Posts Tagged ‘unemployment’

Long-Term Unemployment: You Are Not Alone

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Last week we wrote about the apparent trend of avoiding hiring unemployed applicants, which has been trickling through the blogosphere and sparking quite a discussion.  According to this article on a blog at bnet.com, however, the original source of the ad has removed the requirement.  The article goes on to make several good points, both for the reasoning behind why companies might make such a move, and for not overreacting to such a seemingly extreme measure.

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The economy is no doubt improving—although slowly—but unemployment numbers are still high and those in the ranks of the out of work are likely to have been in a state of unemployment for a longer than usual period of time.  On June 2, the Wall Street Journal published an article on chronic joblessness and the effects it can have on the workforce, and the individual.  Along with the psychological implications of increased anxiety, loss of self esteem and depression, long term unemployment can be damaging to one’s potential for finding work.  Everyone who has ever changed jobs or been laid off knows that gaps in employment history can raise eyebrows, but today’s job market is seeing more people with this problem than in times past.  According to the WSJ article, unemployment rates, and duration have not been this bad since the 1980’s.

The news is not all bad of course, and it’s important to stay positive.  There are things you can do to minimize the damage that an extended period of joblessness can exact.  Writer, and journalist Anita Bruzzese wrote a great blog post on what one can learn in an economic climate like today’s.  Networking remains as one of the best ways to maintain working relationships and get back into the game when between jobs.  The days of pouring over the want ads section when looking for new employment opportunities seems to be behind us, although it is still a viable tool in the belt of the job seeker.

Both Bruzzese’s and the bnet.com article also mention that it’s important to stay busy during longer bouts of unemployment,  whether that means doing some volunteer work, or staying up to date on your skill set by taking classes or attending seminars.  Many people, of course take on part time work not only in order to help pay the bills, but to simply stay active in the work force.

Though we are seeing signs of improvement in the economy and the job market, we also know that it will simply take some time to iron out these wrinkles.  What are some of your strategies for dealing with the longer periods of unemployment that we’re seeing today?  Have you been negatively affected by being out of work for an extended period, and how have you dealt with the setback?

[Hire Me image via Ms. Career Girl]

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Don’t Even THINK About Applying to This Job

Friday, June 4th, 2010

It’s bad enough to find oneself unemployed in good times—and everyone knows these are not such good times—and even worse to be out of work in an economy that’s taken a nose dive.  We came across an article so outrageous we simply had to put up a post about it.  Can you imagine an employment ad claiming unemployed applicants will not be considered?

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This article posted on Tuesday, June 1st details the shock of an Atlanta resident upon finding a hiring ad posted by Sony Ericsson for a position at their new headquarters which is moving to an area just outside of Atlanta.  The shock came from the rather bold—and capitalized—statement in the ad that the company would not consider any applicants who were not already employed.

According to Labor Buzz, Jill Spoffard, a recruitment manager for Pitney Bowes, hiring managers may see the presently unemployed applicant as having some inherent flaw, and wonder why, exactly, that they’re unemployed.  Gaps in employment history and long stints of unemployment have always been a thorn in the side of any job seeker, but considering the current economic climate, can this type of hard-nosed stance be justified?

Job applicants who have never been laid off and/or still have a job while looking elsewhere are often viewed as superior to someone with large gaps in work history, but considering the present economic downturn, how many currently unemployed applicants are unemployed due to circumstances beyond their control?  To automatically rule these workers out when considering new positions seems a bit short sighted when this is considered.

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This whole talk about unemployed people need not apply flies in the face of the HIRE Act, a new benefit to employers that gives a tax incentive for hiring those that were unemployed.  An avoidance of long-term, or chronically unemployed job applicants could possibly be justified in a less hostile job market, but one has to wonder if these companies are not, in the end, hurting themselves in the current economic climate.

What are your thoughts on this potentially frightening trend?  Are companies which take this attitude ultimately hurting the economy by keeping employment rates high?

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A Peek at the Job Market, and Hope From Washington

Monday, March 29th, 2010

According to a current Bureau of Labor and Statistics report the unemployment rate is still hovering around 10%.  Even the harsh winter season is shouldering blame for the some of the recent negativity due to a significant amount of missed work.  The construction and information sectors posted some losses while there was an increase in the temporary help industry.  To break it down a bit further, February unemployment rates for people 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher held at around 5%, while rates for high school graduates in the same group increased from January’s 10.1% to 10.5%, and for those with less than a high school diploma also increasing slightly to 15.6%.

All in all the job market looks about the same as it has for the past several months, and it can be a little discouraging checking in on it, but as stated here recently, it’s important to stay positive during times like these as things are bound to improve.  And it appears as though some improvements might be on the way if the recent news from Washington is any judge.

Two weeks ago the Senate passed the roughly 18 billion dollar jobs bill that had been making its round in Washington, and on Thursday, April 18, President Obama signed the bill into law.  There is some doubt whether the bill will be effective in spurring the economy.

It is hoped that the new jobs bill will usher in a wave of hiring by giving employers significant tax breaks for hiring previously unemployed workers and credit if they can retain those employees for at least a year.  Small businesses also stand to gain with tax incentives for new equipment. Another major facet of the bill, and one that is hoped will create many jobs is a provision for road and bridge construction projects, which will also encompass infrastructure and transportation improvements.

The President was quoted as saying that though the jobs bill, “is absolutely necessary, it is by no means enough. There is a lot more we need to do to spur hiring in the private sector and bring about a full economic recovery.”  It is comforting to know that the President acknowledges that while there are some indications that the economy is beginning to climb out of recession, those effects may not yet be felt by average Americans.

Hopefully this bill will be just a part of a greater effort on the part of Washington and the Obama administration to help bring this economy back onto more solid ground.

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The Vicious Education / Unemployment Cycle: It is Escapable

Monday, March 15th, 2010

“I can’t get a job because I need an education. I can’t get an education because I need a job”

This is one of the most common conundrums murmured by the unemployed as well as those who are employed in a lower level job. It’s the feeling of being trapped in the position you’re in and being unable to get out because you don’t have the means to do so. However, you may be happy to know there is a way out that won’t require years of your time or a huge investment.

I Can’t Get a Job Because I Need an Education

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No one knows the value of a high school diploma like someone who didn’t finish. They often find themselves stuck to minimum wage, hard labor jobs simply because they don’t have the education or skills to get anything else. But they’re not the only ones who experience this problem.

Whether you’re a professional, working in a large corporation, or a small business, education still comes into play. You might get passed over for promotion because someone has a more degrees than you, fail to get the job you really wanted because you don’t have the right education, or find your business loses a number of contracts because someone else has attended more schools than you. And while we know there’s always someone better than us at something, there always seems to be someone better when we really want and need the job!

I Can’t Get an Education Because I Need a Job

In many instances, it’s not that we don’t want to improve our education and get ahead, but lots of times, we just can’t afford it. And that kind of an investment only gets bigger the higher you go up the scale. Not to mention the time investment! It’s pretty tough to go back to school for a degree when you’re working full-time and have family obligations.

For some, it isn’t a matter of affording the education. It’s figuring out what kind of education to go for. Which degree will really benefit us and get us the most ‘bang for out buck’ in the industry? Is this really what we want to do? That’s a lot of pressure!

How To Get Out Of the Circle

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While the root of the problem appears to be a lack of education, it isn’t (unless you’re a high school dropout applying to be a brain surgeon). It’s how you’re presenting yourself to others. Often times, when going into these types of situations, we know we’re going up against some pretty stiff competition, and no matter how hard we try to hide it, it shows. The employer or client senses this on some level, and it ultimately taints their decisions.

Think of yourself like a business with a comprehensive marketing plan. Your resume is a brochure for you, so be sure it reflects you adequately including the presentation. You are the product, so show confidence in yourself and your skills. Don’t be afraid to state your opinions and show how you can really be an asset to the company.

Think of it this way: You’ve got something your worthy opponent doesn’t. You!

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10 Habits That Might Get You Fired

Friday, March 12th, 2010

This being Friday and all we thought we’d end the week on a funny note while providing you with some pointers on losing your job.  After all there’s no shortage of advice on workplace success; a quick Google search will get you tons of information.  But what if that’s not what you’re interested in? Forget the promotions and the raises, you’re done with all that.  What you want is out!  Well, this article is for you; if you’re looking to get canned then read on as we present 10 ways to rid yourself of that pesky job of yours and embark on a new journey.  The exciting field of unemployment.

  1. Name calling:  While on the phone—this should be often—and your boss comes by to see you, say that you have to go because the jerk just walked up.  This can be very endearing and will likely win you a special place in their heart.
  2. Inappropriate pranks:  Hankering for a fresh grilled burger or dog during the week? Go ahead and throw an office barbeque. Inside the office. That charcoal grill scent might just liven up the atmosphere around an otherwise dead office setting.

  3. Social media ignorance:  Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to post incriminating or inappropriate things on Twitter or Facebook. Nobody ever looks at that stuff anyway.
  4. Unchecked honesty:  Remove the mental filter most of us are born with and start talking.  Bosses and supervisors love to hear that they couldn’t manage their way out of a pile of newborn kittens, or that they have the personality of gravel dust.  Say it like you mean it too.
  5. Unwise Internet usage:  There are some who feel this is should be avoided, but in many places surfing for adult content at work is perfectly acceptable way to spend your workday.
  6. Casual punctuality:  Arrive and leave work on a whim; no one will question you on what really should be considered a basic worker’s right.
  7. Office imbibing:  When the bartender asks if you’ve decided on that third lunch martini you say, ‘Hit me!’ It is widely known that alcohol can make the rockiest of office settings as smooth as silk.
  8. Inordinate chattiness:  Closely related to #3 and #5 above, chat room usage while on the clock can aid in developing social interaction skills highly prized in any work environment.
  9. Bringing napping supplies:  Setting up primo napping space at work can go a long way toward improving your productivity.  Think about it, after a big one hour lunch there’s nothing better than a good 30 minute power nap to help you get through the rest of the day.
  10. Running commentaries:  Whether live during a meeting or through lengthy company-wide emails, making known your opinions on company policies, or management decisions is a sure fire way way to win the hearts and minds of your boss and coworkers.

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