Job Seekers: Florida’s Unemployment Does have Hope

It’s always bad news when we hear the unemployment rate has increased again. Last month was another increase for Floridians, bringing to light just how bad it really is in our state’s job market.

At 12.3%, Florida was outdoing the 9.7% national average by several percentage points. In the Tampa Bay area, the unemployment rate was at 12.7% for the month of March. However, compared to past months like February’s 13.2%, it appears our jobless rate is on the decline. Every county in the Tampa region reported a drop in their unemployment rate for March’s statistics.

The pace of job losses has dramatically slowed and at a national level things seem to be making a turn around. So, what does that mean for Florida? Well, some believe that Florida’s unemployment rate will rise slightly before it begins to fall.

In an article I read, “Record jobless rate again” Dale Brill, president f the Florida Chamber Foundation said, “Florida’s recovery will trail the balance of the nation.” He also cited three obstacles in particular that Florida faced: a weaker housing market, stagnant population growth and heavy reliance on non-wage income.

Ugh. Depressing isn’t even the word for all of that. Isn’t there any good news?

Yes! Records show that Florida’s online job postings have steadily risen to 232,200 in the past month.

The Council of Economic Advisers states that the federal stimulus plan has a segment for adding or keeping 152,000 jobs in Florida in the first quarter of 2010.

Florida’s turnaround will largely be influenced by how well the nation improves because a large part of our economy depends on tourism. When people begin traveling and loosening up personal funds for family vacations and such, Florida will start to fill the impact.

It is slowly and steadily improving, as we can see with the unemployment rates, small changes will take time for Floridians to feel the effects.

Don’t give up. It is getting better. Changes are being made and time will show that to be true. Hold on Florida, we’re almost through one of the worst times since the depression!

What do you think? Do you believe other states are being hit worse than Florida? Leave your comments for me to post and others to read!

Carly Sabato

Reality Show About Job Seeking

Reality shows. Documentaries. True Crime. Real life people on television and the riveting slimy, grimy, and dramatic situations are always an attention grabber. MTV is attempting to jump on this money making train by adding their show called “Hired”. On May 6, 2010, MTV will debut the documentary type series that featuring recent college graduates out searching for a job. The series will air 20 shows and will show recent graduates from all spectrums; some will be overqualified while others are barely making the mark.

The series details exactly how difficult it is to get a job right now. MTV producers want not only the regular Joe’s watching the show to see the struggles that people are going through in finding a job, but also parents of recent graduates who believe jobs will be handed to their child because s/he has a degree. This is certainly not the case –as many of you can attest to!-- and this series will detail the true hardship of what it is like in the working world and how difficult it really is to get your foot in the door.

My Comments:

It’s a tell tale sign of the times when there is a reality based show featuring college graduates attempting to finding jobs. It would be really interesting to see the debut of another show that follows the lives of job seekers from all walks of life. Capturing scenes of a mom looking to go back to work to help ease the burden of high expenses, a long time worker who was let go after years of working for the same company, and just the average job seeker trying to find work anywhere just to pay the bills is a great script for real life drama, but how many of us need a television set to see what happens next?

A series showing college graduates looking for a job is a good start to show the world how difficult it really is out there. However, in my opinion, it’s too narrow of a scope –so many are struggling with this situation. So many people aren’t that to focus on one demographic neglects those who have been looking for months and even years.

However, I think this series will give great insight to the reality of the working world and what is out there. If the show is realistic in its portrayal, people will begin to understand how difficult it is to find a job in today’s economy. If a young adult (whose salary is less pricey than your long time worker) can not get a job after 4 years of college and a degree in hand, what hope is out there for people who are just an average Joe?

My Suggestion:

Job seekers, do not get discouraged. Jobs are out there and things are beginning to become more available. The best thing that any job seeker can do is continue working through all the necessary steps to finding a job. Don’t stop, create a great resume, and become an expert in interviews. All this is possible if you put your mind to it and practice.

Remember, if one employer tells you “no” it doesn’t mean you won’t find a job. You have other options. Keep plodding along, strengthen your interviewing skills, rework your resume and eventually you will find a job that will be the best fit for you. Yes, it will take time but as I have always said, looking for a job is like a job itself. So give your all and never give up!

What do you think? Are you a recent college graduate looking for a job but not having any luck? Or, are you a job seeker who thinks that there needs to be a series about all job seekers? Did you know about this new series coming out? Are you going to watch it?
Leave your comments so I can post for others to read.

Carly Sabato

Job Seekers: Don’t forget About Your Phones

We all know that when we’re looking for a job we have to clean up our physical appearance and always be prepared because we never know when an opportunity for a job will appear.

In my past blogs, I have discussed the importance of a well written resume, updating/monitoring all social networking sites and removing anything from your account or from your friends accounts that is inappropriate, and finally dressing for success.

A pretty complete list. That should cover it all, right? Wrong! There’s one thing often forgotten about that leaves a lasting impression on employers.

If all goes well, the employer will call you to set up an interview. Your voicemail picks up because you can’t answer. The employer hears “Yo, you know what to do.” Or another message of an equally unprofessional nature. There is no way an employer in a business environment is going to consider hiring you after that. It in no way reflects the type of individual they are trying to hire.

Listen to your voicemail and ask yourself is it appropriate?

Professional voicemails messages should say, “You have reached INSERT YOUR NAME. I am unable to answer the phone at the present time, so please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I will return your call as soon as possible.”
A good rule of thumb for jobseeker voicemails is to leave out anything pertaining to kids, cute sayings, religious messages, or music of any kind in the background or as your ringer. It is fairly common practice these days for people to use cell phones as their main phone line. When an employer calls you, it is very unprofessional to have music blaring in their ear, which is the case if you have downloaded a ring back. Regardless of how much you love listening to the latest and greatest of Ludacris’ songs or Taylor Swift’s tunes, the best solution to ensuring an employer leaves you a message is to remove the ring back while in the process of searching for a job.

First impressions are key and you just gave yours without ever meeting the employer face to face. It’s your prerogative to personalize your voicemail, but choosing a professional, courteous and simple message will go a long way to making sure the employer leaves a message given the option.

Jobseekers are on display and it’s important to have all aspects of your life ready to be evaluated. Good luck!

Carly Sabato