unemployment |

Now that we’ve discussed how high unemployment rates and overpopulation correlate, it’s time for the second portion of the blog: finding solutions to these high unemployment rates. While searching for a job can be frustrating, there are many options and resources available to help you find employment opportunities in your city.

1. Craigslist
Let’s be honest: craigslist doesn’t have the best reputation. More people seem to use craigslist as a way to find “missed connections” (borderline stalking 101), pick up free furniture, or (ironically) vent about how difficult and frustrating it is to be unemployed and looking for a job. However, craigslist is also a great resource for finding jobs in major cities. As discussed in the previous blog, unemployment rates are highest in urban cities. Most major cities, including Denver, San Diego, Boston, New York, and Dallas have a craigslist page. When you’re on your cities homepage, look to the right of the page. There is a column labeled “jobs” with dozens of links leading to jobs available in specific fields. All you have to do is click a link to an area you’re interested in (writing, graphic design, hospitality, etc.) and you will be lead to another page with job postings in that field, in your city. It’s that easy!

2. Attend a Job Fair
Many major cities offer annual or bi-annual job fairs. A job fair is exactly what it sounds like: companies in the area that are hiring set up a booth in a large event space and include information about their company, the job(s) they’re hiring for, and have representatives from the company at the booth to discuss job opportunities in the company. What’s really cool about a job fair is that you can treat each booth like an interview. Since there are representatives from the companies at the job fair, it is important to bring copies of your resume, dress professionally, and leave a great first impression. It is not uncommon for employers to do short “on-the-spot” interviews, so research some of the companies you’re interested in working for prior to attending the fair so you have questions prepared for the reps.

3. Request “Information Interviews”
Information interviews are not utilized as often as they should be. An information interview is set up when an individual simply wants to learn more about the company. Common questions individuals are looking to have answered in an information interview include questions about the company’s values, what kind of work the company does, who the company’s clients are, what kind of experience someone needs to be considered for a job in the company, and what the pay rate for new hires is. Information interviews are not intrusive or an annoyance. In fact, many employers find information interviews to be a great first impression. It shows that you are eager, willing to learn, hard working, and determined. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone to snag the job you want!

As you can see, there are a number of ways to lower unemployment in your area and find a job for yourself. We understand that being unemployed is frustrating and stressful. However, we also know that the perfect job for you is out there — you just have to dig a little to find it! Don’t be afraid to take a part-time job that may be below your standards while you’re hunting for a full-time job that you’re qualified for. It may seem demeaning, but it shows employers that you’re not a quitter!

So get to craigslist or find a job fair today! Your perfect job is right around the corner!

Have you been unemployed for a number of months? Need help finding a job fair in your city? Tell us about your experience with unemployment and how overpopulation has effected your job search. Leave a comment below!

There is a direct correlation between high unemployment rates and overpopulation. More often than not, when a country’s population increases, the number of jobs available does not change. Therefore, a larger number of people begin fighting for the same jobs. Clearly, this poses a problem for individuals and families. The United States saw the worst unemployment rate since the recession of 1981-1982 when the Great Recession of 2008 hit. In October 2009, the United States hit 10% unemployment and saw the loss of 8.4 million jobs across the nation. It was absolutely devastating.

Luckily, since the recession hit, unemployment has decreased. However, it is still over 5%. In fact, unemployment rates around the world are higher than many would like for them to be.

This chart illustrates global unemployment rates from 2013. That year, global unemployment jumped by more than five million people. In 2011, the global population hit seven billion — a number that the US Census Bureau didn’t estimate to happen until 2012. In fact, since 2011, the global population has increased by 3 million… and it just keeps growing.

With spikes in global population come spikes in global unemployment rates. Let’s take a look at Spain in particular. Spain has a startlingly high unemployment rate — as of 2014, it was at 26%. According to Oxford University, there are five reasons for this: rigid labor market laws, reliance on “brick and mortar” jobs, banking corruption, a flawed education system, and (you guessed it) an influx in population, primarily from immigrants looking for work. Unfortunately, much of the companies that these immigrants were hoping to gain employment with were no longer around after 2009, when Spain began slowing down on the number of houses and businesses that were being built. Therefore, when these huddled masses arrived, there wasn’t just no where to work — there was no where to live.

Spain isn’t the only country suffering from high unemployment rates. In fact, oddly enough, a majority of global countries with high unemployment rates are some of the most developed nations in the world — the United States, France, Ireland, Germany, and Canada also have exceptionally high unemployment rates for the amount of businesses in these countries.

Unemployment isn’t the only serious consequence of overpopulation. Underemployment is another issue. Underemployment basically means that, an individual with a college degree or years of experience in a given field, will sometimes have to take jobs that are entry-level or far below what their experience or degrees warrant, simply so that they can have a steady income. Often, these jobs are underpaid and overworked. According to Slate, underemployment rates in the United States are more than twice that of unemployment rates.

Even sadder to note is that these jobs are highly competitive — despite being far below what some people are qualified to do. Although some unemployment rates (including the United States’) have dropped over the last two years, this is still a global crisis that was caused by overpopulation and a solution needs to be addressed before homeless rates increase as well.

unemployment

Need a Job? You’re Not Alone

Will Work for Money