It's the reality of the day. There is simply no denying that the current economic climate means its tough times for people looking for work. With unemployment figures rising, more and more people are competing for fewer and fewer jobs.
For the city's employment agencies, that means larger numbers of people are coming through their doors.
"It is pretty challenging out there," said Richelle Dickerson from the Woods and Associates employment agency downtown. "There are always more people than jobs, but it's widened a lot on the people side in the last six months."
Dickerson said that one indication of how serious the employment situation has become can be seen in the kinds of people who contact her agency.
"I sometimes can't believe the qualifications of some of the people who come in looking for jobs. These are experienced professionals who present themselves amazingly well. They're very desirable candidates, and they're out there looking for work, too," she said.
In such an employment climate, job seekers have to widen their search and explore every opportunity that comes there way. Dickerson recommended doing as many informational interviews as possible. She also recommend that people using employment agencies sign up with more than one agency, since different agencies specialize placements in different professions. Staying flexible is important - being open minded to different kinds of jobs increases the chances of finding a new position.
"If someone can get more training that's always good, though for many people that isn't the answer or isn't possible," she said.
Good attitude
Keeping spirits up during what might be a lengthy job search is critical, even if staying positive takes considerable effort.
"Prospective employers react to negative attitudes more quickly than positive ones, which they assume. It's important not to project discouragement during an interview and to always present that positive attitude," she said, adding that people looking for work should realize that it's not them, it's the current economic and job climate that led to their employment predicament.
"People aren't out of work because of something they've done or are not doing," she said.
From a glass-half-full perspective, it's worth pointing out that Seattle still has one of the stronger economies in the country; other places have seen a more dramatic downturn. As a result, Dickerson said there is legitimate reason for people to have a sense of optimism that we can ride the storm out until the job climate improves.
"We haven't been hit as hard as other places, and that could mean that our slump will be shorter," she said. "But it is hard seeing so many people looking for work."
As for the kinds of jobs that are available, it covers the usual range albeit with fewer opportunities. There are entry level positions, specialized positions, database jobs, budgeting jobs and positions in the health care field. Salary is an issue. Some companies are willing to train people for higher-level jobs so that they can hire them at a lower starting rate.
"Like everyone else, our business has been slower," Dickerson said. "People have to reassess what they're willing to do and expand what they feel comfortable with as far as work goes. But people are getting jobs. It isn't hopeless."
Doug Schwartz can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com or 461-1308.
[[In-content Ad]]The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will become a major employer in Queen Anne when its headquarter next to the Seattle Center is completed in a couple of years.
The foundation is already tapping some of the big names in science, but for the moment, there were 43 job openings posted on the foundation's Web site on Feb. 6. They are all high-tech or professional jobs.
Here's a sampling.
Deputy Director, HIV, Infectious Diseases Development,
Deputy Director - Global Health,
Deputy Director, Vaccine Discovery,
Senior Program Officer - Livestock,
A Research Analyst who will focus on financial services for the poor.
Quality Assurance Supervisor,
Program Officer - Soils in Agricultural Development,
Program Officer for Agriculture Finance,
A global health program coordinator who will focus on delivery,
Deputy Director Human Biololgy,
An administrative assistant in the legal department,
Senior Compensation Consultant in human resources,
Portfolio Manager, Financing and Data, Education,
