Survey: Job Seekers Increasingly Frustrated
Though employment numbers were up slightly in 2010, nearly half of job seekers were out of work for more than a year, according to a survey by employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.
In a random sampling of 400 callers to a job-search advice call-in effort, approximately 80 percent said they were unemployed, about the same as a year ago.
Counselors said there is a great sense of frustration as 47.5 percent of callers have been looking for jobs for 12 months or more. Almost half (48%) felt unsure how much longer the job search would take, about the same as 2009 numbers. But among those who have been out of work for a year or more, uncertainty climbed to almost 60 percent.
However, Challenger counselors say, there is a silver lining. Planned job cuts are down to the levels they were at in 2000. Employment in the private sector has seen net growth now for 11 consecutive months. Though hiring is expected to ramp up this year, the job market is expected to be competitive. Those who stopped looking for jobs are likely to begin searching again as prospects improve, and employees may look to make a jump from their current job.
Challenger counselors say to uncover the hidden job market, don't rely on help-wanted ads online but rather social networking sites like Facebook or LinkedIn. Of the callers surveyed, 36 percent said finding new job openings was the toughest part of the job search; 31 percent said getting interviews was most difficult aspect.
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