Georgia's Dept. of Labor Job Search Handbook

Georgia Dept. of Labor Job Search Handbook - Chapter 2 - Why Some People Remain Unemployed "Go ahead, shoot yourself in the foot" - Ask anyone who has recently lost a job if he/she plans to remain unemployed for a long time and most will answer, "Of course not!"

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Although more than 1,000,000 new job openings occur each month, many job hunters find themselves unable to reconnect quickly. They are qualified and jobs are available. What's the problem? Those less than apparent reasons that hinder reemployment have little to do with either the job hunter's skills or the labor market. Most are a result of the job hunter's behaviors.

Consider:

At least 40% turn off prospective employers by presenting themselves poorly in appearance and manners.

Approximately 42% are qualified but have difficulty tapping the "hidden job market." This is formally known as Frictional Unemployment.

More than 80% cannot identify or describe their skills and abilities.

Approximately 85% of the long term unemployed do not spend enough time looking for a job. In fact, the majority devote fewer than five hours a week to the job search.

Approximately 90% cannot answer difficult questions during interviews.

We all know that very few people deliberately sabotage their own efforts. Avoiding job search pitfalls is often a simple matter of recognizing them. Now that you know the problems of those who remain unemployed, make sure you don't fall victim to the same mistakes. You must...

present yourself professionally and positively

learn new methods for tapping the "Hidden Job Market"

learn to describe your skills and abilities

approach your job search as if it were a full-time job

learn to anticipate difficult questions and have your responses prepared

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