10.2%, does it matter? Have we bottomed out?

Let’s take the second question first: Have we bottomed out?

It looks like the economy has bottomed out and the companies that are still in business have realized they have survived! These companies laid-off workers and were unable to replace those that left voluntarily because of hiring freezes. These companies have work to be done that has been piling up for over a year. So they will start hiring, slowly and a few at a time. And they will be extremely picky in who they hire.

They will want experts. They will look at previous experience and they will look at certifications. They will look on your résumé to see what you have done in the past and they will want to know you can do it for them too!

Example:

• If you are in sales and you were in the tops 10% of your peers in your previous company they will expect you to be in the top 10% for their company.
• If you were in accounting and responsible for SOX, they will expect you to be responsible for SOX in their company.
• If you were in IT and you eliminated redundant severs and systems, thus saving money, they will want you to do that for them too.

So if you did some great thing in your last job, then it should be on your résumé and expect to do it again. If you increased, reduced, eliminated, completed on time, or completed on budget then it better be on your résumé.

Now, 10.2%, does it matter?

Yes & No

Yes: The more of you unemployed, then the more competition for jobs. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “There were 6.3 job seekers for every job opening in August…” and I expect that number is higher now.

No: Well maybe, but in terms of 8%, 9% 10% or higher what is the difference to the individual job seeker? Not much. 8% won’t feel much different than 10%.

In any case, I expect employers to start hiring soon. When these companies lift their hiring freeze they will start interviewing, slowly hiring a few at a time. So do not expect mass hiring. But I do expect you will see more activity, interviews, for your efforts.

If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/

If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.