Many job seekers slow down during the holidays, assuming employers aren’t hiring. However, studies show that more than one-third of employers plan to hire during the fourth quarter, including the holiday season. This is a prime opportunity to get ahead of the competition. Stay focused, maintain a consistent schedule, and set yourself up for a strong start to the new year.
Here are three tips to keep your job search momentum going over the holidays:
1. Network Actively While others take a break, double down on networking. Use holiday events, parties, and casual gatherings as opportunities to talk about your job search. Share your goals with friends, family, and new connections—you never know who might have a helpful lead or advice.
2. Perfect Your Elevator Pitch Refine a brief, compelling way to explain your background and career goals. Highlight your strengths in a way that’s concise and engaging, so you’re ready to share it whenever the opportunity arises.
3. Practice Your Interview Skills Take time to strengthen your interview game. Whether it’s practicing with a friend or reviewing common questions on your own, focus on crafting a confident introduction and using techniques like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
The holiday season doesn’t have to be a pause in your job search—it can be a launchpad for new opportunities. Stay proactive, stay motivated, and you might just find the perfect role waiting for you.
If you are looking at ways to help transitioning employees during this season, please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule some time with us!
The U.S. Department of Labor's recent release on state employment and unemployment statistics for October 2024 highlights significant trends in the labor market. For employers, these trends provide critical insights into managing unemployment benefits and supporting workforce stability.
National Unemployment Overview The national unemployment rate stands at 4.1%, a slight decrease that reflects a generally stable labor market. However, state-specific variations indicate differing challenges across the country.
State-Specific Unemployment Rates
The report identifies key state disparities:
Highest Unemployment Rates:
Nevada: 5.6%
District of Columbia: 5.7%
California: 5.4%
New York: 5.3%
Lowest Unemployment Rates:
South Dakota: 2.0%
Vermont: 2.2%
North Dakota: 2.3%
New Hampshire: 2.5%
States with low unemployment rates are experiencing faster workforce recovery, while states with higher rates are facing longer job-search durations and increased strain on unemployment systems.
Impact on Employers States with higher unemployment rates may experience longer unemployment durations, leading to greater unemployment insurance (UI) obligations for employers. Meanwhile, states with lower rates often see shorter unemployment periods, potentially reducing these costs. Employers must proactively address these dynamics to manage financial and operational risks effectively.
Strategies for Employers
Proactive Outplacement Services: Employers should invest in outplacement programs to help employees in transition find new roles quickly. These services not only reduce the duration of unemployment for affected individuals but also help manage UI claims and protect employer reputation.
Evaluate Current Programs with Third-Party Administrators: Partner with your Unemployment Claims Third-Party Administrator (TPA) or outplacement provider to analyze how existing programs are supporting efforts to reduce unemployment duration. Ensure these programs are optimized to deliver measurable results in minimizing UI claims and expediting reemployment.
Implement Strategic Workforce Planning: Engaging in strategic workforce planning allows employers to anticipate staffing needs and avoid unnecessary layoffs, thereby reducing potential unemployment claims.
By focusing on these actionable strategies, employers can navigate the complexities of varying unemployment rates while minimizing their financial and operational impact. Understanding labor market trends and leveraging supportive programs like outplacement services will position employers to build more resilient workforces and communities.
For more resources on how to reduce unemployment duration and support transitioning employees, please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule some time with us!
As layoffs increase, so do the financial impacts of unemployment insurance (UI) claims. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average cost per UI claim has surged by 23.7% over the last six quarters. The length of claims has also grown, with the average claim lasting 15.22 weeks as of Q2 2024, up from 13.7 weeks in early 2023. Additionally, a growing number of individuals are exhausting their benefits—rising from 32.7% to 37.9% over the same period.
As of September 30, 2024, the unemployment rate showed a slight decline to 4.1%. However, other key indicators remain concerning. The average duration of unemployment claims increased to 15.3 weeks, and the exhaustion rate surpassed 38%, signaling that many individuals are remaining out of work for extended periods.
Unemployment Trends
Key Stats – Q2 2024
Average Cost of a Claim: $6,881
Average Duration of a Claim: 15.2 weeks
Average Savings with Reemployment Programs: $2,064 per claim
Exhaustion Rate: 37.9%
The Case for Proactive Claim Management
This upward trend in costs makes proactive unemployment management essential. Leveraging effective reemployment programs can shorten the average claim duration by 30% or more, potentially saving $2,064 per claim.
In states with higher-than-average claim values, like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, the stakes are even higher. Claims in these regions often exceed $10,000, making a reduction of just a few weeks a significant cost-saver. In such cases, a well-executed reemployment strategy can result in savings of $3,000 or more per claim.
Do you have questions? For further discussion on this topic, please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule some time with us! Let's continue working together toward a more resilient and thriving future.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, traditional outplacement services often fall short in meeting the real needs of employees during transitions. Rather than focusing solely on managing exits, forward-thinking organizations are adopting proactive reemployment support—a strategy that offers more meaningful assistance to departing employees and creates lasting benefits for the organization.
Personalized Coaching: Empowering Growth in Times of Change
What distinguishes proactive coaching is the personalized guidance it provides throughout the job search journey. This approach helps individuals build the emotional resilience needed to manage the challenges of job loss, ensuring they feel supported through every step of the transition. Beyond emotional support, it also equips employees with market-relevant skills and practical strategies, increasing their employability in today’s dynamic job landscape.
More importantly, proactive coaching fosters confidence and clarity, transforming what could have been a difficult, stressful period into an opportunity for personal and professional growth. With the right tools and support, employees are empowered to approach their next chapter with purpose and optimism.
A Partnership Committed to Success
As a valued customer of NextJob, we want to assure you that we prioritize the needs of each job seeker we work with, delivering personalized support to help them achieve the best possible outcomes. Our proactive coaching model ensures that every individual receives tailored guidance and encouragement at each stage of their job search journey. From building resilience to mastering job market strategies, we stand beside them every step of the way, empowering them to succeed in their next career move.
The Organizational Advantage of Proactive Outplacement
A proactive approach to outplacement isn’t just beneficial for employees—it’s a strategic advantage for businesses. By investing in this level of support, your organization:
Boosts morale: Demonstrates care for departing employees, fostering goodwill and maintaining positive relationships during transitions.
Strengthens your employer brand: Showcases your commitment to employee well-being, making your organization more appealing to future talent.
Minimizes risks: Reduces the chance of legal or reputational issues that can arise from layoffs.
Builds loyalty and trust: Positions your organization as one that values people, even in times of change.
A Win-Win for People and Business
By prioritizing individualized coaching and proactive support, your organization sends a powerful message: employees matter—whether they are staying or moving on. This investment ensures that departing staff have the tools to succeed in their next roles, while your company strengthens its position as a compassionate, forward-looking employer.
In the long run, proactive outplacement isn’t just a temporary solution—it’s a strategy that reinforces your organization’s resilience, reputation, and ability to attract top talent. In times of transition, being proactive makes all the difference, turning challenges into opportunities for growth—for your employees and your business.
Do you have questions? For further discussion on this topic, please don't hesitate to reach out or schedule some time with us! Let's continue working together towards a more resilient and thriving future.
Do you know someone who’s stuck as one of the four million long-term unemployed Americans? A family member, a recent graduate, a neighbor, a friend? With long-term unemployment at 42.1% and Labor Force Participation at only 61.6%, most of us know someone. But what can we do?
At NextJob we’ve coached many people struggling to get back in the job market and we’ve learned some important lessons as the Great Recession produced record numbers of long-term unemployed.
What We’ve Learned
First, it appears that getting stuck can happen to just about anyone, regardless of work experience or education. Job loss is ranked as one of life’s top stressors, alongside divorce and death of a loved one. It can be hard to recover quickly and can lead to a downward spiral.
Second, reemployment rates drop the longer someone is out of work. Employers begin to have more questions about employment gaps and job seekers tend to lose their confidence, sapping motivation and the proactive approach that an effective job search demands.
Last, most people can get back to work, but they often need someone in their corner, someone they can trust and talk with weekly about how it’s going. This accountability factor is critical: It’s why the job search industry has long agreed that job clubs - regular meetings of job seekers to discuss progress - are one of the most fruitful activities.
Schools, Government & Employers
More than anything, though, we’ve learned that the best strategy is preventing long spells of unemployment through preparation. Job seekers rate their job search skills at a D+ - not failing, but definitely depressing. And a sampling of newly-graduated college students rated themselves at an F+ (though the plus seems moot once you’re in the F range). As a society, we need to be more focused on teaching job search skills in high school and college. Government benefit programs can also promote proactivity with smarter work search requirements. And as employers, we can leverage next generation outplacement that can now more than pay for itself in saved unemployment taxes alone.
Three Ways Friends Can Help
Friends and family can also make a big difference using three strategies:
1. Encouragement - Set a time to meet weekly and be a good listener and encourager. Help your friend think through their natural talents, the positive parts of their background and the paid or unpaid accomplishments they’ve had in the past and make sure they have those highlighted in their resume and can speak effectively about them. If they’re depressed, consider discussing professional help.
2. Accountability - Ask your friend what their weekly goals are, and, once they’ve set them, help them stick to the plan each week. Help celebrate every win they have – a new target employer, an updated resume, a network connection, an interview, etc.
3. Connections - Half of all hires are made through a hiring manager’s network. You or someone you know may be the network connection or the encouragement they need: a) to target companies—regardless of whether they have currently posted positions—and b) to start using Facebook, LinkedIn or old fashioned networking to find others who can help get them connected. Proactivity in a job search can increase the likelihood of landing a job by over 60%. If we all work together – schools, government, employers and friends – imagine how many of our unemployed neighbors we can help land on their feet again and reap the benefits and the dignity of a new job.
Free NextJob Services
To support your efforts, for a limited time, we are offering your family and friends access to our online job search training system for free. They can simply go to www.nextjobtraining.com and use the access code “NextJobCovid19” to access resources that will help them set goals, create a resume that gets noticed, target employers, prepare to interview well and much more. As part of our close network this gift is free from NextJob for your family and friends.
Haventree Bank, a Canadian mortgage originator is working to change out mortgages work. "Our goal is to become Canada's alternative mortgage lender of choice." (Source: Haventree Bank). And how are they doing it? "We truly believe our current and future success is based on one factor – our people."
The Canadian Mortgage Professional recognized Haventree Bank as best in class for Canadian Mortgage products.
Haventree Bank: Thank you to our Mortgage Broker Community for recognizing our #NextJob Program in the ⭐5-Star Mortgage Products for 2021⭐ Visit 💻 https://lnkd.in/et6Kp2Nu to learn more about our program.
At NextJob, we invented a new idea: that banks can help delinquent borrowers land jobs for a win-win. When homeowners are delinquent on their mortgage payments, it's often due to unemployment or underemployment. And that unemployment may have become long-term unemployment. Many unemployed individuals have found that the longer they are unemployed, the harder it is to find a new job.
"While there is never a good time to be out of work, you have a definite advantage because you have a mortgage with Haventree Bank. That means you have something no other mortgage lender offers; financial professionals who genuinely care about you, your family and your home. . . .The NextJob program helps eligible homeowners who may be struggling with their mortgage payments due to unexpected job loss." (Source: Haventree Bank)
To stay up-to-date on the newest job postings and follow up on job applications, you don't have to sit at your computer all day. Using a smart phone in your job search allows you to keep your job search current and active while you’re on the go.
Here are three ways to use your phone in your job search:
Learn new job search techniques on NextJobtraining.com – Log into your account right from your phone and learn how to approach employers while you're waiting in line at the grocery, brainstorm your resume keywords while you're on the treadmill or write your 60-second elevator pitch while you're in the elevator. Your phone isn't just for collecting friends any more. If you don't have access, send us a note for a free access code.
Expand connections on LinkedIn Jobs – Install the LinkedIn Jobs app on your phone to search for open positions, apply for jobs, learn more about the company and see if you have any connections in your network that can introduce you to the employer. Be sure to update your profile and preferences in LinkedIn, because the mobile site will also recommend jobs based on your profile and past search criteria.
Apply for jobs on Indeed Job Search – The Indeed Job Search app on your phone will let you quickly search for jobs based on your industry, job title and location so you are the first to know about new job postings. You can also attach your resume to your account so you can apply for jobs through the app and set up email alerts to let you know when matching new job has been posted.
To find more simple tools and time-saving tricks to stay active in your job search, log in to your NextJob account.
P.S. Job search sites report that 50-70% of job search traffic now comes from mobile devices. Don't get left behind. Stay ahead of your competition by frequently checking for new job postings and be prepared to respond on the go. Log in to your NextJob account to learn more.
Changing jobs can be one of the more stressful events in life, and combined with the COVID-19 outbreak, your stress level may be high. This is a time to take extra care of yourself. Everyone has different strategies. We have a few suggestions below that may help you.
While you may feel like putting your job search on hold, it’s important that you don’t. Many industries are hiring right now and it’s best to be prepared.
To manage your stress and build resilience, try these tips from the experts:
Exercise - Go for a walk or take time to exercise. Experts recommend at least 2.5 hours each week of moderate physical activity which releases “endorphins” that naturally make you feel better, feel less stressed and can help you sleep. Remember to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Practice relaxation techniques - Try deep breathing, meditation or stretching. These can help activate what’s called your “parasympathetic” nervous system which relaxes your body and calms your mind.
Get enough sleep - Sleep re-energizes the body's cells, clears waste from the brain and supports learning and memory. Are you getting enough sleep?
Focus on the positive - Take a break from negative news and instead think about what you’re thankful for. According to research, this can reduce the stress hormone cortisol by 23% and improve your energy and mood and lower cortisol levels.
Stick to a routine - Create a daily routine which may include getting up at the same time daily, eating healthy meals, spending regular time on your job search, getting the right exercise and getting good sleep.
Hop over to NextJob Training and log in to your account to learn more.
The COVID-19 outbreak has been . . . . challenging. As a part of NextJob'sCareer Development work, we’d like to do what we can to help. We asked two of our experts to put together a 20-min webinar, now a recording that you can watch any time, on best practices for managing stress as well as staying productive and connected while working remotely.
The video is designed for managers and employees and summarizes evidence-based research as well as trending best practices.Leading the webinar are two of our subject matter experts:
Joan Runnheim Olson, Brain Success Coach and NextJob Career Coach - Joan has 22 years of experience coaching and leverages brain science with her coaching clients to address subjects such as managing stress. She has a certificate in Applied Neuroscience and Brain Health from The Neuroscience Academy.
Dixie Bullock, NextJob Coach Team Manager - Dixie brings a decade of experience as a virtual coach as well as her deep experience managing and optimizing the productivity and culture of a fully virtual team across seven states.
You can watch the full video (20 minutes) here:
[vimeo 403884086 w=640 h=360]
Or if you aren't working remotely and would still like to help your team manage stress, check out the shorter (9 minutes) version:[vimeo 403773032 w=425 h=250]
The jobs landscape has changed significantly since January. At the end of 2019 some states reported unemployment rates lower than 3.5%. The BLS has seemingly unlimited resources on this topic. During this time unemployment was so low that there were more jobs than there were people to fill them. It was a job seekers' market -- job seekers frequently had multiple offers in front of them and they got to choose which position to take. Prior to these (ultra) low unemployment rates hiring managers frequently had large pools of applicants. This wasn't the case. That is until businesses and schools started temporarily closing due to COVID-19.
As the virus became a pandemic, the layoffs began. Many of those vacant positions, that didn't have enough viable candidates, disappeared. Some of those jobs are now remote. Employers that could shift to a remote workplace have. But according to the US Census as of December 2019, only about 5% of employees work remotely.
There are two issues here.
We have a vastly non-remote workforce who do not have the skillset required to work from their couch and still operate effectively.
Many jobs are now advertised as remote, and with the growing pool of laid off job seekers, it becomes incredibly difficult to stand out in a crowd of otherwise fantastic candidates. What used to be a local job may now be nationwide with remote work as a possibility.
A solution to bridging remote worker ability gap, and ensuring that you shine among the many other applicants?
Job coaches help build strategies to find employment. Job coaches understand the intricacies of the job market. Many job postings, as many as 60% are referred to as hidden. They either aren't posted publicly, or aren't posted in places where the average job seeker can view them. Coaches help develop the abilities to: apply for jobs, build effective resumes, answer tough interview questions, stand out in a crowded field and ultimately be the best worker.
A job coach is your personal resource while you’re looking for your next job. NextJob coaches are job search experts who are also certified in coaching. They specialize in encouraging, motivating and acting as a sounding board for your thoughts and ideas while helping you develop your resume and prepare for interviews. NextJob coaches work at your pace and schedule to create the support that works best for your goals.NextJob coaches can help you develop strategies for applying remotely, interviewing remotely, and then working remotely.
“I was in a pool of over 300 applicants and was able to make it through all the interviews and finally got the job. I believe my job coach was hugely responsible for that." - Everett, A no-longer job seeker who used NextJob.
“It's like having a personal tutor that helps bring out the best in me and realizes I have a lot to offer in the work force.”
