With Halloween right around the corner, scary things are in store for us. This is the season we look forward to being frightened by the horrible, ghoulish, and terrifying icons of All Hallow’s Eve. This can be fun for a night out with friends visiting haunted mansions and watching horror movies, but there are scarier things to beware if you are a job seeker.
Take a look at several job search statistics that just might make you scream…for real. These stats aren’t meant to just be scary. Instead take each in to gain perspective and think about how it affects you in your job search.
6 million Americans have been unemployed for at least six months
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics employment situation report, 6.2 million people are officially considered “long-term unemployed.” That means they have looked for a job in the past month but haven’t held a job in six months or more. That’s roughly 45% of those that are currently unemployed.
With just over the population of Missouri labeled as “long-term unemployed,” it’s hard not to think that getting a job might take longer than you expect.
18.3% of workers are underemployed
Underemployment is what happens when an employee is overqualified for a job and working at a lower capacity or salary range than they want, or working part-time when they really need full-time work. Either way, this situation is discouraging to workers who want the best possible job and end up settling for less than they want or are capable of doing well.
Instead of thinking that your job is beneath you, consider the path ahead of you and make the best of it. Excel at your position and derive all the value you can from your work experience. Perhaps, along the way you will create a position for yourself. Also, develop your career network and maintain your connections to find a better job down the road. Every job is temporary.
9.6% of high school grads are unemployed
That’s right. If you only have a high school education (regardless of choice), you are probably going to have a harder time getting hired. For those of you who doubt the value of a degree, know that unemployment amongst people who have a bachelor’s degree or higher is a mere 4.3% (half the national unemployment rate)
Unemployment is holding at 9.1%
It’s been on everyone’s minds for a while. Unemployment is the highest it’s been in a long time and it doesn’t appear to be improving. Since April of this year the rate has been hovering between 9.0% and 9.2%. There are greater than 14 million unemployed workers and approximately 3.2 million jobs advertised. There are simply too few jobs for too many people. Instead of viewing this statistic as a negative thing, consider alternatives to the job you’re looking for like entrepreneurship or another industry.
Unemployed Americans quit job searching after 5 months
A lot of figures have been thrown around about the time it takes to find a new job after leaving one. The scariest stat has to be three years while other more modest stats say seven months. Either way, nobody wants to be looking for a job that long.
Don’t wait until after you have searched for five months to course correct. If your search is not resulting in new job prospects, then mix up your job search techniques and routines. Figure out new ways to get your foot in the door and put yourself out there.
What do you think? Are these statistics scary to you? Do you know of any other scary statistics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Ben Baden, “15 Stunning Statistics About the Jobs Market,” Yahoo! News
“Underemployment Declines,” Gallup
Dirk van Dijk, “Ugly Jobs Report in Depth”, Zacks
“Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey,” Bureau of Labor Statistics
Sara Murray, “Average Job Seeker Gives Up After 5 Months,” The Wall Street Journal