Employment Situation News Release

The  unemployment rate, and the media hype which accompanies it, is very  scary for young workers, seeking to find their first job or  internship.  The NUMBER and media around it, almost becomes a  young persons  excuse, not to look as hard, for a job, or  internship, some may not look at all. So they say they decide to take a  year off, (whatever that means) or young people choose to go on for  an advance degrees immediately, directly after graduating from  college, under the false premise that their chances of finding  that first job, are zero to none.

My analysis and opinion of the employment market, for young people  is based on the reality I hear from readers of my book, and  employers contradicts, the conventional wisdom.

Although  the unemployment rate is the highest in 8 years, it is still low. Yet the knee  jerk reaction of employers, to what they hear and read, is to fire  senior workers, in order to save the money of their salaries.  The  “word” recession is a blank check for employers to fire workers, for no reason  at all.

However, employers still have jobs they need to  fill.  Entry level employees or interns,  represent a  inexpensive way to fill those jobs.  Simply put, entry level workers are: “cheap  labor”.

So a  recession is a great opportunity, for these entry level workers to find  jobs.  Even better,  when you find that entry level job, you may  find you have more responsibility, because employers, trying to stretch  there budgets, are giving new workers,with no experience the tasks that more  seniors workers, they recently fired, once did.

So entry  level workers often luck out, getting more responsibility then they imagined.  As a result they learn more–faster. So it is a better time, for  first time workers, then they may think.

So entry  entry level workers, so not be discouraged:

1. High  unemployment, does not necessarily effect entry level jobs, or  internships.  You need to understand the context of what you are reading  in the economic history.
2. Remember “Chemistry” is the key to getting that entry level job, or  internship, not experience.  Employers do not expect first time workers  to have “experience”, but they want to like you, relate to you. Chemistry is  more important then your GPA. (Remember you are not applying to graduate  school, you are applying for a job!)
3. Look the  part.  The means dress appropriately for the job you are applying  for, it is part of what creates that “chemistry” along with a firm handshake,  attention to detail and doing your homework on the company to which you are  applying.
4. “Ask for  the job”.  Yes, “ask.  A little humility goes a long way.   Employers tell me they “pass” on candidates who don”t seem interested in the  job, passive, or “qualified but arrogant”.

The job  market for entry level jobs is better then you think. The once you find that  job, don”t be surprised if you have more responsibility then you might  think.

Stephen  Viscusi