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More Than 65% of Professionals Indicate Their Company is Cutting Staff in This Economy

As the first half of 2009 came to an end, some say that the job market is starting to show some signs of improvement and that the economy is beginning to stabilize. According to Automatic Data Processing, a payroll-processing firm, private-sector employers cut 473,000 jobs in June, which was a 2.5% improvement from the revised 485,000 drop in May. However, the overall number of job losses continues to climb and the unemployment rate has reached 9.5%, the highest level in 26 years at the end of June. Many economists are predicting that the unemployment rate will continue to rise into next year and perhaps even top 10% before it begins to level off. Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost over 6.5 million jobs, leaving numerous business professionals across industries looking for work, some after many years of being employed, and not knowing how to begin their job search process.

With a continued threat of sale and profit loss, many companies are faced with challenging economic conditions and remain somewhat reluctant to hire additional workers, making it harder for the unemployed to find work. We recently polled business professionals across our network, and over 65% indicated that their company is “cutting staff” in this economy. For some companies, cutting staff is the easiest and obvious first cost saving measure; however, additional trends such as reducing salaries, providing less office perks and benefits, and instituting furloughs or shorter work weeks, are becoming more prevalent in order to avoid cutting valuable personnel.

The good news is that there are employers that are still hiring. Most new employer registrations that we received across the Beyond.com Network in second quarter 2009 were represented by small businesses. Over 51% of all businesses hiring had 50 or less employees. Although it is common for many job seekers to look to larger corporations for employment, the small business sector should not be overlooked as many opportunities are available to be part of a growing company across many different industries, such as the healthcare and financial sectors.

Please click here to view the full Beyond.com Q2 2009 Career Trend Analysis Report.

Take Control of Your Online Reputation

When searching for a job, it is important to take a proactive approach to making a good name for yourself and getting your name out in there in the way that you want.  Fortunately there are many ways to take control of your online identity.  See below for helpful tips on how to manage your online reputation.

• Monitor Your Online Content.  The first step in managing your online reputation is to determine what type of information is available about you online.  There are many free tools, such as Google, Blog Control and Technorati, which can help you identify if any damaging information exists.  You may also want to consider performing a background check which allows you to dig deeper than an online search alone.
• Control the Message.  If you come across any negative or inaccurate information about yourself online, there are several ways to address this issue.  You can contact the publisher directly, set the record straight on your personal blog (if you have one), or you can flood the internet with positive web pages and social media profiles that will help push the negative content further down in search results.
• Choose the Right Social Networks.  Make sure you research all available social networking sites.  Although MySpace and Facebook are among the most popular social networks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that these sites are the best place to build a professional online presence.  There are many sites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Plaxo, which allow you to create a professional profile and network with contacts in your industry.  You should also consider creating an online career portfolio.
• Look to the Pros for Help.  Monitoring your online reputation can be frustrating and time-consuming, so you may want to consider enlisting a reputation management service.  There are many service providers that monitor and report what content is available about you online and help eliminate information that is inappropriate or inaccurate.  These companies can also help you create positive online content that ranks highly in search engines results, allowing you to better control the information that people will read about your online.

It is important to take the appropriate steps to protect and enhance your professional online image.  By understanding what information is available about you online, it allows you to better position yourself to potential employers.  In fact, your Google results could be the deciding factor on whether or not you are hired for your next job!

Explore Alternative Career Paths: Work from Home!

There are many different types of jobs available out there and as you continue to explore your career choices, you owe it to yourself to explore all of your options.  It’s important to remain flexible, patient and open-minded as you determine which direction you plan to take. 

With the current state of the economy, many professionals are expanding their job search and the types of positions they are considering.  While many choose a more traditional path of office cubicles and long hours, several job seekers are beginning to take the path less traveled and pursue something they are truly passionate about. If you are looking to make a change in your career and want flexibility that most of us crave from the workplace, an alternative career might be just what you’re looking for.  Work from home positions, franchise opportunities, and consulting gigs all offer the autonomy you may be looking for in your next job with the flexibility that you desire. 

Find Out Which Alternative Career Fits Your Needs

• Work from home positions are perfect opportunities for self-starters and entrepreneurs that are looking for a job with the flexibility to set their own hours and eliminate their daily commute.  And thanks to significant advancements in technology, work from home positions have seen considerable growth, even transforming more traditional jobs into common work from home positions such as data entry operators and call center respondents. 

• Franchise opportunities are ideal for those individuals interested in becoming their own boss and running their own business but don’t want to start from the ground up.  Franchise owners benefit from immediate brand recognition, receive ongoing business support, and have a reduced risk of business ownership.  Some of the most popular franchise ideas are niche gyms, specialty apparel, and coffeehouses.

• Consulting jobs are great for those individuals that are considered to be experts in their fields and are willing to share their expertise as an advisor to either a company or an individual.  Like work from home positions, the consulting field is increasing in popularity due to advancements in technology and the growing need for companies to seek temporary assistance versus hiring full time employees for a given project or job.

These new career paths weren’t necessarily available in years prior, opening new doors to business professionals nationwide.  With so many avenues to choose from, you can easily obtain the flexibility and freedom to have a rewarding career doing what you enjoy.

Top 10 Ways to Conquer Your Job Search

So you’re apprehensive about your job search?  With the present economic climate, more and more of us find ourselves ready to embark on the road to a new job but, unfortunately, that path can look trying.  Whether you’re a recent college grad or a seasoned business professional, searching for a new job is by no means a piece of cake.

More than 4,600 Beyond.com Network members participated in a recent survey that asked. “What do you think is the hardest part about searching for a job?”  As a result, more than 35 percent of participants reveal that merely getting started is the hardest part.

So, is it because most people just don’t know where to begin?  Or is it the overall job search that causes many people to drag thier feet? Regardless of the reasons why getting started poses the biggest challenge, here are ten easy steps to kick start your job search into high gear:

1. Get Organized – Making a structured plan is crucial to having a successful job hunt. Set aside time in your schedule specifically dedicated to your search so you can give it your full attention. In addition, creating a file system is a great way to stay organized. After you submit a resume, create a folder exclusively for that company. That way, when they call, you will be prepared with the information you need to answer any initial questions they have for you.  This tells the employer that you are an enthusiastic and prepared candidate and will definitely land you an interview.

2. Find Your Passion – It’s much easier to commit to your job search when you’re pursuing your dream job.  If you are like many of us—unsure about what you want to do in your career, consider employing the help of a of a professional career coach.  On a budget?  Consider a free online career assessment test to help point you in the right direction.

3. Do Some Digging – Now that you’ve decided what you want to do, its time to do some research.  Being an informed job seeker is critical in a competitive market.  Researching and collecting as much information about your area of interest, open positions, and potential employers is crucial to your job search.  Access industry trends, trade publications, and company research tools to keep you at the top of your game.  

4. Ramp Up Your Resume – At this point in your job search, you should be excited that you’re working towards landing a job you’ll love and are on the path to becoming a very knowledgeable candidate.  It’s now time to take on  the challenge of creating a powerful resume.  Roughly 22 percent of job seekers say that updating/crafting their resume is the most difficult part in seeking a new job.  According to CareerPerfect.com, landing a job is 70 percent presentation and 30 percent actual skills and abilities.  But there is no need to panic; there are several ways to create the perfect resume.  One of the easiest is to employ the help of a professional.  An expert knows exactly what employers are looking for and will construct a resume that best presents you as a must have employee. On a budget? Access great tips from these helpful articles about crafting the perfect resume.

5. Utilize Your Friends & Family – Finding a great job can sometimes come down to knowing the right person and/or being in the right place at the right time.  Spread the word to your friends, family, business associates, neighbors…etc to let them know that you are in the market for a new job.  You’ll be surprised to find out how many people in your network are ready and willing to assist you in your job search.  They can help you to find resources, build contacts and keep you on track.

6. Find Your Niche – It’s time to get specific! Searching jobs online by niche is the most useful way to truly target your job hunt. Niche sites permit both job seekers and employers to narrow down the search by channeling focus to specific locations and industries. This method not only speeds up the job search process, but also matches you to the positions that are your best fit.

7. Market Yourself – Taking the extra step in your job search to stand out from other candidates will only improve your marketability.  Investing in a personal background check and creating video resume will set you apart from other job seekers. In addition, create your personal online career portfolio to make a great first impression on potential employers by showcasing your skills and abilities in a fresh and unique format.  Taking the initiative to go above and beyond truly allows employers to recognize the passion, drive and commitment you possess and their organization needs.  Looking for additional ways to stand out?  Consider a featured resume listing or distributing your resume to thousands of potential employers.

8. Update Your Social Networking Page – Since social networking sites are now seen as a professional networking tool, it is important to remember that when participating in these sites, you are creating an online image that will make a good impression on someone who may be looking to hire you.

9. Master the Interview – More than 20 percent of business professionals say that the interview is the most challenging aspect of the job search.  Shake those interview nerves by getting organized and practicing answers to common interview questions before the interview. On the day of the interview make sure to make a positive impact, ask the right questions and follow up with the interviewer to thank them for their time.

10. Stay Positive – Preserve your optimism! If you’re down during your job search interviewers can hear it and see it.  So maintaining a positive outlook is extremely important.  If disappointment arises, do little things to keep your spirits up like exercising, eating right, getting out of the house, and sticking to a schedule to keep you on track and feeling accomplished.

Although beginning the job search may seem strenuous and frustrating, there are many ways to simplify the process.  By following these ten easy steps, you will be well on your way to landing your dream job. For more information on succeeding in your job search, visit our career resources.