Why People Can’t Find Jobs

They’re out of touch.
We’re a society that knows how to apply for a job. The challenge for employment seekers today is to become proficient at finding work. That’s a much more complicated process than applying for a job. Anyone missing this skill will be unemployed for a long time.

They’re looking in the wrong places.
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll find employment in today’s workplace by attending a job fair, looking at a newspaper, looking at Internet job sites, or sending out unsolicited resumes/CV’s to employers. The majority of employment opportunities are never advertised and employment seekers must learn how to sniff them out and how to approach employers in a strategically effective way.

They’re using the wrong tools.
Most employment seekers use one tool only: a resume/CV. They must learn how to create a variety of tools that are marketing oriented and focused on the needs of the employer. The approach used by most employment seekers is the same as it has been for most of the 20th century – and it doesn’t work.

They’re making it hard to get hired.
If the only option you give an employer is to offer you a permanent full-time position, you’re making it hard for them to hire you. This is especially true for small businesses, where most of the action can be found. Being willing to accept part-time, temporary and contract work – without reservations – is essential.

They’re ignorant about Social Media.
The personal branding guru, Dan Schawbell says “Your first impression isn’t a handshake anymore. It’s your online presence that will decide the fate of your career.” Managing your online presence is as important as managing your credit rating. 70 percent of recruiters in the U.S. report that they have rejected candidates because of information they found out about them online. Getting hired today is as much a function of being found online as it is about applying to employers.

Their governments are failing them.
Governments are stuck in the 20th century. They keep trying to solve 21st century problems with 20th century solutions. For the past few years, they have poured billions of dollars, euros and pounds down the drain trying to stimulate the economy and propping up dying and inefficient industries. At the same time, small businesses that have been creating most of the new jobs for years have been virtually ignored by governments. The countries that will succeed in the coming decade are the ones that will give small businesses the support and resources they need to expand and that also encourage and support graduates to create their own jobs. For an increasing number of workers, the era of the traditional job and all the stability that came with it is over. We need to accept that, adjust to it, and move on.

Ron McGowan is the author of the international best seller “How to Find WORK in the 21st Century”, currently in use at over 400 colleges and universities worldwide and used extensively by career/employment counselors.

Whose Recession Is It Anyway? part iii - Getting a job in today’s recessionary times

Getting a job in today’s recessionary times isn’t easy. There are fewer vacancies around then there were in the boom times, but that doesn’t mean there are none. Some companies have closed down, but most are still in business. Many are still hiring staff, although they may not be advertising. That’s because they don’t have to as candidates are sending CVs to them.

Looking for a job is a job in itself – if you want a job, you must be prepared to work hard at finding one. Remember a dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.

If you want a job, you are going to have to approach finding one in a dedicated and diligent way. You’ve got to be highly motivated, focused and determined. Nothing less than hard graft and total commitment will suffice. Success will only come to those who really want it; and those who really want it are going to have to work hard if they are going to get it.

You need to approach job hunting as a project in itself; and like all projects you need to prepare a project plan.

Your project plan to find a new job needs to include the following:

• Preparing your CV
• Registering your details with recruitment websites and recruitment agencies
• Regularly visiting your local FAS office to review vacancies
• Regularly reviewing the local and national newspaper for vacancies
• Giving out your CV to local businesses
• Keeping a Job Hunters journal
• Keeping yourself busy whilst you are looking for a job

This is a tough assignment. You’re going to have to do things you’ve never done before. You’re going to have to be patient and accept that it will probably take time before you achieve success. You’re going to need a lot of self-determination and a strong will to succeed.

The only person you can rely on is yourself; only you can get you that job. You’re going to have to be your own supervisor, secretary, telephonist, filing clerk. You’re going to have to teach yourself to do things you haven’t done before. If you’re not computer literate, you’re going to have to learn to be.

If you approach this project with the right attitude, you will succeed. It’s just a matter of time and effort. Your efforts, if they are applied consistently, will get you a job. It’s a numbers game; the more you try, the more likely you are to succeed; it’s as simple as that.

So get your finger out, start working, put in the effort, and before you know it you’ll be back to work.

It is important to change your mindset away from being unemployed. You’re no longer unemployed or jobless; you’re job hunting.

When you meet people and they ask you, “What are you doing?” Tell them you are looking for a job. It’s far more positive than saying I’m unemployed.

Don’t just think of the impact your answer will have on other people, think of the effect it has on you. The sympathy that comes from answering “I’m unemployed,” is likely to depress you; whereas the encouragement that follows you saying “I’m job hunting,” is far more likely to motivate you and lift your spirits.

‘Unemployed’ is a poor-me kind of label to labour under; a hopeless, stagnant situation that sounds unlikely to ever change. ‘Job hunter,’ on the other hand, is a dynamic, action-man state of affairs that says I’m going to make things happen by doing something.

Being unemployed has negative connotations; it’s static, inactive and going nowhere. Being a job hunter on the other hand is positive; it’s active. Jobs are unlikely to come falling from the sky and land in your lap if you’re just sitting there waiting for something to happen; they’re far more likely to arrive at your door though, if you go out looking for them.

If you are receiving unemployment benefits, think of them as your wages whilst you are job hunting. Getting paid to look for another job is far more positive than surviving on subsistence.

Try to keep in mind there are only three kinds of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen; and those who wonder, what happened. What kind of person are you?

Copyright © David Jones 2009

Part three of a five part series. Part iv talks about 'dealing with rejection'.

Whose Recession Is It Anyway? part i - Losing your job

Losing your job in the current economic climate is a devastating experience. Your first reaction is obviously one of shock, followed by confusion. “What am I going to do?” is the first question on everyone’s mind; “How am I going to find another job?”

It takes a few days for it to really sink in. Telling your family and friends is difficult; unfortunately there is still a stigma attached to losing your job. There’s a huge sense of rejection; a feeling of not being wanted. Your mind keeps wondering, “Why me? What did I do wrong?”

It’s really important to remember that people are losing their jobs today through no fault of their own. They haven’t done anything wrong. It’s not their fault there’s a worldwide recession; they can do nothing about the banking crisis. People who are being made redundant are not being singled out because they are bad employees; they’re losing their jobs simply because their employer is facing financial difficulties. Their employer can no longer afford to keep employing them. It’s that simple.

I lost my job in January of this year; I know what it’s like. In my own case I found there was very little help available to tell me what to do. I’d never been unemployed before. I had no idea what my entitlements were; I didn’t know how to go about signing on or anything like that.

That’s why I wrote my book, Oh no; I’ve lost my job. What am I going to do? In a way it was a kind of therapy for me. Writing it gave me a sense of purpose, something positive to be doing. You’ll find my book in most of the local bookshops. [You can also purchase it online from the website of The Job Seekers Union. Price €4.99 plus P&P. - ed.] It tells you everything you need to know if you’ve lost your job; including how to deal with debts, how to get your spending under control; as well as your welfare entitlements and how to go about claiming them. There’s advice too on how to go about looking for another job; how to write your CV, prepare for an interview and so on.

As with everything in life; if you find yourself unemployed, it’s important to try to stay positive. Boredom can quickly lead to depression; so try to stay active and busy. Tackle those jobs around the house that you never got around to; get busy in the garden, take up a hobby.

No matter what your circumstances; it really is important to register with your local social welfare office. The sooner you sign on, the sooner your jobseekers benefit or jobseekers allowance can be processed. It’s takes a while for the first payment to come through, but it will be back dated to the date you first signed on.

If you are in financial difficulty while you are waiting for your benefits to come through, you can get temporary assistance from the Community Welfare Officer. You can find their number in the Phonebook under Community Welfare Services or call your Local Health Centre.

They say looking for a job is a job in itself. Unfortunately there aren’t many vacancies about at the moment, but there are some. Try to be positive, and remember nothing lasts forever. You might have sent off hundreds of CV’s and got no response so far, but you never know what’s around the corner; so don’t give up trying.

Losing your job needn’t be the end of the world; it may be the opportunity to re-invent yourself and do something you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start a new business, or take up studying? In my own case it gave me the chance to write a book, which I never thought I’d do. I’ve a second book written, so who knows, maybe it’s the start of a new career for me as an author? [David Jones' second book, The Pothole Republic is also available from The Job Seekers Union at a special discount price of €4.99 plus P&P. Click here for more info. - ed]

It’s hard to believe there are over 400,000 unemployed people in the country; that’s a massive number for a country as small as ours. I recently set up a self help organisation called The Job Seekers Union. You can check it out at www.thejobseekersunion.com.

Incidentally, feel free to write to me with your experiences of unemployment. I’m compiling a book of people’s stories which I hope to publish later in the year.

You can contact me through The Job Seekers Union where you can also email me - david@thejobseekersunion.com.

Copyright © David Jones 2009

This is the first in a series of five articles. In the next installment David addresses the issues of 'Telling Your Family and Friends' that you have lost your job. 

5 Top Tips To Help You Prepare For Interview

Well Done!

You have managed to secure an interview which a great achievement in the current market.

So What Is Next?

Well, it really is the key to success at any interview .........

PREPARATION!

Don't let yourself down at this stage,take the time and prepare.

1) Make Sure You Have The Job Specification.

The Job Specification is a vital piece of information. It will provide you with a summary of the organisation & the duties involved in the role. Most importantly the Person Specification section will outline the skills or competencies the employer requires from a successful applicant. Once you have read the role profile in detail, identified the skills or competencies the employer is looking for, you can then prepare your answers accordingly.

2) Research.

Research the company, their mission, goals, values, products & services. Begin with their website for this basic information. If you want to really stand out research the company in more detail:

• What's happening in their industry

• Their competitors

• New product or services they may have announced lately

• Be aware of any recent up-dates in the media about the organisation

• Look for any recent articles about the company.

3) Know Your C.V Inside Out

It sounds so simple but you would be amazed at the number of people who don't really know what's in their own C.V. Make sure you know your C.V inside out. For example exact dates of employment/education, if there are any significant gaps in your C.V then be prepared to answer questions around these.

4) Prepare Your Answers

Prepare your answers in relation to possible questions that may arise. Look at the role profile and requirements for the job to help you identify which area's the interviewer may focus on. For example, if 'Customer Focus' is a skill or competency mentioned in the person specification then be prepared to answer a question in relation to this.

A sample question: the interviewer may ask you: 'What has been the most challenging customer service issue you’ve had to address?'

You will be surprised how you can tailor the general answers you had prepared, to the specific questions you are being asked, based on the information the interviewer provides you with at the time. When you are in the interview, listen carefully to the information the interviewer is giving you about the role and the company, this will help you with you answers.

5) Prepare The Questions You Want To Ask

Remember the interview is a two way process. It is also your opportunity to find out if the company is right for you. So don't be afraid to ask questions. A candidate will always receive a positive reaction from an interviewer when they have some well thought out questions to ask about the role and the organisation. It show you are genuinely interested in the role and also that you have thought carefully about the opportunity on offer.

Some sample questions

• Can you tell me more about the structure of the organisation/team?

• What are the skills that you consider important for this job?

• Do you have any questions or concerns about my ability to perform this job?

Remember - Unless the interviewer brings it up, avoid asking questions about salary or holidays as these can be seen as a negative.

Copyright © Rebecca Kearney 2009. All rights reserved.

For further information visit www.readysteadyinterview.ie

Ph: 01 4410902 / 087 2996522

Meeting of The Job Seekers Union and Dublin Job Club

Note for your Diary - Friday, 5th June, 10am

The Job Seekers Union and the Dublin Job Club have joined forces and organised a meeting this Friday morning 10am - 1pm, 5th June in the Digital Exchange, Crane Street (off Thomas Street) Dublin.

The meeting will focus on motivating job seekers and on CV preparation - a CV doctor will talk about preparing effective CVs.

Everyone is welcome and can bring friends. Admission is free. Members and friends are encouraged to attend as we hope this will the first of many meetings in Dublin and around the country.

Further details will follow.