job market Archives - Fun Job Fairs

Job Competition Can Be a Good Thing

June 17, 2012 by Julie Austin

In today’s competitive job market a few things have changed. Gone are the days when a job seekers could sit around passively waiting for an employer or recruiter to call. Gone are the days when you could just show up and get a check. With 4-6 people competing for every available job, job seekers can’t afford to be passive in their job search anymore.

If there’s one thing to be learned from the Great Recession it’s that you have to up your game on every front. It’s just a simple matter of supply and demand. These days employers can afford to be picky. They can afford to pick and choose from the cream of the crop. If you read the job descriptions it seems like you have to have a master’s degree and ten year’s of experience in your field for the simplest of jobs. It sounds pretty depressing.

As an employer and small business owner myself I can tell you that I’m just not willing or able to hire employees that just want to show up and get a check. Hiring employees is costly and a big responsibility, especially for a small business owner. I have to know that I’m making the right decision and that the person I’ll be hiring is the best one for the job. I want to know that they really want the job. That means someone who has done their homework and knows as much about my company as I do. I want an employee that really understands the market and will go the extra mile to make my business the best it can be.

I think competition is a good thing because it forces you to be a better employee. This is something you should do anyway, but when times are good economically we all tend to get a little complacent. We take it for granted that things are going to be easy and when they’re not we’re not prepared. Competition keeps you on your toes.

As the world in general becomes more competitive, job seekers have to learn to adapt to it. When you’re competing with several other job seekers who all want the same job, how can you stand out from the rest? How can you go the extra mile and prove to an employer that you’re the best one for the job?

Learning how to be competitive puts you ahead of other job seekers and makes it easier for you to find a job no matter how good or bad the economy is.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: competition, employee, employer, hiring, job, job description, job market, job search, job seekers

Are You Overqualified For Jobs?

June 10, 2012 by Julie Austin

You’re well educated and have many years of job experience. On the surface, it seems like good qualities to have. But if you’re applying for an entry level position that could be a negative. When an employer looks at your resume they will look at the education and past job experience and compare it to the job that they’re hiring for. If your qualifications are higher than the job requires they may just pass you over for the next applicant and you might never even know why.

One big reason they will do this is because in the back of their mind they know that you really do want a job with a higher salary and a better job title, and will bolt as soon as you find it. Filling a job position takes time, money and energy to get you up to speed and they don’t want to have to do that just to have you turn around and leave. They want to make sure that the employee is going to stick around for the long haul.

There are many reasons why someone would want to take a lower paying job. If your unemployment has run out and you’re running out of options, you might not have any choice but to take any kind of job rather than starve.

In the new recession job market employers are better able to understand your reasons for wanting to take a job that’s below your normal pay scale. The best thing is to just be honest with the recruiter or employer and let them know the real reasons. Let them know that you’re flexible. Maybe this is a job where you could possibly rise to a better position. In that case, they might want someone that’s willing to start at the bottom again, but has the potential to grow in the position.

The best thing to do is to customize your resume so that it highlights the skills and talents you will need in this position. Downplay what you don’t want to emphasize. You may not want to put your resume in chronological order or highlight the big gaps in your work life. It’s not a lie, it just doesn’t play up your past job titles and salary.
What they care about is what you can bring to the current position. If you know that you can do a great job, let them know that. being excited and confident about the position carries much more weight.

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: employer, entry level position, hiring, job experience, job market, job titles, jobs, overqualified, recruiter, resume, salary, unemployment

Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

May 2, 2012 by Julie Austin

It’s hard enough these days to find a job, but for those with a criminal record it can be even worse. An estimated 65 million Americans face that problem when they are looking for a job. New laws prevent blanket discrimination against this, but if you’re dealing with that problem there are some things you can do to help prepare yourself as much as possible.

While serving your time you will have nothing but time on your hands. This is a perfect opportunity to further your education any way you can. If you didn’t get your high school degree, now is the time to start working to get your GED.

It is also possible to get a college degree while in prison. There are also plenty of opportunities provided by non-profits for training while serving time. Read everything you can get your hands on that will help you in the real job world. Learn new skills that will help you in a trade. These days a plumber may be just as employable as a marketing executive in the current job market.

There are also programs to help you once you get out as far as training and job skills. Take advantage of these. Get help in putting your resume together and practicing for a job interview. If you have a parole officer that will help you, reach out and get that help. In fact, seek out help from anyone you can. Find a non-profit that fits your needs and get in touch with them. Let them know you are willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to become employed.

You will more than likely have to start at the bottom and work your way back into the system, especially if you are looking for a job that has a lot of responsibility. But these days even people that don’t have a criminal record are having to do that. Just concentrate on getting your foot in the door and proving to your employer and yourself that you can, not only do the job required, but you can go above and beyond what’s needed to get ahead.

If you find that you are going nowhere in a job search, you might want to consider creating your own job. It worked for Alfred Lomas. He was a member of one of the largest and most notorious gangs in L.A. He decided to radically change his life and became a Christian.

He started as a director of a food program that delivers food to warring gang neighborhoods. He now risks his life to bring peace to the same neighborhood by negotiating with rival gangs to stop the violence. He also started L.A. Gang Tours, which is a successful tour through those same neighborhoods and brings jobs to the area.

The main thing is to stay focused on keeping your attitude positive and keeping your skills sharp. It’s hard enough for those that have a college degree and no record right now, so you will have to be patient and just keep looking ahead.

Filed Under: Unemployment Tagged With: creating your own job, employable, employment, interview, job, job market, resume

The Job Search Buyers and Sellers Market

March 23, 2012 by Julie Austin

You’ve probably heard the term “buyer’s market” as it relates to the housing market. But it also applies to the job search market. This is simply basic economics of supply and demand. It describes how prices are determined by the number of things available to the number of people that want that particular thing.

In the case of jobs, right now there are more people looking for jobs and fewer jobs to be found. This makes it an employer’s market. They can afford to be picky and choose the best of the best. Very few companies are increasing pay and benefits. Some are lowering pay and benefits, while most are keeping them the same, but not hiring new employees.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. As an entrepreneur I have to hustle every day for work and new customers. So I’m quite used to it. But even business owners tend to get a little complacent about the hustle when economic times are good. What goes up always comes down and vice versa. The good news is that it won’t last forever. And when things return to a job seeker’s market you, my friend, will be more polished, with more skills, and more ambition and drive. Just keep in mind that it’s a temporary thing. Use this time to sharpen your skills, resume, and networking ability.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: buyers market, employees, employers, entrepreneur, job market, job search, job search buyers market, jobs, resume, supply and demand

Youth Unemployment

March 1, 2012 by Julie Austin

The latest statistics reveal that youth unemployment is the worst it’s been since World War 2.45% of people 16-29 are unemployed.

According to New York Magazine “one in five young adults now lives below the poverty line”. And it’s not just in the U.S. Young people in Europe have been going through similar situations. Their numbers are just as bad, if not worse. 51% in Spain and almost the same in Greece.

As I read through their stories, and hear similar stories from the college students in my neighborhood it’s pretty sad. Most are stuck with mountains of student loan debt that just keeps piling up. Many have finally come to the realization that they will have to wait tables or take jobs at Starbucks if they want any spending money at all.

Since I didn’t go to college, but instead went straight into the job market, I did all of those jobs anyway. But without the student loan debt. Living in NYC and working as a waiter/bartender wasn’t easy, but it was a job. And I was headed in a different direction, being an entrepreneur, so college wouldn’t really prepare me for that anyway.

In a recession it’s just going to be understood that you have to do whatever you have to do. Getting a job is easier if you already have a job, even if it’s not in your field and is way beneath what you expected. Start somewhere. It’s better than nothing. When you’re young no one expects you to have the experience yet. It’s a time you can experiment.

But it could always be worse. Youth unemployment in Somalia is 75%

Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: entrepreneur, job, job market, jobs, unemployed, unemployment, youth unemployment

Create Your Own Job

February 4, 2012 by Julie Austin

Unemployed? Underemployed?

Hate Your Job? Sending out resumes with no luck? Unemployment checks running out?

“Stop waiting for someone to GIVE you a job and… CREATE your OWN job!”

There are hidden opportunities all around you, BUT…
I’ll tell you how to find them!

Whether you’re looking for a new job or you already have one and you’re looking for something better, you have to face the harsh reality of just how bad the job market is these days. The bad news is that the job market probably isn’t going to change anytime soon.

More than 45% of all unemployed workers have been unemployed for more than 6 months. This is the highest since the Great Depression. And it may take years to get those numbers down. In this unstable economy, job security is a thing of the past. What this means to you is…

… you need to start thinking like an entrepreneur.
The good news is that there are opportunities all around you! There were opportunities even during the Great Depression. You just need to know how to look for them. They’re not going to come looking for you.

And — you’re not going to find them on a job board. But, this is going to require a new way of thinking. You’re going to have to wipe the slate clean of the typical way of becoming employed. “Go to college…draft a resume…submit it online…cross your fingers and hope it works”. If that actually works for you, then you don’t need this webinar. But if you want to try a new way of thinking, a new way of working, a new way to make sure you are never, ever unemployed again, then read on.

HIRE YOURSELF
Creating your own job means no more resumes, no interviews, and no rejection.
After getting fired from my last job, I started creating my own. Here are some of the jobs I’ve created or had created for me:

$500 a night working the coat check in a fancy restaurant

$2500 a month as a corporate publicist working 4 days a month

$2500 a month just to be on call as a spokeperson

Hanging out with celebrities at Cannes, making over 6 figures a year

$200 a day reading scripts

$40 an hour transcribing

What do all of those jobs have in common? I got all of them without a resume, interview, agent, recruiter or HR. None ofthem were on a job board, classified ad or online. And I didn’t have any experience or training for any of them.

I got them all by using the techniques
I’ll teach you in my seminar.
I want to help as many people as I can … so this webinar is priced so that anyone can afford it. At $59, you can’t afford NOT to do it. Just compare:

It’s about the price of a dinner and movie date, but it will help you create a source of money to pay for your NEXT date.

It’s a little more than the cost of a tank of gas, but with no source of income, gas won’t take you as far as creating a future for yourself.

It’s less than the cost of a resume consulting service. Only you won’t need a resume to hire yourself.

Here’s what you’ll learn in the “Create Your Own Job” webinar:

The 3 ways to guarantee you will never be unemployed again … with more work than you can handle, even in the worst economy

How to create a job or jobs specifically designed just for you

The 2 jobs everyone should always have, even if you work for someone else

How to get other people to create jobs for you

How to market your skills for little or no money

Filed Under: Create A Job, Events, Webinars & Classes Tagged With: be your own boss, create your own job, creating your own job, entrepreneurship, hire yourself, job, job board, job market, job security, resumes, underemployed, unemployed

Long Term Job Game Plan

January 31, 2012 by Julie Austin

In this challenging job market a lot of people have gone from thinking long term to thinking that they just want a job that will pay the bills. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you should still have a long term job game plan in mind. If you don’t know where you’re going, how are you going to know when you get there or how to get there?

One way to accomplish that is to think backwards. Think about what industry you really want to be in. What do you want to be doing five years, ten years, or twenty years from now? What kind of job would you be happy doing long term?

The best way to think it through is by going through all of the necessary steps. Will you need to relocate or transfer to another department? Do you think it’s possible to work your way up in the company you’re in now or do you think you might need to work for another company for that opportunity? Would you be better off in a start up company or a more established one?

Not everyone wants to be the president of the company, nor is there room for everyone to be. If that is your goal and you don’t see the chance to advance to the top where you are, you might want to think about running your own business. That’s the shortest way to get to the top. But with that comes a lot more responsibility.

Either way, you and only you will be responsible for your career. It won’t be given to you. You’ll have to earn it and stay vigilant about making sure you do everything you can to give yourself the best chance. That means you should make sure you stay on top of any and all training you need. Take advantage of any kind of continuing education you can, whether your company pays for it or not. Always look for ways to improve your skills in all areas.

Make sure you start building your network as soon as possible. This includes co-workers, friends, vendors, human resources, management, and anyone else that might be able to help you on the way to the top. Don’t discount anyone. You never know where an opportunity will come from. Volunteer for as many things as you can handle without overloading your schedule too much. Stay active outside the office too with community activities.

Write down your long and short term job game plan and stick to it. By being clear about where you really want to be in your career future, you’re more likely to achieve your goals.

Filed Under: Keeping a Job, Networking Tagged With: career, career future, human resources, job, job game plan, job market

Job Fairs for the Blind

January 28, 2012 by Julie Austin

A job fair can be a daunting experience to begin with, but it can really be difficult for the blind, even with the right training and resume. But the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind put on a job fair recently specifically for the visually impaired. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is 7 1/2% for all workers and 37% for the blind.

Among the hurdles they have to overcome are applications they can’t read and the need for software that converts text to speech.

The job market is normally a challenge, but the recent recession has made it even more challenging. It’s also harder to get employers to hire the blind when there is more training involved.

Filed Under: Job Fairs Tagged With: employers, job fair, job market, resume, unemployment rate, workers

Craigslist Job Scams

January 26, 2012 by Julie Austin

It’s hard enough right now to navigate through the job market without scammers trying to take advantage of job seekers. It’s a shame, but scammers will always be on the prowl. Since Craigslist is a free service, it’s easy for them to post for jobs on the site. And they are getting better at making their scams look real.

The best way to avoid being victimized by them is to be well-armed with information. Here is a very detailed post at Hub Pages on how to identify fake job scams:

http://talkabout.hubpages.com/hub/Job-Hunting–10-Red-Flags-that-the-Job-Post-in-Craigs-List-may-be-a-Scam

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: job market, job scams, job seekers, jobs

Dropping out of the Job Market

January 25, 2012 by Julie Austin

The unemployment rate dropped slightly last month for one major reason… many people have simply given up looking for a job. The number of workers that are actively looking for a full-time job and can’t find one is over 6 million people.

As someone that doesn’t have the luxury of not working, I was wondering exactly what those people that have dropped out are doing. Turns out the younger ones are choosing to live at home with their parents for much longer and staying in school much longer. A lot of those students aren’t working a job while they are in school, which means their student loans are going to be hell to pay off once they do get out. And that’s assuming they can even find a job once they’re out. Yes, getting a good education will look nice on their resume, and their job experience will grow as they get out into the workforce, but student loans are forever.

The number of women that are choosing to work has dropped to the lowest level in 20 years. More women are choosing to stay home and take care of the kids.

Once those discouraged workers go back to looking for work again the unemployment number will rise.

Filed Under: Job Search, Unemployment Tagged With: discouraged workers, full-time job, job, job experience, job market, unemployment, unemployment rate, workers, workforce