Rewire To Get Hired, Against Daunting Odds

(CBS)  These aren't your grandpa's job-seeking methods. Or the economy your father sought work in.

There's a whole new reality out there on the jobs front, with techniques, technologies and protocols no one could have imagined only a few short years ago, in an environment that might have seemed unlikely only a few months ago.

A weeklong series called "Early Show Job Squad" takes a close look at the jobs market, following four job seekers of various types, and dispensing advice galore from their jobs coaches. Call it unemployment assistance, Early Show style!

In Part One of the series on Monday, consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen said the series introduces you to a new approach to job hunting, beginning with a look at how hard it is to find a job in today's economy.

Our four job seekers were helped in revamping their resumes, clothes, strategies and more.

Bottom line, says Koeppen: If you aren't out of work these days, you probably know someone who is, and in this market, it takes lots more than a good resume to land a job.

At Marist College in Poughkeepsie, a New York City exurb, one student admitted to CBS News she's "scared" to graduate.

After all, this is one of the worst jobs markets since the Great Depression.

Job seekers have reason to be concerned. In February, the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent, its highest in 25 years, with some 12.5 million Americans out of work.

Many jobs fairs are seeing thousands of people show up.

Lisa Hancock, of Manpower, Inc., says, "There are people who have come out of the finance world, out of the legal world, who have 15 years on the job. ... They need to get food on the table ... so they're willing to take a clerical, entry-level position."

Manpower is one of the world's largest staffing companies. It now receives 20,000 resumes a week, double its normal intake. For every job, there are now 200 applicants.

"For so many years," Hancock says, "we had way more jobs and had a harder time finding the talent out there in the marketplace. Now, it's the reverse. ... We have to turn some people away, because they don't have the skill level of the jobs we mostly get requests for."

Who are these unemployed?

The four job hunters The Early Show followed for three months are from different parts of the country, are of different ages, have different careers and different backgrounds. But al have the same mission: Find a job:

Jack Iannaccone, a former manager out of work more than a year, who says, "I think I am very well-rounded and well-versed in how businesses run. "

Dana Schuman, a school teacher who lost her job due to cutbacks and has been out of work for nine months. She says, "I love helping people be better than they are in the moment."

Kelsy Nova, a recent college grad trying to find her first job out of college, who says she's "a self-starter, and a team player."

Jeanne Mowchan, a stay-at-home mom, re-entering the work force after 18 years. "I am reliable, I am hard working, I'm honest," she says.

Koeppen notes that, "We brought in our 'Job Squad' to help in their mission -- four teams of experts -- career coaches, financial planners, image and technology consultants -- all to teach them what it takes to find a job in 2009.

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Lisa Hancock

Lisa is the Regional Director for Manpower Inc. in New York. She has worked for Manpower, a world leader in the employment services industry, for 25-plus years, building internal teams, and training and mentoring them to help Manpower clients win in the changing world of work. Lisa is a member of Society for Human Resources Management and other professional organizations, as well as a Junior Achievement volunteer.

[hra246]

I listened to your video with great interest. I am the director of ProNet Central Florida and I am also a career coach where I put together peoples' resumes. I have 25 years recruiting experience and am between assignments (yes, laid off). Can I either join Job Squad, free lance, or help people in Central Florida with their resumes? Thanks.

[jdipillo]

www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=279418

Please read this link. It is the same idea as your job squad. It was published last week. I am trying the same idea out on a local level but would love to get it elevated to a national level. It is a story about me, my background, my struggle and it contains my photo. I think I am a very interesting candidate and would showcase well to potential employers.