Some Optimistic Employment Numbers to Help Inspire Your Job Search
The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has released a handful of reports over the past two weeks that should give job hunters hope for a successful 2012. Here is a list of hot-off-the-press highlights from the reports, along with some information on a new program that will launch in the upcoming weeks to assist young job hunters (ages 16-24) in finding work this summer:
“Payroll employment rose by 200,000 in December 2011…The unemployment rate, at 8.5 percent, continued to trend down.”
200,000 additional people joined or rejoined the workforce last month. Fewer unemployed people will likely result in less competition for newly open jobs this month. During the worst of the recession, companies reported receiving several hundred applications for positions that typically would have received only a few dozen applications in better economic times. After the flurry of hiring activity in December 2011, there’s a good chance the average number of applications per position will start to decrease. So, get psyched up and start submitting more application packages, as your odds of being selected may be improving!
“Job gains occurred in transportation and warehousing, retail trade, manufacturing, health care, and mining.”
Take a close look at industries that are growing, and use this industry information to your advantage in your job search. Ask friends and family members employed in any of these industries how their work is going and if they’re aware of any new opportunities within their companies or in their fields. On your favorite job search engine, browse postings in these industries to see what’s becoming available in your area.
“The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons…declined by 371,000 to 8.1 million in December. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job.”
As more people work more hours, they will have more money to purchase more goods and services. As the demand for goods and services increases, new jobs will need to be created to meet the increased demand. Go to your preferred job search website and sort the postings by date. What types of jobs are being posted most frequently? Are you qualified for them? If not, what steps could you take to better position yourself?
“Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 351 of the 372 metropolitan areas…Two hundred thirty-nine metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment.”
It’s great news that 65% of the nation’s metropolitan areas have added jobs since this time last year and that unemployment rates are down in 94% of these areas. If you’re not totally tied down to your current locale, consider following the trail of opportunity to areas where the greatest number of new jobs have been created (such as Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas), where the highest percentage of new jobs have been created (like Hot Springs, Arkansas), or where the unemployment rate has remained consistently low (including Bismarck, North Dakota). Finally, if you’re a younger job hunter (ages 16-24), the Department of Labor and the White House want to help put you to work this summer through the Summer Jobs+ 2012 program. This initiative is an attempt to combat the high unemployment rates among America’s young people. Many private companies are already on-board, and they’ve committed to provide life skills, work skills, and on-the-job training for America’s youth. There will be at least 180,000 opportunities posted across the country. Check out the full details of the program and sign up to be notified when the Summer Jobs+ Jobs Bank goes live at www.dol.gov!
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