ClearRock

BOSTON - Although the unemployment rate (9.7%) remains high for both men and women, males continue to be disproportionately out of work.  Some men looking for jobs may want to target several industries that have been traditionally dominated by females, and to transfer their skills to these fields, according to ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm headquartered in Boston.

The unemployment rate for men in March was 2 percentage points higher than that for women - 10% for men vs. 8% for women.  However, when the economic downturn began more than two years ago, the unemployment rates for both genders were approximately equal, 5.0% for men and 4.8% for women.

One of the biggest reasons for the disparity in unemployment rates is because some of the industries that have been traditionally dominated by men were more severely affected by the recession, including manufacturing and construction.  However, employment has remained more stable in several industries in which women comprise the majority of employees, including health care, education, and leisure and hospitality services - and has continued to grow since the start of this year.

Women comprise 77% of employees in the health care and education industries, and 53% of workers in the leisure and hospitality services industries.  However, men account for 87% of construction-related jobs and 71% of manufacturing-related positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Although employment in manufacturing and construction has been rising a little so far this year from very depressed levels in 2009, employment in the health care and educational industries has been more stable and has continued to expand," said Annie Stevens, managing partner with ClearRock.

"Changing industries to obtain your next job is a strategy that both men and women can successfully employ.  Changing industries enables job-seekers to capitalize on the skills they have developed over the years, and offer them to another employer in a different field," added Stevens.

"People who switch industries, but remain in the same or a similar job function - or, the type of work they perform - usually have more success than those who try to go into a completely different line of work," said Greg Gostanian, managing partner with ClearRock.

"For example, one could switch from being an accountant at a manufacturing company to becoming an accountant with a health care organization.  Although the type of work you do hasn't changed - accountant - the industry has, from manufacturing to health care," added Gostanian.

ClearRock recommends these guidelines to follow to increase the likelihood for successfully switching to a new industry:

• Search for employment opportunities in all industries that are most closely related to the ones in which you have experience.  "Out-of-work banking industry employees should also search for jobs with mortgage companies, credit unions, financial planners, and insurance companies, in addition to looking for employment with other banks.  But after this, they should look for jobs within their functional areas in unrelated industries, such as health care, education, and others," said Stevens.
• 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," said Gostanian.
• Translate your functional expertise from the industries in which you have the most experience into terms that will be meaningful to those in the new industry.  "Focus on quantifiable accomplishments and achievements when possible, using dollar amounts, percentages, and other figures, such as increases in sales and profits.  Also include qualitative accomplishments that demonstrate the new skills and management techniques and insights you can bring to the new industry," said Stevens.
• Explore taking a part-time or contract job in the new field.  "This will enable you to make sure you like the new industry before committing yourself full-time to it, and if you do, will bolster your case to an employer that your skills are transferrable," said Gostanian
• Acquire detailed knowledge of your newly chosen industry from trade magazines, websites, newsletters, and other industry-specific media.
• Learn the language of the industries in which you're applying for jobs, including buzzwords and latest terms.
• Talk to people who are already in your newly targeted industries about current issues and trends.
• Join trade groups and attend industry functions and association meetings.