Let me begin this blog with a fact, I know how today’s economic market affects the unemployed. When I first lost my job to due to a corporate buyout, I thought to myself, ‘No Worries, I have a great severance package, a nice 401k, paid vacation and sick time.’ I also received a nice stay-on bonus to help during the company’s transition and even had stock that I was able to sell. I was certain that the right job was out there for me and that any company would be foolish not to hire me. Well, guess what…it wasn’t’ that easy. And I saw the comfort of the cushioned bubble I had built around me quickly begin to burst.
A lot of people don’t realize that even though you are unemployed, you still actually have a full-time job of searching, résumé building, cover letter writing and interview scheduling. You may not be a salesperson, but when you are unemployed you automatically enter into a highly competitive job market where everyone becomes a salesperson trying their best to “sell” their skills to employers. And in order to stay on top, you have to outsell them and highlight your talent in a way that will distinguish you from the masses.
As a recruiter I am constantly asked, “How can I be successful in the job market today?” or “What can I do to help my chances in landing the job I go after?” There is no one word answer to these questions and there is no simple way to make it happen. To borrow from my Boy Scout days, you have to be prepared. You have to have the willingness to work hard and have a positive attitude in order to become successful. I talk to people all day long and it’s amazing to see how off target a prospective candidate is when it comes to the presentation of their résumé or their initial impression they portray when I first speak to them.
The following are a mix of traditional and innovative tips to get your name and skills out there. If done correctly they open more opportunities than ever before, even in today’s tough job market.
Personal Networking- Tell everyone you know you are looking for a job. Tell them to tell a friend and to keep their eyes and ears open. Let them know what you do and what you’re looking for.
- Seek out and join local network groups that meet once a week or once a month to sit down and discuss what’s going on in the job markets and career fields, you might be surprised what leads you can generate.
Online Networking
- Everyone uses the big web-sites like Career Builder, Monster and Yahoo! Hot Jobs. Expand your reach to the smaller job sites and profession-specific sites. All can lead to a potential opportunity.
- Take advantage of social network sites as well. The advantages that Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer can be advantageous for you. But be mindful of what pictures and comments you post. You don’t want a hiring manager to look at your personal profile and notice a picture that to them may seem inappropriate. You will be dropped from consideration instantly. The resolution to this is have a personal profile for friends and family and then create a professional profile for the business networking. Also please make sure you stay on top these profiles. Nothing makes a person look lazier than creating a profile and failing to update or maintain it. Be sure to join groups, look at discussion boards and constantly update you status.
Professional Networking- It never hurts to call on old clients and companies you have done business with in the past. They may not be hiring but they in turn might be able to refer something or someone to you. Never underestimate what information they give you. Attending industry events keeps you name and your face out there. It reminds everyone you are still in the game, just looking for a new team.
- Be flexible to opportunities in new or related fields, companies of different size and locations. Be aware of what’s out there!
Cover Letter and Resume- A good cover letter and résumé will quantify the value of your contributions to your previous employers. Sales points to focus on can be how you created profit, met deadlines, and improved customer service. Operational points would be controlling budget, reduce issues, and effectively building a successful team.
- Keep your resume fresh. Job seekers who want to increase their chances of success should tailor their resumes to reflect relevant matching skills with the job posting(s) they are applying to. By doing this you may increase your chances of receiving an interview and ultimately earning a new job.
Getting Professional Help- There are many recruiters out there. The key is to find the one you are most comfortable with. A good recruiter will build an open dialogue with you and help you find quality job opportunities that match your skill set. They will be a motivating coach and address any deficiencies they find in your résumé and help you improve them. More importantly, you will know the ones that are there for you and want to see you succeed.
Finally the last thing I learned while I was unemployed is that
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Don’t be embarrassed to get help. You will find that having a support group will make this transition easier for you.
By: Chris MagersLead Recruiter
Kennmark Medical
Because of the current economy and the number of available candidates in the market, it may seem easier for you to hire on your own without the expertise and cost of a Recruiter. But even in today's economy, the two Q's still apply: Quality and Qualified.
