Under-employed Archives - The Voice of Job Seekers

Underemployment Trends: Your MBA or JD alone is not Enough

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Two weeks ago, Payscale.com released survey results on underemployment. They report 46% of Americans feel they’re underemployed. I encourage you to go the site to read the survey for yourself as it breaks down the following:

most common job titles of the underemployed
- most common job titles of the underemployed
- percentage of underemployed by degree level (from high school GED to MD)
- % of underemployed by gender
- % of underemployed by degree level + major
- % of underemployed workers and a break down by reason for underemployment

Let me if you’re underemployed current and share some of your challenges. Here’s how you can join the discussion:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your thoughts to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
Send email feedback to [email protected]

Katie Bardaro is the Vice President Data & Analytics and Lead Economist at Payscale.com.

Here are highlights from our discussion:

Underemployment as an epidemic in the U.S.
Underemployment is an important consideration when we look at the economic health of the country
MBA not having the expected ROI (Return on Investment)
Huge divergence in earning and job opportunities
The great recession affected graduate degrees made new grads shift in career possibilities (part-time or continue school)
The survey measure two catagories: Those who feel they are not utilizing their education and those with a part-time position wanting to work full-time
STEM careers have many ways to get the skills needed to change careers. Online certification and experience don’t require the degree
Opportunity and underemployment gap exists, women are funneled into lower positions with lower pay and less movement

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it!

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

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Don’t forget the last show for the season is July 26, and the new one will begin on Sept. 6. I will be publishing new articles (up to 3x a week) on the blog. If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How Can Underemployed Job Seekers Adapt to the New Workplace

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The underemployed face major obstacles in this job market. It’s hard to count under-employed job seekers and many statistically blends with the unemployed. Under-employment is a major obstacle and epidemic in our country. More than ever, unemployed job seekers are entering a new workplace with stresses such as lower salaries and taking positions lower than their education or previous experience. This episode will help you with some strategies and mindset to help underemployed job seekers adapt.

If you are currently underemployed, or unemployed, and expect to take pay cuts or a position that is lower than your last this is an episode for you. You may have graduated from college, and the position you accept only requires a high school diploma, this episode should be helpful. Let me know in the comments if you are challenged in any of the above scenarios.

I’d love your feedback in these three ways:

Blog: TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com (Use the send voicemail feature)

Email: [email protected]

Voicemail: 708.365.9822

Chaz Pitts-Kyser (@careeranista) is the founder and managing editor of Careernista.com, a diverse career site, with many contributors. She is also the author of Careeranista: The Woman’s Guide to Success After College. Chaz is quoted in many publications including Careerbuilder and Monster.

These are highlights from our discussion:

Chaz cited the numbers from the Employment Policy Institute 1 of 6 Americans are either unemployed or underemployed
People are regularly taking huge pay cuts going into their next position, and then add a side gig
One of the toughest adjustments is mental—coming off a long unemployment is hard to cope with the salary cuts, and downsizing their lifestyle
Unrealistic expectations, and a lack of research bring about problems outside of the workplace. Most Americans are spending more as they get more in salary, and do not consider spending less
We discuss ways the new employee (who has management experience) to work with managers that never managed someone with similar experience. How to not create a problematic situation in making suggestions respectfully
Chaz recommends expanding your vision to join committees that increase your exposure to show your experience and skills to more people throughout the company
We also discuss a few strategies that graduates and she help them by saying, “….your degree is not a magic wand.”
Chaz agrees that women adjust better to under-employment, but they do not negotiate. Even entry-level jobs are negotiable even if she recently graduated. Chaz’s book has a detailed chapter in her book about salary negotiation.

You want to check out the Facebook page for the new t-shirts that I will have an available in a couple of weeks. Let me know which ones you like the best. I have not announced a price yet, but I’d like to know your thoughts. I will announce pre-orders soon so stay tuned!

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

6 Ways to Deposit Value While Under Employed

The one advantage in being under employed: You likely have extra time on your hands. Why not use the extra time to deposit some knowledge and experience in the career you aspire to? If you already have years of experience then perhaps you need to change your thinking and market differently.

Employers will want to see how you remain relevant, robust, and ready to be invested in through their company since while being under employed and under utilized.

Steadily increasing your career value is essential, and not a last minute choice.

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By the end of this article, you’ll possess ideas that make you a valuable asset to your next employer, or your current one.

Interviews and networking events are essential but for a little extra boost, and increase the value of your career experience. Here six conventional and unconventional ways to increase your career value:

1. Freelance and consult on/off hours. This will keep your most valuable skills refreshed and create more opportunities to venture with new ideas. The other benefit is if the day job collapses, the moonlight gig becomes your job making it easier to market yourself in a new role.

2. Look for training and instruction opportunities. Good written and oral communication skills are still valuable commodities. Webinars can be conducted on your own platform such as, your website using Skype. Create a lunch time learning group where you share ideas and invite guest speakers now and then. Think big and pursue workshop facilitating opportunities at weekend conferences. Community colleges offer evening and weekend opportunities that will pay instructors and are always looking for new and innovative ways of delivering all kinds of learning.

3. Start an organization in your own niche. If your area doesn’t have one in the same area, start your own.

4.Strive to be an industry expert by hosting your own radio show. There are community radio stations that look for hosts to fill radio time for no cost. Some have restrictions of how you can promote yourself, but anytime on the air is good promotional time.

5. Collaborate with other departments, or organizations. Again, check your company restrictions, as competitors might be off limits but roles that could enhance your skills such as board memberships and advisory roles can show you in a leadership position.

6. Blog. Yes, that too. Use a blog to house all of the activities above 1-5. Most of all, the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) from writing can make it easier for recruiters and employers to find you.

None of the suggestions above are quick fixes or will give your career immediate gratification. What it will do is for you to be a thought leader and position yourself as an expert in your area. Want to be memorable and a resource? Start with the suggestions above.

Which challenge will you accept today?

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