*Scratches Head

Every time I have to ask myself this kind of question, I realize that I have that much more maturing to do, but I'll ask anyway.....

Why is it that people who are out of work are reluctant to try new methods of job hunting?  I offer to help people where I live, and there seems to be few takers in a down economy.  I'm not a job hunting expert, but having done enough of it, had outplacement training a couple of times, etc., I have some insights and contacts that I'm happy to share with job seekers, but I get few serious requests.   (checks armpits---nope, nice and clean).

I especially get concerned about those who haven't had to look for a job in a long time (anything over 10 years, or as close as 5 years ago), as the "game" of job hunting has had all kinds of rule changes.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me implore you all again---be preparing for your next job while in the one you have, and if you find yourself out of work, be a guerrilla job hunter, working every angle at finding your next gig.  I feel deeply for people who are unemployed, and feel frustrated when I see them not aggressively searching with a variety of methods that are necessary in today's job hunting climate.

Employment Situation Information for Those in Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission provides detailed information on Texas economics as related to jobs (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers/jsemp/jsemp.html).   If you need to get some data on Texas and your area in Texas, this is a good place to get it.  If you are from another state, check with your state government/unemployment office for these figures.

A key indicator of employment trends in Texas is the statement, "The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained unchanged at 8.2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, and continues to trend well below the March U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. At more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by nearly 29,000 workers in March." 

The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly lower that the rest of the United States:  8.2 vs. 10.2 (see partial chart below).  It is important to note, however, that for Texas and the US in general, the unemployment rate has risen over the past year by 1.2%, and if you're out there job hunting, you know how much of a challenge finding a job is.

Click image for larger view.

The point of all of the statistical information is to help us all understand state and national trends affecting our job searches.   Yeah, I know, "so what?"  Well, since economics and hiring is based on perception -- either "gut feeling" ("We think we're doing better, so let's hire people.") or by numbers ("These stats show some improvement in economic conditions, so let's hire people."), it is enlightening to know if you have a better chance at getting a new job.   Feeling more confident about success in finding a job will also improve your attitude, and potential employers can pick up your attitude in your correspondence, your phone screens, and definitely in your face-to-face interviews.  Hey, if nothing else, your family and friends will appreciate your better attitude.  Come on, you know you haven't been fun to be around when you are in a nasty state of mind.

"The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission provides statistics and analyses on the dynamics of the Texas labor market and informational products designed to support informed educational and career decisions. In addition, LMCI provides a wide array of career and occupational information through software programs and printed publications. Visit the LMCI website at http://www.lmci.state.tx.us for additional products and services.  For more information or questions about our data, please contact labor market analysts by phone at 1-866-938-4444, or by email at lmci@twc.state.tx.us."

Contracting: Reality in the Current State of Things

I remember reading some years back that "in the 21st century, many people would be free agents, contractors," but I didn't really believe it.  There are so many reasons for hiring a person, none the least of which is ownership and productivity.  However, after being a contractor for just about a year, I'm not dismissing that as an option anymore.....but then again, I wonder if I can make a living with multiple income streams, some of which involve gardening and woodworking.

I've spent most of this past year in a focused, informed, network-savvy job search.  I've done some presentations at professional groups, had some interviews, even 2nd and 3rd interviews, but no offers.  In the past, I've averaged a couple of calls a week, and on a good week, I would have two interviews with two separate companies.  Not so at the present time.

It's not that I don't like my present contracting situation--it honestly doesn't pay too badly.  It's just that there are no benefits--especially health insurance--and that puts a damper on things. (Disclaimer:  I do not support the socialized medicine that our current administration is pushing.  When a high-ranking Canadian official comes to the US for surgery that he could get "free" in Canada, that says a lot about the highly-touted Canadian system and others like it.)  So, a major concern is health insurance, and if you've had to buy insurance privately, you know why that is an issue.  If you haven't, pray that you never have to, and have an AED nearby when they tell you the rates.


The other thing about contracting is that no matter how involved you get in the business, no matter how great your co-workers are about making you feel at home, you will always be a NON-EMPLOYEE.  I'm not saying that my current contracting company treats me badly; they don't.  It's just that as a contractor, you do not share in any of the "company" things, and there are some issues you have to steer clear of, as no one wants a co-employment issue to crop up. 

Companies like contractors because they aren't as difficult to get rid of (pretty much a phone call will take care of it), and companies want to bring in just the right skills for just the right job.  Of course, that only happens in the bizarro world.  Though a contractor does bring established skills that are useful to a company they contract for, he or she must also get a lay of the land and understand the issues surrounding the work they are contracted to do.   Perhaps some contract positions/temp employees may be able to "drop in" and perform a job adequately, but others need time to assimilate to the work environment, learn what has been done, and understand the political situation to be effective.  

I wonder if when regular employees see contractors filling positions that could be and would be better be served by a regular employee, they may become less engaged (a hot topic these days), as they may be concerned that their position may be given to a contractor or that they are always preparing for the eventual departure of the short-term contractor.

Companies like to tout contracting as being cheaper, but in reality, after the fees by the contracting company (the contractor's employer of record) are taken into account, the cost is about the same.  The only difference is that you have a worker who does not have the same investment in the company's success as a regular employee and who is looking for his or her next contract from almost the start of the job. 

Rebecca Metschke has done it again.....see the article that sparked my comments on contracting.

Are You the Boss of You?

from The Interview Edge by Rebecca Metschke

 

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting piece about the “age of going solo” – working for yourself. While it focused on the ins and outs of how to succeed as a consultant, I was struck by the snapshot of today’s workforce in the article’s setup.

With unemployment stuck on “high” and millions of people in the “long term unemployed” bucket, seismic shifts are taking place in the composition of the workforce.

According to author Richard Greenwald, 20% to 23% of U.S workers are “operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors, or rmicropreneurs.”

Think about that. Close to one quarter of working Americans are employed on a contingent basis.
Goodbye, defined career paths and benefits – hello, project-to-project work.
With the employment picture looking gloomy for literally years to come, contracting may be in your future, too (if you haven’t gotten there already).

I know many folks who were forced out of traditional jobs during the last recession – and quite a few are still working for themselves today.

Contracting/freelancing/consulting isn’t easy, especially if all you’ve ever known is the 9-to-5 world…but it can be rewarding. Many independent employees will tell you they don’t ever want to go back.
Bottom line: given the lackluster employment outlook, you may very well end up being the boss of you, whether or not that’s what you were planning.

The Interview Edge- a comprehensive guide for people who are serious about their careers. Available in instantly downloadable format.

I Know I've Said This Before...

God is in control. Period. You will destroy yourself if you put the burden of return on your invested job-searching time on yourself. We have to be smart and work hard at job searching, but in the end, we do not control the process. My encouragement is to not let the process control YOU.

...and believe me, I know all too well how hard that is.

U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/business/economy/27jobs.html?_r=1&em

"Job seekers now outnumber openings six to one, the worst ratio since the government began tracking open positions in 2000. "

The last lines of the article: “I’ve learned that I can’t look to tomorrow,” she said. “Every day, I try to do the best I can. I say to myself, ‘I don’t control this process.’ That’s the only way you can look at it. Otherwise, you’d have to go up on the roof and crack your head open.”

So, I'm NOT Imagining Things...

Rebecca is spot on, again .... I just thought it was my imagination, seriously.

Job Search Seem Like It’s Getting Tougher? You’re Not Imagining Things

from The Interview Edge by Rebecca Metschke http://blog.theinterviewedge.com/the_interview_edge/2009/09/job-search-seem-like-its-getting-tougher-youre-not-imagining-things.html

It’s challenging trying to land a job right now – and getting more difficult. If you’ve been feeling the pinch and wondering if “it’s just you” rest assured…the phenomenon is real.

Two things are happening concurrently to create a perfect storm of sorts on the employment front.

First, the Labor Department reported last week that the number of available jobs has fallen by a staggering 50 percent-plus over the past two years; in July there were six unemployed people for every job opening. To put that into context, consider that at the beginning of the recession (December 2007) the ratio was 1.72 to 1.

For further comparison, during the height of the last recession’s lengthy jobless recovery the ratio was roughly 3 to 1. Because that was a much narrower downturn, you may not have felt the impact; ask the folks in the telecom industry, though – which was ravaged – and they will tell you the ratio seemed much worse than that.)

Then we have the fact that we’re in the midst of a buyer’s market, which only exacerbates the competition. Many employers with jobs to fill opt to bypass the unemployed and instead choose to set their sights on those who are still working.

This concept isn’t something new. There's almost always a preference on the part of hiring managers for passive candidates – people who are employed and not currently searching. Those folks are considered more desirable.

Various reports, however, indicate that the penchant for hiring companies to target only those who are employed elsewhere is on the rise. The belief is that if a person has made it through this extended downturn unscathed, there’s a good chance he or she could be a top-notch candidate. When you can afford to be choosey, candidates who've been laid off may not even get a first look. (This preference is extending across the board, from line workers to senior managers.)

This means unemployed job seekers are in waters that are only getting choppier.

I point this out not to discourage you – actually, just the opposite. Sometimes when the obstacles appear overwhelming, you can begin to doubt yourself. You might wonder what you’re doing wrong, or figure that surely you are contributing to the situation…when that may not be true at all.

Of course you should step back and objectively review your search strategy periodically to see what you can do differently or how you can be more effective. But the fact that you’re not making headway at the moment may not have anything to do with you. Sometimes circumstances simply are what they are, and the competition is extremely challenging.

Keep at it. Search smart, be creative, roll up your sleeves, understand it’s probably going to some time – but don’t give up.

The Interview Edge - required reading for people who are serious about their careers.

Waiting in a McDonald's Society

One thing most Americans aren't very good at is waiting, and that's just when we want to check out at WalMart. When it comes to waiting for the economy to turn around so that you can pay your bills, the lack of patience is a little better understood, but that lack of patience will do you about as good as yelling at the WalMart cashier to "hurry it up."

I wish I could report good news on the job home front, but like so many, I've noticed that things have slowed down to the point that I'm not getting the calls I used to.....though I am in a contract position at the moment and am very thankful for that!

__________________________________________________
Rebecca's blog is top notch.

August 18, 2009

What Lies Ahead?

by Rebecca Metschke

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

10% unemployment through 2011 and the jobless rate still at 7% in 2016?

That's one scenario included in a report published by the Kansas City Fed last week. This isn't scare tactic, doom and gloom forecasting, either. It's actually quite plausible.

As the authors point out, the banking crisis has been a key contributing factor during this recession, and it'll continue to shape the recovery. First, tight credit forced firms to aggressively cut payrolls as they tried to control operating expenses and conserve capital. Now, because they can't rely on short-term financing to make payroll, they're very reluctant to rehire.

"Severe and persistent" unemployment increases. After the economy has pulled out of recession.

I don't point this out to put a damper on your day. Rather, it's all about being informed and planning accordingly.

I'm all about career preparation - you should be, too.

Chart your course. The Interview Edge can help you do that; you can get to the book from this page.

Retooling Yourself for the Future

by Rebecca Metschke

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

How marketable are you right now? What will you need to do to make sure you’re still relevant five years from now? 

When the economy is in recession, workers focus on their marketability. They’re either trying to hang on to their jobs or attempting to land new ones. Nobody wants to be deemed redundant, or expendable, or a weak candidate. Those are labels no one can afford to be tagged with. People spend time thinking about how they can shore up weaknesses and increase perceived value.

Unfortunately, though, when the job market finally rights itself, a lot of those same people will just as suddenly put thoughts about how to stay relevant on the back burner. And that will be a mistake.

Even when the economy begins expanding again, we’re still going to be looking at a dynamic job market. Remember back just a few short years ago when the market was red hot? People were still facing layoffs. Companies were still merging – or outsourcing – or streamlining operations – resulting in head count reductions. Of course jobs weren’t being lost at the pace they are now, but the point is…you’d better make sure you’re marketable.  

If you don’t keep up with the pace of change, you will always be vulnerable. (Emphasis mine.)

Your skill set needs to be broad and relevant. You need to be sure you’re making a meaningful contribution to the organization. You need to identify future trends early and understand what you need to do to adapt and thrive. 

This will require initiative on your part. Nobody’s going to do this for you; it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re as marketable as possible.

Do You Take Time to Dream Anymore?

Free association time about what I want to do when I grow up....   Have you ever really asked yourself what you really like to do?   Richard Nelson Bolles (What Color is My Parachute?) leads job seekers through just such an exercise (as have numerous outplacement companies).  It's one way to do a career check and a gut check at the same time.   It also helps us maintain direction in our searches and helps us not to get pulled into the multitude of employment scams that hit the email box and other "get rich quick" jobs you see advertised.  BE AWARE!  Scam artists of every kind are trying to capitalize on the unemployed.  

Just a few of the things that run through my mind as possible career options (and yes, I do have a wide variety of interests/dreams, and no, this is not the ravings of mid-life male!):

....I could be a fisherman in New Orleans where I grew up....I could be a Master Gardener and tour Texas, teaching people to plant vegetable gardens.....I could be a woodworker, making small things to sell at craft fairs and online as well as learning how to make bigger things.....I could live in the Canadian wilderness (or Alaska), living off the land, planting a garden and fruit trees.....I could go back and finish my training in counseling and help people by actually working in the field.....I could become a (full-time, professional) career counselor.....I could run a job hunter group like many of the excellent local ones......I could be a professional fisherman/hunter.......I could study the stars, as I loved to do as a kid.......I could find a job as a performance consultant, helping companies grow profitable and people to do their jobs better......I could work in Quality consulting, teaching others about how right W. Edwards Deming is.......I could go to Europe (Germany or Austria) and be an ambassador of good will.......I could go raise bees on Pitcarin Island (if they'd let me on)......I could work as a Training Manager on a cruise ship (actually seen ads for this)......I could become a travel consultant/guide/reviewer and visit all the places in the world I enjoy and tell others about those places.....I could figure out what kind of writing I like the best and work at it to make a living......I could go back into the ministry as an Education Minister, using what I've learned in private industry to edify the church......I could open a business in Second Life and show the world that people really can make money there.....I could work in a think tank, coming up with future ideas for technology and its use.......I could get serious about my walk with Christ and see more clearly where He leads me in my working life........I could join the war on terrorism (too old and fat for infantry or navy) in cyber security or some other way to defeat the terrorists and rid the world of that mess.........I could actually stay in my field of learning and development, pushing forward in management and training new trainers.........I could go it alone as a training and development consultant.........I could become an outplacement counselor for one of the big firms........I could return to school, get a Master's degree in learning and development and pursue a performance consulting or Organizational Development position.....I could raise Bouviers as a breeder..........I could teach college English and Literature........

Bottom line:   Find out what you love to do/what gets you excited and motivated on a regular basis, seek God's guidance, and find a job doing what you love.   Chances are that you could make a living at something you never thought you could. : )