People who write about careers and workplace issues typically don’t say this out loud — Sometimes you can’t find a job.
No matter how much advice on resume writing, interviewing and networking you devour, you may still hit a no-job wall. It may be a function of where you live, or the companies you’re applying to, or your skills. But bottom line, some of you won’t be able to land a gig, maybe for months.
The reality is there just aren’t as many jobs to be had. Yesterday the Department of Labor released some disturbing figures on job opening. In July, the number of job openings in the country hit a record low of 2.4 million openings.
So here’s how it breaks down. There are nearly 15 million unemployed people in the United States and about 2.4 million openings.
Not great odds no matter how you slice it.
I’m not telling you this so you can sit back and say, “oh, I knew it. I’m going to give up.”
That’s just stupid talk. (I wrote about many of you giving up in my MSNBC.com column this week.)
I’m telling you this because many of you are angry that you’re not getting interviews, or even calls or emails back from employers. You’re doing everything career experts suggest but it’s just not turning up any results.
Well, it’s damn hard to find a great job right now.
And I don’t blame you for being mad.
This comment from Bill to my column this week summed up the frustration out there:
Again, ADVICE from an ill-equipped writer that falls far short of giving any real advice. “Don’t give up”, “Change tactics” and “Network with friends and acquaintances” these are the same recommendations given when unemployment rates were at 3%. Until the country starts making jobs for those of us that are out of work, we will remain out of work. We didn’t loose our jobs due to any fault on our part and all our efforts of “not giving up” or “changing tactics” will not lower unemployment.
I don’t appreciate being called an ill-equipped writer but he’s right about the same old advice. The career experts I quote in my piece are not coming up with ground-breaking advice folks.
As far as I know, no career advisers or coaches have come up with anything new such as hypnotizing hiring managers or storming the doors of an employer with an Uzi. Now these are innovative ideas. (Just kidding.)
The advice you hear from these folks should be based on their years of experience and the tactics they saw work. OK, they’re not the Dalai Lama, but they can provide some teachable moments or remind us of tried-and-true ways to help enhance our job search.
I stress, however, that that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a job.
You have to commit yourself to the search and do everything you can to boost your image and your skills. But in the end, it’s still a game of chance.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I’ve read and heard a lot of stories about people who have made a go at entrepreneurial ventures during this down economic period, but I rarely hear anyone suggesting that route as a viable option.
If there’s anything you can do on your own and sell as a service, or any product you can make that you can sell, I say go for it! If you eventually land another job, it’s easy to set aside the extra money-making efforts. If it gains some traction, it might prove to be your next career.
I know that the odds are against new businesses during the first few years, and I know that not everyone is cut out to be his or her own boss, but when it comes down to doing something, anything, to bring in some income versus doing simply more of the same-old-same-old (hitting the job boards, mailing out resumes, and working one’s network), I think I’d favor pulling in some income.
It worked for me once before, years ago, when my family and I relocated. Jobs that were supposedly waiting for us vanished, and I was left desperate for work for many long months. In time, I turned a computer repair hobby into a decent income. Years later, another set of circumstances took the business down and returned me to the traditional job market. I’ve always felt those experiences were (and are) of real value–they were a real education on a side of business few often experience.
Consider yourselves, your passions, your interests, and your hobbies and consider how you might be able to monetize them. Took eight years of piano lessons as a child? Consider offering beginning piano lessons. Have a knack for gardening and landscaping? Offer your services on a neighborhood bulletin board. Good with kids? Consider childcare in your home (or theirs). Already mowing your lawn? See if your neighbors wouldn’t mind paying for you to mow theirs. Love making decorative gift baskets? Make up a flier in advance of a coming holiday and try to take orders for some. None of these ideas will make you rich right away, but they can help bring in a little extra cash, and a little extra cash can make a big difference. I know because I’ve been there.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Great post.
Excellent subject.
From experience I tell you to pay attention at exactly who or what jobs are lost during this recession. yuo will find as I did from the collapse of STEEL, these jobs will not be coming back.
Now, to see Eve on a Payloader was sweet. Consider the nature of such a job. Eve did and I do concur, if you increase your over all ability to have experience in many things, you could find a way to make it work.
From my retail experience in the paint industry, i can match the solor of your eyeball just by looking at it. To this day, many contractors have called upon me to go t a job site and blend stains to match the color of ancient work. Yes, I have picked up a paint brush and I will tell you, if you cannot do that, consider seeking some sort of disability as means of funding your stomach.
A good joke:
a man had a rare brain disease and was given 6 months to live. The surgeon said there is hope for him and all he has to is choose on these brains he had. THe first brain belonged to a Cardiologist and is worth $1 million. The second brain belonged to an Author and is worth $2 million. The tird brain belonged to a paint(salesman)er and is worht $10 million.
The man was bewildered. He asked, ‘ why is the simple painter’s brain worth so much more than these other intelligent brains?’ THe surgeon replied, ‘It has never been used’
PEACE
THE Best Is Yet To Come
September 11th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I’ve heard that joke before, Robert, but I always thought the most expensive brain was a politician’s.
;)
September 12th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Finally, someone calls it like it is. I’ve been saying this for months - all things being equal, luck is largely what gets people jobs. You can be the best candidate you can be, but if there is 1 job for every 500 candidates, a lot of people are going to be disappointed.
I have a whole blog devoted to the fact that I can’t get a job: http://acuteunemploymentsyndrome.blogspot.com
It’s a wicked depressing situation.