Where Are The Jobs?
Increasing The Odds of Finding Survival Jobs, Quickly!

by Dick Gaither

Many of the folks I've trained had to find survival work quickly, either because of probation or parole requirements or immediate financial need, Because of this, one question every career pro should be able to answer is, "How Can Someone Increase His or Her Odds Of Finding A Survival Job, Quicker?" There are five concepts that can be presented to job seekers as a way to answer this question.

First Concept:

We have to make our clients understand the labor market is fluid. New companies start up every day, companies grow, people quit, they are fired, advance up the career ladder, or retire. In other words, the labor market is in a state of perpetual flux resulting in more job openings today than yesterday and even more tomorrow than today...but only for those who keep looking.

Second Concept:

Job seekers need to realize the hidden job market is something of a myth. More than 149 million people are currently employed...they were able to find the "hidden job market." The question that begs an answer is, "What Did The Employed People Do That The Still Unemployed Job Seeker Isn't Doing?" Seems like the people who have trouble finding the "hidden job market" don't look hard enough, long enough and won't prospect for job leads using more creative methods.

Third Concept:

Because of the "churn" in the labor market, job seekers should look for opportunity, not just openings. Employers are always on the lookout for good workers. The implication is that job seekers should try to apply at every company where their skills would be marketable, even if there's not a job posting or recruitment ad.

Fourth Concept:

Hit the temps early. Aside from more than forty percent of temps turning into full time hires, temp work helps build a current work history, increases the number of people in a job search network, keeps skills up to date and the income helps extend the length of time someone can look for that "ideal" job.

Fifth Concept:

Use the Department of Labor's, Chamber of Commerce's, or business and trade occupational information to identify occupations, industries, and locations where employment prospects might be a little better. The following types of places are usually easier to enter and often have less stringent hiring criteria:

  • Jobs requiring skills most in demand
  • Occupations and companies with the largest number of employees
  • Fastest growing occupations and companies. Occupations with the most job postings
  • Occupations where employers have trouble finding workers
  • High turnover occupations. Cities with the most job openings

Easiest jobs to acquire:

  • Start-up companies High-risk occupations
  • Jobs not requiring much education
  • Jobs that have more undesirable shifts, schedules or working conditions

About the Author

Dick Gaither, "The Wizard of Work" can be reached at:

(800) 361-1613

workwizard@aol