Articles
Article: Post Recession Perspective by Mary Landell Managing Director
Over the past 20 years my colleagues and I have worked with thousands of unemployed people through both boom times and recessions. The same career and job search principles apply in both.
One of our basic rules at Landell is that "You never take away hope." Another is that "It is easier to fly in formation than alone." With facilitator and group support, job seekers at Landell learn successful career development skills for a life time.
I do not pretend to be an economist or forecaster, but here is some information that may give job seekers a wider perspective on what is happening in our province and build in some hope and options for action.
The Future
In 2010, technically British Columbia is already in a recovery from the 2008 / 2009 recession and economists are predicting "gradual" economic growth. A number of infrastructure projects all all three levels of government are underway in BC and such industries as residential construction, resources, and tourism are picking up. BC's commercial real estate market remains one of the strongets in North America.
It is encouraging to realize that by 2015 there may well be a labour shortage! Anne Golden, Conference Board of Canada President, predicts that BC will face a labour shortage of 160,000 workers due to the aging population. She says that means that BC needs to create policies to increase its supply of workers by encouraging the participation of youth, immigrants, women, mature workers, aboriginal people and the disabled in the work force.
,
One of our basic rules at Landell is that "You never take away hope." Another is that "It is easier to fly in formation than alone." With facilitator and group support, job seekers at Landell learn successful career development skills for a life time.
I do not pretend to be an economist or forecaster, but here is some information that may give job seekers a wider perspective on what is happening in our province and build in some hope and options for action.
The Future
In 2010, technically British Columbia is already in a recovery from the 2008 / 2009 recession and economists are predicting "gradual" economic growth. A number of infrastructure projects all all three levels of government are underway in BC and such industries as residential construction, resources, and tourism are picking up. BC's commercial real estate market remains one of the strongets in North America.
It is encouraging to realize that by 2015 there may well be a labour shortage! Anne Golden, Conference Board of Canada President, predicts that BC will face a labour shortage of 160,000 workers due to the aging population. She says that means that BC needs to create policies to increase its supply of workers by encouraging the participation of youth, immigrants, women, mature workers, aboriginal people and the disabled in the work force.
,
How Do We Cope During the Gradual Recovery Period?
1) If you are still employed but feel job-threatened, do an inventory.
"Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" sums up the best approach. Whatever the economy, it makes sense to do a financial inventory and a work qualifications inventory.
We suggest that if you can manage it, save enough to carry you through for at least three months and ideally seven months of unemployment. If you were to lose your benefit plan through a job loss, how much would you need to compensate for that? Check out what the steps for establishing an EI claim are and whether you would qualify. Are you eligible for severance from your company? Would that affect your EI? Check out provincial supports and who qualifies for assistance. And oh yes, those credit cards. Try to pay them off. It's tempting to rely on them if you become unemployed and hard to pay all of that interest. Finally, if your employer is facing the need to cut positions, tell him or her about the job sharing option the government may be able to offer.
2) Remember: There are still jobs out there. People still require goods and services.
Through helping over 23,000 unemployed people since our organization was founded in 1990, we know that vacancies for good jobs are created not only by people retiring, but also because workers move away, take time off for maternity leave, go on sick leave, or elect to stay home to give child or elder care. Surprisingly, new jobs and businesses are created during recessions as the situation brings out the entrepreneurial spirit in people. In our industry we tell people that "the country is still up and running" and citizens continue purchasing basic items and services they need for everyday living in every sector. That means many jobs continue and new positions are created.
Find at least one piece of good news a day: a new company opening, government infrastructure projects, stories of people helping each other; increased tourism and investments resulting from the 2010 Olympics.
3) Consider skills upgrading.
If you can afford to take further training or professional development, this may be the best time to do it. If you have been or are on Employment Insurance, you may be eligible for funding for further education if you can't find work in your own field with the skills you have.
4) Consult the experts. Access free government funded programs.
There are well researched, proven techniques for finding work. No one is born knowing how to job search or write a convincing résumé! The great web site www.youremploymentservices.ca will provide a whole range of services for job seekers in Greater Vancouver: career exploration, job search, self-employment programs, resource centres, information about skills and training, and assistance for employers down-sizing.
5) Take the time to do some career planning.
At Landell we recommend that you start with our Career Planning Program (CPP) to enable you to apply career development skills throughout your lifetime. This allows you the luxury of examining your own skills, interests, values, and life/work options.
1) If you are still employed but feel job-threatened, do an inventory.
"Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" sums up the best approach. Whatever the economy, it makes sense to do a financial inventory and a work qualifications inventory.
We suggest that if you can manage it, save enough to carry you through for at least three months and ideally seven months of unemployment. If you were to lose your benefit plan through a job loss, how much would you need to compensate for that? Check out what the steps for establishing an EI claim are and whether you would qualify. Are you eligible for severance from your company? Would that affect your EI? Check out provincial supports and who qualifies for assistance. And oh yes, those credit cards. Try to pay them off. It's tempting to rely on them if you become unemployed and hard to pay all of that interest. Finally, if your employer is facing the need to cut positions, tell him or her about the job sharing option the government may be able to offer.
2) Remember: There are still jobs out there. People still require goods and services.
Through helping over 23,000 unemployed people since our organization was founded in 1990, we know that vacancies for good jobs are created not only by people retiring, but also because workers move away, take time off for maternity leave, go on sick leave, or elect to stay home to give child or elder care. Surprisingly, new jobs and businesses are created during recessions as the situation brings out the entrepreneurial spirit in people. In our industry we tell people that "the country is still up and running" and citizens continue purchasing basic items and services they need for everyday living in every sector. That means many jobs continue and new positions are created.
Find at least one piece of good news a day: a new company opening, government infrastructure projects, stories of people helping each other; increased tourism and investments resulting from the 2010 Olympics.
3) Consider skills upgrading.
If you can afford to take further training or professional development, this may be the best time to do it. If you have been or are on Employment Insurance, you may be eligible for funding for further education if you can't find work in your own field with the skills you have.
4) Consult the experts. Access free government funded programs.
There are well researched, proven techniques for finding work. No one is born knowing how to job search or write a convincing résumé! The great web site www.youremploymentservices.ca will provide a whole range of services for job seekers in Greater Vancouver: career exploration, job search, self-employment programs, resource centres, information about skills and training, and assistance for employers down-sizing.
5) Take the time to do some career planning.
At Landell we recommend that you start with our Career Planning Program (CPP) to enable you to apply career development skills throughout your lifetime. This allows you the luxury of examining your own skills, interests, values, and life/work options.
6) Learn how to conduct a successful job search.
Once you have career focus, we offer Strategic Job Search (SJS) sessions where, step by step, you follow proven job search methods in "finding work that works for you".
Both programs show you how to explore labour market and "inside" information about where the best jobs for you might be.
7) Consider taking short term, transitional or lower paid jobs while you look for something better.
There is dignity in any kind of honest work and an entry-level job is better than no job at all. It helps keep food on the table, provides structure and purpose in your day, and prevents a feeling of isolation. Of course you will keep up the momentum in your job search for your ideal job. You're not cancelling your dreams. You're just taking a few more steps than originally planned to realize them. Remember, it's easier to steer a car when it's moving.
8) Stay connected. Network. Help others. Help Yourself.
Based on research and success rates, we have always emphasized the importance of networking - telling other people about your skills and enquiring about present or future job opportunities. Relationship building is important, and reciprocal in many cases. As Darcy Rezac says in The Frog and Prince networking is "discovering if you can do something nice for someone else." We also encourage volunteer work to boost your morale and possibly open up new job opportunities.
We all benefit when people find employment.
In job searching and in business we quickly find out that it's not just about us, but that it's about others as well. Mere survival is not the end, but quality of work and life for everyone in our community. The more people who get back working, the better it is for everyone - not just here but world wide.
We feel privileged to be in a position to offer practical services to job seekers through our Landell Career Planning and Job Search programs, and we gratefully acknowledge both the federal and provincial governments for recognizing the importance of such projects.
Once you have career focus, we offer Strategic Job Search (SJS) sessions where, step by step, you follow proven job search methods in "finding work that works for you".
Both programs show you how to explore labour market and "inside" information about where the best jobs for you might be.
7) Consider taking short term, transitional or lower paid jobs while you look for something better.
There is dignity in any kind of honest work and an entry-level job is better than no job at all. It helps keep food on the table, provides structure and purpose in your day, and prevents a feeling of isolation. Of course you will keep up the momentum in your job search for your ideal job. You're not cancelling your dreams. You're just taking a few more steps than originally planned to realize them. Remember, it's easier to steer a car when it's moving.
8) Stay connected. Network. Help others. Help Yourself.
Based on research and success rates, we have always emphasized the importance of networking - telling other people about your skills and enquiring about present or future job opportunities. Relationship building is important, and reciprocal in many cases. As Darcy Rezac says in The Frog and Prince networking is "discovering if you can do something nice for someone else." We also encourage volunteer work to boost your morale and possibly open up new job opportunities.
We all benefit when people find employment.
In job searching and in business we quickly find out that it's not just about us, but that it's about others as well. Mere survival is not the end, but quality of work and life for everyone in our community. The more people who get back working, the better it is for everyone - not just here but world wide.
We feel privileged to be in a position to offer practical services to job seekers through our Landell Career Planning and Job Search programs, and we gratefully acknowledge both the federal and provincial governments for recognizing the importance of such projects.
