From Bad to Worse: Unemployment Rate Hits Working Americans Across the Spectrum
With massive layoffs and cut backs is anyone hiring?
According to the US Department of Labor:
the number of unemployed people rose to 9.4 million in August, and the unemployment rate increased to 6.1 percent.
Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 2.2 million and the unemployment rate has risen by 1.4 percentage points, with most of the increase occurring over the past 4 months.
Depending on your skills, education, determination, and networking ability, the right job is out there for you!
Think outside the box to find your next gig.
Despite the grim reports about the economy and unemployment, it is still possible to find a job. It may not necessarily be your dream job making the ideal salary, with top notch benefits, and cool perks…but it may be enough to keep your head above water while seeking better opportunities. Stay optimistic, positive, and focused on your goals.
Your job search may lead you to a new career, a new business, and/or an overlooked or missed opportunity.
Job Hunting Tips
Whether you are a newly minted college graduate entering the workforce for the first time, are a retiree looking to get back into a job or someone who is just fed up with their job and is looking to transition into another career, you can get started on the trail of that job you want by following the tips given in this article.
Check your resume for mistakes
Before turning in your resume, make sure that it is tailored to the position you are trying to secure and that it is free of typos, spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. You should also be sure to tailor your resume to the specific criteria of the position you are applying for. If you have your sights set on an accounting position, you need to emphasize any prior experience which is applicable. Make sure that your resume is no longer than one and a half pages; one page is better.
Tackling the interview challenge
An interview of 1,400 CFOs done by a California consulting and staffing company revealed agreement on the most common errors made by job seekers in the interview process. The most common of these were:
- Not knowing about the company or even the position applied for
- Being late for the interview or even worse
- Being arrogant during the interview
Body language is of great importance; you should make good eye contact, have a firm handshake and avoid defensive postures like crossing your arms. The way you dress matters too – remember that it’s always better to be overdressed rather than under dressed.
Answer questions smartly
Being nervous can lead you to do poorly in interviews. These jangled nerves can even lead to forgetting the questions asked in the interview! To prepare yourself and be less nervous, make sure to do your research on not just the position itself, but also the company you are applying at. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so and offer to get back to the interviewer with an answer later.
Getting the necessary referrals
An employee referral is a valuable thing – it is in many cases the best way of securing an interview. Remember that hundreds of resumes pour in when companies advertise a vacancy and that having a referral from an employee will improve your odds. As many as 60% of job vacancies are filled through recommendations by current employees.
Online application
An increasing number of companies are now asking applicants to submit their resume or application over the internet. This means that rather than making a good first impression in person, you must do this by email. This is a very important piece of communication; treat it with the seriousness it deserves. When applying online, remember these tips:
Complete your sentences and do not use abbreviations
If your email is too casual in its tome, a prospective employer will probably pass you by. Even when you are writing a prospective employer via email, always keep the tome of your email professional.
Get directly to the point
Be clear about why you are writing; using a story or other embellishments will probably not get the attention of a prospective employer; but it probably will make them feel that you have wasted your time and to keep on looking through that stack of resumes. Be direct and professional in your email.
With some preparation and some patience, you really can get that job you’ve always wanted. Don’t give up and be willing to wait for that perfect job instead of grabbing the first position you see – it can mean you’ll end up just as unhappy as before. Make an informed, solid decision which is right for your professional advancement and then act on it.
with the economy going down right now….its really a tough to find new job…I work in a career/employment firm…and this is the first time in years that our staffing department has zero referrals….no job is coming and but resumes are like stacked up on our inbox like spam…i really hope this burden ends soon…but seeing it now..its gonna take some time…
But i think with the right resume and the right amount of confidence and knowledge you can land a job..there are still quite a few openings…you just need to know how to beat the odds and stand out from the rest…its a tough career battle but if you have what it takes…you’ll surely get there..:)
Job market is really down. What is worse is the fact that people are getting layed off big time. I think one should start by making a good resume. Your resume will decide if you get a call for interview.
As a recruiter, my best advise is to make a great first impression. If these means appearance, arrive on time, smile, handshake etc. do it. Practice with a friend, in front of a mirror, use a web cam, make sure you look confident without being arrogant.
Tim
like job applicants search for jobs, recruiters are also searching for right applicants. for right applicantns jobs are always there. confidence is the main thing that can get you a job even in the crisis.
work at home computer jobs
What can i say, even with every strategies that you apply, you need to get an interview first. That is the 1st challenge that you need to deal with.
Go on informational interviews. An information interview is different than a job interview. On a job interview, yourgoal is to gain employment. On an informational interview, your goal is to gain additional information about your chosen occupation. Ask
people in your occupation if you may take 30 minutes of their time to talk to them about their business. Most people are willing to speak with you because there is nothing at stake and it is a non-threatening situation. Arrange a meeting and then keep the appointment and go meet them at their convenience.
With the increase of oil price, world economy will take another slump. Thus the competition getting stiff. So right now it also better to take a chance on enterpreneurship too
There are allot of job finding sites all over internet posting jobs everyday. There is some jobs out there but they may not what are ppl are looking for
This article is really good, companies ARE hiring, dont watch the news so much, and sign up for a site like jobsquared.com . THAT is how you do a real job campaign, watch your result soar.
What is the status today?
The Status of what?