Author Archives: Jason Van Steenwyk
ObamaCare: Job-Killer?
When Congressional Democrats were selling the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – “ObamaCare,” in 2010, they ballyhooed it as a great job creator. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D – CA), then the Speaker of the House, even as she was … Continue reading
Looking for Work When You Have Small Children
Unemployment and job searching are hard enough. Adding small children to the mix makes things even more stressful. But the problem is getting increasingly common. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the number of children with an unemployed parent doubled … Continue reading
Job Hunting for Older Workers
A lot gets written about how much harder it is to find gainful employment once you’ve got some gray hairs. And it’s true – it’s probably tougher to get work through the want ads when you’re over age 50 or … Continue reading
47% Of Employers Check Applicant Credit Reports – Here’s What You Can Do
Rightly or wrongly, your credit history is becoming an increasingly important factor in your life. It’s not just about applying for credit anymore; now even your car insurance company may be looking at your credit report when underwriting your application. … Continue reading
Part 2: America’s Unique Value Proposition: Freedom
Things are tough in America, these days. There’s no doubt about it. The American work force is struggling to adapt to a changing global economy. The competition from foreign workers – especially in manufacturing – is growing increasingly intense. And … Continue reading
Part 1: It’s 2012. Do You Know Where Your Job Is?
If you’re out of work, and you usually worked in a company tied to the manufacturing industry or related to customer service and call centers, chances are good your job was permanently exported abroad – to Asia to be specific. … Continue reading
Under the Gun: Avoiding Joining the Ranks of the Chronically Unemployed
Not too long ago, unemployment was a temporary inconvenience – a short-to-medium-term waystation between career adventures. When times were good, you could even congratulate people on their recent layoff. You had every reason to suspect that the next opportunity would … Continue reading
Long Term Unemployment and Resume Gaps
The good news for job seekers is that the unemployment rate – at least as published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, is gradually trending down. According to the January 2012 Employment Situation Report, the official … Continue reading
IT Trends – Where the Jobs Are in 2012
The information technology sector is no stranger to rapid change. The immediate obsolescence of my high school advanced placement Pascal programming class taught me that right out of the gate, and that was over 25 years ago. The pace of … Continue reading
Job Hunting During the Holidays
Job hunting during the holidays is tough. First of all, if you’re out of work, you already know the pressure’s on. Christmas is a psychologically tough holiday to endure when you’re out of work. Meanwhile, once you get past the … Continue reading
How to Get Referrals – A Guide for Job Hunters: Part II
In our previous article, we examined the importance of expanding your own network of contacts through the use of referrals. We also went through the first five of ten steps for successful referral prospecting. To recap, the first five steps … Continue reading
How to Get Referrals: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Job Seeker
Chances are good that your next job isn’t going to come via a classified ad. Few people hire unknown quantities. Your next job, most likely, is going to come, directly or indirectly, via someone you know. If it’s direct, that’s … Continue reading
Between Jobs? Get Back In Shape!
A few years ago, some wag wrote a fake news story with the headline “Unemployment Among Hot Young Women Hovering Around Zero.” It was funny because it’s true. The fact is that if you’ve put on a few pounds from … Continue reading
Education Must Become More Sensitive to Employer Demand
During the American Revolutionary War, John Adams, America’s 2nd president, wrote in a letter to his wife: I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics … Continue reading
Being Like Ike: How To Make an Ally Out of the Receptionist
When Jana Eggers, the Ironman-competing CEO of Spreadshirt, interviews a potential new hire, she looks for a solid history of accomplishment and a passion for what you do. But in the process of making her assessment, she also consults one … Continue reading
UNEMPLOYED! Should I Cash Out My 401k?
Unemployment is a scary thing in this tight job market. It’s tempting to look at that 401k plan you amassed over the years at your last employer as nice cash cushion while you get back on your feet and figure … Continue reading
Reaching the Boss: A Lesson from Fly-Fishermen
Years ago, you could lick a stamp and send a resume, and you had a reasonable chance that someone in a position to at least get you in the short pile of resumes to be reviewed would actually look at … Continue reading
Google+: What’s In It for the Job Seeker?
We’re all about new ways to connect. And the more ways you have to get feelers out there, the better. If you’re living under a rock and you don’t know about Google+, here it is in a nutshell: Google+ is … Continue reading
Leaving the Military: What Do I Need To Do?
If you are about to ETS from an active duty military assignment and transition to the civilian workforce, first of all, thank you for your service to our country. Here are some things you have going for you: • Employers … Continue reading
How Can I Turn an Interview into a Job Offer?
In today’s tight employment market, it’s easy to get so focused on securing the next job that you lose sight of the big picture. But an employee/employer relationship is a two-way street. The employer does not want to have to … Continue reading
Seven Mistakes People Make at Networking Events
Between Caller ID, zealous gatekeepers, no soliciting signs enforced by security guards, and increasing resistance to direct mail and email approaches, the business networking even is one of the last ways a job-seeker, salesman or entrepreneur can reliably reach good … Continue reading
What to Do the Day you Lose Your Job
It’s never a good feeling to be let go, whether it’s for cause or not. But by keeping your head and taking ownership of your situation from the very first moments of joblessness, you can help maintain your support network. … Continue reading
Four Tax Tips for the Recently Unemployed
Sudden unemployment can come as a shock. But it’s important to get organized right away. If you are accustomed to working for someone else, for example, you have to make a huge mental adjustment: You are now in business for … Continue reading
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