Don’t Let the Signs Fool You
➔ Is this the best time ever to be looking for a job? We’re not going to touch that lightning rod with a wet noodle.
If you’ve been out there for a while, you’re probably astonished by all the “We’re Hiring” signs you see out and about, or by the news reports that drone on about the current labor shortage.
Your Reality May be a Little Different
Just because your experience in the job market doesn’t seem to match up with “the word on the street” don’t necessarily believe that it’s your fault. Yes, in many respects, it is a sellers market today, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy.
If nothing else, there are a lot of people out there looking which translates into a lot of competition for each and every job you encounter. And let’s not forget that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of April 1st there are still nearly 1.4 million people over the age of 50 out there looking for a job. You’re competing with them and everyone younger than them (and you.)
There are reports from such diverse outlets at Forbes, Yahoo and SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) – all with their own takes on the current state of the job market. In the final analysis, it comes down to your job, your industry and your geography.
Yes, despite the increase in remote work, geography still does matter. We spoke with one corporate recruiter who filled the same position on the Midwest in three days, while she struggled with filling the same job for 18 months on the West Coast.
Times are good for job seekers but when you’re over 50 and looking, it’s still important to cross your “t’s” and dot your “i’s” as you struggle to find your right spot.