How much does the jobless rate affect your job search?

The Cincinnati Business Courier recently reported that the Ohio jobless (Why they don't just say unemployment?) rate fell in February. When I first started this blog back in 2002, I often wondered about the unemployment rate.

It's really a bit of an inaccurate number, when you consider that it's the number of people filing for unemployment each week. It doesn't count those who are still unemployed yet have either stopped meeting the reporting requirements or have had their unemployment benefits expire.

The rate describes a macroeconomic condition; i.e., a condition of unemployment as a whole. More importantly, I also found, at least for me, that I began using the unemployment rate as an excuse for not keeping up with my job search as intensely as I could have been.

So the jobless rate is falling or rising... whatever.


The statewide/national jobless rate shouldn't affect your own job search and career management. Stay focused on your own job search. Companies still have positions to be filled. Your industry (also known as "vertical" by some) may have high demand for labor. Don't use the rate as an excuse.

Am I off base here? Does any of this make sense? What do you think?

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Related tags: getthatjob, get+that+job, job+hunt, job+search, career+advice, networking, professional+development, daniel+johnson+jr

Using Top Business Lists for market research and lead generation?

When I was looking for my first job out of college, and in many of my subsequent job searches, I've often looked at the top business lists for the area where I was looking.

The print editions of the Cincinnati Business Courier and Dayton Business Journal, for example, contain top 25 lists of various companies and individuals in various categories. It looks like these lists can be ordered online, too: here's the link for Cincinnati Business Lists. From this link you can search other markets and categories, too.

As a job seeker, I've personally preferred to spend some time at my public library, searching their archived lists, instead of spending money on these lists.

Have you found these lists to be helpful?

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Check out my other blogs:
Daniel Johnson, Jr.
Journey Inside My Mind Blog
Journey Inside My Mind Podcast
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Related tags: getthatjob, get+that+job, job+hunt, job+search, career+advice, networking, professional+development, daniel+johnson+jr, top+business+lists

Add Google Alerts to your job hunting toolbelt

No, I haven't left this blog dormant. In fact, nearly every day over the past month or so, I've thought about you who stop by to read. In case you are interested in where I've been, let me point you to this blog post: One Voice Walk 2007. I've spent the last month or so doing some online publicity work for that project.

Do you know about Google Alerts? They are one set of tools in your new media toolkit that can help you in your job search.

Google Alerts let you find out about new web pages on topics of interest. I have them set up for my own blog properties, my name, the names of others, and other projects, etc.

For a job search, you should set up Google Alerts for companies you are targeting. Alternatively, you could set up alerts to keep current on what's going on in a particular career, especially if you're looking to make a change.

You do need to have a Google account, which is free, in order to set these up.

What are some ways that you have been using Google Alerts?

If you'd like to stay in touch, you can

• email danieljohnsonjr at gmail
• call (206) 666-5466 and leave a voicemail
• leave a comment here
• follow me on Twitter

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking professional+development daniel+johnson+jr google+alerts toolkit new+media

Find out more about Hispanic Recruiting at LatPro.com.

Read local business journals for market info potential leads

Do you read the local business journal the city where you live or want to work? Years ago I started doing that, just to see what companies are doing in the area and as a potential source for job leads, a way to get an understanding of the job market. I can't remember whether the Cincinnati Business Courier does it, but the Dayton Business Journal publishes these lists every week of fastest growing companies, top minority-owned businesses, etc. I liked looking at those lists because it gave the name of the top official as well as other relevant information for generating leads.

I'm currently have the RSS feed for the Cincinnati Business Courier's Breaking News in my Bloglines collection. I often don't know what to make of some of the information I read, though.

On one hand I hear that unemployment rates are up slightly, but then I read that the job market for IT professionals is pretty good. I even saw this morning that Cincinnati is ranked 18th on Forbes magazine recent Best Cities for Young Professionals list.

Does it seem confusing to you? It does to me, sometimes. Then I look at the details and see that the unemployment article is talking about Ohio metro areas overall. I guess that's what we need to do - look at the details a bit more closely.

Also, I think it's a good idea not to let negative information put a cloud over your job search efforts. Doing so can lead to making excuses. You'll be tempted, as I am, to think and say things like, "Oh, the job market's just down; that's why I'm not able to find work." Let's think and believe bigger than that.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice job+market daniel+johnson+jr

America's best jobs in the hottest markets

As spotted elsewhere in the blogging sphere:

The great American hiring boom is slowing down--but as labor cools with the rest of the economy, a few choice regions will stay red-hot. You just have to know where to look.

Check out the CNNMoney report here.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search job+market america cnn+money

Blog your way to your next job

Thanks to Bryan from Monster Careers, I now point you to this article that describes How Blogging Can Help You Get A New Job.

Develop and nurture your online presence. It may lead to your next job.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice networking blogging daniel+johnson+jr self-branding

Lots of government job openings coming

Clark Howard reports that a huge wave of people will be retiring from government jobs soon. Check out usajobs.gov for more information.

Related tags: getthatjob get+that+job job+hunt job+search career+advice clark+howard government+jobs usajobs

High-demand for These Workers

ClarkHoward.com reports:

Are you looking for a job that has good pay, a lot of security and flexible hours? Would you believe the trucking industry has all that? Some people, such as Clark, would not do well in this job. But others love the open road and the solitude and would be great at the job. Better yet, you don’t need any training because most schools will train you for free. The industry needs about 20,000 truckers, so companies are offering signing bonuses and all kinds of incentives. Truckers make about $60,000 a year. Other jobs with lots of openings include registered nurses or RNs and pharmacists. If you are interested in those fields you could make a great living and do what you love. What could be better?

via ClarkHoward.com Show Archives for March 1, 2006

Work-from-home jobs on the rise

Clark Howard reports:

You are going to find more opportunities to work full-time or part-time from your home in the years to come. It’s known in the industry as having a “remote workplace.” Some employers, of course, won’t consider it at all. Others are at the other extreme and will do everything they can to encourage people to work from their homes. Companies that jump into the trend with both feet have come up with solid procedures to monitor your work and save tons of money with work-at-home programs. Sun Microsystems has about half of its workforce at home now and has saved $300 million a year as a result. The company doesn’t need office space, computer or phones, so it saves a ton of money. Another technology company, Agilent, has closed 50 U.S. sales offices and reduced their cost by 60 percent. About 12 percent of U.S. workers are now working remotely, and as many as 40 percent are expected to work at least part-time from home in the next few years. Everyone benefits. So, what’s the disadvantage of working from home? You may end up working too much. And, showing your face around the boss and other people at work is always advantageous. But the new mantra in the workplace seems to be: "If you want to keep them, let them go."

via ClarkHoward.com

More call-center jobs coming home

This could be some great news to anyone who wants to work from home!

Chron.com | More call-center jobs coming home

via e-mail

The lowest paying jobs out there

Money isn't everything in job satisfaction - you should do what you love. From ClarkHoward.com, consumer warrior Clark Howard provides a list of the jobs that pay the least: clarkhoward.com: Clarchives clarkhoward - Clarchives August 22, 2005

Financial hiring to slow, but local IT job market heating up

The Cincinnati Business Courier reports on a recent study of Chiefl Financial Officers in the Greater Cincinnati area indicates that while the accounting and finance job markeet in the area may be slowing down, the local IT job market may be heating up. See the article for more details.

Bankruptcy overhaul nearing passage by Congress

The U.S. Congress is close to passing major bancruptcy legislation, which would make it impossible for thousands of people to wipe away their debts:

Opponents say the change would fall especially hard on low-income working people, single mothers, minorities and the elderly and would remove a safety net for those who have lost their jobs or face crushing medical bills.

...

Going into effect six months from enactment, the measure sets up an income-based test for measuring a debtor's ability to repay debts. It also requires people in bankruptcy to pay for credit counseling.

...

Those with insufficient assets or income could still file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which if approved by a judge erases debts entirely after certain assets are forfeited. Those with income above the state's median income who can pay at least $6,000 over five years — $100 a month — would be forced into Chapter 13, where a judge would then order a repayment plan.

Critics say that's unfair because many people who file for bankruptcy have lost their jobs, or are going to lose them.

Under the current system, a federal bankruptcy judge determines under which chapter of the bankruptcy code a person falls — whether they have to repay some or all of their debt.

via USATODAY.com - Bankruptcy overhaul nearing passage by Congress, spotted on K-LOVE's News Page

Career Search High Level Process Flow...

A well rounded career search strategy needs to utilize a number of different tools to be successful. In this diagram, I try to outline a high level proces flow for "Getting That Job".



Two of these tools may be new to you: WebSites and Blogs. I'll address these in an upcoming GetThatJob entry. In the meantime, keep in mind: creativity and leveraging all available tools will give you an advantage in the job seeking market.

Ready to Get That Job? Re-energize your Campaign

Are you doing the same old thing in pursuit of that great new job? During my own journey through the "transition-zone", I re-energized my campaign on a frequent basis. Sound easy right? It is. First - stop and take a break and reflect on what worked well for you and what did not. Holidays are often a great time for this, as the job market slows as the holiday approaches and for days after.

Use this break time (or anytime) to try something new. Attend a different type of network event, where you might not know as many people. Take yourself out of the comfort zone.

And consider taking a quick holiday! Getting That Job is hard work - maybe harder than working at that job. You need to be focused and sharp to win that interview. The look of desperation or frustration will hurt you chances considerably. Walking away from your search for a few days is time well spent.

Next week we'll tear apart some resumes and get folks re-focused on PAR. To read ahead click here and here.

Stephen
JobStuff, a Blog for Your Career
Zerotonetwork, a Business Networking Blog

Unhappy at work, but unwilling to change

A recent telephone survey of 2600 respondents indicates that while many American workers are unhappy with their jobs, the condition of the current job market precludes them from moving on.

The article also describes the growing prevalence of blogs as a way of sharing one's gripes about work:

With more than 2.5 million blogs online for all the world to see, this trend can create numerous legal problems, warns Michael D. Karpeles, head of the labor and employment law group with the Chicago law firm Goldberg Kohn Bell Black Rosenbloom & Moritz Ltd.

"The biggest problems can arise when employees ... accidentally or deliberately reveal proprietary information, vent frustrations with company policies or a particular manager or executive, or otherwise publish information that the company would prefer to keep internal," Karpeles said.

Many companies are still trying to sort through the new terrain and answer some tough questions:

• Does it matter if the blogger is writing from work or home?
• Do First Amendment free-speech rights apply?
• Is it legal to broadcast embarrassing company information, as long as it's true?

Karpeles noted another potential headache, this one for the workers -- future employers might be leery of hiring a prolific workplace blogger.

What do you think?

You're not the boss of me!

Be Your Own Boss

Even though the small-business failure rate is daunting, this is an opportune moment for <> budding entrepreneurs. Low interest rates and a still-soft job market have made capital and employees available at affordable rates. Credit is in ample supply, and banks are looking to lend. Factor in strong consumer and government spending and a pent-up demand for new wares by companies, and the picture becomes even more attractive. "I can't imagine a better time, from a broader economic perspective, to start a small business," says Mark Zandi, chief economist of Economy.com. He also points to strengthening sales figures across most industries as another reason to hang out a shingle now: Competition is less tight as many established firms have all the business they can handle.

Yahoo! News (reprinted from US News and World Report)

[cross posted to Jobfiler]

Off the Clock Job Market! Events

I had just finished some browsing for some positions at the local paper's website, and I clicked the link in their sidebar that says "Off the Clock". It turns out to be a list of upcoming Career Fairs, etc. in the Dayton area.

Hmm.

U.S. Newswire - Economic Policy Institute Feb. 9 Capitol Hill Briefing on Jobs and the Economy: Job Growth, Wages and Economic Policies

News Advisory:

With the labor market experiencing the worst job recovery on record, how to best create jobs is a critical issue for all working families. On Monday, Feb. 9, Congressman George Miller and the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) will sponsor a briefing to shed much-needed light on this issue.

Two EPI economists will analyze recent trends in jobs and wages, including the Feb. 6 jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and assess the effectiveness of economic policies to address these trends. Among other things, the economists will discuss the extended duration of the job slump, the slowing of wage growth to less than the rate of inflation, the fall of income for the lowest-paid Americans compared to the rise in income for top earners, the "missing labor force" excluded from unemployment counts, and the skewing of President Bush's policies toward higher-income tax relief and high federal deficits.

Leading the presentation will be two EPI economists - nationally recognized experts on the economy and employment:

-- Lee Price, EPI research director and former chief economist and Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Commerce Department

-- Jared Bernstein, EPI senior economist and co-author of the biennial State of Working America

WHAT: Analysis of the recent trends in jobs and wages and the effectiveness of policies to address these trends

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Room 1539, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Communications Department of EPI, 202-775-8810

The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank founded in 1986. The Institute can found on the web at http://www.epinet.org

MSN Careers - Believe It or Not! - Career Advice Article

How far would you go to land your next job? For most, it depends on how badly they need a job. As a career counselor, I've had the opportunity to hear about many amazing and often outrageous stories involving people employing extreme strategies to find suitable work. Many of the stories may sound unbelievable to you, but they are all true...

...This is what happened to six people desperate for work and at their wits' end. These stories are about regular people just like you and me who took control of their destiny to achieve a goal.

Although these stories are intriguing and highly creative, I do not recommend following these examples as a means of finding employment. They provide the kind of "out-of-the-box" thinking required for becoming employed in a tough job market. I hope you will glean from them the inspiration to escape the anxiety of being in transition and instead devote your energies to a creative self-marketing that goes beyond the pages of a resume...