Philadelphia, PA – October 26, 2009 – Even in the best of times, finding a new job is a challenge. So it is no surprise that 42% of people polled think it would be “very difficult” to find a new job in today’s tough economy, according to a survey of more than 2,500 individuals on LinkedIn® by Right Management. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within Manpower, the global leader in employment services.

Forty-three percent of those responding believe getting a new job would be “somewhat difficult,” and 14% would consider it “somewhat” or “very easy.”

Men and women have nearly identical opinions on job hunting prospects, while respondents whose job function is in business development or sales are more upbeat than those in finance. The older the respondent, the more likely the individual is to consider the job hunt difficult, which may be explained in part by their typically higher salary levels.

“Losing a job is one of the top most stressful life events,” said Tony Santora, Executive Vice President for Global Solutions at Right Management. “The job search process can be an anxiety-filled experience, even in a healthy economy. So stress typically comes with the territory.”

The survey results, said Santora, may obscure the fact that people nonetheless find new employment every day. “And it’s networking that continues to be the best way to do it for nearly one in two job seekers. We know that nothing beats tapping into hidden opportunities than being recommended into an organization by a trusted source.”

According to Santora, a diverse network can help a person get information about industry trends, find mentors, search out referrals to specific people, connect with others in professional associations, and meet with colleagues to stay on track and tap hidden opportunities.

Santora advises job seekers to create a list of networking contacts. “There are people you know from college alumni, social or professional groups, as well as former jobs. Use online professional networking resources such as LinkedIn to expand your network. Both recruiters and hiring managers increasingly tap into Web 2.0 technologies to find top candidates with skills that meet their criteria. Be sure to keep your profile accurate and up-to-date as these sites have proved to be a great avenue for job seekers to showcase talents and manage their careers.”

Prospective employers, Santora noted, are well aware of hiring and firing trends and know there is enormous untapped talent available in today’s marketplace.

The LinkedIn survey of 2,489 individuals was conducted in August in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

About Right Management

Right Management (www.right.com) is the talent and career management expert within Manpower, the global leader in employment services. Right Management helps clients win in the changing world of work by designing and executing workforce solutions that align talent strategy with business strategy. Our expertise spans Talent Assessment, Leader Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Employee Engagement, and Workforce Transition and Outplacement. With offices in over 50 countries, Right Management partners with companies of all sizes. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies are currently working with us to help them grow talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance.

Media Contact: Helene Cavalli, Right Management, 215-640-7141 or helene.cavalli@right.com