“What’s the difference between a recession and a depression  ?”

“What ?”  I inquired curiously.

“A recession is when you’re neighbor’s out of work.  A depression is when you’re out of work.”

The conversation paused for a minute while we laughed and I wiped the tears from my eyes in guffaws of laughter, as he had so succinctly summed up the average American job seeker’s experience in today’s employment marketplace as oft times only the reality of ‘going through it’ can allow you to state things.

If you’re wondering what people are looking at as they talk of the upswing in the new economy, you’re not alone.  There are a great many of us that speak, on the recruiting side of the ball and the job seeker side as well, about the new landscape of our current economy.  It’s the constant topic of news and business television channel reports, debates, and discussions; of magazine and news articles, and blogs just like this one.  While there are indeed signs of movement and activities toward positive ground being gained in an effort to move out of the economic current slump…there is no Roman fanfare blaring the glorified return of aggressive growth in today’s American economy.  With more and more job functions continuing to be outsourced and the all but decimation of  ’Middle Class America’ that was/is indeed the backbone of the consumer economy, the opportunities are just not there as they once were and will not be for some time to come, if ever.  It’s a new world.

As one executive search firm, The Pachera Group, has so eloquently put it,

“…Pay close attention to the jobs that continue to go offshore—they are not just IT jobs but mechanical, electrical and software engineering roles”

This is a trend that is acknowledged and echoed throughout the country by more and more companies for an increasing number of job categories.

“…For every job that is open, companies are still in search of a perfect candidate.  I have the conversation daily—yes, you are a smart person, well educated and have done some great things, but we are looking for someone who’s done exactly this and can make an immediate impact in week one. It’s [just] not a general athlete’s market [right now].”

It is a buyer’s market in the current employment marketplace.

“Yes, I see that you have done this for 9 years and covered every aspect of what we have outlined and have impeccable educational credentials; but you see…we’re looking for someone with 10 years of experience.  I’m sorry….you’re not what we’re looking for.”

If I had the proverbial quarter for every employer that has said something similar to this or candidate that has told me about receiving that sort of feedback…well…you know how that goes…but it is the current state of the economy and, let’s face it…he who has the gold, makes the rules…and that’s to say nothing of employers who will not entertain candidates that are not working for ANY reason.  While it’s no secret that employer’s typically prefer candidates who are working, I think that this is the first time that I’ve actually seen it openly set as a barrier and criteria for consideration…and during the most significant economic ‘recession’ in recent years ? “Really ?!?  At times, I have to go into my office and close the door as I’m beset by a Lewis Black type response to some of the responses I get in daily conversations.

Again from the Pachera Group,

• the movement of jobs lost and those created—things are picking up–very slowly–across most segments
• and the statistic that shows the average time people have been looking for work—never higher, at 31 weeks

So it is with this understanding in mind that I have put together this particular blog note (I guess that’s what you call it…I’m new to this) motivated by many of the readings from colleagues, news articles, and daily conversations.  To acknowledge the challenges and frustrations that job seekers are experiencing and to provide some small measure of insight into the behind-the-scenes issues that are affecting our current marketplace and economy and what you can potentially do to increase your job seeker batting average.

But it’s not all sour grapes out there.  Companies are indeed beginning to move forward with filling the open positions that have been sitting out there for month upon month and are moved to begin to fill the gaps leading to inefficiencies in their organizations as the country feels and is accepting that we have weathered what appears to be the worst of this latest economic storm.  The purse strings are loosening…however slowly.  My advice to job seekers is to truly be selective in the opportunities that you pursue and make sure that they are strong fits for your background, experience, and skill set.  Don’t be disheartened by rejection.  There’s a lot of it going around these days, but it’s not about you…it’s just where the economy is right now.  Batten down the hatches, though we’re through the worst of the storm, and there are breaks of sunshine, April can still surprise you with snow…the good thing is that it never lasts.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences of your job seeking efforts.  I invite recruiting professionals to weigh in on the discussion as well.  Dialogue is how we educate and help each other.

More at 11…

Howard

The People Place

www.thepeopleplace.com

http://thecompetitiveedge.wordpress.com

My Best to You All,

Howard

Owner & President

The PeoplePlace