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Job Seekers Newsletter
September 2007
Welcome Everyone!
The Work Ministry Team wishes you the best of success for your job search! As the fall approaches, hopefully we can help your search process too.
Comments About the U.S. Job Market
As we enter the final months of the year, hiring Managers know that jobs that are not filled by year-end are at risk of budget cuts, so employers get serious about interviews and hires.
In a recent article by John Schoen of MSNBC:
- "The latest official jobs data from the government confirmed that, after barely breaking even in the first quarter, the U.S. economy is rebounding convincingly."
- With regard to growth: "The big gains came in education, health services, leisure and hospitality and government.
- Those gains more than made up for job cuts at factories, retailers and certain professional and business services. Despite the ongoing slump in the housing market, construction companies also expanded employment, according to the government data."
- “Both manufacturing and non-manufacturing surveys point to the economy picking up momentum as the second quarter drew to a close,” said Bear Stearns chief economist John Ryding in note to clients. “This is an encouraging sign for growth in the third quarter.”
- Help-wanted ads are up 24 percent over this time last year (Conference Board study)
- Layoffs, meanwhile, have been easing. Planned job cuts fell 22 percent in June from the month before, according to the outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas. The pick-up is even helping hard-hit manufacturing industries.
- “The auto industry seems to be stabilizing,” said company CEO John Challenger. “Those cuts are down by about a half from what we were seeing last year, so the real brunt of the job cuts have passed. But it's still the second heaviest industry for the year.
Per Mr. Schoen:..the overall job numbers point to an economy that, after limping through the start of the year, is convincingly back in business."
So kick your job search into a higher gear for the next few months and get connected!
A Word about Labor Day
The Labor movement in America began in the 1880-90's era with efforts by people seeking better wages and working conditions. As unions formed to represent workers, it provided leverage for workers overall, enabling unions to achieve many of its goals. Along the way, American business discovered that people paid living wages became consumers, the driving force of the US economy. Today, American workers, whether union members or not, enjoy wages and working conditions that support a middle class lifestyle for a large majority of the workforce.
Would wages and working conditions of today have developed without the stimulus of the union movement? No way to know the answer, but America's workforce owes a "Thanks!" to the union movement.
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
A job seeker had an opportunity to conduct a phone screen interview for a position that seemed to be a great fit. She was technically qualified to do the work, but lacked hands-on experience in the industry and the company's actual business. If she did well on the phone screen, an interview would be scheduled. Many job seekers face the same issue. Here's an optional response to consider:
Interviewer: "In my review of your resume, I see that you have not had any experience in our industry. What are your thoughts?"
Candidate: "You're right- I do not have direct experience in your industry. I don't carry that burden. (pause for interviewer laugh)... Instead, I bring a lot of experience from an industry that has been through a lot of change too. Give me an opportunity to quickly learn what I need to learn and apply what I do know to contribute to the company."
Recommendation:Do not accept the premise that hands-on experience in a specific industry is a deal-breaker. Challenge the idea by highlighting your industry strengths plus your experience.
Networking Group of the Month
Christ United Methodist Church, Memphis, TN
The Career Support Ministry offers the following programs:
Career Support Breakfast - every Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. in Seabrook Hall. You will have an opportunity to hear a morning devotional, discuss job-search related topics and provide us with your information so you can be added to the Yahoo job search network system. Reservations are not needed.
Career Support Resource Center - located in the Church Library (Mondays 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesdays/Thursdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays 5-6 p.m.). Here you can drop off your resume, look through posted job listings and use the Internet for job search purposes.
Career Counseling - with our licensed professional career counselor, Pat Stanley (Wednesdays & Thursdays, Noon-4 p.m.) Please contact the Counseling office at 761-0576 to schedule an appointment with Pat. If you are employed, there will be a fee based on the sliding scale. To take the Myers-Briggs and Strong Interests tests, there will be a $25 charge.
For more information on services, please go to: Career Support Ministry
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
"Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness."
Billy Graham
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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