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Job Seekers Newsletter
April 2008
Welcome Everyone!
As we enter the second quarter of 2008, the job market continues to indicate a slower growth period for jobs. We wish you the best of success for your job search! Our site and resources, plus the leadership of the job support groups, are here to help.
Comments About the U.S. Job Market
Looking forward:
Per a report of the Manpower survey, April 7th:
“Employers in the United States anticipate a decline in hiring for the second quarter of 2008, according to a quarterly survey of 14,000 employers by Manpower, Inc.
"A slowing in hiring intentions reflects a widespread wait-and-see approach among employers," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman & CEO of Manpower, Inc. "However, the survey data points to a gradual and measured downshift, not a sudden and overwhelming change. Interestingly, this data does not look like previous recessionary periods where we experienced much more accelerated declines."
Of the 14,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 26 percent expect to increase their workforces during the second quarter of 2008, while 9 percent expect to reduce staff levels. Sixty percent expect no change in the hiring pace, and 5 percent are undecided about their hiring plans for the second quarter.
The seasonally adjusted survey results show the weakest employment outlook since the first quarter of 2004, as hiring activity is expected to remain stable or decrease in all industry sectors but one--transportation/public utilities.Comment: Based upon the survey, 26% of employers are adding staff and 60% are continuing to replace staff as needed, which indicates that 76% of the 14,000 companies surveyed are hiring. That is down from 80% in the prior study of January, 2008.
On the "wait and see" topic, there are some key uncertainties influencing company decisions. Issues that concern the business community today are:
- Potential for increased taxes, which creates pressure to maintain the levels of profits to sustain the business, affecting decisions about hires and other expenses
- Potential for increased regulation, which raises costs of producing goods or services
- Operations expenses such as rising energy and commodity costs
- The value of the US dollar and buying power
The survey noted suggest the job market is in so far, so good mode. If the forecast holds, it will be a fairly good, but perhaps not an outstanding year for employment and job search!
Alliance Partners
We support the following resources in service to job seekers:
- BPWUSA. Business and Professional Women USA
- HACEUSA, a professional Hispanic Association
- Jobkabob.com: sell your skills, not your work history.
- Career Concepts USA: Job Fair resource
Networking Tip Of The Month
Basics of use of the Internet
Everyone's job search is a unique effort, shaped by his/her career path, goals and qualifications for job opportunities. Getting organized to pursue a job search is critical to success. Here are some key considerations:
- Records: set up Excel files or Word documents to keep track of
- Job boards and job posts
- Phone calls and contacts with employers
- Phone calls and contacts with networking resources
- People you meet, where and when, what they do and how you connect with them
- Meetings: have business cards of your own, collect cards and note on each card when and where you met the person, add contacts to an Excel or Word document
- Networking: keep an ongoing record of weekly meetings, note people who could be helpful or people you can assist
- Support: Define two or three ways you can assist others and state those methods at every network event. Make yourself available as a resource for access to a former company, a professional network, or other options to demonstrate how you can add value to the efforts of others. And follow up: when asked for help, bring it!
A key measure of your efforts to track activity is whether you can trace a contact back to the original source if it produces results and allows you to send an email thank you at some point in the future. If you cannot track it back to the initial source, improve your methods to assure that your personal network has sufficient documentation to support your efforts. Best of success!
Networking Group of the Month
Harvest Bible Chapel Job Networking Group
One year ago, we assisted Harvest Bible Chapel in the launching of their program to assist job seekers. As they enter their second year, we wish them continued success! For more information on their program please go to the Harvest Bible Chapel page.
Important Information
Leaders: please review your Job Support Group web page and see if all information is accurate and up-to-date. Please send any corrections to work@workministry.com.
Remember networkers: once you have landed your job, complete our landings survey.
Quote of the Month
"The principal advantage of a democracy is a general elevation in the character of the people… The vulgar charge that the tendency of democracies is to leveling, meaning to drag all down to the level of the lowest, is singularly untrue., Its real tendency being to elevate the depressed to a condition not unworthy of their manhood."
James Fenimore Cooper (American 19th century novelist)
A Prayer While You Are In Transition
The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow."
- Kay Arthur
We hope you have enjoyed this month's Newsletter!
The Work Ministry Team
Contact us at work@workministry.com
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