Media Employment Myth #1 Things are Getting BetterWritten by Virginia Bola, PsyD
Improvement in employment outlook is trumpeted from every side. The economy is growing, inflation is under control, future looks bright. A myth circulates that new jobs being created will energize job seekers and give them hope.The reality is that it is more emotionally destructive to be unemployed in a good economy than during a recognized recession. The stigma carried by unemployed is that somehow their plight is their own fault. Workers laid off after their company downsizes, or after they have trained foreign workers to take over their jobs and watched as their livelihood headed overseas, internalize their confusion and turn it into guilt and self-condemnation. In 1930s, no one out of work saw it as their fault. The problem was clearly economic, national, and beyond individual control. In middle 1980s and early 1990s, there were recognized recessions and multiple company closures. The pain of lay- off was as real as always but was acknowledged as an economic hiccough and unemployment benefits were repeatedly extended to tide over workers until labor market improved. What is different about 2004? Politically, problem is painted as a national economic non-issue - after all, there were extensive tax cuts and interest rates continue at historically low levels. "A chicken in every pot" was transformed into "A house for everyone with an SUV in garage." The government insists, and media reports, that job outlook is positive and infamous jobless recovery finally over. The fact that 150,000 new jobs have to be created for newcomers to labor market every month, just to maintain status quo, is neglected. The fact that there are more than 8 million workers without an income, more than 1 million of them for over a year, is too painful to think about - so it isn't. The fact that new jobs are predominantly in poorly paid service jobs while manufacturing and skilled production work continues to decline is not worthy of comment.
| | Job Hunting Tips #5 Creating a Sense of SecurityWritten by Virginia Bola, PsyD
In a time of economic downturn, international turmoil, company restructuring and corporate mergers run amok, thousands of people are either out of work or fearful of losing their jobs. Is there, then, such a thing as job security? No job, in itself, is totally secure. Governments cut back, unions have periods when they have no work available for their members, directors and CEOs are forced out, self- employment ventures fail. Even most coveted and powerful position in world, Presidency of United States, only lasts 4 or 8 years. Your only job security lies in self-security. Knowledge and appreciation of your value as a worker: your skills, your competence, your personal qualities, can build sense of security you crave. A true understanding of process of finding work, resources available, and personal networking which captures hidden job market, leads to a sense of self-empowerment. The job you are performing may not last until retirement but prospect of losing it can be transformed from a negative, anxiety-laden situation into a self-affirming, positive opportunity for growth, movement, and chance to turn your life in new directions. Here are 10 Tips to help you build a sense of security: 1. Write down all of your skills, experience, knowledge, and personal qualities. 2. Re-read your list daily and before each and every interview until information is ingrained and at your fingertips. 3. Expand your network by contacting everyone you know, not to ask for a job but to identify other people to contact who might know of a position.
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