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welcome to the ILostMyJob.com video podcast providing information and resources for
your job transition
the economy continues to show signs of improvement but the road to recovery isn't particularly
flat or straight
gains one week are reversed the next
year-on-year comparisons show no change or only modest change
and regions across the country are affected unevenly
for example in the week ending September 11, the number of Americans seeking unemployment
benefits unexpectedly declined
according to the labor department, initial jobless claims dropped by three thousand
to the lowest level in two months
one week later initial jobless claims rosed twelve thousand, while the four-week moving average
fell by three thousand two hundred fifty from the previous weeks revised average
meanwhile according to the US bureau of labor statistics
regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in August
twenty seven states recorded unemployment rate increases
thirteen states registered rate decreases and ten states and the district of columbia had
no rate change
but if we look at year-on-year figures, we see the twenty six states and the
district of columbia posted unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier twenty one states
reported increases in three states had no change
the national jobless rate was roughly unchanged in August at 9.6%
and also a little different from a year earlier
9.7%
so, what does this mean for the person looking for work?
Manpower's “World of Work Trends” suggests change is coming due in part to a skills-talent mismatch
and a change in power structure favoring the employee
in an economic environment where organizations are pressured to do
more with less
businesses and governments will continue to demand more specific skills and behaviors
the pressure to find the right skills in the right place at the right time will increase
as working age population decline
economies rebound, emerging markets rise and the nature of work shifts
creating a skills mismatch
Further, changing economic conditions motivations and preferences
are profoundly impacting individual choice
this talent mismatch combined with the multiple generations in the work force
has accelerated the shift of power from employer to individual
and will change how organization attract, engage, and retain talent
those individuals with the ability, access, and self-motivation will benefit from the
shift
those individuals with general mainstream skills shared by many will be marginalized
unless they improve their skills and workplace relevance
individuals will need to take more responsibility and ownership for their careers and development