Back in mid-January, I posted an unscientific poll to try and get a sense of what people actually think about the state of the current job market. I elected not to vote (I would have voted Same as last year because that is how the market feels). Due to low participation, it is very difficult to draw any concrete conclusions. The total number of votes (24) is statistically insignificant. Nevertheless, I have posted the results below. Again, the question is: How would you describe the job market today?
Worse than last year 17% (4 votes)
Same as last year 29% (7 votes)
Slightly improved 50% (12 votes)
Much improved 4% (1 vote)
Total Votes: 24
If asked, I would have guessed that the majority of participants would describe today’s job market as either “Same as last year” or “Slightly improved.” My instincts were correct…79% of respondents (19 in total) voted either “Same as last year” (29%) or “Slightly improved” (50%). One person voted “Much improved” while the remaining 17% voted “Worse than last year.” Again, this was not a scientific poll by any stretch. This was simply my attempt to take the pulse of potential job candidates regarding today’s job market within the context of experiencing historically high unemployment and underemployment rates (currently 9.7% and 16.5%, respectively).
Armed with the aforementioned information, I began to think about how job candidates should react and respond to today’s job market and high rate of unemployment. I think the one thing we can all agree on is that this current job market is far from typical or the norm. Since we have ventured outside of what I regard as normal job market conditions, that means we should be reacting and responding with a heightened sense of urgency and alert. I am not convinced that job candidates are doing this. As human beings, we are conditioned to go with what we already know and do that which makes us feel comfortable and secure. We tend to play it safe by repeating and retracing our steps from the past. Change never comes easy…for anyone.
Unfortunately, playing it safe will not help you or anyone else in terms of conducting a job search in today’s job market in the context of historically high unemployment. Now is the time for self-reflection and honesty. Everything you do relative to your job search should be thoroughly examined and questioned. What you did back in 2007 no longer applies; it is not good enough. Examine everything and remember to wear your thick skin. Your willingness to be your own worst critic—no matter how difficult or painful the process—will help you to break away from the status quo and enable you to prepare to go on the offensive. To be sure, there are jobs out there to be had. But only the most well-prepared, well-heeled, well-networked, aggressive and self-aware job searchers will find and get them.
This does not mean that you have to go out and hire a life coach and professional resume writer to overhaul your professional appearance, life and documents (e.g., resume, cover letter and reference sheet). But it does mean that you need to take you to the next level and beyond. By you, I mean your preparation, your appearance, your process, your cover letter and resume, your thank you letter, networking, follow-up efforts, professional online profiles…EVERYTHING! Leave no stone unturned and take nothing for granted.
