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Job Support Group Leader Newsletter
January 2007
Job market talking points
As the US economy enters 2007, employment is at record levels, with 136 million+ people on company payrolls. And every month sets a new record. The job market today is as good as or better than any market year since 1960’s. Some issues to consider:
- The US economy created about 2 million jobs in 2006, drawing down unemployment to the 4.5% range. Since economists consider 4% unemployment the equivalent of full employment (not all working age adults are available to work) we are entering an era of a "sellers market" for job seekers.
-
For the first time since World War II, over the next few years US businesses will face worker shortages at all levels.
Surveys of employers indicate:
- Employers are reporting recruiting difficulty at or near record levels for most jobs in manufacturing and service businesses.
- Employers are anticipating significant increases in turnover in 2007.
- The overall job opportunities available for job seekers the past few years have relied heavily on job growth, but that is changing. If job growth continues, and employer turnover increases, and worker shortages become the norm, then job seekers in 2007 will "own" the job market. The year 2007 may be the year of the "Perfect Storm" for job seekers!
Job search successes
A Marketing Manager with extensive background in medical devices is interviewing for an opportunity with a company that has a solid market position and strengths in the business. In the course of interviewing, one of the managers conducting the interview process said: "We have about eight people on the Marketing staff now who probably average five years experience in the business. That scares the hell out of us!" The message: hiring talented people is not enough - companies need seasoned people who have broader perspectives, a "been there, done that" background that enables a company to reduce error rates and improve performance by focusing on doing the right things. Are your job seekers including the mentoring role they can play as part of their skill sets? "Sell your skills, not your work history" should be the mantra for 2007!
Connecting with employers
In job support group meetings, a very common question asked by job seekers is: "what’s the best timing for follow up after an interview?" Let’s assume that there was no agreement at the conclusion of the interview about next steps. An appropriate answer is within four to five business days, provided you have the hiring manager contact name to call or email. Contacting HR is appropriate as well, but less direct than the hiring manager. Best recommendation: ask questions at the end of the interview and confirm your follow up tasks. Do not leave the "next steps" in the process in the hands of the hiring manager or HR.
Alliance Partners
We support the following resources in service to job seekers:
- Jobkabob.com: sell your skills, not your work history.
- Career Concepts USA: Job Fair resource
Have a success story or best ideas for job search to share? Send an email to leader@workministry.com.
Reminder:
Workministry.com has a growing list of job posts as well as continual improvement in resources for JSG Leaders and job seekers. Please make a
point of asking your group members to check the site, review the job posts and respond or send along to a friend, relative or former group
member.
Editor’s Note:
The Job Support Group Leader newsletter and message board are all about you. Our goal is to create a forum for
sharing information that helps you fulfill your mission. If you have feedback, ideas or suggestions for either the newsletter or the message
board, please send email to: leader@workministry.com.
Call our toll free number at 877-967-5646.
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