With Alabama's unemployment statistics just under the June 2003 national jobless rate of 6 percent, youth and adult populations are seeking workforce preparation guidance. Alabama's unemployment rate is higher than the Southern region's average of 5.3 percent with over 121,000 of the state's two million civilian labor force out of work. Comparatively speaking, at the national level approximately 9 million of the United State's civilian labor force (147 million) were unemployed in late spring.
In an attempt to move ahead, many Alabamians are polishing up their resumes, retooling, and gearing up for new careers. But preparing for a rewarding and productive career in the twenty-first century workplace can be challenging as job trends continue to change. Employment as we know it with a full-time job, healthy benefits, and a nice retirement package, is becoming more uncommon. On average, fewer jobs are full time or permanent. Over the past ten years, full-time jobs have risen by only 14 percent, compared to part-time jobs that have risen by 70 percent. Roughly 3 out of 4 jobs are temporary. So, preparing for long-term careers may soon become a thing of the past. Statistics indicate that most people will change jobs at least twice in their lifetime. Many will become self-employed to ensure greater job satisfaction and stability.
Researchers have taken a number of approaches to identify and define current needs and trends in today's job market. Consider a frequently asked question such as "What are the top ten jobs in the year 2003?" Then, conduct a key word search on the Internet for an answer. The responses are likely to range from the most financially rewarding careers to those that are physically healthy. It is recommended, for example, that individuals seeking positions that lend themselves to a healthy lifestyle, consider becoming an activity coordinator or a nutritionist. There is even information to deter you from pursuing stressful jobs such as firefighters, police officers, and company executives.
The good news for twenty-first century job seekers is the availability of varied approaches to the job search. Of course many of us have experienced the direct approach of contacting potential employers by phone or site visits. Newspaper ads continue to keep us abreast of the job market. But other printed resources such as personnel directories provided by many agencies and organizations are useful resources to contact human resource personnel. Directories also offer insight to the types of positions available within a company. In addition, many faith-based organizations and neighborhood centers offer community services by posting job notices and offering assistance in job skill assessments, resume writing, and other job-related services. Local county Extension offices also offer services through workforce preparation focused programs.
Noteworthy advancements made available through the computer offer many advantages to the job search process. The Internet provides a one-stop job shop with opportunities to search various employers around the clock resulting in tremendous savings in financial resources and physical energy for the job seeker. Websites such as the Extension's www.wecan4u.net also provides resource management information to those who are not only interested in finding employment, but want to become better managers of their finances.
Whatever the approach used to conquer the job search, those seeking solutions to unemployment situations are reminded that while there may be instability in job markets, some constants do remain. Employers are ultimately seeking the best candidate for the position. Communication, critical thinking, technical, leadership and team building skills continue to rank high on the list of skills most desirable for employees.
References
American City Business Journals. (November 2002). State jobless rates fall, metro rises in November. Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2003.
American City Business Journals. (July 18, 2003). State unemployment falls in June. Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2003.
Arcadia Centre for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (2001). Consider a career. YouthJobs.ca. Retrieved September 5, 2003.
Community Workforce Solutions. Career. Retrieved September 5, 2003.
The Decatur Daily News. (November 20, 2002). Alabama has lost 18,100 jobs since recession began. Retrieved September 5, 2003.