Unemployment Facts and Tips on How to Escape It

The unemployment phenomenon has not bypassed any country’s economy and is present in all parts of the world. The job market has been heavily impacted by the recent, severe technological progress. Some people found incredible benefits in it, while others’ careers witnessed serious detriments. People who got laid off are very well aware of all the stress coming from sudden financial instability, the extensive job hunting, the uncertainty of being between jobs, and the gaps in their resumes. Still, this distress will lead you nowhere - only the action will. We understand how you might feel if you are currently looking for the next big opportunity. This is why we chose to provide you with some tips on being more productive in dodging ongoing unemployment. Let’s dive right into it.

Things to Know About Unemployment in the United States

At this very moment, the United States has 6.1 million employable individuals unable to find a job. This might sound somewhat discouraging, but it shouldn’t be. As reported by the United States Bureau Of Labor Statistics, November of 2019 marked the lowest unemployment rate since the end of 1969, at just 3.5%. There are currently no gender gaps in unemployment, as it is equal in adult men and women. Part-time employment is the leading tool for battling full-time unemployment. According to July reports, roughly 4 million people in the United States have had to opt-in for part-time jobs and gigs to sustain themselves. Speaking of the US states, Vermont has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.2% since October. On the other hand, Alaska has the highest unemployment rate at 6.2% in this year’s final trimester. Finally, larger workforce group unemployment rates are as follows: • 12% of teenagers are officially unemployedrn• Around 3.2% of Caucasians are currently out of workrn• The unemployment rate in Asian Americans is about 2.6% • About 5.5% of Afro Americans are unemployedrn• About 4.2% of Hispanics are jobless. Taking all these facts into consideration, we can see that the unemployment rates are getting lower, and the overall situation is not that grim.

Some Tips on Kicking the Long-Term Unemployment in the Gut

Utilize Online Job Hunting Platforms

Even though most new job openings are not posted online but are internal, you have great chances of finding one via one of these platforms. Indeed.com is currently the top platform for these matters, letting you upload your portfolio or resume, see the main skills needed for each job you want to apply for, and get notified each time something new pops up. Other popular websites for job seeking are Google For Jobs (Google’s own search engine for careers), Dice.com (tech-oriented platform providing job listings for engineers and technology-related industries), and CareerBuilder.com (letting you review what’s new on the job market by trending searches and finding opportunities close to your current location). Back in 2016, 65% of all jobs landed in the United States came from interviews made possible through Indeed, as reported by SilkRoad.

Remember that Nothing Beats Networking

The United States Bureau Of Labor Statistics reports that over 1.2 million unemployed Americans have been jobless for 27 weeks or more. This is tough; however, no matter the length of your unemployment, you should always stay focused on networking with the right people. Also, in a LinkedIn survey, out of 3,000 people working at well-paid positions, 85% revealed that networking was the main reason they were offered an interview that landed them their current job. Speaking of LinkedIn - as the platform is growing at a rapid pace, it is no longer just a place to find opportunities and see job listings. Rather than that, you can connect to people who could eventually hire you, network with people you likely would not meet in real life, or cultivate your professional online presence and career path. It is especially important to know that networking does not always have to be online - you can do it in real life as well. Volunteering, working part-time gigs, or even getting a part-time job at your local community gives you more chances of getting into a potential employer’s eye. Once you start volunteering, your networking intentions will be a bit less conspicuous, and you are doing some good in your free time.

Start a Business of Your Own

The cliche saying that everything happens for a reason often turns out to be very true. This can be applied to your unemployment as well - leaving your most recent job was maybe supposed to make you think about your future career. Getting tired of perpetually applying for job openings and not even getting interviews can really get to you. This is why you should think about being your own boss. You can always start small and see if it picks up. If it does, fantastic - you will be able to employ others while doing what you are good at. If it does not, you still have something to pride on - you tried to put something to the table.

Do Not Be Afraid of Changing Professions

If your field of education and profession eventually start feeling redundant in the ever-growing market, there are always other things you might be great at. This is never easy; still, you can see which of your skills you could transfer to another area, and those will give you some instant advantage. Use your free time to perfect yourself in other sides of your new profession, and you will eventually see yourself getting into it. If it is possible, you could always get back to school for something that could land you a better job. After listing your current skills, the next step would be consulting a professional on potential careers that could fit your skills and your passions. If you feel like you can go through school again, give it a shot - education will likely never fail you.

Conclusion

Being busy and getting noticed is the best way to stay out of the unemployment circle. Do not let the absence of good job opportunities get you down. Instead, keep working on yourself and always give your best. Put yourself out there - work is just around the corner.