Job-Search Strategies For Closing Unemployment Gender Gap

BOSTON - July 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Although the gap in the unemployment rate between men and women has narrowed in recent years, men continue to have a higher unemployment rate than women. The right job-search strategies may be able to help close that gap further, as well as assist women in changing careers, according to ClearRock Inc.,  a leadership development, executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston.

In the most recent government employment report (for June 2014), there is less than a half of a percentage point difference between the unemployment rates of males and females ages 20 and over. Males in that category have an unemployment rate of 5.7% compared to an unemployment rate of 5.3% for females that age.

That is quite an improvement in the gap between the genders four years ago, in June 2010, when males ages 20 and over had an unemployment rate of 9.4% compared to 7.7% for women – a difference of close to 2 percentage points.

“One of the biggest reasons for the continued gap is because some of the industries that have traditionally been comprised of mostly males – such as manufacturing and construction – were hardest hit by the recession and have been slower to recover,” said Laura Poisson, senior vice president for ClearRock.

“However, industries that tend to be dominated by women – such as health care and education – were not affected as severely by the recession, and the health care area continues to grow,” Poisson added.

Following is a breakdown of employment in some of the largest industries by gender, according to the U.S. Bureay of Labor Statistics.

Mostly female industries: Women comprise 77% of employees in the health services and education industries and 57% of workers in the financial-related industry.

Mostly male industries: Men account for 87% of employees in the construction industry, 76% of workers in the transportation and warehousing industry, 76% in the utilities industry, 73% in the manufacturing industry and 60% in the information technology industry.

Near gender-equality industries: Men and women are at or approaching gender equality in the retail (both at about 50%), leisure and hospitality (52% women/48% men) and professional and business services (55% men/45% women) industries.

“Unemployed and under-employed male workers may want to consider targeting industries that are comprised mostly of women, such as health care and education, or where the genders are more evenly balanced, such as retail, leisure/hospitality and professional and business services,” said Ellie Eckhoff, vice president with ClearRock http://www.clearrock.com

“The same job-search strategies that men can use to switch to less male-dominated industries can also be used by women looking to change careers to a new field,” Eckhoff added.

ClearRock recommends these guidelines for changing industries:

Explore taking a temporary or part-time job in the field. “While hiring full-time workers remains slow, there is a growing demand for temporary and part-time workers. These positions will give new entrants the opportunity to demonstrate the value they can add. It will also enable them to learn if they like the field before committing full-time to it,” said Poisson.

Translate accomplishments gained in one industry into terms meaningful to the new field. “Focus on quantifiable accomplishments and achievements using dollar amounts, percentages, and other figures, such as increases in sales and profits. Also include the skills and insights you can bring to the new industry, such as management strategies and techniques," said Eckhoff.

Expand your contact network to include people from your targeted industry. Try to make new connections in your targeted field by using social networking websites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

Broaden your knowledge. Read up on the new field from industry-specific trade magazines, websites and newsletters. Learn to “talk the talk” of the new industry, including buzzwords and what they mean.

About ClearRock, Inc.
ClearRock, Inc. is a Boston-based leadership development, executive coaching, and outplacement firm that is recognized for bringing best-in-class offerings to the coaching process. We offer developmental coaching for high-potential managers and executives; new-leader coaching for newly hired or recently promoted managers and leaders; performance coaching to help managers and executives become more effective, and outplacement coaching through a combination of a “high touch” career transition assistance and comprehensive “high tech” resources.

Our coaches and consultants have decades of experience, and our customized approach factors in everything from career goals and organizational objectives to client and consultant/coach compatibility. We tailor action plans for every organization and individual we work with, and our track record speaks for itself – numerous advancements for our coachees, rapid re-employment for our outplacement candidates, and long-lasting client relationships. For more information, visit http://www.clearrock.com