Former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, has predicted that the unemployment rate in the U.S. will soon reach ten percent. That’s a pretty grim prospect for all of us.
And, high unemployment is not the only threat with which we have to contend. Underemployment, a serious problem already, is expected to worsen dramatically. There is no definitive data to reference, but underemployment is thought to effect 5-6 the number of people that joblessness afflicts.
Both unemployment and underemployment are frightening prospects. How might we protect ourselves against them?
The following are ten suggestions.
1. If you suspect that your job may be in jeopardy, or if you believe you have hit the glass ceiling, begin searching for other opportunities without delay. But, be sure you “cover your tracks” so your current employer does not learn what you are doing.
2. Improve your educational credentials. Take online courses. Think about earning a certificate, certification or degree. The more letters you can put after your name, the better you will look to employers.
3. Just as you can never be too thin or have too much money, you can never network too much. Who you know is, indeed, often critical.
4. Join and become active in at least one professional organization. More are better.
5. Ensure that everything about your resume and letter of interest is of the very highest quality. Do whatever it takes.
6. Practice interviewing. Everything in an interview counts, from the way you dress to the way you field difficult questions. Be prepared.
7. There are thousands of articles like this, including many on common job seeker mistakes. Take a few hours to read them.
8. Get your resume into the hands of appropriate employment agencies. Those specializing in your profession are the best places to start, but “cast as much bread onto the water as possible”. Don’t forget to contact the job placement offices at the schools and/or colleges you attended.
9. Let all of your friends and family members know you are job hunting. It’s a bit like viral marketing.
10. Get really, really good at something that can give you an edge in competing against others in your profession for promotions and/or jobs.
Remember, it only takes one job offer. Be persistent, and never let yourself get discouraged.