Employers want IT workers -- so why can't you find a job?

Written by: Robert Half Technology

When you started your search for an information technology position, you were optimistic. People you knew seemed to have no problem landing great tech jobs, or they were telling you about other people who had just been hired. But now that you've sent out many résumés with little or no response, you're wondering why no one is snapping you up. What's going on?

First, take comfort in knowing that the demand for skilled IT talent hasn't waned, so there are still opportunities to be had. However, the emphasis here is on "skilled:" Companies that are hiring generally seek experienced professionals with specific skills.

If your experience or area of expertise doesn't quite align with what many employers are looking for right now, it doesn't mean you aren't a viable candidate for hire. You may just need to confirm that you're doing everything you can to give yourself an edge in a competitive marketplace. Here's some advice:

Revive your résumé
You've sent out your résumé a bunch of times. But is it a good résumé? Does it underscore the skills, talents and credentials that make you marketable and valuable to an employer? Does it clarify employment gaps and accentuate the positive things you've done while searching for a new role? Does it highlight specific achievements?
One thing employers want to see from job seekers today is an explanation of how they solved a critical problem, increased efficiency or otherwise saved the organization headaches, time or money. If you have a great story, use your job application materials to tell it.

Another important question: Are you leveraging terminology from employers' job descriptions in your résumé and cover letter? For additional insight, look to the "2013 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide" for a glossary of common IT positions and their responsibilities.

Also include a professional summary at the top of your résumé that succinctly highlights your most relevant qualifications and accomplishments. That way, hiring managers will have a snapshot view of what's most important to know about you as an IT professional.

Critique your credentials
You're a technology pro, so no doubt you already understand the importance of having up-to-date technical skills and certifications. However, are you sure you have the best credentials for the jobs you're applying for? If you don't, that may be holding you back from getting an interview or an invitation to a second one.

Just like technology itself, IT roles are always evolving. Use your professional network to find out what skills and designations your peers landing employment offers have earned. You may need some additional training to increase your value to a potential employer, and this may require making that investment in yourself. Most employers are looking for IT professionals who can hit the ground running; they prefer you to come to the job with the in-demand credentials in hand.
Many firms are specifically seeking technology professionals who understand the challenges today's businesses face in harnessing the power of big data, seizing mobile opportunities and embracing a "bring your own device" approach. If you have relevant experience in any of these areas, make it known.

Expand your network
Professional networking, conducted both online and in person, can help you connect to relevant job opportunities faster. However, if your network consists primarily of your peers who are also looking for employment -- or aren't employed at firms that are expanding their IT teams -- you need to broaden your scope of contacts.

Reconnect with old business contacts, mentors, teachers or family friends who have some business clout. Take advantage of networking events and other activities offered by local business organizations or professional associations. Be active in online networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter -- just be sure to keep all content fresh and professional. Once you've expanded your network, focus primarily on cultivating contacts who can introduce you to influential and well-connected people at the companies you'd like to work for most.

Lastly, don't fail to consider the opportunities and connections that an interim work arrangement might yield. A specialized recruiter can assist you in finding temporary IT positions. Often, these engagements lead to full-time roles for talented workers. Working as an interim technology professional also can help you earn income -- and keep your skills sharp -- while you continue your search for full-time employment.

With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com. Follow Robert Half Technology on Twitter at www.twitter.com/roberthalftech.

10 things to do after the interview

How to keep the momentum going
Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder

The interview may be over, but your chance to make an impression is not. Here are 10 strategies to continue boosting your candidacy.

1. Show that you're still interested.
Leave no doubt in the interviewer's mind about where you stand. Ask for the job at meeting's end with a phrase such as, "I would really like to contribute to this company and am hoping you select me." Also, don't leave the room without a clear idea of what will happen next in the hiring process. Will select applicants be invited back to meet other people? By what date do they hope to fill the position? Such questions demonstrate enthusiasm for the job, and knowing the hirer's timeframe will help keep you from panicking if a week has passed without a phone call.

2. Set the stage for further contact.
Nobody wants to be a pest, but could your silence as days pass be misinterpreted as indifference? Avoid the guesswork by finding out before heading home what the employer prefers in terms of checking in. Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want," suggests asking the recruiter about her preferred method of follow-up communication and whether it would be okay to touch base again.

3. Be punctual.
If you tell the interviewer you'll send a list of references tomorrow morning, make sure you do it. Keeping your word and answering requests in a timely manner speaks volumes about the type of employee you might be.

4. Know when to sit tight.
If an interviewer requests that you follow up by phone in a week, respect her wishes. Calling the next day can be construed as pushy and desperate.

5. Send a prompt thank-you note.
A positive, nonintrusive way to stay on an employer's mind is to send a thank-you note. Vega recommends emailing one within 24 hours of the interview, then following up with a handwritten note that arrives one to three business days later.

6. Send each interviewer a personalized, powerful follow-up letter.
This piece of communication is another chance for you to shine, so don't waste space with generalities. Ford R. Myers, a career coach and author of "Get the Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring," recommends including specific references to each person you met and tying your accomplishments directly to the company's stated challenges. You also can use the letter to introduce achievements that didn't get discussed and to elaborate on interview answers that you felt lacked punch.

7. Address one of the company's needs.
Another effective way to follow up is to act more like a consultant than an applicant. "During the interview, you learn a lot about a company's weaknesses and/or areas where the company wants to expand," states Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides.com and author of "201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions." "Consider creating a proposal on how you would address one of those areas. Doing so will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and also the enthusiasm to make a significant contribution."

8. Keep thinking and learning about the company.
Be prepared for additional interviews or follow-up phone calls by continuing to research the organization and the field. Gain new information about a topic brought up in conversation. Think of additional questions you'd like answered. These actions show the hirer that you didn't stop caring about the company after the interview was over.

9. Leverage outside resources.
Networking should never stop. "If you have contacts and connections with anyone who might influence the hiring decision, or who actually knows the interviewer, ask her to put a good word in for you," Myers says.

10. Accept rejection with grace.
Finally, keep emotions in check and don't burn bridges if someone else gets hired. One never knows what the future might hold. The accepted candidate may not work out, or a different position may open up. "If you are rejected, the first thing you should do (ironically) is send a thank-you note," Myers says. "This will help distinguish you from other rejected candidates and put you in a positive light."
Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.

A Day in the Life of a Job Seeker

"Looking for a job is a full-time job." It's a phrase we've all heard, and, for the most part, it's true. Searching for a job that you like, going on interviews, waiting for the call back. It's some of the most emotionally draining and time-consuming work you'll have to do.

One of the most important things one can do while hunting for a new job is to set a schedule and stick with it. For those who are employed in a job that they hate, it can be frustrating to go home and then spend more time trying to find a new job. All you do is go to work and then go home to do more work. But those without a job can find it even more frustrating, because of the endless time spent waiting -- and the diminishing bank balance.

So we asked job seekers for their tips on how they've dealt with the job search and what they've done to provide structure to their day. Here's what they had to say:

• The early bird gets the worm: Don't waste your days sleeping. Get up early and set "office hours." By acting as if you're going to work, you're actually getting into a mindset that will put you on task.


• Set the scene: Be sure to remove yourself from all distractions when doing your job search. It's one thing to go to a coffee shop to do your research, but when you start to write your cover letters and résumés, you need to concentrate on the task at hand. Don't be afraid to write in the morning and then revise in the afternoon -- give yourself some time to edit and craft the messages you're sending to potential employers.


• Get specific: The "scattershot" method of applying for anything and everything usually leaves no one feeling good. Be specific about what kind of job you are looking for, what areas you want to focus on, what skills you have and what skills you want to develop in a new job. Learn about companies in your area that have these jobs, see what opportunities they may have, and connect with recruiters or experts in the field through resources such as LinkedIn.


• Follow up: For many job seekers, the concern is the résumé black hole. Because employers receive so many applications for each job opening, it helps to set follow-up calendar reminders so you know when to reach out to a company you've applied to if you haven't heard back. That way, you'll know where they are in the process or if the position was filled.


• Set output goals: How many résumés do you want to send out per week? Make a number and stick to it, but be realistic. Don't say 250, because you will only make yourself miserable. Focus on a manageable goal.


• Practice your introduction/elevator pitch: It's always important to sell your skills and your desired career opportunity in under a minute. Instead of focusing on day-to-day abilities, think big picture and sell your value.


• Research: If you spend more time doing homework on companies you want to work for, you'll spend less time applying for jobs in which you may not have a real interest. Remember that a job description only tells you so much. Your job could be perfect, but the company's values could be in direct opposition to your personal values. Get to know the company via social media and through its corporate website.


• Don't sabotage yourself: If you're employed and want out of your current situation, don't look for jobs while at your job. That's asking for trouble, and a pink slip is likely to follow. You'll have to make time outside of your job to dedicate to your job search. If you're unemployed, don't sell yourself short in a cover letter by telling your entire story, because employers don't care. Again, sell your value upfront, and the details can be filled in during the interview process if needed. Also, if you're unemployed and searching for a job, make sure that your family respects your time to do so.


• Use every tool: Use all the assets at your disposal -- job boards, social media, recruiters, aggregators, etc. Diversifying your search method will help produce diverse results. Think beyond your traditional job-search methods and challenge yourself to find new ways to connect with employers or other job seekers.


• Keep your humor: Looking for a job is tiresome and can be truly depressing, but don't let it get the best of you. Remember that you are defined by more than your job or career, and while you want to be a productive member of society, your job isn't the only way to do so. Get out and see family and friends, try to stay active by exercising and eating healthfully, and keep your frustration and negativity to a minimum -- especially in social media. By having a positive attitude, you're more easily able to broach the sensitive topic with others who are employed and could help you in your job search.

Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Are you ready for a career switch?

Given the recovering economy, emerging jobs and pure human nature, career switches are common. What may have been a great job 10 years ago can be obsolete now, or you may simply be ready for your own life change. But how can you prepare yourself for a career switch? The overwhelming advice from career coaches and human-resources consultants is to do your homework and play to your strengths. These experts share the following advice for planning your next career steps.

Understand the work involved in switching careers
Before you quit your job, know what you’re getting yourself into. “When people change careers in this market, the No. 1 thing they must be aware of is that they need to develop the new industry or role experience and knowledge,” says Megan Fox, career coach and résumé writer. “A lot of people think they can tweak a few transferrable skills and land their dream job, when in fact it takes strategic planning and re-education to make a successful career change. These kinds of activities not only make you more qualified for the new role, but they display a sincere passion for the switch. I also encourage my clients to pick either an industry change or a functional role change, one at a time, as it is much easier to do than trying to completely change your job and industry type at the same time. Take baby steps and you’ll be able to make the change without sacrificing too much in salary.”

Use transferable skills to your advantage
You may think you’re ready for a career switch, but how can you convince hiring managers that you’ll be a valuable employee? “For job seekers dealing with career changes, we find it advantageous to conduct an assessment of the transferable knowledge and skills that were developed in the individual’s previous career and how that may apply to the new career path they intend on following,” says Lynda Zugec, managing director for The Workforce Consultants, a human resources consultation company with offices in Toronto, Ontario and New York. “Interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability and project management are all examples of knowledge and skills that can be applied in differing context and careers. We try to focus on these transferable skills to understand the benefits and applicability to our business. Some of the skills we focus on include the following:

• Communication: This entails the ability to communicate at all levels of an organization and across different generations.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to determine and envision where an organization is going. This will help align work efforts with company goals and objectives.
• Partnership building: Work rarely occurs in a vacuum, and the better their skills in deciding who they can best partner with to achieve desired results, based on their skills and knowledge, the better off we will be.
• Conscientiousness: Time and time again, conscientiousness proves itself to be among the No. 1 predictor of job performance. We hire individuals that pay attention to the details. Spelling and grammatical errors, lost and misplaced files or general disorganization can have major implications.
• Technical skills: We look for individuals with up-to-date and relevant technical skills. They are among the most desirable.”

Be prepared before you leave your current job
You can start making your career switch before you leave your current role. Krista Mazzuca, director of human resources at Community Renewal Team, a nonprofit human-service agency in Hartford, CT, offers these suggestions:

• Think carefully about the field you want to switch into and what it will take to land a job in that field. Don’t assume that going back to school will guarantee that you’ll obtain your desired position — often you need both the credential and experience. Find out as much as you can before enrolling in a school program.
• While you’re still employed at your first job, get as much experience as possible that moves you in your desired direction. How can you volunteer in the community, change assignments at your company or find synergies between what you’re currently doing and what you hope to be doing?
• If you’re a manager, be prepared for a change in status. You may have to start near the bottom in your new career, which may mean that you’re working a defined shift, in a cubicle and taking direction from someone younger than yourself. You might also have to take a substantial pay cut. The person interviewing you for the position will want to see that you have thought about this and have acclimated yourself to the possibility. Prepare a good answer as to why you’re changing fields. Be candid, but frame your argument around the hiring manager’s point of view.

'Tis the Season for Your Job Search

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor

Many job seekers are tempted to slow down the search (or pause it altogether) during the winter holiday season. But career experts say that taking a break from your job search during the holidays is a mistake -- because hiring doesn't stop.       

At the end of the year, some companies rush to fill job openings that might otherwise be removed from next year's budget. Still other companies will be looking ahead. "Jobs that might have been on hold until budgets are in place will become available in January," says career expert Kimberly Bishop, author of Get Down to Business and You'll Get the Job.

Roy Cohen, an executive coach and author of The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide, agrees. "There's a belief that recruiting shuts down during the holidays,” he says. “That's a myth -- so when other people take off from their job searching during the holidays, you're at an advantage should an opportunity surface. It's all about numbers and odds."

In fact, the holidays provide some distinct advantages and special opportunities for proactive job seekers. Here's how to make the most of your holiday-season job search:

Be Flexible
Judi Perkins of FindthePerfectJob.com says, "When I was a recruiter, the holidays were one of my busiest times, and I was often on the phone either side of Christmas day." This means that you should be prepared to interview at unusual times, to allow for a recruiter's or hiring manager's busy holiday schedule.

Do Volunteer Work
All sorts of philanthropic organizations ramp up activities during the holidays -- and volunteering can be a great way to network, gain skills and fill the gap that unemployment might otherwise leave on your resume.

"You'll meet other volunteers -- great people who, by nature, will want to help,” Cohen adds. “You'll feel good, too."

Look into Temporary Positions
Many companies have end-of-year crunches -- at the same time that many workers want to take time off -- so they look to staffing agencies to fill gaps. A temporary job can be a great way to get your foot in the door at a new company.

Seek Seasonal Jobs
"The most obvious opportunities are in retail sales or retail-related positions, Bishop says. “There are a variety of part-time and temporary jobs that range from sales and customer service to merchandising, stocking, greeting, gift-wrapping and playing a role in special in-store events.

The hospitality industry also offers opportunities. “Hotels, restaurants and caterers have more events and parties, so they need to staff up,” she says.

Use Holiday Social Events to Network
You don't want to make every conversation about your job search -- but letting people know how they can help you is crucial. "Have your pitch -- who you are, what you want and why -- ready and perfect," Cohen advises.

And try to keep things positive. For instance, when you tell people you're looking for work, also tell them how you've been productive with your time off.

Reach Out to Your Contacts
The holidays are a great reason to reach out to friends and acquaintances as well as to reconnect with people you may have fallen out of contact with. "Send out a holiday greeting, but add a little extra in your message,” Cohen suggests. “Email or snail mail the card to everyone in your job search universe. It should be upbeat -- that you continue and are committed to search for a great job and know that it is only a matter of time and timing.” And be sure to express your gratitude to all those who have reached out to you during your search, he adds.

(If you don't know which holidays a contact celebrates, "Happy New Year" is a safe sentiment.)

And remember that the holidays are a time for giving. Find ways to help the people in your network, and they'll be likelier to help you in the future.

Recommit to Your Job Search
Start the year off right: Make an appointment with yourself to determine your goals for the coming year. Then schedule some time to update your resume, practice your interview skills and polish up your personal brand.

Discover the Work You Were Born to Do

By James Gonyea, Monster Contributing Writer

So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?

To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Professional career counselors usually undertake this strategy when attempting to help clients identify appropriate career directions.

Here's what I ask clients to help them find their core. Ask yourself these questions, and record your answers:

1. What subjects do you most enjoy reading about?
2. What television or radio programs do you most enjoy?
3. What are your favorite types of movies?
4. What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
5. What type of volunteer activities do you prefer?
6. What subjects do you enjoy discussing with friends?
7. What subjects come to mind when you daydream?
8. What have been your favorite jobs?
9. What were your favorite school subjects?
10. What are your pet peeves?
11. If you doodle, what do you often draw?
12. If you ran the world, what changes would you make?
13. If you won a million bucks, what would you do with it?
14. Who are your favorite kinds of people?
15. How would you like to be remembered after your death?
16. What are your favorite toys?
17. How would you describe your political beliefs?
18. Who do you most admire in life and why?
19. What tasks have brought you the most success?
20. What tasks do you think you could do well that you haven't yet done?

Examine your answers. Do you see a certain behavior or belief in more than one aspect of your life? What information do you see repeated that seems to reveal a behavior pattern? What are your long-lasting interests?

Using this information, paint a self-portrait by completing the following statements:

• I am mainly interested in…
• I believe most in…
• I most value…
• For a good life, I feel I need…
• I can do the following well…

Now ask yourself if your current job helps you achieve these five statements. If it does, you're probably in the right career. Chances are, however, that the nagging voice means your current career is not satisfying your core features. If this is the case, then it's time to find a better fit.
If the right career choice is not obvious from the information you have gathered about yourself, then try reading What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles.

How Not to Say Thank You After an Interview

By Gladys Stone & Fred Whelan, Monster Contributing Writers

In the job search, there's nothing like performing well at the interview. And after researching the company, practicing your interview presentation and answering the interview questions with confidence, you want to follow up with something impressive. You want to thank the employer with a gesture that makes the company want to hire you -- or at least bring you back for another round of interviews.

This is the point when some people come up with what they believe are clever ways to thank people for the interview. Sadly, these attempts at being memorable can leave the wrong impression with the interviewer.

So be sure to avoid these three unconventional post-interview thank-you strategies in your job search:

• Don’t Say It with Plants or Flowers: A candidate for a communications position thought sending a plant would be a nice way to say thank you after her interview. What it really said was that she did not know that doing so was unnecessary and inappropriate. It is never proper to send a gift after an interview. The interviewer is doing his job by interviewing you, and sending a gift of any kind can be interpreted as a bribe to move your candidacy forward. Rather than helping your cause, this move could hurt your chances of getting the job.
  
• Don’t Friend the Interviewer on Facebook: Trying to connect with an interviewer on Facebook crosses a boundary that should not be broached. It tells the interviewer you don’t know how to draw the line between employer and employee, and you would likely have difficulty with that distinction if you were hired for the job.
  
• Don't Follow Up with a Call the Day After the Interview: If you follow up by phone too soon after the interview, the interviewer will interpret the action as too aggressive. A follow-up call the next day will signal that you lack good judgment and that you would probably act inappropriately on the job. At this point, the ball is in the prospective employer's court. Any follow-up by phone on your part should reflect what you and the interviewer discussed.

What Should You Do? Send an Interview Follow-Up Letter

The best advice is to follow up with a short thank-you letter after the interview, thanking the interviewer for his time and reiterating your interest in and qualifications for the job. The more succinct, the better. An articulate post-interview follow-up letter or email can only strengthen your candidacy.

Dress for Interview Success

You probably already know that appearance counts, but this is especially true at the job interview. Your interviewer will be judging not only your answers to his questions, but also how you've put yourself together. Check out these articles to create an overall look that says you're professional -- and hireable:    

• Six Style Tips for Interview Success
• Dressing for the Interview by Industry
• Recruiter Roundtable: Interview Fashion and Grooming Tips
• What the Colors of Your Job Interview Clothes Convey
• 10 Interview Fashion Blunders

Volunteering Can Buy You IT Experience

By Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert

A supposedly hot certification or a few months of technology training isn't always enough to propel you into the market for tech jobs. Employers almost always prefer to hire people with real-world experience.

To aspiring techies, it's a catch-22: You can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. One solution: Volunteer work.

Grassroots environmental groups, homeless shelters, churches and other nonprofit organizations often rely on technology professionals or professionals-to-be to do everything from set up local area networks to develop Web sites. Though it's not a guaranteed way to overcome having no professional experience (nothing is, after all), volunteering is a valuable way to prove yourself outside the classroom. It can also help you make the contacts essential to a successful job search.

"It's great hands-on experience, and it looks good on a resume," says Joan Heberger, program associate at TechSoup, a San Francisco-based organization with a program that matches techies with volunteer work. "It's building technology skills, but also people skills. It's also showing that you can see things through to completion."

That's just what employers want to know when they've got an applicant who is self-taught or newly trained. Can the applicant work on a team? Can he handle deadlines? Does he know how to translate classroom lessons to the workplace? Volunteer work provides answers to those questions, and it can also provide something else you'll need. "You're probably going to get references out of it," Heberger says.

Case Study in Volunteering
Consider Charles Smith, now the network administrator for the Center for Media and Independent Learning at the University of California at Berkeley. When Smith started to volunteer through TechSoup, he was in the midst of a career transition, having worked as a chef for 10 years. In his volunteer assignments, Smith worked as a computer technician, rebuilding and troubleshooting computers for underprivileged families for Berkeley Neighborhood Computers and designing Web sites for nonprofits through CharityFocus.

"Volunteering at these different nonprofits allowed me to try several different types of jobs in the high tech industry," he says. "I was able to figure out if I liked writing code for Web sites or tearing apart old computers."

Techies in some fields will have an easier time than others looking for volunteer opportunities. Anyone with an A+ certification, for instance, is likely to find organizations, such as Berkeley Neighborhood Computers, devoted to rebuilding donated PCs. Web designers and developers are also likely to find groups looking for free assistance with their sites. Those looking to gain networking experience may have more of a challenge, as organizations may want an experienced techie for the job. Even if you're not able to set up a network on your own, consider opportunities that would allow you to assist in the task.

Of course, if you're planning to volunteer, you should also have a genuine desire to help the organization rather than just gain quick experience and split once you've got a full-time job. Experienced IT pros often find a distinct type of reward in their nonprofit work. "If you set up a network for a nonprofit, you can immediately see it's made a huge improvement," notes Heberger. "That's one of the reasons why they volunteer; the impact is visible."

Where to Volunteer
Techies looking for volunteer opportunities should consider these resources:

• Volunteer Matching Organizations: These groups match volunteers with opportunities. Some, like TechSoup in San Francisco or Voluntech.org in New York City, specialize in connecting techies with volunteer assignments. For a listing of volunteer matching services, see the list at TechSoup.org.
• Community Volunteer Centers: Many communities have volunteer centers or point people to coordinate opportunities. Call the city or town hall or the Chamber of Commerce to find the appropriate contact.
• Do-It-Yourself Volunteering: You may want to create your own volunteer assignment. If you're associated with a particular organization, suggest a tech-related project you can handle.

Sample Resumes by Industry

Want to be the standout job candidate in your field? Then writing a resume that highlights your industry-specific experience, accomplishments and credentials is essential. If you need help customizing your resume to your field, check out these examples of resumes for various careers and career levels in the following industries: 

 

 

Administrative/Support | Art/Design/Media | Automotive | Education
Engineering | Finance/Accounting | Healthcare | Human Resources
Insurance | Law Enforcement | Manufacturing | Marketing/PR
Nursing | Real Estate | Restaurant & Hospitality | Retail
Sales | Science | Technology | Trades | Transportation & Warehousing

   

10 Tips to Improve the Quality of Your Networking

By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

In this age of metrics, it’s tempting for job hunters to seek solace in the sheer numbers of their effort: 200 job postings answered, 300 resumes mailed, 400 business cards collected for the purposes of professional networking.

But if you think about how these brute-force employment campaigns affect the professional on the other side of the desk -- the HR recruiter, the networking contact in a powerful position -- it quickly becomes apparent that the rack-up-the-numbers networker is on the wrong track. That’s because these days employers are looking to select a very few outstanding professionals from a tidal wave of good people who just want a job.

So in the end, the quality-oriented networker, the thoughtful individual who always tries to give better than he gets, should have the advantage. Here are 10 points to keep in mind as you emphasize quality over quantity in your professional networking.

1. Quantity Is a Turnoff

If you hand out business cards like you’re dealing poker, most folks will fold. “People don’t want to do business with a card thruster,” says Shel Horowitz, a marketing consultant in Hadley, Massachusetts. In fact, speed networking probably does not yield the best return on your investment of time. “Quantity networkers are forgettable individuals,” says Benjamin Akande, dean of Webster University’s George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. “If a guy is just looking for his next consulting contract, I don’t want to know him.”

2. Don’t Work the Room

Don’t kid yourself: If you’re always on the lookout for the next professional hookup, people will take offense. “When people spend 50 percent of the time looking over my shoulder, I don’t feel warm and fuzzy,” says Sally Haver, a senior vice president at The Ayers Group, an HR consultancy in New York City.

3. Take Time to Make a Real Connection

When you and a new acquaintance seem attuned, take time to explore how you might help each other out. “A lot of people figure that coming back from a networking opportunity with just one contact makes it a failure,” Horowitz says. “But my hour with one good contact makes it a success.”

4. Make Your Case for Building a Relationship
Recognize that if you’re between jobs, you probably have more discretionary time than most of your valuable networking contacts do. “People are overrun with requests,” Haver says. “Unless there’s a compelling reason for someone to meet with you, they won’t make the time.” So work hard to make yourself useful.

5. Exchange Stories
Don’t forget that you are more than the professional objective at the top of your resume. “Networking is about telling your story, describing your human competitive advantage -- what you do that nobody else can do,” Akande says. And ask a new contact to tell you her story. “At the start of a professional relationship, I ask questions to get unique pieces of information about the person,” Haver says.

6. Respond to Others’ Challenges

There’s no better way to establish a business networking relationship than to contribute to the solution of your new contact’s pressing problem. “If someone states a challenge that they’re facing, respond -- no later than the next morning -- with something of value that addresses their issue,” says John Felkins, president of Accelerant Consulting Group , an organizational development consultancy in Bartlett, Tennessee.

7. Set Yourself Up for the Next Contact

If you intuit that a new contact will have lasting value, start building a bridge to your next exchange before you say your first good-bye. “I ask people what they’re working on right now, which gives me a segue to another contact,” says Akande. “I make notes so that the next time I can say, ‘You mentioned in our last conversation…’”

8. Make Yourself Useful, Again and Again
“If you consistently position yourself as a resource to others -- fellow college alums, former colleagues -- it will make you more valuable to your contacts, and, in turn, their contacts, as time goes by,” says Amanda Guisbond, an account executive in the Boston office of PR agency Shift Communications.

9. Don’t Forget Social Media
Social media are powerful tools for professional networking when used judiciously. But spam is distasteful no matter what the social medium du jour. So be selective, and use virtual contacts to supplement, not supplant, face-to-face meetings. As Horowitz puts it: “Social networking is deeply reinforced by an in-person connection.”

10. Mind These Three Watchwords for Quality

Looking for a slogan to sum up quality networking? Try Haver’s: Selectivity, discretion, mindfulness.

Why Women Need a Sponsor for Career Development

By Margot Carmichael Lester, Monster Contributing Writer

Think you’re all set because you get great career guidance from a mentor? Think again. A Catalyst survey found that women who have mentors are less likely to be promoted than women with sponsors. That’s because sponsors help you identify and take advantage of career opportunities.

After reviewing several data sets and interviewing high-potential men and women, researchers found that men are more likely to have sponsors -- mentors who advise and advocate, using their sway to help protégés land high-level assignments and positions. Because women typically don’t have mentors, they don’t advance as far or as fast.

“Everyone’s heard of the importance of having a mentor who gives advice and how to develop, but a sponsor helps you get ahead,” says Christine Silva, director of research at Catalyst and the study’s co-author. “He or she is someone who’s senior in your organization who will advocate on your behalf for development and promotion opportunities.”

Strategic Partnership

Sponsorship is more strategic, less developmental than mentoring, according to Steve Langerud, director of professional opportunities at DePauw University. “The role of sponsor is to ask what you can do for an employer, not what can be done to develop you as a person and/or professional,” he says. “The focus is on creating, demonstrating and leveraging work product that can be used to position you for advancement either internally or externally.”

By helping you find projects or job openings that will help you advance, sponsors take a more active role in your career development. They advocate for you, assist you in gaining visibility in your company and industry, and fight to help you rise through the ranks.

“My sponsor kept her ear to the ground for better job openings, and she really pushed my [participation] in education and volunteer activities that both directly and indirectly benefited me professionally,” says Carolyn Evans, a PR professional in Chapin, South Carolina. “When my professional growth at my first job had peaked, she suggested I volunteer for a nonprofit, knowing they would be adding positions in the new year. I ended up landing a job with that organization, which led to my next job, too.”

Business Intelligence
So how do you identify a professional who can help get you to where you want to go? Look for a senior-level person who has “the power and position to open doors for you,” Silva says. This person can be in your company, an influential member in your field or industry, or even a professor.

Los Angeles-based Ingrid Vanderveldt found her first sponsor, George Kozmetsky, while getting her MBA at the University of Texas in Austin. Kozmetsky was the school’s dean and well-connected in the technology world as the former CEO of Teledyne. (In fact, he mentored Michael Dell). With an interest in technology, Vanderveldt sought him out. “He taught me the ropes,” says Vanderveldt, managing partner of Ingrid Vanderveldt LLC, a parent company for several entrepreneurial ventures. “And he introduced me to Admiral [Bobby Ray] Inman and convinced him to invest the first $50,000 I ever raised. Those two made my deal go.”

Joint Venture

Once you’ve identified a sponsor, you then have to show him why it’s worth his while to go to bat for you.

“You need to be excellent at your job and have the necessary skills and experience under your belt,” Silva says. This is why you may still want a mentor to provide the business coaching you need to build the correct competencies.

Some ways to get noticed include:

• Asking your mentor to introduce you to key decision makers.
• Joining professional networks.
• Expressing interest in mentoring and leadership development programs.
• Requesting to be put on high-profile projects or high-visibility teams.
• Using your existing network to get introductions to top-level people.
• Attending industry and corporate events that draw high-level influencers.
• Volunteering for charitable or community activities that provide an opportunity to work alongside potential sponsors.

When you find the right person, ask for a meeting. “Take 30 minutes or take them to lunch and tell them you really admire their work and vision,” Evans suggests. “Then ask if they would be willing to work with you on your career growth.” And if they decline? Don’t take it personally. Ask for advice as well as suggestions for other potential sponsors. Also ask to keep the person in your professional network.

Once you’ve got a sponsor, remember it’s a two-way street. “Know how you can act in service to them,” Vanderveldt says. “And if you don’t know, ask.”

Of course, the best payoff for your sponsor is to see you achieve your goals. “Sure, sponsors know of great jobs that pay a ton or projects that will get you noticed,” Evans says. “But they’re more than a personal job-posting board. They want you to succeed.”

Making Sure Your Next Job Is the Best Fit

Six Questions All Job Seekers Should Ask

By Caroline M.L. Potter

Researching a company can tell you only so much about how your experience would be if you made the transition from candidate to employee. But there are things you can do during the interview process that will help you determine if the opportunity is truly right for you.

Career expert Deborah Brown-Volkman discusses six questions all job seekers should ask themselves when pursuing a position.

 

1. Who's the Boss?

If you're in contention for a job, you'll meet your future supervisor at some point. Pay close attention to how well you get along with this individual, as he will hold the key to your success -- and happiness -- in that position. Says Brown-Volkman, "If you notice on the interview that your boss does not get you or you do not get him or her, this will not change once you start working there."

 

2. Do You Click or Clash with Future Coworkers?

Some people hate their jobs but love their colleagues so much that it overrides any unhappiness they have about their daily duties. However, just as these folks can make your work life great, they can also make it miserable. Ask to meet your potential teammates before accepting an offer. Brown-Volkman says, "If you sense there is a problem with someone you will be working with, listen to what your inner voice is telling you." First impressions are often correct impressions when it comes to future coworkers.

 

3. Who Are You Trying to Convince?

"Wanting to be selected by an employer sometimes makes us talk ourselves into a situation we might not have taken if we were thinking more clearly," says Brown-Volkman. But as much as employers are trying to determine if you're a fit, you should be trying to determine if the organization is a fit for you. Forget your ego, and focus on why, and how much, you really want any job.

 

4. What Matters Most to You?

Just like people, every company is different. What is permissible at one may be verboten at another. Before you get too deep into the interview process, understand your priorities. Do you require flexibility with your hours? The opportunity to work autonomously? The ability to telecommute from time to time? Know it and own it during a company courtship. "Deciding what you want ahead of time will give you the opportunity to ask questions to assess whether you really want the job," she states.

 

5. Is This Job Just Right, or Right Just for Now?

Your personal finances may dictate that you have to accept something less than your dream job. "I work with many clients who agreed to less-than-perfect positions believing they would stay for just one year," Brown-Volkman says. "But that one year frequently became two, and then more, even though the jobs were not satisfying." If you're taking a job just for now, plan your exit strategy. "An interim position is just that," she says. "Don't sell out for the long haul."

 

6. Who Are You Fooling?

Don't put on airs or make promises you can't keep when going after a job. Ultimately, you and your career will pay the price. "You may fool the people with whom you interview to get the job, but you will only be fooling yourself once you get there and you have to be someone else," Brown-Volkman says.

Old School Networking Still Lands People the Most Jobs

How did you get the job that you have now? Did a friend put in a good word for you? Or a friend of a friend of a friend? Or did you just call up the organization and see if they were interested in meeting with you?

Although a huge percentage of people find themselves using internet job boards, old-fashioned networking remains the dominant way people find new jobs, according to a study by Right Management. Their research showed that person-to-person networking trumps other job-seeking tactics.

Right Management, a wing of Manpower Group, based their research on data from 60,000 people it provided career transition services over the past three years. They found that traditional networking was the source of new career opportunities for 41% of job candidates last year, while Internet job boards accounted for 25% of new positions landed.

In addition, the research showed that eight percent still found a direct approach effective. Maybe this means calling up a firm and asking for an interview or showing up smilingly at the front door. While there is a dominant rhetoric that dismisses these bold maneuvers, the study suggest that there is still a time and a place for an element of surprise.

“The job search is changing and some approaches are losing ground to others, but classic, systematic networking continues to be most effective way to find suitable employment,” said Carly McVey, Right Management’s Vice President of Career Management. “Certainly technology plays a growing role. But online social networking may not always be separate from traditional networking since one so often leads to the other. A job seeker uses the Internet to track down former associates or acquaintances and then reaches out to them in person. And, just like a cold call, the Internet is a way to make an initial contact with a prospective employer.”

Written by Marie Larsen
Marie is a writer for Recruiter.com covering career advice, recruitment topics, and HR issues. She has an educational background in languages and literature as well as corporate experience in Human Resources.

Diagnosing the Symptoms of an Ineffective Job Search Plan

There is no question: searching for a job can be a frustrating and discouraging affair. But a lack of available jobs and increased competition may not always be the cause of a failed job search. A lack of progress here may indicate a need to rethink your approach. In fact, there are several suggestive signs that your search methods may need a drastic overhaul.

Scenario 1 – You are snagging interviews by receiving no offers:

A lack of job offers after multiple interviews is often a telltale sign of ineffective or out-of-date interviewing techniques. Identifying your weaknesses in this regard is a necessary step in improving upon them. The best approach in determining problem areas is to practice interview questions with a friend or by participating in mock sessions at a career center or with a job coach.

Scenario 2 – You’re ambitions are out reach your experience:

While setting high goals is necessary in improving yourself planning your career, the goals must also remain realistic. Lacking the appropriate qualifications for the jobs to which you are applying can be a big time waster and demoralizer. Before applying for that dream job, build the experience necessary to perform the job at a high level.

Scenario 3 – You focus too much on job descriptions as opposed to companies:

Don’t simply search for jobs based on their function, but research companies to find the ones where you want to work. Finding those specific firms of particular interest creates the conditions for a more focused job search.

Scenario 4 – You are discouraged and hopeless:

While job searches are rarely enjoyable, finding yourself more depressed with each failed search is a primary indicator that your approach needs to change. A great way to increase your morale and gain energy and motivation is to volunteer at organizations related to your specialty. This not only increases your visibility but helps build skills that may lead to a job or even reveal interests that you never knew you had.

Scenario 5 – Your professional network is bearing little fruit:

Even if your contacts are currently contributing little to your job search, that doesn’t mean they can’t be useful. This symptom may simply be a sign to reassess your network to find those specific contacts that best match your industry and job preferences. This could include spending time pursuing contacts with industry experts and local insiders who may have information and access to knowledge conducive to your hunt.

Scenario 6 – You are prepared to accept any job offered to you:

While job searches can often lead to desperation, making this public knowledge only hurts your prospects. Focus on narrowing your job search criteria and seeking assistance from a career counselor or job coach with these requirements. The more specific you are about in regards to job and industry preferences, the better assistance can be offered in finding your job match.

Joshua Bjerke, from Savannah, Georgia, focuses on articles involving the labor force, economy, and HR topics including new technology and workplace news. Joshua has a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in International Studies and is currently pursuing his M.A. in International Security.

Does your job have you on emotional life support?

Considering the rocky state of the economy right now, you may count yourself lucky just to have a job, never mind giving a second thought to how happy you are there. However, don't be so quick to dismiss your feelings about your job; companies know that happier employees are more innovative and loyal. If your job meets your emotional needs, you're a much bigger asset to the company than you may have thought.

Mark Ingwer, business psychologist and author of "Empathetic Marketing," identifies five core emotional needs that every company and employee should know about in order to be more successful and motivated. Check your professional pulse with these five emotional needs, and find out if you're thriving in your work environment or if you belong on life support.

Belonging
A sense of belonging is indispensable if your company encourages innovation and creativity. Being comfortable around your co-workers and boss establishes an open environment that will be more receptive when you pitch new ideas. "Businesses that cater to and help us meet the need to belong will uncover previously unexplored opportunities," Ingwer says. Are your co-workers a little standoffish? Talk to your boss about ideas that can bring the group together. An office book chat or a community volunteering day can open up your co-workers and get people talking.

Control
Are you being handed more responsibilities and projects to head as time goes on? Being given more control is a clear sign of how your company measures your worth and is an easy way for you to gauge your place there. Asking for more responsibility or taking the lead on a project also shows how confident you are at your workplace. Ingwer notes, "We only spend energy on controlling outcomes proportional to our belief that we can succeed." If you've been avoiding your to-do list or have shied away from speaking up, now's the time to start taking more control of your career and of your place at your company.

Growth
How challenged do you feel at your job? Being able to grow in a job or company is a major factor in the evolution of your career. "It's important to note that we grow most fully when our enlightenment leads to competency, which is extraordinary knowledge in a given area or subject. In one's career, those who learn more about their niche will get ahead of those who do not," Ingwer says. Look for opportunities to expand your knowledge about your industry, and continue to challenge yourself. When you reach a point where every day seems like a repeat, see if there's a chance to move up. Make an appointment to speak with your manager about taking on more responsibilities, and ask if your position can grow to include more leadership possibilities or if there's a higher opening within the company for which you can be considered. If the conversation is a dead end, it may be time to consider looking for a more challenging position elsewhere.

Recognition
Are you getting the credit you deserve? Do your co-workers and boss know that you were the one who submitted that great idea? Ingwer notes, "Recognition is paramount any time the need to motivate groups, and individuals within groups, is central to accomplishing organizational goals." If others are looking to you as a leader and professional role model, your reputation is working in your favor for advancing your career. Still going unnoticed for your hard work? Start getting more involved both in public and private ways at work. Speak up more at group meetings, email others your ideas and ask for input, and stay on track with your projects to start getting noticed.

Self-expression
If you're fortunate enough to work in a field you care about, you're already experiencing positive self-expression. "For many people, the most satisfying vehicle for expression is often the work of one's career," Ingwer says. But if you're in a job you couldn't care less about, your need for self-expression may leave you wanting more. Look for ways to get your interests involved at work. Love messing around with computers? Ask for technology training. Passionate about sports and fitness? Start a company kickball team or organize a company entry in the next marathon. Your self-expression and initiative will make you a stronger figure in the company and get you noticed for the right reasons.

Susan Ricker is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

10 Things to Never Put on Your Resume

For job seekers, the resume may be the most important document they need. After all, what's on that simple piece of paper can mean the difference between landing an interview and landing in the circular file.

While most job seekers concentrate on what they should include on their resume, few pay attention to what they shouldn't include. This article explores 10 things you should never put on your resume.

A crazy objective

So you want to be the next Bill Gates. Terrific! And you may even have the chops to make it happen. But please don't put it in your objective statement. Outlandish, overconfident, or "out there" objective statements almost always ensure that the rest of your resume isn't read.

Read More ....

What Employers Want from the Long-Term Unemployed

Even though this was posted a few months ago, the content is still very relevant with to our  
unemployment rates for July.  Enjoy .....

We often hear from job seekers: "If I have the necessary skills and experience, why am I not hearing back from more companies?"

It's a fair question, especially for the more than five million workers who've been unemployed for six months or longer (more than 40 percent of all unemployed job seekers). Struggling to get a foot in the door doesn't mean this group is unqualified or lacks what it takes to do the job. With hundreds of applications submitted for a single open position, it's indicative of a fiercely competitive labor market.

So how does someone who's among the long-term unemployed stand out? Will employers even look past their employment gap — the time that's elapsed since their last day on the job?

New research from CareerBuilder found that 85 percent of hiring managers and human resource managers are more understanding of employment gaps now than they were pre-recession. While that's refreshing news, it comes with an important caveat: This group still needs to go another step to draw attention to their resumes.

Companies are still looking carefully at how unemployed job seekers have spent their time. There's a notion is that if you've been out of work for an extended period of time, you begin to lose an edge on previously acquired skills. Whether or not you buy into the concept of skills erosion, it's safe to assume that hiring managers are more likely to look past employment gaps for applicants who've stayed active in the interim. So what do hiring managers recommend?

In the same survey, 61 percent said taking a class or going back to school is a great start. This can be as simple as taking a certification course (e.g., IT workers), attending professional seminars, or enrolling in community college courses. If the subject matter expands your skill set or can be applied in the next job, that's information that should be featured prominently on your resume or in your cover letter.

Sixty percent of hiring managers said volunteering increases the candidate's marketability. Volunteerism is a testament to a person's character and work ethic. However, many job seekers are not doing the best job of promoting that experience on their resumes and cover letters. It can't be an isolated bullet point buried on the page. Job seekers should choose volunteer work that can be woven organically into their existing professional narratives — and then be ready to sell it no differently than the rest of their work history. Ask yourself: What skills did I learn or hone? Can I quantify my impact or speak to how my efforts contributed to the organizations' successes?

Seventy-nine percent said taking a temporary or contract assignment is advisable. Temp or contract work is not just for entry-level workers and young professionals. Opportunities are available across job types, experience levels, and salary ranges. If becoming a permanent freelancer isn't in your plans, note that about one in four employers plan to transition some temporary workers into full-time, permanent employees in quarter two of 2012.

Fewer employers felt that the ambitious task of starting your own business (28 percent) or writing a professional blog (11 percent) were good ways to improve your marketability, but if those activities showcase your potential value, they certainly can't hurt.

Say a job seeker has done all this and still isn't faring any better? There are two job search tactics that are vastly underutilized, according to our research and conversations with employers: follow-through and presenting customized ideas to your prospective employer.

Two-thirds of workers don't follow up with the employer after submitting their resume for consideration. If the hiring manager provides contact information, sending an email a week or two after submission can prompt a closer look (or maybe even a second look) at your resume. And when the interview opportunity arrives, it's best not to focus solely on the past. Employers want candidates who have researched their company rigorously, and have prepared concrete ideas for what they'll bring to the role.

A competitive labor market requires a dynamic job search. Regardless of how unemployed job seekers spend their time, the common denominator is to continue your professional development and show potential employers how you can help them.
This post is part of the special series The New Rules for Getting a Job.

More blog posts by Brent Rasmussen

12 Reasons Why You Need an Interview Coach

Interview coaches are increasingly becoming an important part of the job search process. Yet many job seekers still fail to realise the value of investing in one. They often look to their recruiters to provide them with impartial advice on how best to improve their CV/resume or interview technique.
Whilst many recruiters take this part of their role seriously, not all of them do. Within the context of the current global economic downturn and a job market flooded with candidates, it is important that as a job seeker, you leave as little to chance as possible and do everything in your power to set yourself apart from the crowd.

An interview coach can spend one on one time with you to understand your experience, strengths and weaknesses and then coach you on how to draw these things out during an interview. They can also provide you with basic and advanced interview preparation techniques and equip you to deal with tough questions.

A good interview coach should not give you run of the mill answers. Instead they should spend time getting to understand you and help you tweak your existing technique.
Here are 12 reasons why an interview coach is an important part of improving your prospects during a job search.

1.) You have been gainfully employed for a long time and so have had no need to interview for a new role. However, you have recently been made redundant and have no idea about how well you could perform in an interview.

2.) You keep coming out of interviews thinking that they went very well, only for you to be rejected time and time again. To make matters worse, your recruiter is not giving you detailed feedback and you are not clear on where you may be going wrong.

3.) Your interviews never last beyond 30 minutes and/or you never get to meet all of the interviewers you are scheduled to meet. It seems like your interviewers are suddenly dragged into emergency meetings that they cannot get out of to interview you.

5.) You are a new graduate and are entering the work force for the first time. The market is touch and you want to ensure that you make the most out of the few opportunities that open up to you.

6.) You want to switch industries or job functions but no one is giving you a chance to interview and on the rare occasion when you are interviewed, you get rejected for lack of relevant experience

7.) You want to relocate and have never historically struggled with interviews but things haven’t quite clicked this time. There may be nuances in business etiquette that you may not be aware of that a good interview coach could help with

8.) Speaking in front of people or a person overwhelms you, you sweat profusely, and become incoherent. An interview coach can provide valuable constructive feedback to help boost your confidence and give you the opportunity to practice in an encouraging environment.

9.) You are unsure about how best to explain long gaps on your CV or less than stellar academic results.

10.) You consistently make it through to the final stage of interview only to lose out to another candidate, even though everyone said you were the ideal candidate for the job and as far as they were concerned, you were highly likely to secure the offer

11.) You are seeking a move to a new company as a team. An interview coach will help you structure your pitch/presentation and help develop a strategy that allows all team members to shine

12.) You just want to know that you have done everything in your power to maximise your chances for a new job.

Written by: Ada Offonry

For the 1st Time Ever, a Majority of the Unemployed Have Attended College

Everybody is looking for the next big "bubble". Maybe it's bonds. Or tech stocks. Or ... college? With tuition soaring and job prospects not, a growing chorus thinks higher education might just be too big not to fail. The calculus is simple. If college costs keep rising, but job prospects don't improve, eventually higher education won't be worth it. Pop goes the campus bubble -- or so the story goes.

That brings us to one of the more inauspicious recent headlines. For the first time ever, the majority of the unemployed have attended some college. Does this mark some kind of inflection point? Is it time to ditch the classroom for the office? Not exactly.

First, the gory details. The chart below from Business Insider shows the twenty-year educational trend among the jobless. (Remember: This shows what percentage of the jobless have ever set foot on a college campus -- or not. It doesn't show what percentage of high school grads or college enrollees are out of work).

This is not as bad as it looks, and it doesn't mean what you might think. Here are the three numbers that tell us why: 7.9, 7.6 and 4.0. Those are the unemployment rates among people 25 and older for high school grads, for college dropouts, and for college graduates -- all courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The chart above isn't a story about a college degree no longer paying off. The chart above is a story about more people going to college, but not nearly as many more people finishing college. As my colleague Jordan Weissmann recently pointed out, only 56 percent of those who start on a bachelor's degree finish within six years. Only 29 percent of those who start on a associate's degree finish within three years. And consider that this is happening while college enrollment is at an all-time high. Too many students are getting the worst of both worlds: debt without a degree. Their finances get worse, but their job prospects don't get much better. That's how we get a world where most of the unemployed have attended at least some college.

But there's something of a chicken-and-egg problem here. More students would finish school if they could afford it. That's certainly not the only reason our college dropout rate is so high, but it's certainly one of the reasons.

In other words, the high cost of college is disguising the payoff of college. There still aren't many better long-term investments than a college degree. Graduates have lower unemployment. They earn more. And the gap between what college and high school graduates make is only growing. But you know what they say about the long-run. It can be awfully hard to get there when the short-run costs are so high. That's why reining in college tuition is so critical. It will both help young graduates struggling with the terrible economy, but also help more people become young graduates.

Of course, it's not obvious how we can do this. If we knew, we'd be doing it. But it's worth remembering: That's how you win the future.

Written by: Matthew O'Brien - Matthew O'Brien is an associate editor at The Atlantic covering business and economics. He has previously written for The New Republic.