Labor Market Information

Reverse Engineering the

Job Search

Usual ProcessEvent: Informed of layoff

Emotion: DenialThis has to be a tragic mistake.Behavior: Relative inaction

Contact the competitionEmotion: Anger

I’ll show themBehavior: Reactive instead of proactive – not prepared for interviewsBegin looking for similar titles

Emotion: Desperation and DepressionI need a job in fill in the blank, any jobBehavior: Learned helplessness, unenthusiastic, not focused

Time Used: 3 to 6 weeks or up 10 to 25 percent of the time allocated for regular unemployment insurance.

Emotions

• While we struggle to control how much we do this -- most of us put at least a part of ourselves into those things we do• Consequently, it hurts when you are told you are

no longer needed• Likewise, when economic conditions, work

struggles, or situations outside of your control threaten your economic security it causes unease or fear

Current Process -- Dehumanizing

• Loss of control• Loss of dignity• Loss of self-worth• Revaluation at a time

when people are not at a point where they can be objective or open to a critical review

Reverse Engineering the Process

• Start with what you know• The industry the individual came from• The occupation they had

• Analyze current labor market conditions• Determine if growth is feasible• Determine which industries are showing growth• Identify occupations likely in growing areas• Review related occupations• Review wages and other information

• Make an informed choice

What you Know

• Industries is a group of employers who are naturally competitors – they produce similar goods and services• You know the industry

• Occupations are set of similar jobs or skills• You know your most recent occupation

Industrial Analysis• Current estimate by

Industry (CES) for larger communities and statewide

• QCEW (county)

• Historical pattern, if any• to not be on the wrong

side of seasonal patterns

Where• WORKnet• Home Page: http://worknet.wisconsin.gov

• Data Analyst:Go to Data Tables

Inside Data Table

County or Counties

MSA or StatewideSeasonally adjusted data is also available

QCEW

CES

Analysis

• A single data point is noteworthy

• Two is interesting• Three could indicate a trend

• You are looking to see how the different industries stack up and where there is growth. (Growth=Jobs)

Identified Industries

• Employers need a variety of skills (staffing patterns)

• Occupations is a shorthand method of talking about specific skills

• You could focus the job search with current occupation by calling businesses in those identified industries (possible, but not always productive)

• OR look for related occupations

Staffing Patterns

• Stores need clerks, Payroll offices need bookkeepers, some places need a receptionist, different businesses need different skill sets

• This information is available through the data analyst

Under Data Analyst

Hint:Projections Matrix

Under Data Analyst

Hint: Occupational EmploymentStatistics

Occupational Analysis

• Related Occupations• KSA’s• Staffing patterns by Industry• Wages• Occupational Projections

Related Occupations

online.onetcenter.org

O*Net

• Job Descriptions and Lay Titles• Tasks Performed (Work Activities)• Type of Work Environment (Work Context)• Knowledge Skills and Abilities required• Interests (sometimes called Holland Scores)• Education/Training• Related Occupations• Local Wages and Job Outlook

Custom Reports within O*Net

• Can provide a great deal more information• Include not only how important the skills needed,

but also the level of proficiency required• Scale anchors help with real world examples

• Detail of Tools and Technology• Change the default lists to help identify

transferable skills

Some notes about Wages• Wages are based on

employers response to a survey

• Wages are gathered in wage categories

• Individual wages may differ from reported results

• Entry level is the average of the lower third

• Experienced is the average of the upper third

Begin the Search

• Find businesses that are involved in industries identified as having staffing patterns that match existing skills and are growing

Business Information

Located underBusiness

Scroll down for directory

Need to Know the Location

Spelling counts! I used Assembler

Change your parameter when searching

Shorten or lengthen the distance

Special concerns:

You can sort

How can this help me

• As a facilitator you can help your clients better understand • transferable skills, • occupations they may not have considered, • training requirements,• current openings and• unique needs of the client.

• Help create resumes that include transferable skills• It can also help businesses and/or recruiters• This tool is portable (homework)

Concrete Steps for Client

• Update your paperwork• If the last time you updated your paperwork was

the last time you were hired, it needs polishing• Consider how your paperwork represents you,

remember, it is your first impression• Keywords count• Create a template to apply to related occupations,

standardization is good, but customization is better

Other things to consider

• Remember, employers hire skillsets not people• Review your occupation

• Is it growing or shrinking• Is the skill set changing• Remember skills are transferable and most people will

experience at least five different occupations in their lives• Online.onetcenter.org

• Training• Where is it available

Use Resources

• Use resources that are available to you• Friends, former colleagues, former employers,

your Alma Matter• Professional Associations, • Websites

• Job Service• Linked In• Riley Guide• Labor Market Information • Office of Economic Analysis

Electronic Presence• Check yourself online and be prepared to address what maybe seen as a

shortcoming or a lack of judgment• Online resumes and submission to a company

• Online resumes will do a search for keywords according to their needs, you have to include them

• This is a process to remove possible candidates and eliminate the psychological advantage used by some when printing a resume

• However, it has to be exploited in the same way as your resume• Practice – in many cases, you do not get a do over• Assemble your facts before you start• Read about the company before you start

• Use appropriate language and if possible, correct terms that relate to the company, but be careful

• DO NOT share information that you would not willingly give to someone on the street

• Company records are theirs, if possible keep a record, if not keep a log.• DO NOT rely on this as your only means to contact firms

• have you ever lost something on your desk?

Snail Mail• Still works and is a form where

you can stand out• Do not be too creative unless

the job calls for it• If you get an interview, send a

thank you and use this as a way to push your best attribute that fits the organization

• Spelling counts DO NOT rely on Spell Check

• Impose a realistic routine if you are out work• Use a log to keep track of contacts and sources you have

used• Realize that a loss of security can create stressful

situations• Stay positive, can you afford negative thinking

• Review and reevaluate your situation, take care of your relationships

• Going through the hiring process is scary not only for you, but also your family and yes, even your future boss

Help Others Help

• Remember to reach out • Keep your contacts informed• When possible, be specific• Realize that a “no” sometimes

requires a K and W – Knowledge and Willingness to adapt before it can become a “yes”

Additional Resources

• Career Exploration• O*net (specifically Interests)

• http://www.onetcenter.org/IP.html• http://www.onetcenter.org/WIL.html• http://www.onetcenter.org/WIP.html

• Others• Riley Guide

• RileyGuide.com• Myers Briggs• Keirsey Temperament

Questions/Comments

• Nelse Grundviganelse.grundvig@dwd.wi.gov

Phone: 608.266.2930