American State Jobs

Get that Out of Reach Job   Do you have a strong work ethic, above average communication skills, able to be a team player and the ability learn and adapt quickly?  It may seem like a waste of time to apply for a position that doesn’t match your experience.   But your abilities may be more important indicators of your becoming a successful employee than what the employer has established as preferred qualifications for their position.

There is still significant competition for many jobs.  But if you know you’re able to easily handle the job despite the fact that your background doesn’t meet the preferred qualifications for the position, there might still be hope. You need to build a case that shows why you’re the best person for the position.

Employers seek employees who have saved previous employers time or money or increased their client base or client spending.  Promote the benefits you can offer by highlighting accomplishments in your resume or cover letter.  As an example, you could highlight how you lead the implementation of a new system that saved staff time allowing them to focus on other critical tasks.

With many companies only beginning to conservatively add new staff, their hiring practices are less likely to take a risk on someone who doesn’t exactly match the job criteria.  As a result, you might have to take some risks to persuade an employer to take a chance on you.  You can offer to start the job on a project or temporary basis, with the agreement that you will be hired as a full time employee if certain measurable performance objectives are met.  You and the employer will be taking a risk, but it’s up to you to show them why taking a small risk is preferable to their standard hiring practice.  By addressing potential concerns upfront and building a persuasive case for yourself, you’ll improve your chances of convincing them that taking the risk on a candidate like you is the right course of action.  Be confident and be successful!

Avoid Government Policy Pitfalls –The President and congress are beginning to focus on job creation after a wasted week of  being sidelined by a snow storm.  Lets make sure new legislative proposals to create jobs are not loaded with pork.  Just as important,  U.S. companies can’t benefit from hiring less costly overseas  labor or bring them here with work visas.  Also, the policy should be able to be implemented within 3 months and last for 18 months.  Jobs should have a reasonable rate of pay and provide at least 30 hours per week.  Any schemes like firing of existing workers to benefit from hiring new ones should be penalized with triple yearly salary damages to the fired workers.  If workers are fired then rehired to scam taxpayers, the perpetrators need some mandatory jail time for committing a felony.  I ask readers to monitor the policies our representatives are creating and let them know they will lose your vote if they do nothing or can’t manage to get this right.  Thanks for all the kind comments you have sent.

Its Time to Create Some Jobs:  If you are still out of work, let your federal congress person and Senator know about your situation.  I am not advocating for another massive bailout.  But what we need is a targeted approach to use some of the already appropriated stimulus money smartly to create jobs.  Additional funding can be squeezed from the big banks.  With the big banks still benefiting from the public bailout, they can either start lending to profitable businesses looking to expand and create jobs or face tax increases so the government can provide more small business tax credits.  The money is needed in the real economy as opposed to paying outrageous salaries and bonuses to bank executives already set for life.  Even the banks who paid back the bailout money they received are continuing to benefit from public policy.  They borrow money from the federal government at almost 0% interest rates.  That money is used to purchase government bonds paying between 3 and 4 % or loaned out at outrageous rates  and terms  to credit card holders.

The tax reductions proposed for small businesses is a good policy at this juncture.  It is a much more efficient and faster method to create new jobs than the stimulus approach.  A job funded with stimulus money, on average, costs more than $100,000 to create.  A temporary tax credit to business of about $20,000 per job that pays a “living wage” creates 5  jobs for every one created directly with stimulus money.

New Job in 2010   -  The holidays are upon us, its time to enjoy and celebrate with loved ones.  It is also time to reflect on 2009 and create a plan for 2010.  With many focused on losing weight and paying off debt, how about getting a  job or committing yourself to acquire a better one.  Try to forget the  recession and make 2010 a better year by finding a new job.

Market conditions are warming up (faster than the weather) and there are always companies or government agencies looking to hire those who are prepared to help them accomplish their goals.  The new year is a great time to make it happen.

Self-assessment is positive but don’t let it disable you.  Take the time necessary and then craft your plan.  Remember  implementing your plan by taking action is critical.  Get out there and take the steps to create or improve your career.  Being proactive  will open up opportunities you never imagined and will get 2010 off to a great start.

Sell yourself.  If you are uncomfortable talking about yourself and your best attributes and accomplishments, get over it.  Advancing in your career or finding a new job requires you to be less humble.  Your resume or someone you know  may get you an interview, but you have to be prepared to get in there and show confidence. Get over any discomfort when talking about yourself and how great you are.  The best job candidate is one who truly believes he or she has something unique to offer and can articulate their message with words, body language and confidence.  The person hiring for the position wants to their boss to love the choice they made.  Give him or her some reasons that they can covey to their boss.  Happy Holidays

Finding a new job        Define your search.  I suggest the following criteria in this bad economy.

• Less than 30 minute commute
• Pays at least 75% of your previous job (must cover mortgage/rent,utilities, car payment, food, minimum credit card payment and other loan payment)
• Decide what benefits you must have and what you can spend on them.

As the job market improves you can continue looking for a better position.  Employers will be conservative in their future hiring. They are likely to feel you are a safer choice for a position because you are already working. That will give you the advantage over those out of work for a long time.  Use the free tools and links to state and federal jobs on this site to help.  Hey, its time to get back in the game!  Good luck

Unemployment Decrease Among Professionals      The employment numbers were released about a week ago, and the big news was the significant drop in the unemployment rate among professionals: from 5.2% in September to 4.7% in October.

At the heart of the numbers was the fact that unemployment dropped for professionals and managers in October (it also dropped for those with college degrees).  This continues a decline that began in the summer and has seen the professional unemployment rate decrease from a decade-high 5.5% in July to 4.7% last month.

Big-picture economic statistics obviously don’t mean much to your job hunt.  It points to some cautious optimism that the Great Recession may be receding.

Let’s all certainly hope so

Unemployment rate over 10%    The 10.2% rate is the highest since the early 1980’s. The real rate is considerably higher if those who no longer qualify for benefits and those  underemployed in part time work are counted. Unlike the 80’s, many more unemployed are without health insurance and those obtaining work are taking several months longer to find it.   The only good news is that some employers are probably ready to hire.  The number of overtime hours worked last month was very high. This usually means not much more  can be squeezed out of the existing workforce.  Hang in there.

ADP Nonfarm Private Employment Highlights – September Report:
• Total employment: -254,000
• Small businesses* -100,000
• Medium businesses** -93,000
• Large businesses*** -61,000
• Goods-producing sector: -151,000
• Service-providing sector: -103,000
• Manufacturing industry: -74,000
* Small businesses represent payrolls with 1-49 employees
** Medium businesses represent payrolls with 50-499 employees
*** Large businesses represent payrolls with more than 499 employees

Summary of the National Economic Situation

Nearly 7 million workers have lost their jobs since the economic downturn began. If the economy were to rebound sharply, the job market would have to create 400,000 jobs a month, every month, for two years to put those people back to work. Even if the recession is technically over at this point, its a very weak economy as many people will still find that their job security and their employment status is not what they expect.

Consumer spending is a key to improving the job market. Government spending has helped the only bright spots. They are cash for clunkers and the $8000 tax break for first time home buyers. Lower petroleum and natural gas prices may improve holiday spending over the dismal outlook.

Companies who export high tech products are beginning to benefit from a significant drop in the value of the dollar and could be the next bright spot. Stimulus funds may help companies developing next generation energy products.