June 2003
Joblessness is not Hopelessness...
...But you need to be real creative
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
There have been more and more articles about long term joblessness among experienced professionals that is disturbing. The following chart came from a recent issue of The Christian Science Monitor, which has been doing a series of articles about case studies of folks who are dealing with joblessness. Here are some of the findings that they cite:
Feeling pinch of joblessness
To probe how joblessness is affecting Americans, the National Employment Law Project conducted a national telephone survey of some 400 unemployed adults in April.
Among the survey's findings:
83% said their current job search has been harder than past searches
61% were concerned that they would have to accept work that pays less than their previous job.
56% said they had been forced to cut back on food spending.
33% had interrupted their own or a family member's education.
33% of those who previously had health insurance said they were no longer covered.
26% had moved to other housing or moved in with relatives or friends.
This study and the Monitor articles reinforce my oft written comment that there is no such thing as job security anymore. Nor is planning for one career enough. Every American needs to subscribe to a new paradigm that is "Me, Inc." with a new set of Don’ts!
Do not depend on anyone else to give you career advancement or tuition reimbursement or free training on the job.
Don’t rely on someone else to withhold taxes and social security for your health insurance or retirement benefits.
In a word, The Me, Inc. concept means that YOU are responsible for all of your career development and lifestyle throughout your adult life.
Unfortunately, those who are laid off are learning this painful new lesson re responsibility for their own paycheck the hard way. However, help is on the way! Take a look at Peter Weddle’s website that covers many topics regarding an electronic job search. Peter also has some very helpful tips to deal with the automatic tracking system software that HR folks increasingly use to filter out applications. Here they are:
- Lift key phrases from the job listing on the website and incorporate them into your electronic resume. Be sure to use them liberally when filling out online applications.
- Be sure to mention your critical job skills early and often in your cover letter, the keyword section, and in case studies throughout the resume itself. That way, the tracking software reads your key selling points as both frequent and recent experiences.
- When the corporate website asks if you were told about the job opening by a company employee, Peter recommends that you say yes. It’s a little white lie that can give you a big leg up. Once you say Yes!, however, you will need to network your way quickly to find a connection in case you are asked for the name of a specific employee at your interview.
- HR tracking software can be programmed to favor local applicants to avoid relocation costs. So, if you’re applying for a position that is not local, borrow a friend’s address or rent a post-office box in this town.
- Tracking software is designed to filter out applications, not bring forward the best candidates. Peter recommends that if you see a job posting that looks like it fits your temperament and experience, don’t just stand by with an electronic resume. Network your way into that company directly through current and retired employees.
Another alternative is to consider self-employment. I’ve written on this subject a good deal but am always learning about new sources of information. A recent Financial Times article mentioned a book that sounds intriguing. Check out Cliff Hakim’s "We are all Self-employed" that originally came out in 1994 but has some timeless gems for those who are considering going out on their own. I’ll cover more details about this book in future articles.
Happy June! Please send me your resumes to vet. I love to look them over and give you an added boost. All the best --jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
Copyright © 1995-2007 Gary Johnson Communications. All rights reserved. BraveNewWorkWorld, NewWork, NewWork News, Careers in the NewWork World, WITNE, and WITNE: Women in the New Economy are trademarks of Gary Johnson Communications.