We’re all seeing the same headlines these days. Times are hard, business are losing money, and people are still losing their jobs, even job analysts. Many experts see a worldwide slowdown with no clear end in sight, coupled with a weak job market. And it seems like people are willing to do anything to just find a job after months of looking, even going so far as to indulge in free Botox injections.

At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, though, desperation isn’t going to help you find your next job. Here’s a Q&A I did with the Philadelphia Inquirer the other day. It outlines what most would consider the counter-intuitive practice of getting a job without looking for one. And remember, this isn’t the first recession we’ve seen, and it won’t be the last.

There’s nothing wrong with you, and you didn’t do anything to bring this fate upon yourself. You’re still a good person, and you still have all of the qualities, experiences, and credentials you had before. Although it may be difficult to believe right now, this awful employment situation will come to an end, and your career will get back on track—eventually.

This is the second part of an interview with Denise Griffitts over on BlogTalkRadio. You can check out part one here. Enjoy!

Listen to the show here.

Sometimes, people get into a locked mindset about negotiating, with all sorts of assumptions, preconceived notions, and myths. This is even more true in tough economic times, when no one’s hiring. The truth is that everything is always negotiable.

Some good news, however slight. Recently reported statistics suggest that the unemployment rate might be steadily improving, according to some.

But as the Free Exchange blog at Economist.com points out, the recession isn’t going to end for everybody at the same time. For many industries, job losses are going to continue to be an issue for years.

All the more reason for everyone, regardless of the line of work they’re in, concentrates on a long-term career plan. Ask yourself what you where you want to be when the market does recover. Stay positive, keep calm, and carry on.

Forbes.com just ran a piece on how to negotiate during this recession, and I’m happy to say I’ve been quoted in it. Take a look at it for some quick tips on why you should negotiate even (especially!) in this tough job market.

The bottom line is: negotiation is a part of any job offer, no matter what state the economy is in. Don’t jump to accept the very first offer that comes your way without negotiating your terms. Getting a job offer is NOT your ultimate goal; your goal is to accept a job that you’ll love, that will fit into your long-term career plan, and give you the salary that you deserve.

Get the Job You Want Even When No One’s Hiring is not just a book to help you get your next job (although it will certainly do that). It’s a resource to help you always get the right job and manage your career in a much more effective way—even in the toughest job market, even during a financial meltdown, and even when no one’s hiring.

If you’re in the New York City area and you are looking to jumpstart your media career, you might find some helpful information at the MediaBistro Career Circus on August 4.

Even if you’re safely employed, it’s never a bad idea to get out there at events like this and see what and who is new in your field. It looks like some of the panels are going to address career progress, something employed people tend to neglect. Remember: your job may not last forever, but your career is something you’ll be working on constantly.

The social networking industry, like any other, is susceptible to layoffs these days. On Tuesday, MySpace reduced its staff by 30%. But don’t worry; Tom isn’t going anywhere just yet.

From the company’s official press release:

“Simply put, our staffing levels were bloated and hindered our ability to be an efficient and nimble team-oriented company,” said MySpace Chief Executive Officer Owen Van Natta. “I understand that these changes are painful for many. They are also necessary for the long-term health and culture of MySpace. Our intent is to return to an environment of innovation that is centered on our user and our product.”

Some would argue these cuts were inevitable as other social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have seemingly overshadowed MySpace in recent years. Hopefully, those who are now leaving MySpace can secure a new position by networking online and in person.

Hello there and welcome to the Get the Job Blog! We’re excited to be starting conversations on careers, job searches, interview tips, and hiring practices with you. Comment away; we’re happy to hear from you.

Here’s a little peek of what you can expect on this blog:

• Snippets from Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring  
• Discussions about current events and what they mean for the job market
• Polls on your own career experience, so we can all get a better picture of life on the job search front lines

Thanks so much for visiting, and we look forward to getting to know you.