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Challenger's Tips for Job Seekers

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    Head of nation's oldest outplacement firm weighs in

  • Duration 7:00
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It's.

America's asking sending in questions about how to find jobs.

And here now to answer them John Challenger as a CEO of challenger gray and Christmas the oldest executive outplacement firm.

In the US John thank you so much because we have so many questions for -- we'll get to them.

In just a moment but first tell what is the majority of calls that you're actually getting for those who are sitting on the unemployment.

Bench right now wondering how to get back on the that the hiring lines.

Or getting a lot of calls from people who've been out.

For a long time six months even a year or longer.

And struggling to try to explain to employers.

Why they haven't been at work how to explain what their skills are in a way that makes sense we've seen people who.

Have been.

Focused on you know should I try to do something new.

Go back to school.

Changed to a new industry.

Just solve this kind of frustrating problem of not being able -- find a job I want.

You know that's a great point we have a comment from -- Angel who wrote in to happening now -- says.

I am 52 and haven't worked and ten year is my resume is outdated and a lot of my work references do not exist anymore help.

Well someone like this has to focus on what has he done.

You know in the last ten years.

It might be volunteer work it might be may have been to be a project work of some kind of there's just absolutely no work.

And that that kind of experience she had before.

Say ten years before is no longer current may be asked to go back and start something new maybe it's going took a local community college.

Finding out what employers in his area are really looking for and going out getting certified and a particular area to get himself back in with some marketable skills.

And make new -- says that's great advice.

You know despite the unemployment rate falling to its lowest level since march of 2009 the recovery -- a long way to go.

-- more than thirteen million Americans out of work another six point six million.

Have abandoned the job search but they still want -- job.

And nearly five point seven million who had been unemployed for six months or longer.

Do you expect the job market to improve in 2012.

I do that we've seen a number of positive signs lately we saw unemployment dropped.

From 9% down to eight point six last month has been above nine really almost the entire year 2011.

We've seen the jobless claims numbers start to drop.

Downsizing has been relatively -- so let's hope.

That the private sector particularly its small businesses medium size businesses that are driving a lot of the job -- let's hope that we're not in kind of a three steps forward and then we have another pullback that we have seen.

And that this momentum we've got right now is gonna continue it certainly -- That way it's interesting you mention the private sector I have a viewer here Rose Marie.

She says I have been of the nonprofit.

Sector.

For many years serving as the executive director right no benefits and I'm curious as to how to make the change and get into a different field.

I have lived in -- anywhere in the oil business is booming.

I am wanting to get into public external relations any suggestions.

Well Julie this woman does have skills that are marketable even though she's been working in a nonprofit it doesn't mean you have to stay in the exact same industry -- area you've been in before you could have been working say as an accountant.

And the manufacturing business and got me an accountant in the health -- business -- her case she's been dealing with external affairs.

Government relations she's been he -- in the middle between.

Going -- out of donors.

And asking for funds and and supporting.

The the nonprofit she's worked out she probably run the operation is the executive director says she -- to look at what the actual accomplishments she's developed and gotten explained other employers just how they might fit in.

-- does little typo in her email so I just wanna clarify she was saying that she lives in an area where the that -- business is booming let me ask you.

This is an interesting -- many of our our military personnel who have -- they come back into this country.

There are tax incentives for many businesses who hire these people but still yet these people cannot get jobs much like the rest of the unemployed.

Tim writes my wife is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

And I stay home with my two young children I've been working on my -- and a MPH -- master's in public health.

And looking for an opportunity to return Tor related career when my wife returns.

As a military spouse it has been put his career on hold for over three years now while our family has moved around the world.

Hot -- -- attract potential employers with such a great gap in my employment history.

This is that seems to be the problem for so many people the main problem really is just when -- out of work for so long.

How do you get back -- -- Almost like you have to say to an employer.

I know.

What it's like to be unemployed I don't like it I am meant that instead of letting that be a negative young don't have any current experience instead prove to them that.

You want to be there are so bad you know what it's like not to have a job and you're gonna show them.

That you are reliable you can be depend upon -- gonna work harder to hold on that job and anybody.

That you.

That would compete against in this case he has a strong health background of this masters he's getting sort of go out to hospitals to health care professionals to others and Begin.

Joining organizations -- networking and meet people in the industry.

Will be a crucial way -- -- they get settled in a particular location as his wife comes back.

In that area where he can meet people on -- -- this will really help them find that job.

I wish we had a whole hour for -- but we don't so let's just rifle through on your resume it's got to be perfect you only have one chance to make a lasting impression.

You need to know how to interview your interview skills are key.

And for those who -- just entering the workforce I I have a college student that wrote.

It this is from Kelly I'm a college student trying to get a job -- advertising graphic design.

Basically she's asking where in the US and I'd be looking for a job I'd like to be hired before I graduate so what did you tell us what industries are hiring.

Well some of the strongest areas the country right now our health -- continues to create jobs no -- energy sector.

Yet they are very strong area business and professional services seem a lot -- -- If she's looking -- advertising and marketing.

Maybe shouldn't go to some of the professors and the alumni network.

Right now in that city she wants to go live and when she graduates and start to meet people sail over the holiday break in that business go out and explore off an alumni will help others who have been there before them.

Absolutely use you've spent all that money on college you better take advantage of of your professors that's a great point John Challenger.

A BC EO of challenger gray and Christmas thank you so much for great excellent advice thank you.

Thank you John good advice and we hope it helps some of our viewers -- could use the work.

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