Is The Job Market Opening Up or Getting Worse??? What Do You Think?

[Anonymous]

I keep reading that the economy/job market is getting better but from a personal level I don't feel that is the case. I feel like people are working harder to be considered average in their field. My husband is also thinking things are getting worse. I keep hearing on the news that things are getting better but from a personal standpoint, I don't feel that way. Other family members are also "struggling" saying that it is harder now to move than it has been in the past. What says DCUM? All of my family members who are struggling have at least masters degrees and some have doctorates.

[Anonymous]

I feel like the workers that kept their jobs brought the recession have gotten much more efficient (they had to) so businesses are loathe to hire more people as they got used o doing more with less and now their profits are finally going up a little and they don't want to spend that $ on new emotes. The contractor i work for is hiring and has been for a couple of years but only a couple of positions and for very very specific projects and they're being extra picky since they can be. If you have higher degrees its sometimes harder since you're considered overqualified and they'd have to pay you more than a person with a BS/BA with a certain number of years of experience that can jump right in.

[Anonymous]

Emotes= employees

[Anonymous]

I see tons of postings daily for jobs (looking on idealist and such because I am trying to move to NPO work after going back to school) and have applied to about 70+ since the spring. 3 interviews, still unemployed

I get sad. I keep trying to stay positive and find new strategies and make contancts to network but its not working. I don't know what a 23 year old out of college has that I don't 10 years later but apparently its something that keeps me from getting entry level or mid level call backs very often. I'm tempted to have a cover letter that says simply "I will work like a dog for just a foot in the door of your organization."

I don't know about other job markets though.

[Anonymous]

I think the market may be "opening up" in the sense that companies are hiring, but there are still not enough jobs to dilute the pool of seekers, so there is still so much competition for these posted positions. I am looking as well, though blessed that I currently have a job, but after looking actively for about 2-3 months, I've only just gotten my first phone interview.

[Anonymous]

It seems like the legal job market is getting worse. My friends with amazing resumes are finding it hard to find something new.

[Anonymous]

I think the job market is opening up and those people who stuck with their current job even though they were unhappy are now applying - these people are probably going to look better on paper over those who have been unemployed so now those people will get the jobs before the unemployed. the good thing is that hopefully the unemployed can get THAT person's job. ... I guess what I am saying is that there are lots of people who held off so even though there are more jobs more people might be looking too

[Anonymous]

yes

[Anonymous]

I agree with 13:12---I think the market is improving but so many people are now looking to move who have been stuck in their current position for a long time. I also think that hiring processes are REALLY slow--much slower than they have been in the past. I have also seen a few cases of people who were previously let go from their former employers during the recession returning now that positions are opening up.

I also think it really depends on the field that you are in and how specialized your skills are (which can work for or against you). I work in the legal field which was hit really hard and is still recovering but I don't think it will ever be the same as it was 6-7 years ago.

I'm curious--for those who think the market is opening up, what field are you in? And for those who feel is it getting worse, what field are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious--for those who think the market is opening up, what field are you in? And for those who feel is it getting worse, what field are you in?

I said that I thought it was opening up but still competitive with many people vying for a given position, and I'm in health/policy research. DH is Big Law and recently switched firms but he also did so agreeing to wait longer than usual for a raise, so essentially a paycut (he was trying to get out of a hostile work environment). So I think what PPs have said about legal industry still being crappy is true, too.

[Anonymous]

I think there are more jobs available, but they are low balling the job offers - so, a 23 year old will work for very, very low pay but so will may older workers who really need a job.

I've had a couple of offers but they are all a big pay cut for no increased benefits elsewhere to make up for it.

I think employers realize there are more people than jobs, so they can low ball the salary offer and still find someone willing to take it even if they are really worth more.

[Anonymous]

Do you believe everything you read?

[Anonymous]

Senior IT positions , I have mid 150 jobs coming out the ass without enough applicants

[Anonymous]

My husband has been unemployed/underemployed for 4 years, and hasn't seen any increase in job postings or interviews, much less any decent offers!

[Anonymous]

Senior IT positions , I have mid 150 jobs coming out the ass without enough applicants

are those only if you already have a security clearance? What type of positions/job titles?