Are you being ignored by employers?

I’ve been told as long as I’ve been in radio that it’s easier to find a new job while you’re still working.  Why don’t employers look to available talent when looking to fill a job?  In response to my Blogs I’ve seen comments like “As a business owner it is very difficult to find good help or even decent applicants!” and “While there are some very talented Floridians out of work, there are many perpetually unemployed for good reasons.”

Others have argued that employers aren‘t “paying enough to attract them. Most that have done well in their career, have a safety net or are working freelance to find another job worthy of their skill level. He’s trying to find diamonds at the lime pit.  That’s why he doesn’t find what he is looking for, I must get 5 awesome resumes a day.”

Whatever the individual reason, most of what I’ve seen is proactive job seekers willing to work and trying to land any type of paycheck to survive.  As it stands now, companies that are rejecting candidates simply because they’ve been out of work for a year or more are not breaking the law.  But with job ads touting that a candidate “must be currently employed” in order to be considered for a job the legality of banning the unemployed will be tested.  The Miami Herald is reporting that there is a movement underway to ban discrimination against the jobless.  In Florida, Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich has introduced a bill that would ban businesses from discriminating against the unemployed.  Last April the state of New Jersey passed a similar ban on companies that were discriminating against the unemployed.  President Obama wants to make discrimination against the long-term unemployed illegal on a Federal level.  But for now, ignoring candidates simply because they’re unemployed is still happening.  As of December there were still over 900,000 people in Florida out of work.

Our Governor, Rick Scott, ran on a campaign platform of “Let’s Get To Work” and he promised 700,000 jobs.  In a January accounting of Scott’s campaign promise, The Tampa Bay Times’ PolitiFact finds that he still has a lot of work to do.  At first Scott promised a certain number of jobs would come from a few specific targets.  Now, according to PolitiFact, Scott is looking to create jobs from any and all sources.  So far each month he has added jobs for total of about 100,000 new jobs to the state.

I was out of work for exactly six months.  I know how difficult it can be, day after day, sending out resumes and getting ZERO response.  What I learned from the experience was that you can’t rely on anyone else.  You have to create opportunity for yourself by networking and being open to whatever comes your way.  I ended up in a place I didn’t target, exactly, but it turned out to be the best move for my career and an amazing opportunity.  There is hope.  There is a job out there for you but YOU have to get out there by whatever means possible and find it.  Be open to opportunity and it may just find you.

Keep the Faith!
Corey Dylan

Movement to ban jobless discrimination gaining steam
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/21/2653472/push-to-ban-jobless-bias-gains.html

PolitiFact Florida: Rick Scott jobs promise strays from campaign rhetoric
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/politifact-florida-rick-scott-jobs-promise-strays-from-campaign-rhetoric/1209507

Florida is the WORST place to lose a job!

The latest Census data reveals that Florida has the highest rate of long-term unemployment in the Nation.  More than half of unemployed Floridians were on the sidelines at least six months last year.  I was fired on July 1st and started working again on December 1st – exactly six months – and I busted my tail every single day to land this job.  We can blame the housing market or the oil spill but the reasons aren’t quickly fixed and the situation is CODE RED for many.

There are more than 900,000 unemployed in the Sunshine State and four applicants for every single available job.  While the debate rages on about the “real” unemployment numbers we do know that 130,000 jobs were created last year.  Employers are still slow to open up jobs, and when they do, the salary being offered is often less – an average of 25% less – than the applicant was last making.  Most of these “new” jobs are in low-wage and hourly-wage occupations: retail, restaurants, and theme parks.  But some higher paying jobs are starting to open up again.

Healthcare continues to be an industry seeing growth.  Tourists are flocking back to Florida.  However, Government and Information are industries that continue to lose jobs that pay an average of $40,000.  But Construction is bouncing back and we ended 2011 with a net gain of jobs.  If you’re in an industry that’s losing jobs I feel your pain.  I know people in the media biz that have been told to give up and find a new career!

I tell you this not to discourage you but to lay out the facts and steel you for the fight.  Focus on your skills, not your past, because those skills can be applied in many different fields.  If you’re beating your head against a wall sending out those resumes only to get NO response remember that WHO you know is going to help you faster than any nameless, faceless job search engine or website.  Networking has never been more important.  I would NEVER have landed a job as soon as I did without colleagues and friends.  You may think you know who your friends are, but I promise you, you WILL KNOW who they are when they help you land your next job and paycheck.

Keep the Faith!

Corey Dylan

Worst Place To Lose Your Job: Florida

http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/235504/250/Worst-place-to-lose-your-job-Florida

Florida Still Losing Ground In Wages Despite Uptick In Jobs

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/florida-still-losing-ground-in-wages-despite-uptick-in-jobs/1214142

Unemployment Insurance Maximum Duration Dropping To 79 Weeks

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/unemployment-insurance-jobless-benefits_n_1257731.html

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!!!

I start my NEW JOB tomorrow!

It is with excitement and awe that I tell you that I’ve accepted an offer from Clear Channel Radio to work here in Tampa at 970 WFLA AM every weekday morning on “AM Tampa Bay” from 5am until 9am. With the state of radio on shaky ground, I can tell you News/Talk radio is the perfect place for me to start the next phase of my broadcasting career. I will be sitting third chair to two men whose broadcasting careers are the stuff of legend in this business!

Jack Harris has been dominating the Tampa Bay airwaves for decades. Jack has worked the mic for The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Tampa Bay Storm, The Outback Bowl, and WLFA for years. At one point Jack’s career took him to Washington D.C. where he worked along side Willard Scott! He’s an American Vet and a really smart man! I plan to have a dictionary handy when Jack throws out the big words. 😉

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Harris_(broadcaster)

Tedd Webb bleeds everything that Tampa Bay is. Born and raised in Cigar City, Tedd has been worked as a DJ, Sportscaster, and Talk Show Host during his decades in radio and even worked along side the legendary Scott Shannon and Cleveland Wheeler at the famous “Q Morning Zoo.” Tedd is a quick wit, a survivor and a fighter, in the nicest sense of the word.

http://www.teddwebb.com/about/index.html

Both Jack and Tedd are award-winning broadcasters and I expect to learn a lot, and laugh a lot, working with them. Our chemistry seems effortless and I have so much respect for the men they are and the work they do at WFLA. In addition to Jack and Tedd, I’ll be working with Producer Ethan Youker and Program Director Steve Versnick. This is a dream team, as far as I’m concerned!

So what am I doing there? Little known fact: I have a degree in Broadcast Journalism and I bring more than 15 years broadcast experience to the table from TV & Radio News Rooms and broadcast studios – the last 9 years of which I’ve spent in Tampa. “AM Tampa Bay” is committed to the issues the residents of Tampa Bay face on a daily basis and will continue to bring you the information you need to make informed decisions in your community and in your life. Your concerns, your family, and your health and happiness are issues we want to talk about.

I’m humbled by the support I’ve received from so many on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIN and I want you to know how much I appreciate it!!! I hope you’ll join us weekday mornings on 970 WFLA AM from 5am until 9am. Here are the numbers to call us LIVE:

Hillsborough: 813-990-9352
Pinellas: 727-461-9352
Toll-Free: 800-969-9352

You can listen LIVE every day here: http://www.iheart.com/#/live/2823/?autoplay=true

And I hope you’ll follow us on Facebook so that we can get to know YOU: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AMTampaBay

As a side note, I wanted to let those of you that still need the inspiration and resources I’ve shared in my weekly Blog that I will continue to write for you! TheUPsidetoUnemployment lives on until you don’t need it anymore!
Keep the Faith and tune in tomorrow morning for my first day on “AM Tampa Bay” on 970 WFLA AM!!!

Corey Dylan

What does it take to be successful?

Every week I Blog, and every week there are remarks of support….and detractors who say I’m part of the media spreading a delusion that everything is going to be OK.  Everyone’s entitled to their opinion – and keep them coming – but I believe that attitude is everything and a bad attitude never got anyone anywhere.

Things have changed.  Everything’s changed actually and I‘m finding a new way to look at things in order to survive.  I read a great article in the Huffington Post that instructs that you should no longer be looking for a job, you should be looking for “opportunity!”   I think that’s spot-on advice because far too many “jobs” have been eliminated permanently.  Just last week hundreds of people in radio where told their job no longer existed!

So how does one go about seeking opportunity?  Define your skill set and start networking like crazy.  Be open to trying new things and start new habits that will make your efforts successful.  And it turns out that there are habits that successful people share in common, it’s not simply “luck.”

One of those key traits successful people among us share is that they’re trustworthy.  Now, everyone thinks they’re trustworthy but studies show that certain behaviors can tarnish how trustworthy you’re perceived at work.  “When you engage in behaviors that are indicative of low self-control, your trustworthiness is diminished. In other words, all those things you know you shouldn’t do – smoking, overeating, impulsive spending, being lazy, late, disorganized, excessively emotional, or having a quick temper – may be even worse for you than you ever realized, because of the collateral damage they are doing to your reputation.”  (Forbes.com)

Though even if you’re trusted as I was with hosting two different radio shows at my last “job” that doesn’t guarantee longevity.  There’s still the game of survivor to be played!  Success doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride to the top.  Just like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs you have to cultivate behaviors that will pick you back up after a job loss.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/augustturak/2011/01/04/5-ways-to-cultivate-successful-character-traits/

The other key trait successful people share is passion.  In the book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies; more than 200 successful people were interviewed including Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Maya Angelou, Steve Forbes, Quincy Jones, and Dalai Lama.  Ultimately, these successful people had a passion in their lives that drove them to work hard and endlessly to succeed over a long period of time.  Success isn’t instant and patience is hard to come by when you need someone to give you a paycheck.  But hopefully by opening your mind to opportunity you will see your options open up as well.  Feed your passions and people around you will take notice!  I’m connecting with people I would’ve never met had I not lost my job and in turn they’re offering me experiences to do things I would’ve never sought out!  I don’t know where this path will lead me but I’m on the way to finding out!

Keep the Faith!

Corey Dylan

To read more about traits of success:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  http://www.quickmba.com/mgmt/7hab/

For Most, Success That’s Built To Last Starts With A Portfolio Of Passions http://www.usatoday.com/money/books/reviews/2006-09-18-success-usat_x.htm

Stop Looking For A Job, Start Looking For An Opportunity http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/11/02/stop-looking-for-a-job-start-looking-for-an-opportunity/

Are you resisting CHANGE?

There’s an old saying, “As Florida goes, so goes the Nation.”  Well, right now Floridians are staring down the second highest foreclosure rate in the country (after California) and a stubborn “official” 10.7% unemployment rate.  Florida has said goodbye to more than 16,000 government workers in just the last year and that’s just one of our state’s biggest employers!  In the headlines this week we’ve learned hundreds of new jobs are coming to the Sunshine State and the Bay Area but they can’t come quickly enough.  Here’s more on when and where you’ll find these jobs that‘ll pay $50,000 to $120,000!:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/time-warner-to-bring-500-jobs-to-bay-area-09202011

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1192788.ece

Human beings naturally resist change.  It’s scary.  It’s uncomfortable.  Unfortunately we don’t have choice but to “go with the flow“ right now.  And something like a job loss almost certainly leads to major change.  It might be a lower paying job in your future.  It might be a job out of state.  It could be the inability to pay your mortgage because you can‘t find work.  You have a lot on your plate if you’re unemployed.  It’s taken me a couple of slow months just to get three interviews and I‘m hearing the same thing from my fellow job-seekers!  But even the friends I have who still have their jobs are struggling to pay their bills.  The days of having ONE source of income may be gone and that doesn’t seem “safe” to me anymore.

I’ve been asked in my job interviews “what is it that you want to do?”  Right now, I want to do it all: Radio, TV, Video, Writing, Marketing, and Social Media!  I’m willing to try new things and put my energy and abilities into a number of areas.  It’s exciting, really.  My next interview is about a week away and it’s with a company that is having an open casting call but asked me to come in before the open call for an interview and I‘m thrilled!  I’d be happy with one or ALL of these jobs.  I’m ready to GO so let’s see an offer!  Unfortunately, employers aren’t in as big of a hurry to hire as most of us are to work.

Accepting the fact that things have changed is the first step I’ve taken to understand that we all have to look at things differently and create a new plan.  That plan will probably include things you never thought you’d do or have to do.  And frankly, I don’t want to go back to the way things were.  Been there, done that.  Dwelling on the fact that things aren’t the way they used to be will hold us all back.  However, I’ve made a plan should the day come when I can’t pay the bills.  Stressing about it now won’t do me or anyone else any good.  The mantra that’s keeping me going right now: Accept Change.  Make a plan.  Move forward.  Oh, and Winston Churchill was smart guy who said, “Never, never, never, never give up.”

Keep the faith!

Corey Dylan