Obama Proposes Making Tuition Easier for Unemployed

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At the beginning of his term, President Barack Obama asked for everyone in the U.S. to commit to a year of higher education; now he is trying to make that easier to do even in a tough economy.

Obama encouraged the states to adjust their unemployment insurance programs to allow people to continue drawing benefits while going back to school.

"The idea here is to fundamentally change our approach to unemployment in this country, so that it's no longer just a time to look for a new job, but is also a time to prepare yourself for a better job," Obama said in a speech not long after the government reported that unemployment had reached 8.9 percent, the highest level since late 1983.

"That's what our unemployment system should be - not just a safety net, but a stepping stone to a new future. It should offer folks educational opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have," said the president.

Another approach the administration is taking to encourage people to go to school is an increase in the maximum amount for Pell Grants for education, and also encouraging institutions to take into account a grant applicant's current financial situation when determining eligibility rather than only relying on their past year's income.

 

We've said it a million times. Social marketing/networking is such a powerful tool when it comes to finding a job. This week alone we have heard three different success stories about Twitter landing someone a job. These amazing stories come in a time when people can't even get jobs by following the protocol. This truly shows that times are changing. People want to connect with somebody, including employers, and employers want to know who they are hiring, not just a list of qualities.
Twitter is interactive software that is designed to keep a network of people up-to-date on what each other are doing. You are given a short amount of space to briefly write an update on your "status"...somewhat similar to Facebook. However, rather than just sending updates to all of your friends, who may have nothing in common with each other, you can target individuals with similar mindsets and/or goals. Can you see the benefit? Massive online communities being formed, as we speak, based on mutual interests.
This is where it gets interesting. If you are in the market for a job, you can create a Twitter profile for yourself, and being posting "tweets", or updates, to strategic contacts in the line of work you are interested in. Writing a simple tweet such as, "Looking for an entry level SEO job. Is anyone hiring?", can stimulate a series of responses, especially when you've already "followed" (added someone as a friend) multiple people in the SEO field or with SEO interests. What's the catch? The catch is...in order to be effective, you must follow a set of rules.
Your profile should reflect your personality (remember, you're not just a number), but it should also remain professional. Racy or controversial pictures should not be posted as your Twitter background or profile picture. You should also "tweet" about quality content. No one wants to know if you had a Tuna Fish Sandwich for lunch, but they will want to know about the interesting article you found on "Twitter Tactics". Put a link up to a professional personal profile, such as LinkedIn or Naymz. But beware...you should never spam your followers. If you put up "sales" links to your business opportunities or links to your accomplishments every 5 seconds, while having only 5 followers and 6,000 people you are following, your "tweets" will be ignored or considered link spamming. Not a good trait! Your ratio of "followers" to "following" should be roughly the same.
Employers are seeking "out-of-the-box" methods to hire employees. The standard job market and job roles no longer apply. The crashing economy is proof of this. Take advantage of the changes, and empower yourself to control your life and your job. People are interested in people, not numbers. For the first time, in a long time, you have the ability to show how you can contribute to a company as a person, not a resume.
 

 The global credit crisis and flat-lining domestic economy could make this one of the most challenging times to be looking for a job in recent history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed increased by 3.6 million between December 2007 and December 2008, and the December 2008 unemployment rate hit 7.2 percent. For February 2009, the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent.
To be a successful job seeker in this climate, you have to be calm, patient and proactive -- and try any (or all) of these tips.
Pick and Choose Your Targets

When Jack Hinson was laid off in mid-2008 from his job at a large Internet content company in Austin, he prioritized his search. "It's important to put your time and energy into opportunities that you're the most interested in and that have the best chance of coming to fruition," he says. "Pick a few companies you're interested in and pursue them, whether they have current openings or not."

Concentrate on Growth Industries

Brent Berger, a Las Vegas-based scenario planning and strategy consultant, suggests focusing on growth industries and areas. "Look at energy," he says. "With oil costs where they are, the need for cheap fuel and cheap heat is ever-mounting. And any job that alleviates pain is recession-proof. Similarly, the National Guard, Border Patrol, homeland security and the defense industry in general will continue to thrive as the next stage in the war on terror continues."

Work Your Network

Hinson's new gig came from an old connection. "I'd spoken to the company's founders about a year ago and stayed in touch," he says. "Then I ran into one of them at a networking function." So flip through your Rolodex or business social media contacts and let them know you're looking.

Sell Yourself

San Francisco PR account executive Samantha Rubenstein launched a job search just as the economy began to flag. After three months, she got a great offer from Atomic PR. She attributes her success to doing more than learning about the company. "Preparation [includes] learning how to talk about yourself in a meaningful and powerful way," she says. "I created a list of potential interview questions and typed up bulleted answers to create speaking points."

Consider Freelancing

Russ Carr, a designer and writer in St. Louis, has twice had a line on a job only to see it slip away when the employer lost a key account or decided to distribute the duties among current employees. To keep some money coming in, Carr started freelancing. "I haven't stopped trying to shop myself for a full-time gig again, but freelancing certainly has kept food on the table," he says. "If you're in a field that supports it, don't think twice -- just do it."

Take a Temporary Position

If freelancing isn't practical, try temping. "Consider interim staffing to fill a temporary slot for work that needs to be done despite the economy," advises Ronald Torch, president and CEO of the Torch Group, a marketing staffing firm in Cleveland. Or temp with a company that interests you. "Many of these options pay well and can carry the burden of bill-paying until a permanent position comes along," he says.

Sweat the Small Stuff

"Don't forget the personal touches," counsels Felicia Miller, assistant director of career services at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. "Don't use a template cover letter -- make sure each letter addresses specific skills or qualities the company is looking for. And always send a thank-you note or email after the interview. Use this correspondence as an opportunity to revisit weak areas of your interview."

Stay Positive

The most important thing when searching for a job in tough economic times is to retain a positive attitude, says Carol Vecchio, founder and executive director of Centerpoint Institute for Life and Career Renewal in Seattle. "Even in a job market with 10 percent unemployment, there's 90 percent employment," she says. "There is an average of over 3 million jobs available in the US per month -- and each job seeker is looking for one. Those are pretty good odds."

Struggling to find a great job in a bad economy can be a drag, but undertaking even a few of these tips will improve your chances of landing a gig. "Remember it doesn't matter how many jobs are or aren't out there," Vecchio says. "You're just looking for one -- the right one for you."

1.  Improperly formatted name and contact information. Corporate resume processing systems cannot process or "read" resumes with improperly formatted contact information. Without contact information your resume is pretty much DOA (dead on arrival). The use of these systems continues to grow exponentially, making proper formatting even more important for job seekers.