Did Friday the 13th Come One Week Early?

By most measures, last Friday was just not a good day at all. Unemployment rose to 5.5% with the largest jump in nearly 20 years. The DOW declined near 400 points and oil went up over $10 per barrel. If it were Friday the 13th, it may have made more sense - the keywords obviously being "may have made sense".

But I have to be honest. Our job requisitions are still growing. Our Raleigh, NC office has seen good growth so far this year and our CT office is also seeing job orders come in on par. Although, the economy portrays all the signs of a recession I don't want to panic. I mean, panic all you want, as I too will do the same about gas prices. I just can't even comment on that anymore as it is all I and others are talking about daily. Just flat out frustrated about it.

And sometimes things can be misleading. I mean, yes, we are receiving job orders on or above par but what I am also noticing is that the closing of job orders may not be as quickly. This is a signal of companies anticipating previous quarterly results to be negative and cause a trickle down effect throughout a company, including new hires. By the same token, if you can market yourself as a treasure, you will be taken like a treasure. It's just not a time to be complacent if you are seeking a job. The jobs are there but you have to be marketed properly and you have to manage the job process (resumes, interviews, etc.) with skill.

So don't be discouraged. Just understand that you have to be more diligent and creative in your efforts regarding acquiring a new job. And let's just hope that the worst is behind us with regards to the economy and move forward.