Deficit of Jobs & Surplus of Job Seekers

In the midst of everyday news, it was announced that 240,000 jobs were lost during the month of October alone. So far, for the year of 2009, this nation has lost 1,179,000 jobs by the end of October and more companies have announced thousands of layoffs before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. People have begun to worry and discuss new and unprecedented policy changes within departments of all types of companies, who may be changing policies to find reasons to lay off hard working employees. Yet, bonuses and performance payments for managers, high level executives and CEOs remain in place and in the thousands and millions of dollar ranges.

A large number of kitchen table discussions and personal conversations with friends, families and managers lead many people to see that the outlook of what will happen next may becoming more and more dire. People are unclear as to why unemployment benefits are only for 6 months and may be extended for only 3 months, when companies are clearly not hiring or processing layoffs as we speak. The public assistance programs for utility bill assistance, mortgage or rental assistance, health insurance and food stamps have forced middle class and working class families to seek qualification help for them and their families. I am glad to see that governors and journalists have decided to participate in trying to feed themselves and their families, according to the food stamp program, by living on $3.00 a day or $40.00 a week for an entire family. It depends on the state.

As college students, we are currently or will be looking to be employed as we exit the college arena into the workforce. We may have already or will find it difficult to find employment with so many companies laying off personnel or closing their doors. College students started to feel this squeeze in 2003 and it has gotten worse each year. College graduates are having problems getting employment. I have spoken with friends, strangers and family that know at least one person who is having a problem finding a job.

For graduating college students, you may find it difficult to find employment, when competing with millions of those already unemployed or those who may be unemployed by the time you graduate. Many college students in their late 20s and early 30s have had to return home because of the state of the job market. I am sure it will rebound eventually. However, as of today, you have millions of people competing for thousands of temporary and permanent jobs.

It is not as easy as graduating high school or graduating college students once experienced; in 6 months of graduation, you could find a decent and good paying job. Times are hard now. When the post office is considering laying off employees, you know that economic times are hard. Be ready and prepared.