More than half a million lost their jobs in November according to the report released by the US Department of Labor which caused the stock market to dip sharply again in a knee jerk reaction. In the latest report they released, the unemployment rate jumped from 6.7% in November to 7.0% in December 2008, which is considered the highest in the last 15 years. If there is any consolation, if you might still want that as a consolation, President-elect Obama’s economic team are bent into turning this figure around with a giant bailout package that will somehow jump start this economy. However, many more are expected to lose their jobs this year. It will take time for real economic recovery to come. If more people are losing their jobs, how can you find great job opportunities in recession?
The current economic prognosis is bad, but there should be no reason to lose hope. I believe that the ancient Chinese traders were right when they say that there are actually “opportunities in crisis” such are there are possible job opportunities in this global economic meltdown. The key is finding these opportunities and grabbing them. More so, even if more people are joining the ranks of the unemployed, you can still find great job opportunities if you try to find them in the right places, of course. I have learned in my career as an HRM practitioners that those who can easily get a job are those who are proactive and a are really looking. Look and ye shall find! Seems obvious huh?
While you are at it, here are some pointers you might want to consider:
1. Look for jobs in the internet;
it is more time efficient and cost-effective.2. Refine your resume to highlight knowledge, skills, and other professional strengths
that will add value to the organization you are eyeing. Do not write one resume that fits all. Customized each resume. You need alter the whole form, just focus on your competency highlights.3. Rehearse your answers
for possible interview questions with someone. Ask their opinions how you can improve your answers or presentations.4. Be proactive.
Be the solution! Apply to organizations you deemed would need your expertise even if they were not hiring. Most progressive companies with good HRM Department usually gives chances to people who present themselves as problem solvers.5. Do your numbers!
Meaning, apply to as many organizations as you can. Do not just zeroed on one or two, so that you will have the upper hand in deciding which job interview to prioritize, and ultimately which job offer to accept.This may sound too simplistic and easy; but the key to job hunting success is hard work and perseverance. Do not wait for those calls, do the follow-up yourself and continue sending those resumes.
Good luck on your job hunting folks!
3 Responses to “Finding Great Job Opportunities in Recession”
Subscribe toThis is a very necessary post. More and more people are being told daily to clean out their desks. How alarming is this news? I was among those numbers years ago and I still know how it feels. I believe the internet is going to be the greatest solution for many of these folks. If they need guidance they can contact me or many others that will give them direction that can start them on the road to owning their own lives and not have to be concerned about working for someone else ever again.
Eddie Garcia
(229)889-9532 Anytime!
eddiegarcia08@gmail.com
Some great points here-
This comment goes along with your point #1 and #4 (being proactive and looking on the Internet)
Since we're also talking about being more creative during this economic slump, why not think outside the box of looking to work for another in the first place?
I'm rather amazed that there are plenty of skill sets that are for whatever reason not "conventional" enough to be taught in schools, but the mastery of which would lead to more autonomy.
Most of us are trained to be employees- nothing wrong with that, but I'm convinced that thinking that way is a kind of tunnel vision that keeps many from learning skills that would allow them to carve out there own path to income.
One of them is as close as the computer in front of you. For the first time in history, we are 3 feet in front of the world, yet few learn how to use it in a way to render 1) value to others and 2)income for themselves.
leavethejobbehind.com
In my opinion (and I have talked about this on my own blog as well), the recession is driven by Technology and the Internet. Offline niches such as TV, Radio, Newspaper...etc, are losing their market to Internet TV, Radio and websites like NYTimes. Air Travel industry is losing its market because people can communicate much easier now over the Internet with the aid of Technology and the Web.
I recently moved from Vancouver to Toronto and had to quit my very stable and reliable government job plus my local IT consulting business. I've found a much better career opportunity in Toronto in a very short amount of time. And I think the main reason is because I am on top of Technology and the Web.
Thousands of opportunities are being created everyday in the technology industry, and at the same time, thousands of opportunities are becoming obsolete everyday due to the rapid growth of technology.
Stay on top of the world that is driven by technology and you'll be fine!