"Reviving the Economy: Jobs"-Job Hunt
Friday, February 27, 2009SUSIE GHARIB: More than eleven million Americans are now out of work. So over the last month, we've covered the job market from a variety of angles, from preparing your finances in case you're laid off to innovative ways to look for a job. As we wrap up our series "Reviving the Economy: Jobs," Diane Eastabrook updates us on a man we first met last fall. Back then, he had been searching for work for nearly a year.
DIANE EASTABROOK, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: When we met Rick Nelson last November he was networking at a human resources convention, looking for a job. He was also scouring the Internet for a position similar to the one he lost a year ago at a small manufacturer.
RICK NELSON, JOB HUNTER: You know, one of the things I've always liked is a lot of diversity and a lot of the different challenges in a job. And the jobs that I've seen on here really seem to have that. Got a minute?
EASTABROOK: Today, Nelson is still looking for a permanent position. But, he has found temporary work helping counselors at the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas and remains optimistic he'll eventually find a full-time job.
NELSON: One of the things working in this job with Challenger is that you see people who are still going out there. Companies are still hiring. They still need qualified people. It's just a matter of getting the right connects, talking to the right people and being at the right place at the right time with the right qualifications.
EASTABROOK: Outplacement expert John Challenger says job hunting in this economy has expanded from several weeks to several months. He's advising all job seekers to be aggressive and flexible.
JOHN CHALLENGER, CEO, CHALLENGER, GRAY & CHRISTMAS: In this tough job market, people should be pulling out all the stops. They need to get a fast start into the job search. They need to be open to changing industries. You can be an accountant in a manufacturing company and move to a health care company. You need to be open to changing locations, taking a part time job. Today you just have to get back to work.
EASTABROOK: Nelson says he's taking Challenger's advice and weighing all options. He's looking at ways to transfer his skills to other industries or change careers. He's even considering relocating for the right job.
NELSON: I did not think I would be still looking for my next full time position a year out. But, I draw a lot of encouragement from the people I interact with and with talking to some of the counselors and some of the success stories that they have with their clients. EASTABROOK: We'll let you know when Nelson becomes one of those success stories. Diane Eastabrook, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, Chicago.
