A new Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey reveals that 22% of unemployed job seekers have been without work for more than two years, a significant drop from 40% in Spring 2023.
However, challenges of skills and career stagnation still exist.
Extended unemployment cause:
- Deterioration of Skills: 41% of job seekers report a decline in hard or soft skills.
- Gaps in Work Experience: 37% cite gaps on their resumes as a significant issue.
- Decreased Confidence: 34% experience a loss of confidence.
- Reduced Networking Opportunities: 29% find it harder to network.
- Decreased Awareness of Industry Trends: 23% feel out of touch with current practices.
Generational differences also play a role, with Gen Z and millennial job seekers more likely to report a deterioration of hard skills compared to boomer/senior job seekers (34% and 31% vs. 17%, respectively).
Staffing industry experts recommend job seekers use this time to sharpen skills, pursue additional education, or obtain certifications.
Extended unemployment, while challenging, presents opportunities for self-reflection, skill development, and pursuing new paths, according to experts like Daijo and Roller.
Daijo emphasizes using this time to reassess career goals and ensure future fulfillment, while Roller’s personal experience highlights how job loss can inspire entrepreneurial ventures.
Stoller stresses the importance of positive thinking, focusing on skill enhancement and networking to transform unemployment into a stepping stone toward a more successful and fulfilling career.
It is also recommended that people should take time asking why and purpose to determine a job that fits them.
The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 10, 2024, among 1,039 adults ages 18 and older.
Learn more about the Job Seeker Report by Visiting Express Employment International.
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