Employment is on an upward trend, according to the November employment data released by the U.S. Department of Labor. Total employment increased to 138.6 million in November, up slightly from 138 million in October. Novemberís unemployment rate of 5.9 percent is slightly better than Octoberís rate of 6.0 percent.
We see the up tick in employment as a sign that the improved economy is starting to have an impact on the job market, says Tony Lee, editor in chief of The Wall Street Journalís CareerJournal.com. However, there are still a lot of people out there who have been job hunting for a year or more.
In November, 2.0 million unemployed persons had been looking for work for 27 weeks or longer, about the same level as in October.
There are still nearly half a million discouraged workers who have stopped looking for jobs not included in the unemployment figures from the Department of Labor, notes Lee. They have become so demoralized by searches that stretch on for months, disappointing offers or outright rejections that they have left the job market altogether.
To restart your job search, CareerJournal.com advises that job seekers think more creatively about how they approach the job market and to be more resourceful and resilient.
To restart the job search, CareerJournal.com suggests you:
Create a breakout strategy - people give up because they keep doing the same thing in the same way, with same discouraging result
Revisit the basics to see what isnít working for you - revise your resume and rethink your career goals and targets
Widen your search parameters to include other positions - think about how to use your skills in different ways
Explore a career change - research the job market to see what areas best fit your talents and needs and where you might be able to use your skills
Donít become isolated - find or create a community that will support you in achieving your job search goals.
For more job-hunting guidance and advice, visit
CareerJournal.com sees light at the end of the unemployment tunnel
.