Recently USA Today had an interesting article. It discusses how unemployment may be changing in the U.S.
In the past we looked at unemployment as being temporary. A time where someone was between jobs. And, generally that was true. Not only was our unemployment rate low (3 to 5% for most of the time), but people tended to find new jobs fairly quickly.
The article points to some economists who say that is changing. Our economy, by it's very nature, has always included some upheaval. Some industries were declining (typewriter repairmen for instance) as others were growing (personal computer repair technicians). So the typewriter repairman was likely to lose his job. And finding another job could require him to learn new skills. Like how to repair pc's. That's been true for generations. There was a time when buggy whip makers needed to learn how to install auto interiors if they wanted to continue working. The same is true today.
But, something else is also going on today. Machines and technology are replacing many jobs. Years ago a stock clerk needed to put a price tag on every item in the grocery store. And, another clerk needed to enter that price into the cash register at checkout. Not to mention the clerk who checked the shelves to see if more product needed to be put on the shelf. Today bar coded products have eliminated much of that work. What used to take 4 people to do can now be done with 1.
So what does that mean to you? It's probably a good idea to take a look at your profession with an eye towards the future. Ask some questions. Is your industry in a permanent slide? Could technology make your job unnecessary? What will it take for you to continue to be a valuable asset as an employee.
If you think that you might be a candidate for a layoff or have already lost your job, you might want to visit our layoff resource page.You'll find a step-by-step process to help you get back onto the employment rolls.
The experts may be right. Maybe the average unemployed person will stay jobless for a longer time in the future. But, none of us live out the average. What matters to us is how long it takes me to find another job. And, we do have some control over that. We can take steps to reduce the time to find a new job/career.
So if you're concerned about your job, read the USA Today article and The Dollar Stretcher layoff page. Who knows? You might be someone who helps to make the experts look foolish by quickly finding a new career!
Keep on Stretching those Dollars!
Gary
