What Options are There for You if You are Unemployed?

With hundreds of people chasing every job advertised, what hope is there for those who find themselves unemployed in the present economic climate?

Unemployment at 2.57 million or 8.1%, in the UK – the highest it’s been in 17 years – and although the trend in the US was up in October, it’s still at around 9% , making this is a major problem for a lot of individuals and a lot of families.

If you can’t get a job, what are the alternatives? For some, going freelance is an option and with more and more companies outsourcing to keep down costs, there is work available. If your job can be done on a freelance basis and there is a demand, this is definitely worth considering.

However, not all jobs lend themselves to freelance work and if you don’t have the right skills, what else is out there?

Retraining in a field where there are jobs is something to consider, but can be expensive. So it’s worth looking out for companies which will train you on the job, or for government schemes designed to get people back into work. Some of these are compulsory and many are short and don’t necessarily lead to a job. But it’s a starting point and you should go to the nearest job centre or equivalent government advice centre in your area. Local colleges are worth a try too, as you may e able to brush up on skills in areas like computing.

Get Creative

But sometimes you simply have to take matters into your own hands. Developing a creative approach to work is crucial these days if you want to get into the job market. This can mean learning new skills at an evening class, updating some of your old skills, setting up a small business, looking for ways to earn money online or even getting several sources of income from a variety of totally different jobs, both in the world of employment and self employment.

Assessing Your Skills and Skills in Demand

You are probably aware of the fact that there are now lots of jobs out there which didn’t even exist 10 years ago. Yes, things are moving really fast in the market place and you could end up doing something you’d never heard of when you left school or college.

If you can learn some of the skills used in these newer jobs, you could get a foot in the door. You don’t necessarily have to retrain and get a full-blown qualification, you might just need to learn about social media or mobile marketing or blogging. Add some of these skills to your existing office experience and abilities and you could become a much more attractive prospect as a secretary or admin assistant or even an office junior.

According to Martha Lane Fox, founder of lastminute.com: and UK Digital Champion , “Digital skills are now vital for education and employment: we know that you’re 25% more likely to get work when you have web skills, and, once in that job, you’ll earn 10% more.” source

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jun/20/internet-first-education-digital-skills-gap

 Setting up Your Own Business

This is much easier than it used to be and not nearly as risky. It’s still hard work, you still have to have the same commitment and vision, but you don’t necessarily need a lot of start up cash. Your business can be run at home or on the internet, depending on your interests.

You can set up a business using your existing work-related skills, particularly if you reached a high level and would be in demand as a consultant.

Alternatively, you can pursue a hobby or interest and look at ways in which you can make that pay.

We’ll take a look at each of these different options for unemployed people in more detail over the next week or so.

In the meantime, you can read more about portfolio careers and get some small business ideas.

Top Paying Jobs

Who doesn’t want to be able to get one of the top paying jobs?

Check out this video to learn more

For more information go to top paying jobs without qualifications

If you want to find a job, seasonal work can be the first step on the way to a more permanent position. With the holiday season approaching, it’s time for this year’s batch of temp jobs to appear. This year, with so many job losses, it is likely that there will be competition for Christmas jobs. So, jobs which were once mainly student territory are likely to be attractive to more experienced but unemployed  workers looking for a foothold in the labour market or at least a temporary reprieve from the dole queue.

Which industries employ seasonal workers?

The main industries which employ temp staff at holiday time are hospitality and retail. Companies in other industries may take on staff on short-term contracts to cover annual leave and of course, in the northern hemisphere, the usual batch of winter illnesses. With this year’s swine flu, there may be more temp work available than usual.

Temp work is often one way into full time, long term employment. But if you are looking for a way back into work, it’s important to plan your strategy well. Make sure you choose an area of work in which you have experience and in which you’d be happy to work long term. And be sure that you apply to companies and organizations which are likely to have permanent vacancies.

The first step is to do some research and find out which local companies are doing well, despite the crisis and which are hiring gnereally – not just for the holiday period. Make sure you know what sort of service they need and match your skills to their requirements.

If you can make a good impression as a temp, it’s possible that you might be offered a job after your temp contract ends.

Another good source of temp work with a possibility of something more permanent is agency work. Find some reputable agencies in your area and sign up with them. Explain what you are looking for and they will be able to advise you.

Some companies have a policy of hiring temp staff as this gives them a chance to try people out before offering them permanent work. In fact, you can do a search using the phrase “temp to perm” to find employers who are doing just that.

It is also a good tactic for jobseekers who can get some experience in a company or an industry to help determine if its right for them.

How to find a job if you are over 50

Finding the best jobs for over 50s is not always easy, especially as so many employers still tend to go for younger workers, despite laws against age discrimination. However, there are also companies which really value the fact that older people have so much experience, not only in the workplace but also in their day to day lives. These employers can see that as a result of their experience, older people can be ideal candidates for certain jobs.

These companies are also forward-looking. They are well aware of the fact that demographics are changing worldwide and soon there will be more people over 50 than under 30. The impact of these changing demographics on the workforce will be dramatic. It will soon be essential to employ older workers and they will be working longer, possible up to the age of 70 or beyond. Otherwise there will simply not be enough young people to support the economy.

So the first step in your search for a job is to find the employers who are aware of this trend and sufficiently forward-looking to take action by employing older workers.

In the US, the American Association for Retired People issues a list of the best employers for over 50s and this is published every two years. The organizations which are on the list take an innovative approach, including flexi-time, job sharing and retraining. So if you live in America, taking a look at this list is a good starting point.

Otherwise, take a look at what is happening in your area by looking for recruitment agencies which specialize in finding work for over 40s. Search the internet for newspaper articles on companies which make a point of employing older people.

Look for sectors of the market where age and maturity are advantageous. Examples are working with homeless people and the elderly. This can cover a wide range of activities as organizations which work with these groups also need admin staff, book keepers, accountants and catering staff.

As people become older and live longer, those who are already retired want to keep active and healthy and many would prefer to learn the necessary skills from people who are closer in age to themselves.

Freelance consultancy is another possibility as it is a good way in which to continue the type of work you did whilst in employment. As companies are cutting back on full time staff, they often turn to freelancer to get some of the work done. Paying contract rates for a short time can be more cost effective than keeping someone on the payroll in a full time position.

The best jobs for over 50s are the jobs in which they are respected and valued and where they can use their experience to best effect.

Are you interested in creating your own job online? Get more information at best jobs over 50

Is it possible to recession proof your career? With so many negative stories about the credit crunch in the news, is it inevitable that we will all be affected? If we lose our jobs – a common effect of recession – will we be able to get another one?

There are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of getting a new and even better job – or even keeping the one you’ve got.

To be sure you are in the running for the few remaining jobs out there, you have to have a high quality resume or CV which is carefully targeted for the job you want. It has to show the employer that you are the best person for the job and so it has to address the specific job in question. This is even more important when there is a recession or downturn in the economy. Jobs are scarce and those seeking them are many. You have to make sure you stand out if you are to find a job in a recession.

To do this, you must show that you understand what the job is, the skills it requires and the direction in which the industry is moving. Then you need to be able to show that you will be an asset to the company because of your skills, knowledge and insight.

Tough job for a resume or CV! But that’s what you need to achieve if you are to get to the next stage, that is, the interview.

Find out exactly how to write a great resume and recession proof your career.

Hi Folks,

This weekend I finally managed to make my first video using Camtasia. (don’t think I’ll be winning any awards ) However, it is now online and gives you a “rough guide” or tour of the Jobseekers’ Success Kit and I’ve also included a few tips on resume writing, interview technique and how to find a job.  As my video-making skills improve, I’m sure I’ll come up with a much improved version

Here’s the link Video Tour

What exactly is an entry-level job and should you consider taking one? Entry level careers were traditionally first jobs for new graduates or school leavers, giving them that all-important first step on the career ladder. But with so many people changing careers more often by choice or as a result of the uncertainty of today’s job market, entry-level careers are no longer just for the young. Whatever your age, an entry level position may not be what you had in mind, but it isn’t always as negative an option as you might think.

Forward looking companies should be prepared to take entry level candidates of all ages, because they recognize the fact that the population is getting older and people will have to work longer, in some cases well past current retirement age. In addition, there is a shortage of younger people – the ones who would previously have filled the entry-level jobs.

If you have had a fairly high powered job in the past and have to start near the bottom in a new career, it can be hard to take, but you should be aware of several things. You will gain an excellent grounding in a new field and you will be relieved of a lot of the responsibilities you had in your previous job. However, because you have a solid transferable skills – soft skills like the ability to communicate or work as part of a team, you’ll find that you have the ability to move more quickly towards your eventual goal within your new career. So although you may be starting at the bottom again, you are in a position to advance with speed.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that younger people aren’t in a position to move rapidly up the ladder. So don’t lose heart if you are just starting out. You will have gained transferable skills in many areas of your life outside work and can develop these to make progress on the job.

It’s important to find the right entry level job and in order to do this, you should start off by being clear about your ultimate goal. Of course, this may change with time and that is fine, but having a goal when you start out will help you to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Entry level jobs are great for learning the ropes, but you don’t want to stay in one for ever. So make your goal as possible, for example, if you want to move into management, you should decide which type of company and level of management you are interested in. Once you know where you are going, you need to find an efficient route to your destination. One option is to write down the goal, and move backwards asking yourself what you need to do to make each move necessary. This will give you a list of steps and you should research the jobs on offer and ask yourself, will this job enable me to reach the next step? You’ll need to be fairly flexible, allowing for potential changes in your own goals and you’ll have to be aware that whilst one company may allow you to take several steps in the right direction, you might have to move on if you want to climb the rest of the ladder.

Keep an open mind and you’ll find that there is more than one route to your goal. Be constantly on the lookout for alternatives. If a company looks like a good match, be sure to target your application to suit their requirements.

Whether you are just starting out in the world of work or beginning a new career, a little thought and some basic planning will increase your chances of getting the entry level career you want.

Use the Best Format for the Job

Traditionally, CVs were written in reverse chronological order.
This format is still useful if you have had few jobs, with no gaps and your work history shows steady progression.

Nowadays, many jobs involve short-term contracts and people often move to completely different fields, go back to college or return to work after raising a family.

In other words, their work history is interspersed with periods of study, unemployment or childcare. If your background fits one of these situations, the functional CV could be best.

A functional CV concentrates on your skills and achievements, listing these early in the CV, with a summary of work history and education at the end.

You’ll have headings for general skills, like:

Communication Skills

· Example 1

· Example 2

· Example 3

Teamwork Skills

· Example 1

· Example 2

· Example 3

A targeted CV is similar in style to the functional CV ie has the same headings, but is focused on the specific skills needed for a particular job. So, if you are a computer expert, for example, you might have the following headings:

Programming Skills

· Example 1

· Example 2

· Example 3

Webdesign Skills

· Example 1

· Example 2

· Example 3

Your resume or CV should be designed to ensure that the most important information related to the job you’re applying for is seen immediately

Be Bold!

Use either bold or capitals for your headings.Resumes must be easy to read and therefore you should avoid gimmicks. This means no fancy fonts, no boxes and
no colour and no italic or underlining.

Being bold also means highlighting your achievements and skills. Don’t be shy, if you:

• won a prize
• increased sales
• designed an innovative course
• created a website
• were nominated employee of the year

you should say so!

This isn’t bragging, it’s just stating the facts – showing your skills, experience and abilities, which is exactly what the employer wants to know. And he won’t know if you don’t tell him.