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Tips to Finding a Job in a Tough Economyby Jill Klees, MA

Career [email protected]

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Objectives

This workshop is NOT a “how to find a job” workshop.

It is about:•Looking at the big picture of the world of work today•Identifying what is happening in the world •Seeing how that impacts job opportunities•How that impacts your personal job search strategy•How you need to think strategically about your search•How you can best prepare yourself

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The World of Work Today

Here is what is happening:

•Baby Boomers are retiring in large numbers

•Global demand for the export of products since the U.S. dollar is weak

•Demand for greater health initiatives and organic food suppliers

•Demand for alternative energy

•Obama initiative for “Green Jobs”

•American Recovery & Reinvestment Act signed into law

•Industries are changing & new ones are being created


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What does this mean for you?

Opportunities in Government Jobs• Government hiring is ramping up• Federal, State, City, and County agencies are hiring in ALL areas• All majors considered

Opportunities in Homeland Security & MilitaryOriented Companies• Focusing efforts on Advancing Technology• Looking for Engineering, CS, Math, All Scientists, Social

Science majors

Interesting Fact: Outsourcing these jobs is NOT an optionFor more information, check the SJSU Career Center web site:

http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/explore/majors/featured/govern_careers.html


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Opportunities in Health Care

•Staff is of retirement age•Fewer students enrolled in health care fields•Shortage in nursing •Shortage in tech positions•A rising need for home health aides, medical assistants & pharmacy techs•Opportunities for all majors•Increased demand in non-traditional careers for science and engineering majors

Interesting Fact: “It is estimated that this shortage will continue for the next decade” Black Collegian, Sept. 2008


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Opportunities in Agriculture, Food Processing, and Bio-Technology

•Increase in ethanol production, organic food suppliers and manufacturing•Shortage of students majoring in related fields•Created opportunities and a demand for employers to hire other science and non-science majors

Interesting Fact: Bio-tech industry is expected to grow faster than average compared to ALL jobs thru 2014

For more information, check out www.greencareercentral.com

and Green Careers for Dummies by Carol McClelland


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Opportunities in Bio-Med Technology

• As Baby Boomers age, so does the demand for new medical procedures and equipment

• Growth of Stem Cell research• Combines medical, engineering, and biology majors• Look for opportunities in hospitals, research facilities, educational

institutions, government, and consulting fields

Interesting Fact: U.S. Dept of Labor estimates Bio-Medical Engineering to grow faster than average thru 2014!


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Obama Initiative – Opportunities in Green Jobs• Created Federal business incentives for energy alternatives and

environmentally friendly technology• Ex. Building wind farms, solar panels, fuel efficient cars,

alternative energy options = green tech• Shortage of workers + boomers retiring• Hiring all jobs – accounting, sales, engineers, installers, etc.

Interesting Fact: Predicted to have huge growth potential

For more information, check the SJSU Career Center web site:

http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/explore/majors/featured/green_tech_careers.html


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Obama Initiative – Opportunities in Green Jobs, cont.

Vice President Joe Biden defines Green Jobs as:“Jobs that provide products and services which use renewable

energy resources, reduce pollution, conserve energy and natural resources, and reconstitute waste.” The Vista, March 2009

Interesting Fact : California is transforming to Green –

Green building manufacturing and materials, Green IT, Green hospitality, Green event planning, Green printing,

and expect more to grow.

For more info check out: www.apolloalliance.org


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Obama Initiative – Opportunities in Green Jobs, cont.

• Broken into 6 areas: Renewable Energy, Green Building & Energy Efficiency, Bio-Fuel Production & Farming, Transportation & Alternative Fuels, Water & Wastewater Mgmt, Compliance & Sustainability Planning

• Green jobs will build upon existing skill sets

• “Green collar jobs” = blue collar jobs upgraded to respect the environment

Interesting Fact: Much of the workforce will be able to transfer their skills to this emerging industry, for ex: accountants, sales, electricians, etc.


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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -

signed into law Feb. 17, 2009 by President Obama

“This economic stimulus package ($787 billion) is intended to create jobs through appropriations and investments in infrastructure and science, health, education and training, and energy.” “…more than 74% of funding should be spent within the next 18 months – creating new jobs for millions of Americans.” www.2009stimulusjobs.com

Interesting Fact: jobs will be created in construction, telecom, architecture, engineering, IT, management, R&D, biomed research, education, manufacturing, security, fire fighting, project mgmt, child care, public utilities, transportation…

For more information, check out www.2009stimulusjobs.com


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Opportunities in Insurance Industry

(not a discretionary purchase, people will always need insurance)

• Changes in weather patterns (Global Warming) creates climatic and disaster issues

• Health Care initiatives continuing to change and develop• Increase life expectancy of aging population• Wide range of available positions open to all majors

Interesting Fact: They hire people with very diverse backgrounds and all levels of experience from corporate law to customer service.


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What does this for you?

Opportunities in Non-Profit

• Hiring is up in all areas• Sales and Fundraising has growth opportunities• This sector is growing faster than private• Boomers retiring & shortage of managers• Salary gap between private and non-profit is closing• Great way to gain experience & give back

Interesting Fact: Obama’s “Call to Service” is a growing trend to volunteer: consider Peace Corp, Teach for America, AmeriCorps, Corporation for National and Community Service


http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/explore/majors/featured/nonprofit_careers.html


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Opportunities in Education & Teaching

• Teachers K- 12, public schools & college consistently face shortages and will consider all majors with proper credentials

• Growth areas include special ed, math, science, foreign language, & those with bi-lingual skills

• New grant available: TEACH

Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Ed• Receive up to $4,000 for tuition• http://studentaid.ed.gov

Interesting Fact: Dept. of Labor estimates demand to grow 12% by 2016


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Opportunities in Other Areas

• Accounting and Finance majors fare well in any economic situation

• Liberal Arts majors doing well as employers recognize their value in managing people, analyzing data, designing web content, communicating and writing, etc.

• Newly added jobs as Crisis Management Consultants, Bankruptcy Lawyers and Aids


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Build a Strategy

Start your job search NOW. Don’t procrastinate!

• Know your strengths, how they can add value & be able to talk about them

• Do a self assessment, check out www.eureka.org

- Enter site ID# KDVZYFL

- True color = personality

- Micro skills = transferable skills

- Occ-u-sort = interests

• Identify what companies and industries are hiring and how you fit


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Build A Strategy


Think carefully about your answers to these questions:

1. Are you willing to relocate for a job?

2. Are you willing to take a different job then you had imagined?

3. Are you willing to alter your salary expectations?

Be open minded and flexible!

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Research

• Research companies and industries of interest http://online.onetcenter.org/

• Think BIG and do not limit yourself• Be open minded• Not all small to medium sized companies can afford to come on

campus to recruit• Use SpartaJobs, Google, indeed.com, etc to research what is

out there, who is hiring, what the trends are• Set a goal: dedicate 2 hrs each day minimum to research

potential employers


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Market Yourself

• Distinguish yourself from the competition• What makes you UNIQUE• Focus on what you have to offer and how you can add value• Write a targeted cover letter each time that shows WHY you are

a good match for the job• Write a Targeted Resume each time to match the qualifications

for the job• Build your Personal On-Line Brand & keep it “squeaky clean”• Use your networking connections• Join and get involved in professional associations:

http://ipl.org/div/aon or www.weddles.com


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Craft Your “Ad Campaign” the Resume:

• An O.K. or good resume is not enough

• Have a clear and consistent FOCUS/objective

• Clearly demonstrate your STRENGTHS

• TAILOR the content every time. Go the extra mile

• Highlight and accentuate your related experience

• Have it CRITIQUED several times

• The end result needs to be polished & professional


http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/launch/Resume_covLet/Resume_covlet.html

Resume


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Cover Letter

• Include a cover letter when mailing or e-mailing your resume to employers

• It compliments your resume and gives the employer a complete picture of your skills, talents, and interests

• Tailor each cover letter to the specific career field and/or position you are applying for

• Keep the letter brief, simple, and error-free

• Use conversational language that lets your personality shine while being professional


http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/launch/Resume_covLet/Resume_covlet.html


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Interviewing

• Practice Makes Perfect!

• Review sample questions

• Research the company

• Have your interviewing clothes clean, ironed, shined, professional and ready to go

• First impressions count

• Send a thank you letter every time (email or handwritten)

For more information, checkout the SJSU Career Center web site:

Practice with Perfect Interview:

http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/launch/interview/perf_inter/perf_inter.html

http://www.careercenter.sjsu.edu/students/launch/interview/interview.html


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Do not’s in a Slow Economy

• Do not rely on web sites only for your job search; most open positions are never posted

• Do not rely on mass mailing generic resumes

• Do not procrastinate and think you have plenty of time to start your search

• Do not be overly picky or hang on for a better paying job

• Do not get lazy with your cover letter, resume, and interviewing skills


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Do’s in a Slow Economy

Start now. Be proactive.• Surround yourself with positive people vs. doom & gloom• Be diligent, determined, self confident, and focused• Give yourself more time then you expected• Consider temp employment, paid projects, part-time work,

contract, volunteer, post graduate internships• Treat your job search like the most important class assignment

of the year and shoot for an A+.• Do your homework and be prepared

Bottom Line: “There will be companies that are thriving and those that are not.” Focus your attention on the “companies that are doing well, the ones that are expanding and buying up the assets of failing companies.” SJ Merc, 12/28/08


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What’s Next?

• Consistently use the Career Center’s Services – stay connected!

• View our Calendar of Events at www.careercenter.sjsu.edu & click “Calendar” for complete details about services, events and programs

• Have your cover letter and resume documents critiqued

• Attend all career fairs, employer networking events, information sessions, and employer tables to meet face-to-face

• Do your research. Be prepared!

• Practice your interviewing skills

• Be patient with yourself, stay focused and don’t panic!

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