The Real Job Outlook

With headlines like, "Company Moves 500 Jobsas learn a new trade.
Overseas," "Industry Collapses after EconomicAnnie Walsh, a 20-year veteran newspaper writer and
Downfall" and "Global Enterprise Downsizes, Lays Offeditor, was devastated when she was laid-off a year
1500" constantly flooding the media, jobseekers areago due to the economy. Walsh was left even more
consistently reminded of the bleak outlook of the jobdiscouraged when she didn't find any jobs in her field.
market. However, upon second glance, job boards,"I was sad because I lost my job and depressed when
online portals and classified ads seem to suggestI couldn't find a new one in the industry I love," said
otherwise, spouting listing after listing preaching "HelpWalsh. "Print journalism is a dying bred, every
Wanted, "Experienced Individual Needed" and "Applymagazine and newspaper I contacted was firing, not
Now." With the two conflicting messages, careerhiring."
seekers are often left confused, overwhelmed andWalsh was forced to look elsewhere for work. Luckily,
wondering what the job outlook really is.in the ever-growing online media and advertising field,
According to the April 2010 U.S. Department of LaborWalsh found a job as a web editor.
job report, 290,000 jobs were added in April, a"At first, it was hard transitioning out of print mode to
drastically higher number than economists hadmeet the demands of online media," said Walsh.
predicted. However, despite the increase, there are"However, I quickly learned that my journalism skills
more jobseekers than ever before, leading to stiffgave me an edge, helping me to learn new skills
competition and an unemployment rate up .2 percentquickly and apply my experience effectively to
at 9.9 percent. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsimprove my job."
projected that there are more than five jobseekers forOther sectors creating new jobs for experienced
every open position, not including the nearly 2.5 millionworkers include health care, technology and
new college graduates, according to the California Jobbiosciences, education, hospitality and retail, the Bureau
Journal article New Grads Face Stiff Competition.of Labor Statistics reported. According to the article
The U.S. Department of Labor job report also citedThe Most Secure Jobs for 2010, cardiovascular
that jobseekers with college degrees fair best in thetechnology, database administration, utilities strategic
turbulent job market. According to the Deseret Newsplanning, accounting, marketing management, dental
article Job Outlook for Graduates Brightens a Bit, onlyhygiene, interior design and occupational therapy are
4.9 percent of bachelor's degree holders areamong the best career paths in the coming decade.
unemployed, while the unemployment rate of thoseEach of these career paths provide starting salaries of
with some college is at 8.3 percent, 10.6 percent for$50,000 or more as well as a significant predicted
high school diploma holders and 14.7 for those with lessgrowth rate.
than a high school education.According to CNN.com, most of these job openings will
Having degree, however, does not guarantee a job.be seen in small businesses and start-up companies.
The article Job outlook better, but not great for"The mom-and-pop shops, garage start-ups and small
graduates "employers are being a little more cautiousbusinesses across the country will put Americans back
and selective" and "the hiring outlook certainly isn't ason the payroll," boosted the article Job creation? Look
optimistic as it was two or three years ago," accordingto entrepreneurs. In fact, the article reported that,
to University of Utah Director of Career Services Stan"according to the Census Bureau, nearly all net job
Inman.creation in the U.S. since 1980 has been generated by
With this being said, the adage "it's all about who youfirms operating less than five years."
know" may hold true. Thus, in addition to increasingSelf-employment may be another booming job sector.
education qualifications, enhancing social connectionsAccording the article 2010 job outlook: More self
and status may assist candidates in finding a job.employment, weaker bonds between employer,
CNNMoney.com's series Meet the long-term joblessemployee, Founder and CEO Erik Vonkof BOTH, a
interviewee Alan Krawitz, an unemployed Mediaself-employment service company, said there will be a
relations specialist, said " increasing notoriety andsurge in self-employment for several reasons including
putting yourself out there is important to finding a joba lack of full time jobs, decreased pay and job security
as well as getting hired."as well as "mediocre and uncompetitive benefits
"Some of the tactics I've been employing recentlypackages."
include online and in-person networking events as wellThe real job outlook favors education and experience,
as social media platforms including Twitter job searchpromotes networking and suggests that exploring
and Facebook; I've also increased my networking withalternative industries may be necessary. Additionally,
friends and acquaintances," said Krawitz. "I think themost jobs openings will be in health care, technology,
key is to conduct your search as a 24-hour operation;education, hospitality, retail and biosciences at small
whoever you meet, anytime and anywhere is abusiness and start-up companies. The real job outlook
potential job contact."also forecasts a surge in self-employment as returning
Jobseekers may also have to consider switchingworkers seek a flexible work environment.
industries in order to stay afloat in the job market, asArticle Sources
many traditional jobs are dying out, getting cut or being2010 job outlook: More self employment, weaker
shipped overseas. Many jobseekers are finding newbonds between employer, employee -
types of jobs in which they can use their skills as wellJob creation?