Even though the Bureau of Labor Statistics job loss numbers could be in the negative range for January, unemployed Americans continue to be resilient in their job searches as 58 percent of those laid off in the last 12 months have secured new positions. According to an updated survey by CareerBuilder, 51 percent of workers who were laid off from full-time jobs in the last 12 months have found new full-time positions, up from 48 percent in June 2009. An additional 7 percent found part-time positions, up from 3 percent six months ago. The survey was conducted between November 5 and November 23, 2009 among more than 1,000 workers who were laid off from full-time jobs within the last 12 months.
"Despite one of the most competitive job markets in decades, nine-in-ten workers say they have not given up on their job searches, and the amount of workers who have found work is evidence that their drive and determination are paying off," said Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. "The number of laid-off workers who have found new full-time and part-time jobs rose in the last six months. Although this good news reflects a healing economy, it also shows that job seekers are exploring career options in new industries and locations."
Changes in Pay
Looking at workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and found new jobs, 61 percent reported they were able to negotiate comparable or higher pay for their new position. Thirty-nine percent of workers took a pay cut.
Transferring Skills to Other Industries and Fields
Workers reported they are applying their skills to new areas. More than half (51 percent) of workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and landed new jobs said they found work in a different field than where they were previously employed, with a third having said they really enjoy their new positions.
Relocation
Workers are no longer just looking for positions in their own backyards. More than a quarter of workers (26 percent) who were laid off in the last 12 months and found jobs relocated to a new city or state, up from 20 percent in June. Of those who are still looking for employment, 37 percent reported they would consider relocating for a job opportunity, down from 44 percent in June.
Starting a Business
An increased number of job seekers have adopted an "if you can't find a job, create one" way of thinking. Nearly three-in-10 workers (29 percent) who have not found jobs are considering starting their own business, on par with findings from the June survey.
Job Search
Laid-off workers are using every technique possible to secure new positions. In fact, 22 percent of workers who were laid off in the last 12 months and found new jobs say they found their new roles through personal referrals. Twenty-one percent found new jobs using online job boards, 11 percent through newspapers and other print classifieds, 8 percent through recruiting/staffing firms, 5 percent through career fairs and 4 percent through social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.