THE JOB MARKET MAY NOT BE AS IT APPEARS

 In a recent study completed by the MANPOWER GROUP,  it appears that the job market may not be as it seems, in fact you might be surprised to learn of something called the “Job Paradox.”

 The paradox refers to the fact that even though unemployment rates remain high (8.1% in the US and 11% in California),  a very large number of jobs that are available,  remain unfilled.

As the chart next to us illustrates , there is a dynamic that  is contining into 2012-2013 for a payroll when the number of jobs available are going unfilled.  During the recession  it is no surprise that we had fewer job openings and people were left  unemployed. However,  the right hand side of the graph acknowledges that as we are  moving further and further away from the recession many jobs remain unfilled, dispite that so many continue to look for work.  So, what accounts for this?

When the Manpower Group questioned employers about the applicants that they were interviewing,  many employers said that they were not finding the right kind of applicants; and they needed to find individuals who possessed the right knowledge and skills required by their job openings.  On the other side of the coin,  many of the individuals who they did find to be suitable were/are not able to just up and relocate for new positions as quickly and easily as they might have been able to in the past.   Employers felt that  they had to take into account the tough housing and tight credit markets. There was also no doubt that in a this tough economy, many companies were/are choosing to leave positions unfilled rather than to hire and train someone without the right knowledge and skills.  Companies want to wait till the markets are stronger.

So what can a high school or college student, or job seeker do?  Well,  a series of focus groups were held by a research company consisting of hiring managers and directors from a variety of industries in the Los Angeles area. What they learned was that employers do recognize the value of a college education, additional training, and additional certifications.

In these focus groups, hiring managers and HR personnel stated that when they saw or see  certificates in a concentrated area, it demonstrates to them that the individual applying for the position is showing the companies that have continued to be productive and to keep themselves continually up to date in the latest ideas and practices by going through a robust, rigorous, relevant, and focused education.

The individuals in the focus group expressed that "an individual who completes a certificate is seen as someone who is prepared, motivated, engaged, and “willing to go the extra mile.” To these people,  these are elements that will fill the gap between what an employer is seeking and what an applicant can bring to an organization. 

If you are looking for your jobs or internships to do when in High School, College, or you are considering going back to school to retrain for a new profession,  consider what you want your next employment opportunity to be and keep the job paradox in mind, particularly how you can fill gaps in your own knowledge.