Who's Hiring ... and How to Get that Job

The employment numbers get worse every week...and if you need a job, you're up against more competition than ever before right now.

So we have some helpful information on where to apply for your best chance of landing work, and how can you get an edge when applying.

Job Hunting becomes a Job

Like a lot of people suddenly unemployed, Craig Walker's new job is job hunting. We found him at a job fair going booth to booth, asking one recruiter "do you have a management type position available?"

This veteran of the financial industry will now talk to anyone with openings... even the Military.

"It's a constant everyday pressure," he tells me, "when you have kids to take care of."

Still, he keeps his spirits up as he hunts.

More Applicants than Jobs

But job fairs and help wanted ads are now swamped with applicants. At one job fair, we found dozens of people applying for a few seasonal summer jobs in park maintenance. Bonnie Stokes was among them.

She says "What is it like trying to get work? It's hard, real hard."

Career counselor Dana Glasgo says you have to go beyond job fairs and classified ads...where she has seen one job get 500 qualified applicants.

Dana says "you're not going to find that job by sitting behind a computer."

Beat out the Others

Dana Glasgo says the most important tip to beat out the competition is to network: tell friends, family, and former co-workers you are job hunting. Don't be embarasssed. There's no longer a stigma about being out of work these days.

So she advises job hunters to:

• Network with everyone you know or meet.
• Make sure your resume is better than the next guy's.
• Explain in your cover letter how you can save a company money.
• And hand everyone a business card.

Dana says "you've got to plant a lot of seeds."

So Who's Hiring?

It also helps to apply to the hottest fields...which the labor department says are: Health care, Education, and Government.

Dana helps us break down those broad categories.

• In health care, there's a need for Nurses, Pharmacists, Physician assistants, and medical technicians.
• In education....while many public schools are cutting teachers, trade schools and new charter schools continue to hire.
• And in government...The IRS, US Census Bureau, and Military all need a few good men and women.

Glasgow says other hot areas include:

• Civil Engineering: With hundreds of stimulus spending projects on the way.
• Also...Security.
• And, sadly, anything related to foreclosures.

Employment counselors say if you've been frustrated in your search for full time work, this is a great time of year to land a seasonal summer position. Obviously, it's not what you really need long term...But it can tide you over while you continue your hunt, and in some cases may lead to full time work.

Craig Walker broadened his search, and will now tell anyone who'll listen that he's willing to work.

So broaden yours and dont waste your money. Im John Matarese.