So the recession is over and it was over in June of last year? Yet unemployment is still officially at 9.6%. Many big companies are doing well because they were able to cut staff, trim their bottom lines and stock pile cash. In other words the recession is over because companies laid off 10% or more of their workforce.

I am not saying the news of the recession being over is not good news. The news just does not mean much to most people.

Thus we need new rules to define when a recession is over. Because in my opinion it is not over. With 10% of the workforce still out of work or underemployed, this equates to 15% to 25% of families not buying anything except food, and gas for the car. A few families may be buying needed items like clothing, shoes, a few school supplies but most are not buying any of the high ticket items such as homes, cars, TVs, computers or other luxury items. As a nation we are only buying what we need.

So the “Great Recession” is over. But the “Great Unemployment Recession” continues.

But this blog is about finding a job. So I can tell you activity has increased and companies are starting to hire a few here and there. Continue to look, hunt and network and I will bet you will get some calls and interviews. You may have to step out of your comfort zone and take a sales job with a small base and high payout on commission. You may have to consider a lower paying position just to get your foot in the door and get something on your résumé. You may need to consider contract and temporary positions over permanent positions and you may need to consider 1099 over W2.

In any case the “Great Employment Recession” continues with some light at the end of the tunnel.