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Every day we hear something different about the job market. The station from which the news is broadcasted determines the viewpoint rather than stating the facts. The media can be equally bewildering for both employers who desire to create jobs as well as those seeking employment. Conflicting job reports worsen the already present fear and disconcertment among would be employers.  Truthful and clear-cut facts, whether dreadful or optimistic, are a crucial part of our job market from every side, wouldn’t you agree? This is rant of sorts, out of frustration over the job market and its lack of love.  The love part will be for another day.

 

The Mixed Up Job Market Reports

Take for example this Dow Jones Newswires report on April 14th that opened with, “Wall Street employment climbed 5.1% in March from a year ago, but was roughly flat on a monthly basis; headcount in investment banking edged higher, though the category posted its lowest total in 10 months, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

We start out with an employment climb that crashes by the end of the paragraph, oh please! The next paragraph was more of the same –

Overall Wall Street — a key contributor to New York state and New York City’s economy — reported 169,000 professionals, up from 160,800 a year earlier, but down 0.4% from 169,600 in February. The financial services industry has added 8,200 jobs so far this year.”

Later the same article stated the data was skewed because it included insurance and real estate-related categories.  This left me wondering about the facts, are there job openings out there or not? Up to the minute conflicting reports on housing, jobs, and national budgets are overwhelming us. Please stop.

In late March, Reuters reported durable goods orders unexpectedly fell in February, business-spending plans dropped for a second straight month, and Oracle profit beats estimates but Best Buy disappoints.  The majority report that jobless claims are falling. Does this unemployment report include the unemployed not collecting UC or not trying to file a UC claim? More than likely, they are not counted. So, how do we truthfully measure unemployment?

Perhaps we hit the bottom of lay off barrel and everyone who was eligible exhausted UC benefits, again are they not being counted? I am sick of it and I hope the job creators are too. Let us get on with what we do!

Then yesterday I heard a television news report that claimed more jobs were becoming available. The commentator went on to say – however, for every job there are still four applicants. Four applicants per job is an unbelievable statement. In fact, I thought almost aloud, Hell No that is not right, recalling a conversation with a friend from about six months ago.

 

A Real Life Job Market Story

A friend who is a general contractor and very successful, posted an advertisement on craigslist to hire a part time construction office assistant. He removed the listing after just fours hours because his mailbox was flooded with applicants. In just four hours, the amount of responses caused the box to continue to be full for days. This huge influx of job applicants was so distressing he spent the next two days reviewing his own workload and finances. The result, do not fill the position but rather distribute the workload among others as well as him.

Just recently, he personally obtained outside employment allowing the few remaining employees to continue. The hope is this outside employment will be enough for his business to ride out the financial construction storm. Does this story shed light on my four-applicant reaction?

I am right there with him except I do not possess his level of credentials. I am a midlife woman who dedicated over twenty years building a small business in the new construction sector. While our business is still in operation, it no longer produces two full time incomes. With few construction-based jobs available, I have resorted to relying on my previous work experience and God given gifts for seeking employment. Many small business owners here and across the nation tell a similar story.

 

My Job Market Ideas

Do not listen to the news or rely on the media reports, they skew the truth daily. Forge ahead with an open mind. Bring into play what you know in addition to your vocational experience, work with the gifts you have been given, and be willing to learn new things.

I landed a part time gig photographing houses for a legitimate mortgage broker who pays. This was not my profession for sure and definitely not a part of my previous resume. Who knows maybe it will turn into something more substantial for me. If not, I was paid for the work and now have experience to add to my resume.

Post your resume everywhere it is secure and update it often. Check out long standing employment websites like Job.com. They have been in operation since 2000 and offer loads of niche job boards. Niche boards save search time. For example, one can search for sales jobs without having to wade through fifty inapplicable career sectors or a bunch of affiliate links so commonly found on craigslist.

Use the employment tools that many job boards offer and be open to try new opportunities. Visit the employment sites that offer career tools, education information, and most importantly real job listings.

Perhaps promoting clear and truthful facts along with a few success stories will provoke employment opportunities.