I just want all of you looking for work out there to realize that right now the job market is crummy.
You’ve been hearing lots of media reports spouting about how things are turning around, but based on the unemployment report out this morning, the job market has a long way to go.
The economy only added 41,000 jobs in May. 41,000 jobs! That’s the total jobs created in the country. If you divide that up among the 50 states that’s 820 jobs per state. That’s fewer jobs than the typical attendance at most job fairs these days.
The May report is an ominous sign for job seekers right now.
A report put out this morning by The Conference Board’s Chief Economist Bart van Ark says the jobs report today is “disappointing:”
“Continued slower growth would mean we’ve passed an unprecedentedly early peak in the rate of employment growth following a recession, which wouldn’t be good news for the recovery’s strength. Manufacturing jobs gains are at best tepid, and a lack of significant growth in construction, financial services, and information show several sectors aren’t yet on the recovery path.”
So, don’t get down on yourselves if you can’t find work. I know some of you are.
I recently interviewed a manager at one of the nation’s biggest employee assistance program providers, or EAPs, about the rising rate of suicide in the workplace. He said many of the distress calls he’s getting from workers has to do with how their financial lives are in dire straights because a spouse is unemployed, or their hours have been cut back, but all they hear in the news is things are turning around.
“The media keeps saying the economy is getting better,” said Charles Lattarulo, clinical director for Harris, Rothenberg International. “That’s detrimental to some people out there. They are not feeling that.”
It’s hell on people when they start to think they’re alone in their struggles. Well, you’re not. There’s a great story by one of my colleagues at MSNBC.com about people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Many of these individuals are frustrated but they’re not giving up.
You shouldn’t either. Things are looking better on the horizon.
The Society for Human Resource Management’s Leading Indicators of National Employment Report, which includes the only national employment index of month-ahead hiring expectations, found:
“Though the job market remains weak, June 2010 hiring expectations show a double-digit jump in the number of companies that will hire versus layoff.”
That’s a bit of good news to chew on.
How’s your job search going? If you have any questions, need advice, or just want to vent, please comment so we can all help out. Many great HR professionals read my blog and are always willing to offer their insights. Also, if you’d rather keep it private, just email me at telleve@gmail.com.
Good luck folks. You’re not alone.
June 4th, 2010 at 9:51 am
“I recently interviewed a manager at one of the nation’s biggest employee assistance program providers, or EAPs, about the rising rate of suicide in the workplace.”
I can completely understand that. I quit my job this week. I knew that my sanity was much more worth it to me continuously trying to put the square peg (me) into the round hole (my job.)
June 4th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Good for you Jill. If it’s possible, people have to get out of things that are impacting their sanity. I know it’s not that easy for so many of us just to pick up and quit, but when you can do it what an incredible feeling that must be.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:28 am
The other scary fact about the jobs numbers for May is that most (if not all) of the new jobs can be attributed to US Census employment.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Hi Eve,
Earlier this week, I posted a question on LinkedIn asking how people are motivating themselves for their job searches. The responses are both heartwarming and inspiring.
My blog today (http://www.avidcareerist.com/2010/06/04/4-fatal-fears/) is a guest post from Bill Holland. I was inspired by his response to my question and asked if I could share it. I’ve also included a link to the LinkedIn question because there are a number of great answers there. If you, or someone you love, needs some secret motivational sauce, click and read. There’s something there for everyone!
Cheers,
Donna
June 4th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Ahh! Not good news for a recent graduate. Come on month of June, bring us some more jobs!!
June 4th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
It’s really bad for those folks in states 51 and 52, since as far as I know we only have 50 states in the US!
June 4th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
DOH! Grant. What would I do without my readers?!?!?
June 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Ahhhh depressing…but I’m still confused, I’ve been on sites that have over 3 million job postings…I think there are still jobs out there…but of course the more bad news we read the less motivated we are to kick ourselves into continuing the job search… I am searching those 3 million jobs on Trovit.com and trying to censor these depressing job market outlook articles…
but still I love your site eve!
June 9th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I don’t blame you for wanting to censor the depressing stories. But there are a lot of people frustrated with the job search, and many think they’re the only ones struggling. I was hoping to let people know they’re not alone.
But you’re right, there are lots of opportunities still out there. You just have to focus on your individual job search.