Looking for work? Bank report shows where jobs are going begging and which occupations to avoid

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      A recent report by one of Canada’s "big five" chartered banks identifies 25 occupations in this country that appear to have skill shortages, meaning that jobs are going unfilled because of a lack of qualified applicants.

      At the same time, the report says, the labour-surplus pool is increasing because job opportunities in another 20 categories are disappearing.

      The December 3, 2012, report by CIBC World Markets Inc., titled "The Haves and Have Nots of Canada’s Labour Market", can be read in its entirety here.

      The types of occupations where the jobs are going begging appear to be concentrated in areas such as health care, engineering, mining, and science-related professions. These include doctors, dentists, nurses, and vets but also optometrists, chiropractors, pharmacists, dieticians, and nutritionists. Likewise, management positions for architecture, construction, and engineering fields are being left unfilled, as are those requiring chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers.

      A shortage of skilled applicants also plagues employment arenas involving human resources, investment and business-service professionals, auditors, and accountants.

      Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and B.C., in that order, topped the list of provinces showing the highest vacancy-to-unemployment ratio.

      At the other end of the scale, the bad news is for those seeking employment as secondary or elementary teachers or counsellors, in clerical positions, as machine operators and related workers, or in traditional occupations such as shoe repairers, upholsterers, jewellers, butchers, and bakers.

      No news as to the prospects for candlestick makers.

      The methods/analysis used to arrive at the report’s slotting of occupations into one or the other list included, in part, Statistics Canada data, information about unemployment rates, and wage growth (or lack thereof).

      Comments

      1 Comments

      anonymous

      Jan 19, 2013 at 8:05am

      Landing a job in today’s economy requires you to think and act differently. If you’re wed to the traditional way of job-hunting you’re destined to compete with everyone else chasing the same few opportunities.

      The most effective way to get a job is to think like an employer. Sounds simple but many people don’t appreciate the importance or know how to do it.

      Before beginning your search you have to understand why all companies hire. It’s to solve problems and your challenge is to position yourself as the solution. In other words, hiring you allows the company to solve problems faster, better and cheaper than they could without you. Here’s how to start.

      Step 1 - Identify your skills and expertise.

      Step 2 - Find the companies you want to work for and research them to uncover their problems. Use the Internet, Google alerts, read press releases and speak with current and former employees.

      Your ability to uncover your target employers’ problems and position yourself as the solution is what will get you hired.

      Here are just a few potential problem areas. Completing projects on time and on budget, improve product quality, improve customer service, increase sales, reduce costs, enhance online marketing, etc.

      Step 3 – Identify the hiring manager.

      Step 4 – Create a personal marketing plan to get your solutions in the hands of the hiring manager.

      Step 5 – Develop a “One-Sheet” resume, to separate you from the crowd, along with a set of compelling cover letters that show your experience solving similar problems.

      Step 6 – Follow up is essential to getting an interview. Be persistent but not a pest.

      As a former executive with several Fortune companies I know how leaders think. People who have followed this process have gotten hired.

      Good luck and never give up!

      Bob Prosen –

      P.S. And yes, this works for recent college grads as well.
      P.S.S. Market yourself to the companies you want to work for whether or not they have an opening.