The Ups and Downs of Unemployment

Unemployment is up or down depending on your point of view

The number of initial unemployment claims edged up last week, but the number of ongoing claims fell for the first time since January. According to newly released Labor Department data, 608,000 initial unemployment claims were filed in the week ending June 13, up 3,000 from the 605,000 filed the previous week. Continuing claims for the week ending June 6 (the most recent data available) totaled 6,687,500, down 148,000 from the 6,835,500 claims filed the week before.

Statistics don't really matter when you're a statistic

Every week there's something new to learn about unemployment statistics. Those big numbers are impressive, but it's difficult (not to mention boring) to decide whether the unemployment situation is getting better or worse. When you're out there looking for a job, it’s paychecks and not statistics that really matter. (You knew it was coming to this: The sooner you start getting paychecks again, the sooner you can apply online for extra cash and loans until payday.)

The internet is not a magical place where jobs come from

It's tempting to think of the internet as a virtual shopping mall for jobs. People do find jobs using online resources, but the internet should be just one part of your job-search strategy. Be sure to use traditional job-hunting tools, too, such as networking, cold calling, career fairs, local newspaper want ads, and college placement offices.

If you want to find a job in the real world

Make lists of your strengths, weaknesses, and career interests

What are you good at and what do you like to do? What are your downfalls and why? Given your education and experience, if you could have any job what would it be? These lists don't need to be long, but they do need to be honest. They're not for prospective employers; they're to help you get organized and focused. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "The Ups and Downs of Unemployment"