TT&S Weekly (4/13/09)
Topic of the Week Not Fired, But Fired Up - What will really get you hired today
Executive Summary, Getting Hired Today:
- DO look in your ‘hood.
Your Rant: I was just laid off and can’t find anything.
911 Repair,
I have a three-part mantra for anyone who has been laid off, “it’s not fair, it’s not your fault and you’re not alone.” But according to a recent study by CareerBuilder.com, there is now a fourth, odds are you will find a job. 41% of those laid-off in the past year found a new full time job and 8% found part-time work. Which reminds me of the Fosbury Flip. Invented by Dick Fosbury this gold medal winning high jump technique involved jumping backwards over the bar.
Backwards? The CareerBuilder.com survey found that 49% of those hired had to take less pay, while only 15% landed a bigger paycheck. You can get hired, but the odds are you’ll have to eat some humble pie. I’ve built today’s three Do’s and one Don’t around other key findings from this important survey.
DO look in your ‘hood. A lot of people say the best way to get a job is to move to where the jobs are. I disagree. The survey found that only 13% of workers got jobs by relocating. Why? The best way to get a job is through networking and most of us know the most people in our own back yard. After all, that’s where 87% of the jobs were in this survey.
DO explore new possibilities. 38% of those hired found work outside of their current profession according to the survey. We all need to take a broader look at our skills and opportunities to see what we can offer a new industry or profession. But remember, when you look for work in a new area, there will be lots of people out there with more experience. That’s why you’ve got to focus on what skills you have that will easily transfer to a new field.
DO prepare to wait. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics it will take between 16 weeks, for a younger worker, and 22 weeks, for an older worker, to find a job. Which explains why the CareerBuilder.com survey found that 45% of job seekers ended up tapping into long-term savings. Don’t beat yourself up if you are hurting financially, because many others are in the same position. However, get frugal ASAP, because this won’t be solved overnight.
DON’T assume that older workers have it the worst. This was the most intriguing result from the survey. 46% of workers over 55 years old were able to find a new job. This trailed workers aged 35 to 44 who were hired 68% of the time. But it was ahead of workers 18 to 24, who were hired at only 41%. To all the older workers out there, don’t lose hope. Your experience can be the key in landing you a new job.
Sometimes you have to go backwards a bit to eventually get ahead. It won a gold for Dick Fosbury and it can do the same for you.
About the Author: Bob Rosner is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. For free job and work advice, check out the award-winning workplace911.com. If you have a question for Bob, contact him via bob@workplace911.com.