I Want Answers!!!

One of the biggest challenges, being unemployed in this economy, is getting answers. Communication from employers is lacking. Sometimes I heard crickets after sending a resume or making an effort to contact a potential employer…even from people I knew and had interviewed with! Trying to deal with the Unemployment Office or using their website can be infuriating. Trying to find a job today has its share of hurdles but there is some help out there for you. The purpose of my blog is to share my experience and hopefully provide you with some answers and resources.

The U.S. central bank issued its so-called “Beige Book” report on Wednesday – an anecdotal assessment of the overall health of the country’s economy. The U.S. economy “expanded at a modest to moderate pace” from late November into December. Strong retail sales over the Christmas holiday helped. Demand for services also increased too. The problem, though, is that employers are still hesitant to hire new employees and the real estate market, typically slow during the winter, is sluggish. Thankfully the holidays are behind us and employers can focus on the future.

Local business leaders are optimistic and generally believe the Bay Area economy will grow in 2012 and the forecast for the Tampa Bay real estate market is for 7.5% growth, according to the Tampa Bay Times. But without a steady income you may need help to bridge the gap.

The of the government’s largest lenders, Freddie Mac, has announced that they’re again allowing their unemployed borrowers to extend the amount of time that their payments can be suspended or reduced anywhere from six to twelve months. Of course to qualify you likely have to be among the most credit-worthy!

Even though I’m employed again I’m struggling along with you to get back on my feet. By landing a job I feel like I won a battle but the war is still underway.

How will Tampa Bay’s economy fare in 2012? Better, say many

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/how-will-tampa-bays-economy-fare-in-2012-better-say-many/1209299

Help For Unemployed Homeowners

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-cuevas/freddie-mac-offers-extens_b_1200069.html

US Economy on Mend But Hiring Limited

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/economy-and-business/US-Economy-on-Mend-But-Hiring-Limited-137118493.html

Until next time…keep The Faith!

Corey Dylan

You’re fired. Merry Christmas!

This week’s news was the people that give us the news: The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com reported they were laying off 165 people.  I don’t know why companies lay off workers during the holidays but it hurts to see it, especially in our community that just keeps taking the hits in this Recession.  Among the laid off staffers was 35-year vet and Tribune Media Critic, Walt Belcher. Read more about Mr. Belcher: http://networkedblogs.com/rqCfN

I actually remember a time when people were fired only for “cause.”  These days everyone I know that’s lost their job has been “downsized” or “reduced” due to no fault of their own.  Big brother found someone or some way to do business cheaper and with the stroke of a key orders are given and people are left stunned with the news of their unemployment.  Unfortunately, it’s the world we live in right now and we just have to figure out a way to function in it.

Having very recently been on the unemployment line myself I can’t tell you it’s an easy process.  There are ups and downs and worries and small celebrations.  But what I can tell you is it’s a chance to breathe and reinvent yourself.  Take that moment to breathe and then GO FOR IT.  I kept this Blog during my search and it helped to keep me on track, share my story with those who were in the same situation, and move forward in the most positive way I knew how.  I hope you’ve found it an inspiration and a resource for information that can help you survive your unemployment and land your next job.  I know it meant a lot to me to hear from people that were in the same boat who eventually landed a job!

Perhaps some of my success is due to the fact that I was so vocal about my job loss and very transparent about it by posting the news publicly on all my Social Media profiles.

Today 89% of firms are using Social Media to find candidates, according to Jobvite.  The best time to finesse your  public profiles is before you need to look for that job but if you are looking you must make sure your resume is up to date and your profiles are searchable and visible to employers that may be looking for you.  If you’re not on LinkedIN yet, the site most companies are using to recruit, take the weekend to check it out and see what your competition is doing.  Include your job history since profiles with multiple jobs listed are 12 times more likely to be viewed than those with just one.  Make sure to add a great profile photo too because your click-through rate will increase 7 times!  And don’t forget to add keywords in your summary that are important in your industry so that you’ll come up in employer searches.  I looked to others in my industry to see what they were doing successfully and tried to measure up!

I don’t know how much I believe in “fate” but landing a job at WFLA was probably the best thing that could have happened to me personally and professionally.  AM Tampa Bay is definitely a step up in my career and a chance to do things I’ve never done before!  And with every job I’ve been terminated from I find there’s always something better on the other side of unemployment.  I’m sure there is for you too!  Surround yourself with cheerleaders because you’re going to need them.  Uncertainty isn’t easy and we’re living in hard times but the more quickly you make your new “job” finding your NEXT job you’re going to land it.  Best of luck!!!