on Instagram. Then do something really radical. Throw a party to meet your neighbors or join a volunteer organization. Talk to someone on the bus or commuter train. Social media is one part of the networking equation. Being social is the second.
It's OK to reinvent yourself. You don't have to keep doing the same job you've always been doing, especially if it no longer satisfies you. And you shouldn't keep doing it if you feel it is a dead-end position or part of a dead or dying industry. It's OK to change jobs. A 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, for instance, found Americans born between 1957 and 1964 held 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 44. So if you change jobs, you won't be alone. Not sure what you want to do? Spend a little time on My Next Move, created for the US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, by the National Center for O*NET Development.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Spend less than you earn. (What if you make even less next month? What if gas prices climb even higher? What if anything?) Reduce your debt. (One strategy is to pay as much as possible on your highest rate credit card and make only the minimum payments on all the rest. When that card is paid off, cut the card in half -- literally -- and start paying down the next highest rate card.) Build your investment portfolio. (Our recommendation: Focus on fundamentals, value, and long-term investing.)
I love the fact that you're encouraging people to actually connect with other people in real life. It seems like everyone has gotten so involved with social media that they forget the most obvious forms of networking.
Again, a great post. People shall follow these advises all the time, it's even more important during current time.
However, I'd suggest you separte the last advice into two, hope for the best and prepare for the worst are two different things. If people keep a balance on any of their credit card, I'd say they don't need worry about investment. They shall concentrate on getting rid of all bad debts ASAP. Only after they achieve thay goal, they can start to think of investment.
The biggest problem in this country and in many other developed countries is debt. The imprtance values it to be listed as a separate advice.
Good points, Minvestor. Debt is a serious drag at every level of the economy. It's hard to feel good about purchases when you haven't paid for the ones you made the month (or months) before, is it?
Although debt is a big problem, it shouldn't force you to make bad decisions. A job should be something that will pay you well for your time. To take a bad job in desperation rather than find a better situation that pays more and is more stable would many times be a mistake. Like all things in life, you have to have balance .
In this job market, I suggest accepting any offer that doesn't require you to make a long term commitment while you continue to look for something more suitable. Looking for a job is like looking for someone to date: you are somehow more desirable if you are "taken."
As you've mentioned having the right attitude is very important. In the current job market many jobs are not as clear cut as they used to be. Some jobs require a person to fill in a wide range of tasks. There is also the chance that job descriptions vary from time to time as the need arises. So it has become very important for employers to hire people who are willing to adjust to the changing needs of the company. So a 'can do' attitude is highly valued.
This is not yet the kind of Job market where jobseekers can be so choosy about what they get and what they refuse.
I highly recommend most Indebted Students grab the first job that they get that enables them to atleast start repaying their student loans.Once they have built up sufficent experience they can move to other employers.
Not everyone can afford to keep jumping from one employer to the next very frequently.At the same time;they should start working on a job which keeps them happy;even if it is a little low-paying to start off with.
Later on,they can hunt for better paying jobs.
There is one fundamental fact of employment-Its easier for someone who already has a job to get another one;than it is for someone who is unemployed to get one.
This is undeniable and only after spending lots of time with Recruiters did I actually grasp this fundamental fact.
Many graduates are stillgetting more than one offer. the diea is not to panic and jump at something you will hate- unless there is not other choice. Taking a job you won't like doesn't serve you or the employer well for the long run.
For sure there are some fields that are seeing good Job offers and competition for qualified candidates but the vast majority of Job seekers out there are facing a lean Jobs scene.
I was talking more in General for College Grads as a whole.
Not everybody in College today does have an Engineering or Business degree which is in demand.
There are plenty of MBAs out there who are sitting without jobs;because an MBA is a General Skill and does not add any special skills or value to your current jobs.
I am reminded about my Best friend.His story played out last year.
He was working for a Top Oil&Gas Services Multi-National Company as a Senior Project Engineer.He had an Undergrad degree in Civil Engineering.
It was always his passion to get an MBA,so he decided(after working 5 years) at his current Company to do his Executive MBA from London Business School.
Its a great way to do your MBA (without leaving your current job).Only problem is the Course is very-very pricey!!!
Anyways,after he finished his MBA ,he went to his Boss and showed his Degree and asked for a Raise.
Guess what his Boss said-
"
Congratulations on your Degree.
But tell me,How does getting this Degree ,Add or improve to the Job you are currently doing here today?
My dear friend started mumbling something about going to debt to do this MBA and the Boss told him bluntly-We never forced you to do this MBA.You did it of your own Choice.
"
My friend is now searching for another job which pays him more but in this market its proving difficult.
In fact,most of my friends Graduating MBA class had similar stories to tell.
Basically,long story short is this-Getting a Degree blindly(without looking at the underlying market and what your job prospects will be like once you graduate) and also the Debt you will be under is beyond Foolish today.
Otherwise stories like this one are Legion today and very much par for the course...
Basically,long story short is this-Getting a Degree blindly(without looking at the underlying market and what your job prospects will be like once you graduate) and also the Debt you will be under is beyond Foolish today.
You should print that on T-shirts and market them to incoming college freshmen. Too many don't seem to understand that, or have the courage to switch course once they realize the path their on is heading into a swamp.
Especially about all jobs being temporary. You just never know when your boss be having a bad day and walk in and fire you. Try to be verstaile in your skillset and have more than one option available.
Sometimes your company (or your boss) may be thinking ahead only as far as next quarter. Since your career will be much, much longer than that; you need to think long-term. Do you current job to the best of your ability. Enjoy it. But also think about what you want to be doing in 5 or 10 years. No one else can do this for you. Seek out mentors who can help you figure out how to get to where you want to be.
7)Be Flexible,Flexible,Flexible-Regarding your Job,Where you work and what times you are willing to work.
I am amazed at the number of people who turn down perfectly good jobs(even in this Job environment) because they are unwilling to re-locate or work in a Different Time Zone.Its much easier for such people to stay on an Uemployment check or move to Disability than expect that they need to change themselves.
Norren,talked a lot about having the right attitude-Positivity goes a long way,similarly the flexibility that companies are demanding can't be disregarded today.
We live in an Anywhere,Anytime kind of Work Culture today.Adaptability is Key.
Even if you take the less than ideal job there's still time to keep looking for the right fit. Working at even a crummy job still affords enough income and dignity to affect the way you act in a future interview.
Maybe we should add, "Make nice with your references." Here are some actual examples of questions and responses in references checked by Allison & Taylor:
We would like to verify that (the candidate) held the position (title) from (dates), is this correct?
"He was an account executive, not a Senior V.P."
"His name doesn't ring a bell."
"We do not have this person anywhere in our records."
"I am not allowed to say anything about this person as they were fired"
Some references will refuse to rank a past employee due to an unfavorable impression:
"No comment, they could not do anything correctly in the position they held with us"
"Let's save time. Basically, you could rank them inadequate in all areas"
When questioned about strengths and weaknesses:
"I cannot think of any strengths, only weaknesses"
"I'm sure there must be some strengths but nothing jumps out at me."
"Weaknesses seem to stick in my mind ... I'd have to really think about any strengths"
"I'd rather not comment - you can take that however you want"
We were hiring for two positons. Did team interviews with the final six candidates and picked the top three for the last part of the process. One of the references was really difficult to reach. Didn't seem to have any time. (That should have been a clue.)
When we finally got him on the phone it was basically "that name doesn't ring a bell". Huh? I can understand getting this answer if I'm calling people in the industry for an independent view, but this is from a reference name that the candidate gave us.
What was the candidate thinking? He didn't think we would call his references.
I'm amazed how many people give a reference without warning the person. I have received several calls about people who are both friends and business associates. Unless I know whether I'm a business or personal reference, I don't know what direction to steer the conversation.
If the person who wants to use you as a reference is too lazy, embarrassed or nonchalant to make a simple call or send an email, then too bad for him if no one remembers who he is.
An English professor once told me the best thing to write in response to a reference check involving a potentially poor employee is, "You would be lucky to get this person to work for you." Depending on where you place the inflection, it can mean very different things.
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