Follow me on Twitter “Research”—sounds like a boring topic, right? Think again. We have just done research on the impact of Five O’Clock Club small groups for the last year, and guess what: job hunters who attended their small groups got jobs in half the time!
Now that I have your attention: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those 55 and over take only 5 weeks longer (35.5 weeks) to find a job than those aged 25 to 54 (30.3 weeks) – so long as they keep on looking.
However, the big problem for everyone is the discouragement factor. Sara Murray, writing for the Wall Street Journal’s “Real Time Economics” blog in June, 2011:
Jobless Americans who dropped out of the work force typically searched for work for five months before ultimately giving up last year (2010).
They quit at an average of 20 weeks. But those who found work found it in an average of 30 to 35 weeks. It’s so sad. If only they had not given up!
Five O’Clock Club statistics for unemployed people for that same period (2010) show that those who attended the small group and worked with their coaches privately found new jobs in an average of 16.4 weeks, compared to the 30 to 35-week average for the population as a whole. Those who worked only with their private coaches and did not attend the small group found new work in an average of 34.4 weeks. Of course, in general, our people landed great jobs that generally paid the same as or better than the jobs they had before. We are not talking about people who ended up working at the Gap.
What can you do?
- First of all, don’t give up. Don’t drop out. Even those who did not have the help of the Club were more likely to land if they had simply kept at it.
- Stop relying on job postings and search firms. Listen to the Five O’Clock Club CDs and read the books every day.
- Do not miss a week at your small group no matter what. Call your job-search buddies daily and keep the conversation positive and supportive. Focus on productive actions you can each take. Stick with the methodology – and encourage each other to hang in there.
- Rely on your private coach to determine a career direction (58% of you decide to change fields or industries), to develop a kick-ass resume (sorry), a strong cover letter, and the plan for your search. Rely on your small group for the search itself.
- Work hard on this – seven hours a day no matter what.
- Our people are getting jobs in HALF the time, but only those who work the system.
- You must have three hours of fun a week, whether you like it or not!
- Figure out what makes you laugh and do it. No one wants to hire dull and humorless people.
- Stay away from negative news. You are less likely to drop out.
- If it’s not working, change it. If it’s working, do more of it.
Hang in there. I know you can do it.
Kate Wendleton, President
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