Trapped in long-term unemployment

Figures released both in the UK and the US show that long-term unemployment is on the rise.

In the US, the NY Times reports that nearly half of the total unemployed have been out of work for more than six months, while in the UK, HR Magazine reports that around one third of the unemployed have been out of work for more than a year – particularly true of the over-50s, where the percentage is just over 40%.

Long-term unemployment can create its own set of obstacles to finding work. Apart from a loss of self-esteem, not being “in the swing of things” can mean job skills, contacts and experience can quickly become outdated. Here are some ideas for getting out of the trap.

Keep your skills fresh
Make an inventory of your work skills – both job-specific and transferable – then ask yourself which are in danger of becoming rusty through lack of use.

If the roles you’re going for require an up-to-date knowledge and application of certain skills, you’ll need to find any opportunity you can to make sure you can meet these requirements. Search out subsidised / free training schemes, free tutorials or small projects that will allow you to keep your hand in.

You can also extend your existing skills (build on what you currently know to bring greater value to an employer) or consider how you could transfer them to a new sector. (See Adapt to Survive for examples.)

Know which way the wind is blowing
Two employment trends will have a significant impact on where to find opportunities:

- only a third of employment growth has been in full-time positions.
- with cuts in the public sector, most opportunities will be in the private sector

Other research, also from HR Magazine reveals the findings of a survey of small and medium-size companies. 30% are planning on employing new staff in the next six months, but only 5% of these will be graduates.

More job search strategies for tough times can be found here.

Be prepared for continuing shifts in the job market
A full-time, permanent job may not be the model of the future. Rather, a collection of temporary or part-time roles that you work concurrently could be a more likely scenario.

To gain an edge over other applicants, offer a prospective employer terms that are favourable and low-risk to them. Flexi, or reduced hours, project-based or consultancy type arrangements, try-before-you-buy options could all be interesting ways to tempt reluctant employers.

Photo credit: _sarchi