Job crisis might be worsening, but there's no reason to lie

 

The Net New Hiring Activity measure goes on to state, “the deterioration in the job market is accelerating.” The number of job available declined substantially in October – for the tenth consecutive month and 200,000 more than expected.

 

 

But, Stephen Viscusi, author of “Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out on Top at Work,” remains firm that the market turbulence is positive for internship and entry-level job seekers.

 

“Since I wrote a book on a premise that a layoff is avoidable for all workers who institute my secrets, I can’t help but encourage entry-level workers to understand that layoffs that do happen may happen with more senior, 'expensive' workers,” he said. “If anything, layoffs sometimes create more work for entry-level employees, who may now find they are getting more senior responsibilities than they ordinarily would get if the company was staffed at 100 percent capacity.”

 

Four out of five college students and young graduates are seeking jobs or internships during the holidays, according to the annual Holiday Jobs Survey conducted by Experience, Inc.

 

Although 79 percent of Gen Y respondents reported they plan to work during the upcoming winter break, only 22 percent confirmed they have landed a part-time or full-time job. Of those still looking, more than half (53 percent) think they are unlikely to secure a position.

 

“With the number of Gen Y candidates looking for jobs at an all-time high, it is extremely important for students and young grads to differentiate themselves from the pack,” said Jennifer Floren, founder and CEO of Experience, Inc. “While it may be challenging to secure an ideal job right now, students should be thinking of different ways to gain experience so they can present themselves as the best candidate when that job becomes available.”

 

What industries are still thriving? The Jobfox Top 25 Most Recession-Proof U.S. Job Candidates: October 2008 report indicates the following positions are in demand:

“Continue to educate yourself. The unemployment rate is still only 3.1 percent for professionals with college degrees,” said Rob McGovern, CEO of Jobfox.

 

Speaking of education, research conducted by employeescreenIQ found that approximately 10 percent of candidates falsified their education during the second quarter of 2008. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 45 percent of all résumés contain one major fabrication.

 

“False information about ones’ educational history is the third most common discrepancy we uncover while conducting verifications for our clients,” said Kevin Bachman, vice president of quality service at employeescreenIQ. “Due to the tightening of the job market, we are predicting a rise in the number of individuals that ‘fluff’ their résumé, including their educational history.”

 

Don’t lie on your résumé, in your cover letter, during interviews, etc. – ever. Instead, McGovern recommends students and recent graduates continue doing the “little things that keep them informed and marketable.”

 

1. Listen to feedback. What do people say about your best attributes and skills? It is surprising what you can learn when you are open and curious about how other people perceive you. It’s not easy to hear negative comments, but this can be very valuable. Ask for examples of both your best and worst professional traits.

 

2. Stay on top of emerging trends in your industry of choice. Read professional publications and attend workshops in your field. Stay abreast of business news. Being able to intelligently discuss trends and issues helps you stand out among other entry-level candidates.

 

3. Work on basic people skills. Study after study suggests that warm smiles and firm handshakes go a long way in creating lasting first impressions.

 

4. Attitude adjustment. Yes, the economy is struggling. It’s easy for entry-level candidates to approach job searching with much anxiety and trepidation. Don’t do it. Recruiters can smell when you lack confidence and exuberance. Let them know that this is an exciting time in your life when you are ready to take the first steps to achieve your lifelong goals. Let them know how thrilled you are to get your foot in the door. This little tweak in attitude can go a long way.

 

5. Keep your perspective. Job seekers are going to hear a lot of negative news about the economy, layoffs, downsizings, etc. Keep in mind that hiring continues, even when there are hiring freezes. It’s a nice fantasy of corporate CFOs that headcount can be frozen until the economy improves again. But, this is never the reality. When the star salesperson walks out the door, the key technologist calls it quits or the receptionist bolts, companies have to backfill these positions. There will continue to be opportunities, even in a recession.

 

For additional advice, listen to the latest episode of 30/20 Vision, with Alexandra Levit, Lindsey Pollak and Christine Hassler, about how to survive and thrive during a recession.