More than half of Chicago-area residents still fear job loss - But most people who have jobs are at least somewhat satisfied, Tribune/WGN poll reveals

More than half of Chicago-area residents still fear job loss - But most people who have jobs are at least somewhat satisfied, Tribune/WGN poll reveals
By Gregory Karp
Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune
August 8, 2010
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0808-poll-jobs--20100808,0,296662,full.story



Despite pronouncements from many economists that the Great Recession is over, many workers in the Chicago region are anxious about losing their jobs.

A Tribune/WGN poll found 56 percent of residents were concerned that they or someone in their immediate family might lose their jobs in the next year. And nearly four in 10 people witnessed someone in their immediate family suffer a job loss in the past 12 months.

Among the respondents was Gordon Flagg, of Chicago, who in May lost his job after 28 years as an editor at a trade journal of the American Library Association. He has not yet found work.

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"It's tough," Flagg said. "I've been applying for dozens of jobs, but most (employers) don't even bother to respond. It's daunting." Fortunately, his wife is working, and the couple has health insurance, he said. "Everybody is worried about their job. It's pervasive."

Those who did have jobs were pleased with their situations. The Tribune/WGN poll of 800 heads of households across the Chicago region found 86 percent were at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs, although — maybe predictably — that satisfaction rose among people with higher incomes. And about six in 10 people said they wouldn't be searching for a different job, even if the economy were better.

Debbie Bohn, 56, of Elgin, is retired, but she has seen the effects of a lousy job market all around her. Her brother-in-law was laid off June 30, and at age 62 has been unsuccessful in landing other work, she said. Meanwhile, her daughter is seeing her hours cut at a dental practice and fears losing her job. "She's a single parent. She can't afford to lose income," Bohn said.

Bohn said she has a hard time believing that the recession is over, as many economists claim. "I would like to know where they're living," she said. "The reality is that for the rank and file, the recovery hasn't trickled down yet."

Unemployment in the Chicago region has stubbornly stuck in the double-digits — at 10.6 percent in June, compared with the nation's 9.5 percent.

Layoffs across America have been quite low in recent months, the lowest since before the 2001 recession, according a report last week by outplacement consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. of Chicago.

Problem is, companies aren't hiring much, said John Challenger, chief executive at Challenger Gray. That's the source of worker anxiety over jobs.

"Layoffs are not heavy, compared to last year. They're much lighter. But that's not much solace to people out of work looking for a job, because there's not much job creation going on," he said. "I think generally we're in a period right now where companies are kind of standing pat."

If companies need more labor, they're more likely to use temporary workers or add hours for part-timers than to hire new employees, he said.

That's certainly happening in the Chicago area, said Anne Edmunds, regional director for temporary staffing service Manpower Inc. in Illinois.

"On the temporary labor side, we are extremely busy right now, especially in the manufacturing sector," Edmunds said. And the firm is seeing strong permanent hiring in the financial services sector. "We've seen some of the biggest increases in the last 30 days that we've seen in the past two years."

Edmunds is quick to add, however, that it's unclear whether the recent spike in hiring will continue. "I think the anxiety comes from uncertainty about whether this a sustainable increase we're seeing, or is it short term," she said. "I think people are genuinely concerned."

The good news for Chicago job hunters is that the region has a diverse economy, with multiple industries and sectors to move among, Challenger said. "We have capacity for improvement that other cities don't have the potential for," he said.

Kurt Rittenburg, 58, of Chicago, didn't lose a job in the traditional way, but it's gone nonetheless. As a self-employed consultant to health care companies, he's seen business dry up. He's idle most days. "In a sense, I've lost my job because there's nothing for me to go do right now," he said. "The last 14 months have been absolutely hell. We're really feeling that pinch."

His wife had to come out of semiretirement to pick up full-time hours as a nurse to help make ends meet, he said.

At home, they are eating bacon-and-tomato sandwiches instead of dining out for steak, he said. He told his grandchildren there will be no trip to Disney World this year, and a planned trip to Rome with his wife is canceled.

"It's really shaking people up," Rittenburg said of the job market. "I don't think we're coming out of this soon."

John Wojciechowski, of Aurora, said he's always concerned about losing his job at a steel mill. But the mill is hiring now, which gives him some peace of mind, he said. Like 62 percent of people in the poll, he wouldn't necessarily be searching for a different job if the economy were better. "I guess everybody always wants a better job, but I get a paycheck and it pays the bills," he said.

Teresa Gorski, 57, of Midlothian, is fretting about job losses. Her son lost a job as a plumber, and she fears for the job of her husband, who works for a bus company. "I don't want my husband to lose his job because we wouldn't survive," she said. "They keep saying things are getting better, but it doesn't seem like it."

gkarp@tribune.com

Job search tips

A Tribune/WGN poll finds Chicago residents have anxiety about job losses. Companies have not yet returned to robust hiring, but job hunters can boost their chances of landing a position, experts say.

Regroup. Especially if you're long-term unemployed — more than six months — it's time to reinvigorate your job search, said John Challenger, chief executive of outplacement consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Fill in your resume with volunteer or consulting work you've done in recent months and reconnect with some of the people you networked with months ago. "It's like going back to spring training in baseball," he said.

Network. Most people who have been unemployed recently know the frustration of submitting electronic applications and resumes that seem to be ignored. That's why networking, both in person and online, is crucial, Challenger said. Join professional, charitable and civic organizations and figure out who works where. And update your page on LinkedIn, the primary online professional networking site.

Mind the big three. Employers complain about job applicants — and don't hire them — for three main reasons recently, said Anne Edmunds, regional director for temporary staffing service Manpower Inc. in Illinois. They are: lack of good communication skills, inflexibility with job responsibilities and hours, and inability to work in teams, she said. In an interview, highlight your proficiency in these areas.

Sell yourself. Traditional sales tactics can help you ace a job interview, said Oscar Adler, a Deerfield resident and author of "Sell Yourself in Any Interview." The crucial task is to find out what's important to the interviewer. Instead of regurgitating skills highlighted on your resume, say, "I've been researching your company and see you've been successful. What do you attribute your success to?" The answer gives you a guideline for the types of skills and attributes about yourself that you should highlight, Adler said. Imagine the interviewer has printed on his shirt, "What will you do for me?"