unemployed and over fifty

Best jobs during a recession

2010-03-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here are a few recession proof areas where employment should be safe.

The federal government is always a strong employer that rarely if ever lays off people. During this recession the government has been steadily getting bigger.
Debt collection is a big business now with all the unemployment.
Food services – because food is a necessity of life
Healthcare – like food services people continue to get sick no matter how bad the economy is.
Education – Although there has been layoffs and cutbacks in local school systems there were always be the need for good teachers.
Funeral home services – There will always be a market for funeral homes.
Energy or natural resources – Trying to find alternatives forms of energy will require people and this employment area will receive funds from the government.
Plumbing, heating and air technicians – skilled and specialized labor can’t be outsourced.

What is cocooning and how can you make it work for you?

2010-03-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

There has been a trend in the last decade or so of people doing less socializing and doing more things at home. It might have started with movie rentals, but the internet and all things social media like facebook, blogging, myspace, and an ever growing number of websites have helped create the world of cocooning.

What is cocooning and what does it have to do with work and being unemployed?

Cocooning is a term that was coined by Faith Popcorn, an author and futurist who wrote the bestseller The Popcorn Report. Her theory is that people are staying home more and doing less socializing. Not only that but they are also spending their money online as opposed to shopping in a store. That seems to be true as more and more folks use the internet to buy gifts and things for themselves. At this point you can buy almost anything online and have it shipped to your front door.

From a work standpoint this is really great for people who make money selling things on the internet. Although the number of internet marketers is growing by leaps and bounds so is the market. So if you think you might want to have a go at it, this is the perfect time.

Looking at this from another job angle people at home, especially people who want to stay at home, would probably entertain the notion of having someone run errands for them, like shopping and other chores, this would certainly be a business opportunity.

Reality not perception concerning older workers

2010-03-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

In the past year I have written about how many employers and employees have a view of older workers that isn’t fair or accurate. If you take a lot of those perceived issues and understand that they aren’t backed up with any proof that seems to say that there are benefits to hiring older workers. Apparently it doesn’t seem that everyone is buying into the fact that older workers are no less productive than younger workers.

Maybe we shouldn’t try to pump up the value of older workers as if they are special and need to be treated as special. How about treating them like any other group of workers? It seems that part of the problem is that the segmentation of the older workers versus the younger workers. A good deal has been written on the internet and the print media about baby boomers. When you try to place people in groups according to age as opposed to ability then you are somehow making a distinction between the older and younger workers. Unfortunately the older workers usually come out of the grouping as being unable to learn new technology, becomes sick more often and not as easy to work with. It sounds like age discrimination.

I read a report on the government website GAO concerning older workers “Some best practices and strategies for engaging and retaining older workers.” It starts out by listing some of the usual erroneous complaints about older workers. But then it suggests that employers use flexible work situations to adapt the physical constraints of older people. In other works let’s make it easier for the old people on the job. Another suggestion is to ensure that the older workers are trained with financial literacy skills to help with their retirement. Frankly those skills should be taught to everyone if the company feels that it is their responsibility to guide their employees to retirement.

The last bullet point was to treat all employees in a fair and consistent manner. Is it consistent to make adjustments to schedules for older workers or is it consistent to teach financial literacy skills to just older workers. It doesn’t sound consistent.

Hopefully in the near future when the number of older workers becomes much greater than it is today there wouldn’t be such divisive talk about how age changes employees.

Informational interview

2010-03-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

If you are unemployed, obtaining information is one of the best tools that you can have. There are many ways to find out about companies, employment, job skills and education among other things. The internet is a great place to learn just about anything and the library is also a good source. Networking is also an important way to learn about hidden jobs and opportunities. But one way to find out about a company is through an informational interview.

What is an informational interview?

First of all what an informational interview is not, is a job interview. An informational interview is you interviewing a worker in a career field that you would like to be in. This is a great opportunity to find out what someone does in a job that you would like to have.

How do you set it up?

One way would be to use your networking skills to find a person who would be willing to participate. You never know, someone in your family or one of your friends might know of someone in a business that might be agreeable to interview. Another way would be to contact a company directly and speak to someone in personnel. Make sure to prepare what you are going to say before calling.

What to ask?

1. What education do you need for the job?
2. What skills do you need?
3. What experience do you need?
4. How did they get the position that they are in right now?
5. What are the downsides to the job?
6. Is the high turnover in this particular career?
7. What advice could they give to you?

After the interview always thank them for their time and send a thank you note.

Unemployed and believing in yourself

2010-03-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

When ever you are in a tight situation do you wonder if your decision making skills are less effective? I know I do, when backed in the corner and time seems to be against me, I sometimes panic and do the wrong thing. It happens to everybody because we are human. The trick is how to keep your head clear and stay calm so decisions aren't' made hastily. If you are unemployed and worried about how to pay the bills just to live your decision making skills will surely be put to the test.

What am I going to do?

That is always the question when you are unemployed. The next thing you know you begin to wonder if you will always be unemployed. You know that you will find a job and you need to tell yourself that you will become employed again. There isn’t any reason to doubt yourself, it may sound trite but you have to believe in yourself no matter what. Even if family and friends support you through the toughest times, belief in yourself and your abilities will be the one thing that keeps you together in the tough times.

Do you have the skills to look for a job? Do you feel prepared?

Remember when you were in school and you had a test coming up. If you didn’t study you probably had queasy feeling in your stomach that you might not do well on the test. Why? Because you weren’t prepared, you didn’t study. The same is true about looking for a job. Your confidence level will be high if you feel that you did all you could to search for a job. And you probably will be successful, maybe not right away but you will be because you have researched job opportunities and studied everything that you could get your hands on about job hunting. Decision making is always easier if you are armed with knowledge.

It all comes down to knowledge and believing in yourself. If you don’t have the knowledge or you don’t believe in yourself you are sure to fail.

Using social media for your job search

2010-02-25T13:07:00.001-08:00

If you are unemployed you might want to look into social media sites to help you’re your search. There are so many social media websites that it is hard to keep up with them all. Each seems to have its own angle. With Facebook, you can connect with old friends, meet new friends and do lots of other things like games. Twitter limits you to 140 characters, a tweet, a short brief message that you can send to everybody you’re connected with. The site linkIn is geared toward making a business or employment connection with other people or possible employers.

Which is the best?

At first glance it would seem that LinkIn is the best. You can post your profile on LinkIn so that potential employers can see it and you can check out company profiles to see what companies you might want to work for. And of course, networking is a big advantage with this site also, as it is with most social media sites.

Although twitter limits you to 140 characters it is still a great place to network and look for jobs. Most job sites have twitter accounts that you can join so you can keep up to date on the latest job posting and information. Another great thing about twitter is all the applications that are being developed to make it easier to find people with similar interests as you. Do a twitter search for jobs or employment and you will find numerous tweets.

Facebook has groups that are focused on employment. It is easy to join a group and post messages on their ‘wall’ (a kind of bulletin board). Because of hundreds of millions Facebook participants business networking can be very advantageous to anyone looking for work.

These are just three of the social media site available to you for searching for a job.

Stress and suddenly being laid off

2010-02-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

You might have seen to coming, there were plenty of signs, such as the company not making money, the rumors that seem to always be true and talk of outsourcing. So you prepared yourself and waited. When the day came you were still in shock. How could it be? You worked hard for this company for many years and you are downsized, laid off, fired. Don’t panic because you aren’t alone, especially in today’s economy. While it is true that you need to search for a new job, your first order of business is keeping your physical and mental state intact.

You have every right to be stressed and you have every right to be worried. Even if the economy is turning around (not everyone believes that) it is going to be difficult to find a job. But it is going to impossible if you get sick. Stress can break down even the healthiest of people. It can interrupt your sleep, your eating and your ability to think clearly.

It is a tall task to eliminate stress in an extremely stressful time, but you have to do it. How? If you don’t exercise already now would be a wonderful time to start. Even walking can take the edge off the worst concern that you have. Riding a bike or swimming are other great ways to work off your troubles. If you are older and haven’t exercised in a while always consult your doctor first before attempting any form of physical activity.

Now would also be a good time to watch what you eat. Proper nutrition is vital to your general health. If you eat a healthy diet and exercise you might find yourself in the best shape of your life.

And don’t forget about getting plenty of sleep. Without the right amount of rest your body becomes prone to illness and stress, two things you don’t need when you are unemployed and looking for work.

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Job fairs and the older unemployed

2010-02-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

Job fairs always seem to draw a lot of attention especially in the present economy. Men and women will pack the fair with resumes in hand hopeful to find an interesting company that might be hiring. College graduates and young people swarm the job fairs in search of that first job. But with the economy impacting everyone today the question is it worthwhile for the older workers to attend a job fair.

The answer to that depends on the theme of the job fair. Many of them are geared toward finding entry level workers not necessarily seasoned veterans that is why it is important to do your research before attending any job fair. Check out what companies are going to be there and research the companies also to see how the company is doing business wise. You don’t want to work for a place that is about to go under.

And even if you go to a job fair and you don’t receive any interest from the companies there you can always use the time to network. Also you can practice making a pitch to companies on why you would be a great employee.

For a comprehensive list of job fairs through out the country check out Employmentguide.com.

Ten major job sites

2010-02-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

Monster.com – Long time favorite among job hunters
Indeed.com – job aggregator site like SimplyHired.com
USAgov.com – you will find Federal jobs listed here
Careerbuilder.com – has everything you want in a job search site
Dice.com – Technology jobs are their niche
Linkup.com – This site lists jobs listed within company sites
Yahoo Hot Jobs – Another long time job search favorite
SimplyHIred.com – Like Indeed.com a job aggregator site
LinkedIn.com – A network site and a job site
Craigslist.com – Many jobs are listed on Craigslist.com

Five online resources for the unemployed

2010-02-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of valuable information online for the unemployed. There is so much that it can be a little overwhelming at times. Start out with a few Government sites that will help you make a plan on finding a job. Here are five good places to start.

Assess yourself – This is the best place to start because you need to consider what employment opportunities are a good fit with your skills. Check out the Career net exploration tools which will profile your skills and abilities.
Explore Career options – there are various online sites that give detailed information on occupations and what skills are needed for those occupations.
Gain experience and Credentials – You will need some experience and education, the resources here will point you in the right direction on obtaining them.
Find a job – Numerous job banks and online sites list jobs and give great career advice.
One-stop career centers – Department of Labor sponsored website that is dedicated to helping you find employment.

Unemployment and depression

2010-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

If you are over fifty you probably remember your parents talking about the depression and how difficult it was to survive during that time. You might have also seen old film reels of bread lines during the depression, the looks of despair and hopelessness were haunting as these people went from day to day wondering how they would survive. Although we aren’t as bad as shape now as during the thirties there is a deep sense of despair in the country today.

Many people who have been unemployed for what seems like eternity are very desperate for work. They have tried and tried but nothing seems to work. The bills never stop but the unemployment checks will. What will you do? Sell off what ever you can, cut back on expenses but you only cut back so far.

And while all these financial problems continue to mount, your state of mind slowly sinks down to where you don’t believe things will ever get better. You can’t ever turn on the TV without hearing about more layoffs and how the recovery is a long way off. You become depressed.

If you are at this point you need to seek help. Check with government agencies or churches or something but seek out help. There isn’t any shame in asking for help. Being unemployed is difficult for anyone at anytime but it is especially difficult when the economy is as bad as it is now.

Entry level jobs for baby boomers?

2010-02-12T12:09:00.001-08:00

You are unemployed and over fifty and you have a wealth of experience. You have worked for years honing your skills and adding to that experience. So why can’t you find a job? It is not just you; it’s a large percentage of unemployed people who can’t use that skill and experience to get another job. You don’t want to start over, but you just might have to consider an entry level job.

It can be a maddening and humbling experience to lose your job after many years of hard work and dedication but it is even more frustrating that you can’t use those skills to find another job. But the fact remains that over time some jobs and skills become obsolete as technology becomes more advanced. And unfortunately some jobs are being shipped overseas to take advantage of cheaper labor.

What can you do?

Start over; it’s simple to say but not always easy to do. The barriers to starting over generally come down to one issue, you are too old to start another career. That just isn’t true, although many people feel that way you shouldn’t allow yourself to buy into that concept. In this economy things have definitely changed and so should you. No matter what others may think you can start another career after fifty, really after any age.

Of course it isn’t going to be easy, but in today’ economy nothing is! Age discrimination may be one obstacle in your way. If you think it is report it to the Department of Labor. You have rights.

Discouragement on your part might also slow you down but try to stay positive during the tough times.

Over fifty and part time jobs

2010-02-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Full time jobs are difficult for anyone to find in this economy especially for those over fifty and unemployed. The old way of doing things might now work so now is the time to be creative when it comes to finding ways to pay the bills. No, you don’t have to rob a bank, but you might want to consider working part time jobs.

Of course working one part time job isn’t enough to live off of it but it could be your way to a full time job. Many places hire part time workers first before making them full time. And part time employment allows you the time to continue to look for a full time job which is a job in its self. You might also get lucky and get some kind of health insurance in the bargain (maybe).

Many people today are trying to survive on two part time jobs in place of a full time job. That would certainly make for a hectic schedule but you do what you have to do in this economy. Don’t forget that some companies hire part time workers during the holiday seasons so the extra money would come in at the right time.

As for where to find part time jobs go online to the big job websites where they will part time jobs listed.

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How do people find jobs?

2010-02-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

Where do you think that most people find a job at? Answering an ad in the paper? No. Sending out a few million resumes that all look the same? No. The highest percentage of jobs found is from word of mouth. That really isn’t surprising. But what are the other ways that people find jobs?

Contacting a company directly is an effective way to find a job, especially hidden jobs. You may have to call quite a few companies in this economy but it is well worth your time and effort. Research the company before hand to see if you can find someone in the area that you are interested working in.
Internet listings for jobs are all over the web. There are big job sites that have listings of jobs from many different categories and websites that cater to a particular niche in the employment job search. It would be a good idea to search them all and make notes as you go.
If a government job is what you are after there are numerous websites on every type of government job imaginable and don’t forget the state government websites also.
Employment agencies are another place that people find a job. Just be careful if you have to pay a fee that you get the job that you want.

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Virtual juror job

2010-02-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

There are so many things that you can do online today, such as watch a movie, pay your bills, shop, write a blog, stay in touch with friends and the list goes on. And of course there are many online jobs that you can do from home; one of them you don’t hear much about, the virtual juror job.

For most people the thought of jury duty is as enticing as root canal. But becoming a virtual juror is a different story. For one thing you don’t leave your house and sit in a room at the courthouse all day wondering if you will be picked for a jury.

How does it work?

What essentially happens is that some lawyers would like to test their case before going to the real trial. In order to do that they will need people to act as jurors (you wouldn’t be legally deciding cases). The lawyers go through online agencies that have people lined up as jurors. As you juror you will be given question regarding the case, the lawyer will use the information that you give them with their case.

Needless to say you wouldn’t become rich but you can certainly earn some money becoming an e-juror. Just make sure that you don’t pay anything up front to become a juror. If that is the case then it probably is a scam.

Consider going to school online

2010-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

You are unemployed and you feel that you don’t have any marketable skills to offer a new employer. There are skills that you would love to have but don’t have the time or money to go back to school. But today there is an alternative to the old way of driving to a college every night to take a few classes, and that is online colleges.

The most important advantage of online schools is the convenience. You don’t have to leave your house in order to attend. Which means you can take classes in the comfort of your own home.
Another is that online schools usually try to work with students on scheduling classes because they know the time constraints of either looking for job or have a job during the day.
Something else that favors online schools is that their tuition is cheaper than your traditional college or university. They can charge less because of their lower overhead.
You can get your degree faster at an online college than a traditional college.

How do you pay for your education? The same opportunities for paying for traditional colleges are applicable for online schools also. Government loans, grants, and the Pell grant among others. For more information go to http://www.finaid.org/.

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Jobs at the IRS

2010-02-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

During this recession the one place that is still hiring is the Federal government. With many online resources to look at you should definitely consider it an employment option. One government agency works with AARP to focus on hiring mature workers. So if you are unemployed and over fifty you should think about a job with the IRS.

AARP’s National Employer Team NET has three federal agencies as members, the IRS, the Peace Corp and the Small Business Administration. The IRS has always been in the fore front of hiring older workers for their expertise and dependability. Now even more so since they have teamed up with AARP.

The IRS has many employment opportunities besides accounting. There is also IT, business and customer service among others. Besides full time employees they also need seasonal and temporary help during their very busy tax time.

Like all government positions, the IRS benefits are excellent. They include the best health care plans available and you can join the Federal Employees Retirement System FERS.

Their Career Website is easy to maneuver through showing all the positions that the IRS has to offer. They also have a easy to use website on applying for a job at the IRS that breaks down the process in 10 easy steps.

Career Voyage to find a job

2010-01-31T08:10:00.000-08:00

Finding a job is a lot like going on a trip, it takes some planning. Not only will you need to know how to get there, you will also need to know where you are going. And don’t forget to be prepared for any unexpected troubles along the way. Well the Career Voyage website helps you each step of the way to your destination, a new career.

CareerVoyage.gov is a Federal Government website that helps you explore the jobs that are in demand. From the home page you will find information in four areas

Students
Parents
Career Changers
Career Advisors

From the students section you will be directed down four paths, where to start, where the demand will be, how to qualify for and get a job and does education pay, how to pay. Each section has a wealth of information that clearly guides you on how to go about researching and finding employment.

From the parents section looks at the same four areas but from the perspective of the parents and how they can help their child through this process.

From the career changers you will learn about various other careers and how to get the education and training to make your move into a new field.

From the career advisors you will be given information on how to help those beginning their careers or those who are making a career change.

Career Voyages also has detailed information on various employment sectors from Advanced Manufacturing to Transportation.

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Becoming a volunteer is beneficial in many ways

2010-01-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

Getting a job in 2010, much like getting a job in 2009 will require much time and effort. All the conventional job tools will need to be sharpened such as having an up to date resume. You will need to practice for those interview questions. Maybe you will even take a course to brush up on your skills. But how many will consider being a volunteer?

Why a volunteer?

Volunteerism, whether you are working or not, is one of the best ways to help those who need the most help, whether it is at a hospital or the Red Cross, you are contributing something very important, your time. The rewards for your efforts are great, you will have a wonderful feeling that you helped the community and you provided relief for those in need.

There is also an added benefit to being a volunteer, getting experience in a field that you could eventually find a job in.

http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/ This one is geared toward older Americans.
http://vocationvacations.com/ This is an interesting concept where you can test out jobs for a period of time with mentors guiding you.
http://www.civicventures.org/ this is also geared toward older Americans who want to help solve social problems.

What and where are the hidden jobs?

2010-01-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

There is a regular routine that unemployed people go through when looking for a job. They search the want ads, then they search the online job sites and then they may search through some company’s websites to see if they are hiring. That’s fine but you need to add another resource in your job hunting routine, looking for the hidden jobs.

As you would expect hidden jobs are not advertised. You wouldn’t find them in the want ads or the big job sites. Who knows about these jobs? At first it will just be the people at the company that is looking to fill a particular position. Often times companies don’t immediately advertise that they are looking for an employee. In fact they may not even say that they are hiring, what they mean is they aren’t adding any jobs to the company but they still need to fill any position that has recently become vacant.

So how do you find out about these jobs?

The first thing that you need to do is to assess your skills. Then you need to make a list of companies that ordinarily use the skills that you have. Don’t be put off if the company has laid off people recently or if you have heard that they aren’t hiring. Once again, they may need to fill a job opening and you may have the skills that they need.

Who do I contact?

Call the company or look at their website and see if you can find a name of someone ( a manager in a department that you feel you would fit in to) to speak to or send an email to. I know this may be difficult for most people but during these tough times you have to do the difficult things to find a job.

Where are the green jobs?

2010-01-23T18:22:00.000-08:00

The topic of green jobs has been very hot lately. The talk of global warming and the faltering economy has made green jobs vital to the future of our country and indeed the world. But the question remains, where are the green jobs coming from and what exactly is a green job?

A green job is employment in an industry that helps with the preservation of the environment. The industries that will have green jobs are quite diverse.

1. Energy – Industries that produce energy have to be cognizant of how their manufacturing plants are affecting the environment. Various engineering and technician jobs will be needed for the maintenance and construction of energy producing resources such as wind and solar power.

2. Construction – Buildings and housing now and especially in the future will have to environmentally friendly. The people working in construction will have to be trained to meet this requirement.

3. Transportation – Finding a cost effective and environmental friendly way of shipping goods and transporting people will need workers who understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and stable.

Some jobs, such as the field of engineering, will require more education than others. But there are also jobs that only require on the job training.

The Department of Labor has recently started a green jobs initiative for more information go to http://www.doleta.gov/brg/GreenJobs/

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Healthcare Options for the Unemployed

2010-01-21T19:31:00.000-08:00

Becoming unemployed brings on many fears. Will I find another job? When will I find another job? How will I pay my bills? And of course one of the worst fears is not having health insurance, but there are some options if you are unemployed and without healthcare.

COBRA – This was an act of congress to provide the unemployed an opportunity to continue with their healthcare plan that they had with their previous employer. You have to be working for a company that has more than 20 employees. The cost of COBRA is relatively expensive for someone who is unemployed. Congress last year passed a bill that would pay 60 % of your COBRA premium for up to 9 months.
Mini COBRA – Some states have what is called mini COBRA for the unemployed who had previously worked for companies with under 20 employees.
Medicaid - Medicaid is run by the state to help low income people with medical coverage, who qualifies differs from state to state.
RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Center – helps patients and communities with medication access.
Familiesusa.org – Great website on finding healthcare insurance if you are unemployed.

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Homeland Security Jobs

2010-01-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

Since 9/11 security of our airports, borders and other vulnerable areas has become especially important. The need for people in this job sector has become crucial to the safety of this and other countries. With the government creating the Homeland security department after 9/11, there has been a need for various security jobs, particularly needed by the Federal Government.

Homeland security covers a vast area within the Government, so employment with them could be in a number of places. Here are a few of the jobs available

1.   Emergency preparedness and response information – This is part of FEMA which helps coordinates first line of assistance in disasters. For job information go to  https://dhsjobs.dhs.gov/careersection/FEMA/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&organization=89040010112

2.   Border and Transportation Security – job information can be found at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/

3.   Infrastructure protection Infrastructure protection – a good understanding of basic infrastructure and how to make it secure are the main qualities that employees in this field have to know.
4.    Intelligence investigators and analysts – As an analyst you will collect and interpret information that could be a threat to the security of the United States. Job information can be found here http://www.intelligence.gov/3-career.shtml

5.   The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Primary responsibility is to enforce immigration and customs laws. For job information go to http://www.ice.gov/careers/

Over fifty and going back to school

2010-01-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

Are you a non-traditional student? Do you want to be a non-traditional student? If you are over fifty and you go back to school to better yourself (to help find a job) then you are one according to the government.

Most people who reach a certain age come to the conclusion that they are too old to go back to school. By the time that they finish their education it will be time to retire. Of course with the economy the way it is, retirement is pushed way back to a much older age or even retirement is forgotten entirely. Even if you begin school over the age of fifty, and finish a few years later you still will have time begin a new career.

How am I supposed to pay for more education?

Many people don’t realize that student loans aren’t just for young people. Government loans like the Pell Grant apply to people at any age. For the Pell grant you have to show that you are in financial need but there isn’t an age limit to it and the best part is that you don’t have to pay it back.

Where will I go to college?

Many colleges today are most accommodating to older students. Evening classes and online classes are offered so you can continue to work or if you are unemployed and looking for work you can get your education also. There are many online colleges to consider. You may think that you can’t get federal aid when applying to online colleges but you can. Federal student loans like the Pell grant are applicable to online colleges.

So don’t rule out taking courses to help in your job search. It will certainly help finding a job after fifty years of age.

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How long will the unemployment be high for those over fifty?

2010-01-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

We have been told by those on TV and in the newspaper (for those who still read the newspaper) that the recovery is slowly beginning. We have already hit rock bottom and things will slowly start to become better. Although they warn that unemployment will be lagging. Lagging? We are then to assume that jobs will eventually return and the real unemployment numbers will go down. I wish that I could believe them but I don’t. There are some jobs that are gone and will never return and as for the prospect of creating new jobs, I just don’t know where they will be coming from.

It certainly isn’t going to be the construction industry that leads us out of this recession. The number of empty houses will take years to fill. The IT industry is hurt by outsourcing and that wouldn’t likely change any time soon. There does seem to be a lot of talk about green jobs, but no one is talking about where the jobs will be and what the jobs will be.

What can you do? Keep looking of course but also think about other things like self employment, if you ever had an itch to start working for yourself this is the time. Starting a small business might be a daunting task in a bad economy but not trying to succeed is a guaranteed failure.

To find information about starting a business check out the Small Business Administration website

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