If you’ve been recently laid-off, fired, or forced to leave your job -- welcome to the world of unemployment! Unemployment has been steadily on the rise since early 2008, ending at 7.2%, and predicted to increase another 2 or 3% at the start of 2009. With millions of job losses the applicant pool is at an all-time high! It is an employer’s market right now, where demand is high and supply is low. Companies are receiving hundreds of cover letters and resumes for a single job post.
I am one out of the hundreds of applicants applying for that single job. Unemployed for three months and counting, I’ve had only one interview with a temporary staffing agency and still no job; I am becoming increasingly frustrated. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, a long steady work history, excellent references, professional appearance, and now willing to work for minimum wage!?! It’s sickening, but even more sickening is that there are so many others, like myself, in the same predicament. In the corporate business world where we are taught to conform, how does one stand out from a hundred others applying for that same corporate job? Or, more to the point, how do you land a job during one of the worst recessions of our time?
In writing this blog, it is my hope to create a forum in which inspiring stories, advice, and news about what’s really going on out there in the world of unemployment, are shared. Who’s hiring and who’s getting hired; what works on a resume or cover letter and what doesn’t; how do you survive months of unemployment; and how a friend of a friend got you the job! To those who are still frantically searching, stay strong and steadfast in your search and you will prevail. To those who have succeeded, congratulations! Tell us how you did it!
One Job, Hundreds of Applicants
How do you stand out?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
As a person whose mother used to run a temporary office in New York City, I remember that she "lost" many of her temporary employees as her clients hired them on permanently after trying them out for several months. I also know of several companies in Florida who hire a part of their staff through temporary agencies - giving prospective employees a 3-month or longer "test" to see if they are a good fit. It is my thinking that temporary agencies are a good place to eventually find permanent employment. They should not be overlooked.
ReplyDeleteA retired Auto worker as many many of us are. Our local plant in Wis. closed Dec 23rd after making vehicles for over 85 years. Ouch. Total in area out of work is about 9000. We just hope something else comes to the area to hire some at least. Good luck to all looking for work. This video will make you feel like you have no problems at all! turn on your sound.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html
I do see that computer network installers is a good job and very numerous. Also nursing is a good one to get into. Lots of jobs are around in that field. Many RN jobs in the Madison, WI area fr 26.00 per hour.
Hey Bonnie what a great way to outsource and be creative during your time of frustration. As you know, I know all to well what the nightmare of being unemployed feels like, although I did have unemployment benefits to fall back on. It wasn't much! Thankfully, I'm one of the lucky few and far between who scored a great job from a friend. Hang in there and it will happen, you're a smart cookie and anyone would be lucky to have you as an employee. Stay positive...good things come to good peeps!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, consider applying at home health agencies. I work with diabled adults, and this job was my last stop after months of searching for work. Not many people want to care for the clients, as some of them can be very medically and mentally "demanding," but this is a very rewarding field once you get into it. We are always needing staff to fill the group homes, and I don't see this "industry" being affected by the economy as much as some others have been. Good luck to all..........
ReplyDeleteI graduated in Dec. with my Master's degree in Accounting. I have been looking for over 6 mo. My unemployment is about to run out. I took a job at a local Subway at the end of Oct.
ReplyDeleteI am 42 yrs old and because of my age, all jobs I apply for I am competing with 20 something graduates. I think this has an impact. There have not been hardly any job ads in the local paper in the last several months as compared to a year ago. So in a way I am lucky to have that minimum wage job because right now it is better than nothing.
I also make and sell jewelry online. This has helped considerable over the holidays. So you can always clean out that closet or basement and start listing some items for sale online. Bonanzle is a new website that has no listing fees and low selling fees. So it would be a great place for you to start.
Karen
Do forget to utilize friends, family and aquaintances in your search. Pass out packets of your resume and general cover letter to them and ask them to pass them on to anyone they think may be hiring. By having your "packet" at the ready, any time they run across in their business or social contacts that may be a lead, they have your info at the ready to pass on. Many jobs are won through contacts. Expand your contacts. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteBonnie~Good job on your web page!! Very resourceful and think it will trigger some bites for you; while getting support from fellow jobless people. Hang in there & hope
ReplyDeleteyou land a job real soon! The only advice I can give is that find your passion, and go in that direction....What would you do, if you received $ for the work or not? Maybe that will open avenues that you have not yet explored. xo