A REAL Economic TEA Party!

I have been asking the questions, “How could so many experts fail to forecast the 2008-2009 downturn in our economy? Where are all the pundits when you need them?“ So I suggested that a group of the most optimistic career professionals that I know get together and discuss economic indicators that we can use to make labor market forecasts in the Tulsa Metro area.

Five of us met at Panera Bread at 71st and Garnett on March 5, 2009. As we settled down to discuss the economic outlook and enjoy a glass of tea, we all shared the same fears about the economy. Upon reflection one of the biggest factors that all of us face is our attitude toward this current economic bump in the road – we all hope it is not a deep ditch. We all agree that a Pollyanna approach is not in anyone best interest. What is Tulsa Economic Attitude (TEA)?

Collectively there were 95+ years of job search, recruitment and career development experience in the room, all of whom have seen many economic cycles come and go. We have all been glued to the media outlets for any sign of good news about the economy. We could find nothing to be optimistic about! Nothing! But…!

Travis Jones of Career Development Partners commented, “ This is an occasion for employers to realign their teams and obtain top talent for future projects, as well as take advantage of career training to improve the depth of their workforce. More importantly, it is a good time for dissatisfied, under-utilized workers to explore new opportunities and find a position that aligns with their true interest and career goals.”

We all agreed that out of this economic realignment the economy will emerge stronger with more opportunity than in previous decades.

Angela Robinson with the JobGuide shared that her advertisers are reporting that their employees are happy to have jobs and their turnover rate is decreasing. She also pointed out that the economy is like a rose, the petals may fall, but the bush will bloom again. When you see the blooms of spring, know that the economy will once again show growth.

Diana Bacon with ProDrivers was talking about a recent television report showcasing the jobs in transportation. She pointed out that while transportation is slowing somewhat, experienced drivers with good driving records can find jobs.

Ramona Gresham with Goodwill Industries Staffing also attended. Ramona, in addition to her work with Goodwill, is a high-tech recruiter who places top talent with global companies. “While the economy is tight, many companies are always looking for high-performing talent. My clients realize that the economy is cyclical and they need top talent to address changing market place demands.”

In suggesting the TEA to Sonny Lane with the JobGuide, the driving force behind my involvement is to help people who are listening to the bad news and sometimes become paralyzed with fear. It seems that everyone I talk to tells me, “Your business must be booming.”

However, during a soft economy, we spend much more time educating clients on the realities of the job market. If you are spending all of your time researching the job boards and you feel there is no opportunity, you want to rethink your web-based job search plan. Recently, I attended a networking function and was told about 10 to 12 opening with Tulsa employers. If I had been in almost any city in the country, I would have heard about a job or two. Making contacts with key influencers might be a path to a new career.

On March 11, the unemployment numbers for January 2009 were out. Tulsa’s unemployment inched up to 5.0%. While there was an uptick in unemployment, these are not bad numbers based upon the economy nationwide. We should consider ourselves fortunate. One day later the Tulsa World put these same numbers in a grim light – They focused on non-seasonal adjustable rates while I focused on seasonable adjustment data (see article here).

At the TEA my optimistic business associates and I turned pessimistic when I asked each to predict the economic outcome for January. I am calling us the Pessimistic -5. As pundits, we did not fair very well in predicting the unemployment numbers for Oklahoma in January. Our prediction ranged anywhere from 5.3 to 7%.

Anyone who knows any of us would tell you that we are optimistic, but faced with the bombardment of bad economic news, even the most hopeful and confident professionals have trouble finding a needle of reality in the haystack of gloom.

If you are ready to face the realities of this job market, you may just find a career opportunity much better that the one you have left or are leaving.

To do that, we suggest the following:

1. Polish your resume until it sizzles!
   
   
2. Present it to decision makers with the depth of experience that can recognize true talent and have a vision for a bright future.
   
   
3. Shake off pessimism and super optimism and work within the reality that 95% of us have jobs.
   

In any job market there is natural attrition. Why not let the job market work for you? Try something new - you just might find a new career that will offer the building blocks for a brighter future.

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