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Job Seekers Newsletter
August 2007
Welcome Everyone!
The Work Ministry Team wishes you the best of success for your job search! Hope you are enjoying the summer of 2007 as well!
Comments About the U.S. Job Market
One indicator of how an economy is doing is: "What do people think about it?" The Conference Board is a business research association that conducts a broad range of studies to assist companies in decision-making. One of their many studies is on Consumer Confidence, a monthly survey of 5000 households that provides a basic measure of how people feel about the state of the US economy. The Consumer Confidence index for July was 112.9.
Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "The rebound in Consumer Confidence has catapulted the Index to its highest reading in nearly six years (August 2001, 114.0). An improvement in business conditions and the job market has lifted consumers' spirits in July." Note that confidence in the economy is close to the most recent highest reading of August, 2001, just prior to 9/11.
A Word about Minimum Wage
Recently, the US Congress approved an increase in the minimum wage to $5.85 from $5.15, effective July, 2007. To provide some perspective:
- # of people on US Payrolls, July 2007: 138 million+
- # of people earning minimum wage: 2 million (1.4% of the workforce)
- % of people who get pay raises above the minimum within 12 months of hire : 55%
- % of people at minimum wage who are teen-aged workers: 55%
So the number of people who may actually be self-supporting, non-teen aged workers is less than 1 million, and many of them can expect a pay raise. The US economy produces a lot of jobs, enabling people to move along to higher pay levels over time. As our economy gets closer to 4.0% unemployment levels, the minimum wage becomes less relevant as employers pay higher wages to attract staff. Job seekers have the advantage in a tight labor market!
Special Announcement
What Color is Your Parachute? author Dick Bolles offers support and comments on Work Ministry in the 2008 edition of his upcoming book! Thanks for your support Mr. Bolles!
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
New Job Postings
KPMG is one of the big four consulting firms and currently has about 200 positions posted in ten states. We have additional jobs from major employers as well. Please visit our site and check out the opportunities!
Networking Tip Of The Month
When it comes to effective networking or job search, sometimes it is helpful to be direct. Some examples:
You are over-qualified
You find a job in your field at one of your target companies that is several levels below your experience. What do you do? Try this:
Ms. Recruiter: "I see that you have a need for (xxxx). I did that job several promotions ago, so I am not a candidate without some major job re-design. But your company is very interesting to me and I would appreciate your keeping me in mind for the next opportunity." It's straight-forward, honest and allows the recruiter to respond with flexibility.
Networking
You are in a networking event and need an approach to people that is comfortable. Try humor:
"Hello, I'm (xxxx) and I am an (yyyyy). You know how you get up and go to work every day? Well, I want to do that too!" Then do your 30 second summary of skills and the types of opportunities you are seeking.
Dealing with an internal person in a target company
If you submit a resume, then make a follow up call to a company and get an Admin person on the line, there's an issue to keep in mind. Companies have employee referral awards to pay employees for referrals. Here's an option:
"Hello, I submitted a resume in response to the job post for (xxxx). I really match up with what the company is looking for, so I am very interested. I am sure they will get a lot of responses. I wonder if you can help me? If I send you my resume, can you get it to the right place for review..maybe the hiring manager? I hope the company has a referral award program too so you get credit for it! Help me and maybe I can help you!"
Make the process work for you!
Networking Group of the Month
The Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis MN
The Employment Ministry provides support to individuals experiencing unemployment or seeking a career change. Participants meet with Tom Green, who leads the program, and also with dedicated ministry volunteers for assistance with resume crafting, interviewing, transitions and self-assessment. The Ministry works with recruiters and networking contacts to connect our participants with job opportunities. The ministry also sponsors monthly meetings on topics of specific concern to ministry participants.
For more information on services, please go to: Basilica of St. Mary
Welcome to new Job Support Group
In March, 2007, Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows IL launched a job support group to serve the members of the church and community. Harvest Bible Chapel is the second largest congregation in Illinois. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Details and map are available on the Illinois list of groups. Great to have you with us, HBC!
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
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
-- Confucius
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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