Social media is a very hot topic right now. It seems these days you can’t go online without reading something about social media. With the evolution of sites like Facebook and Twitter and their applications as marketing tools, the number of job positions in social media is rising at an exponential pace as companies try to keep their name in front of consumers.
Job Statistics – Focus on the Positives
We’ve all heard how tough the job market is, but the truth is that people are still getting hired. Here are some numbers that might surprise and inspire you:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 4.3 million U.S. workers were hired in June 2010, including seasonal workers, part-timers, temps and contract workers.
- The number of job openings at the end of June was 2.9 million – an increase of 26% since the most recent series trough of 2.3 million in July 2009.
- Although job growth is down, it does not mean there are no jobs available. 4.3 million hires are still 4.3 million hires.
Unemployed Need Not Apply: The Numbers Behind the Claim
There’s been a lot of discussion about the claim that some recruiters and hiring managers are only interested in people who are already employed. This report, circulated on CNN and other major news sources, raised the specter of discrimination against the unemployed. But a recent poll should go a long way to putting minds at ease.
Recruiting via Social Networks is Booming
Are you looking for recruiters who have an urgent need to hire now? The way to find them just may be through social media. A new survey shows recruiters are using social networks ahead of all other forms of recruiting and are most likely to increase use of it this year. More than a third of the recruiters surveyed say they need to make immediate hires. Recruiters reported finding higher quality candidates via social networking and rated job boards last for quality of candidates.
Beating Unemployment Stats with Techniques that Work
The monthly release of unemployment figures leaves some job seekers feeling the blues. One approach to digesting these job figures is to not get caught up in the up-and-downs and focus instead on what is working. Every day people are getting hired and starting new jobs. For the job seeker the question becomes, “How can I be one of the people who gets hired?” A recent panel of job seekers who had found work revealed five actions that the newly hired felt led them to success. Here is a summary of techniques that worked and how you can implement them:
Built up visibility in a small community. To do this, join local professional groups, participate in online groups and attend local meetings and conferences. Make yourself known in your industry or field so that when jobs open up, people think of you.
Action Items for New College Grads Looking for Work
In our last blog, we went over some food for thoughts for new college graduates to identify a clear and focused entry into the job market. Today, we will talk about what actions new college graduate can take once they have a good idea on what they are looking for in today’s job market.
Sanitize web image. Potential employers are increasingly Goggling candidates, looking at their Facebook pages and LinkedIn profile. College students are particularly vulnerable to getting a bad “web reputation”. As job seekers, they must do everything possible to clean up their web image, removing or privatizing photos and other content and also creating a positive web presence through a LinkedIn Profile, a professional blog or a professional web page.
Job Seeking for New College Grads
A challenging job market awaits the tens of thousands of college graduates who receive their diplomas this month. One recent estimate is that 17% of people ages 20 to 24 do not have a job and two million college graduates are unemployed. The good news is that the job market for recent college grads is improving, with hiring up 5% according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Even with less than ideal numbers, there is much new college graduates can do to find fulfilling employment.
Sorting Through Reports on Job and Employment Trends
It seems every day there is a news item about unemployment numbers, hiring trends, layoffs or the possibility of recovery. Last week the Wall Street Journal reported “Job Gains Speed Up and More Seek Work”. The New York Times had a similar report, Economy Gains Impetus as U.S. Adds 290,000 Jobs, showing that, although 290,000 jobs were added, the unemployment number also went up. So what is a job seeker to do with all this news? Some suggestions for riding the hiring trends roller coaster:
Making Contact With Employers
The best ways to establish social connections as described in this video are still viable today.
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- Find someone you know in the company, so that you have a first point of entry.
Reality Check On Periods Of Unemployment
It’s not just you. If news of the economy showing signs of better health seem a little too rosy, this article from the latest issue of The Atlantic: How a new jobless era will transform America, will put things in perspective.
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