july2013 figures

Whilst short term figures are good the worrying aspect is long term unemployment
long term and Youth unemployment remain stubbonly high

bbc

UK unemployment fell by 57,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics said.

Youth unemployment fell by 20,000, but the number of long-term jobless hit a 17-year high.

The number of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants in June fell by 21,200 to 1.48 million, the first fall below 1.5 million for nearly three years.

Ministers said it showed that recovery was taking hold, but critics said the human costs were still too high.

Separately, the ONS reported that average earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to May, up by 0.2% on the previous month, giving an average weekly wage of £476.

The unemployment rate was 7.8%, the ONS data showed. The number of people in employment rose by 16,000 to a total of 29.7 million.

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Analysis

Jonty BloomBusiness correspondent, BBC News

It seems that even with low growth rates, the UK economy can create jobs.

Since this time last year about 300,000 more people are in work. And that continues to surprise economists.

In past economic downturns. unemployment has risen much higher - and fallen very slowly.

One explanation is the low rate of wage increases. The latest ONS figures show that pay is increasing on average by 1% a year.

With inflation at almost three times that level, it means the average person is taking a 2% pay cut in real terms.

That is a trend that has been going on for several years. And while it makes staff cheaper to employ and helps bring down unemployment, it also means that even many of those in work are worse off than they were last year.

However, 915,000 people have been out of work for more than a year, the ONS figures showed, an increase of 32,000 and the highest total since 1996.

Just over 460,000 people have been jobless for more than two years, the highest figure since 1997.

The number of people classed as economically inactive also increased in the latest quarter, up by 87,000 to 9.04 million.

'Area of strength'

Unemployment is now 72,000 lower than a year ago, which Employment Minister Mark Hoban said was "encouraging".

"The fall in the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits, together with the news that there are currently over half a million vacancies available in the UK economy, show that there are opportunities out there for those who are prepared to work hard, and who aspire to get on in life," he said.

David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "With employment rising and unemployment falling, the labour market remains an area of strength for the UK economy.

Young people gain employment through social media has been launched

VideofyMe app uses Twitter to help young get jobs

The app allows users to record and edit their video CVs

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Related Stories

• Graduate jobs 'at five-year high'
• UK unemployment up to 2.52 million

A scheme to help young people gain employment through social media has been launched.

The VideofyMe app allows job hunters to record a video CV which is uploaded to Twitter. Employers can search the hashtag #employme to find applicants.

The project is being launched with London-based charity UK Youth and has the backing of Dragons' Den judge Hilary Devey.

Latest youth figures show 958,000 people aged 16 to 24 are unemployed.

Recent research by High Fliers shows that an average of 46 UK graduates are competing for each job.

Job hunters can record the video CV using the free smartphone app and then share it with hashtag #employme followed by a second hashtag of the sector they want to work in e.g. #design or #charitysector.

'Show personality'

The automatic aggregation by Twitter of the videos through the #employme hashtag means that uploaded video CVs can be easily found by interested employers. Some videos may also gain popularity by going viral.

It can also be uploaded to Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr.

Ms Devey has pledged to tweet a link to her favourite CV each week.

Mitchells & Butlers, who manage 1,600 pubs and restaurants including the All Bar One and Harvester chains, said it would use the scheme.

Helen Stuttard, senior recruitment manager, said: "I think that the video CV is a great idea especially for young people, graduates and students who may want to get their personality across as well as their passion for the role for which they are applying."

Charlotte Hill, chief executive of UK Youth, said: "Video CVs are a fantastic idea. They are simple and accessible to all and can help young people from all backgrounds present their skills and talents directly to employers."

A recent survey by Inspiring Interns, a company which helps graduates find internships which lead to full-time employment, found 94% of its clients wanted to see video CVs of candidates as part of the recruitment process.

So here you have the details from the site-------------------------------------------------------------------

With youth unemployment standing at around 1 million young people and up to 70 graduates chasing every job, it is more important than ever before to be heard above the crowd.

UK Youth has teamed up with the social video app VideofyMe to create a new social media market for jobs to help more young people from all kinds of backgrounds come to the attention of employers.

Simply make your own video CV and post it on Twitter with the hashtag #employme Employers can then search directly within Twitter for new recruits.

Download the app from the iTunes store or via www.videofy.me and follow the simple instructions on how to make a video. Then share with the wider world and potential employers.

• Keep it short and snappy - maximum two minutes, but aim to be closer to one. Remember employers could have hundreds of applications to go through.
• Be creative but not too clever - there is a fine line between being interesting and being a show off. You don't want your CV to go global for the wrong reasons.
• Be professional – consider dressing and behaving like you would in the workplace or as if you are going for an interview in person.
• Add value - the whole point of a video CV is to add greater insight to your strengths and personality. Don't just read out your CV. Let the employer know not only what you have achieved but what you could achieve for them.
• Make it appropriate – target your video CV for the job market you are aiming for. A more creative video CV for the creative industries; a more straight forward video CV for business and commerce.
• Include your contact details – make it as easy as possible for the employer to get hold of you.
• Break all these rules - if you have a truly unique and arresting idea.

When you have finished your video post it using the app on twitter under the hashtag #employme and pick a second hashtag to reflect the sector you want to work in.

You can use the following:

#advertising #agriculture #arts #automotive #charity #construction #design #environment #fashion #film #finance #food #healthcare #hospitality #insurance #leisure #manufacturing #marketing #media #publishing #retail #sales #teaching #technology #television #transport

...or alternatively make up one of your own.

Here are some video CVs that were made earlier

A dream job would be nice 

Employ adam

Helen Stuttard, Senior Recruitment Manager at Mitchells & Butlers, operators of around 1,600 managed pubs, bars and restaurants throughout the United Kingdom (including All Bar One, Harvesters, and Browns) comments:

"Mitchells & Butlers employs approximately 38,000 people in 17 brands throughout the UK. I think that the video CV is a great idea especially for young people, graduates and students who may want to get their personality across as well as their passion for the role for which they are applying."