The job market as a whole is expected to remain pretty bleak for some time. A recent survey showed that 70% of companies expect their hiring plans in the fourth quarter to remain steady with their third quarter hiring. The problem is that hiring in the third quarter has been almost non-existent. In the survey, 12% of the 28,000 companies surveyed expect to increase hiring during the fourth quarter and 14% expected a decline in new hires.
The lack of planning for new hires means that the unemployment problems facing the U.S. are likely to continue for at least the rest of 2009, if not much longer. Still, there are some important tips that can help job seekers find jobs if they’re looking in the right places.
– Be Willing To Switch Industries: If you are one of the millions of workers who lost their jobs in banking and finance related fields, your best bet is not to wait around for that industry to start hiring again. Think about the skills you developed in your former job and how they would translate to different industries. There is a great need for financially-savvy, business-minded individuals in industries that are hiring, including healthcare, education, and government-related jobs.
– Be Willing To Relocate: Most of the jobs are going to be in metropolitan areas and you have a much better chance of getting hired if you’re willing to go to where the jobs are. This isn’t always easy, but after many months of unemployment and frustrating job searches, many people are becoming more willing to relocate.
– Be Willing To Network: Some people are naturally good at networking and others dread networking events. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you fall on, you need to be willing to put yourself out there and get connected to important people in your community and industry. The more people you know, the better your chances of stumbling upon an opportunity that’s a good fit for you.
– Be Willing To Reach Out To Available Resources: There are several resources available to people looking for jobs that can help with all aspects of the job search. Contact your college career office and ask to be put on a mailing list when job listings for graduates are posted. Be aware of career fairs and other events being held in your area. Many churches also try to provide their members with employment-related resources.
– Be Willing To Work Internationally: The recovery from the global recession will not happen at the same pace in every corner of the globe. In all, 17 of the 35 countries surveyed expect hiring to increase during the 4th quarter of 2009. Countries like India, Brazil, Columbia, China, and Peru are all expected to have a strong job market in the short term. Think of it as an adventure and a career move all at once!