3 Strategies to Get a Job Now: Don’t wait all summer!

The unemployment rate is low—around 4%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics—and almost as low in most localities. As a result, we are not hearing a lot about the issues surrounding long-term unemployment, and strategies to avoid being unemployed for too long. Yet, economic conditions in your industry or metro area can make it challenging to find a new job quickly. And the reality is that most of us need to be employed, even if we can’t find a job in our field right away. So, here are 3 thoughts to consider when you need a job now:

1. Is it better to earn nothing or earn too little?
2. Will you benefit from jobs off your career track?
3. Is there “skills mismatch” in the economy?

Think about these three questions as you decide whether to take a “day job” or “survival job” unrelated to your usual profession while you pursue a “dream job” or career.

Is earning too little money better than earning nothing?

You could benefit from taking a job now, even if it is outside your field and it does not meet your salary expectations. Research has demonstrated that employers show less interest in job candidates that have been out of work for six months or more.

LinkedIn exacerbates the problem today. As discussed in a previous post, recruiters may search specifically for candidates on the site that are “currently employed” in the role they are seeking to fill. Although taking an irrelevant job such as working at a bookstore or driving for a rideshare company won’t help you show a current role as, say, marketing director, on LinkedIn, the platform will give you credit for a “complete” profile.

It is almost always beneficial to earn some money rather than no money. And you will increase your chances of being found in LinkedIn and ATS searches when you working.

There are additional short-term and long-term economic and career benefits to taking a “survival” job while working toward a career. Short-term economic benefits depend in part on whether or not you are collecting unemployment compensation or severance benefits from a prior job. If you are no longer receiving benefits or are not eligible for whatever reason, $15 per hour is better than $0. Staying on the sidelines is costing you money.

The job may also offer health benefits or other benefits you need or want. Health benefits offered through a job could be much cheaper than COBRA or the ACA. So, remember to consider the advantages of benefits, if offered, before you say no to a low-wage job you can do.

Will your career benefit from taking a job outside your field?

Consider potential long-term career benefits of taking a “survival” job,” too. Remember that once you are inside a company, even at a relatively low level, you may gain access to jobs that are only offered internally. And, you could also gain a network of insiders that will get to know your work. You may ultimately find work in the business that utilizes your previous skills and experience, or you may start a new career.

Your temporary, or “day” job could also utilize transferrable skills that will help you move forward. For example, a client with years of fashion industry experience took a job doing accounts payable work at a construction company. While she did not like the construction industry culture, the job did use her cost-cutting talents. Several months later, she landed her “dream job.”

Is there “skills mismatch” in the economy?

A concern we have heard from both employers and jobseekers is about a phenomenon that economists call “skills mismatch.” Put simply, this means that jobseekers’ skills do not match the jobs that are available. As discussed in another recent blog post, there is high demand in the economy for specialized jobs, including medical professionals and software developers. The vast majority of these require university degrees and extensive additional training, so jobseekers cannot qualify based on transferrable skills or short-term job training. This kind of skill mismatch in the economy takes years to resolve.

Skills mismatch is a real job market issue, but you do not want it to be the reason you cannot earn a living. This does not mean you cannot invest the time and money required to gain the skills you need for your dream job. Instead it is another reason to consider taking a “day job.” Then, you can work on gaining the expertise required to resolve your personal “skills mismatch.”

Concluding Comments

Don’t lose your edge by taking the summer off, whether you have been downsized, just finished school, or you have set a goal to change jobs before 2025. Research shows that employers prefer to hire job seekers who have worked recently. LinkedIn’s algorithms and AI functions give an edge to those who are now employed. And, most importantly, you miss out on money and fringe benefits when you are not working. Keep your search going!