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How to Find
a Job in a Recession
See tips from the experts.
Job Search
Roundup
Tips for a successful
job search
NBCI Feature Article
How to Find a Job During a Recession
During a recession it is best to move forward with force, while your competition is moving slowly. It is easy to use the economy as an excuse. Successful job seekers know that even in tough economic times, there are opportunities. You just have to dig a bit deeper.
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.
Click HERE for Tips for a Sucessful Job Search
1. Take a closer look at industry
Research industries and job sectors that are experiencing worker
shortages or still experiencing job growth. These are the areas
where you may want to focus your search.
For example, by looking at the BLS data, you will learn that health
care, education, government, food services and drinking places,
and IT categories have all gained jobs this year.
2. Freshen up your skills
"Don't give an employer a reason to pass you over because
you don't know the basics," states Diane Morgan, director of
career services at London Business School. Morgan says everyone
should know basic office skills like Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
"Since these are skills you can teach yourself from the Internet
or a library book, there are no excuses for not having them."
Another alternative is CBInstitute.com, which offers easy-to-use
online courses at all levels, including business etiquette, project
management, foreign languages and typing. You can take courses at
times that are convenient for you, so no matter how little time
you have to invest, you can make it work. At the same time, the
courses are affordable and reasonably priced.
Morgan also suggests brushing up your sales skills (persuasion,
negotiating and influencing) even if you aren't in the sales industry.
You need to sell your best product, which is you, so make sure your
personal pitch is relevant, timely and effective, she asserts.
3. Try part-time or freelance work
"Rather than one 'job,' think in terms of multiple positions.
Breaking in [to a new job] may be easier if you aim for part-time
work within a company," advises Katy Piotrowski, career counselor
and author of "The Career Coward's Guides." "Line
up multiple part-time positions and you'll benefit from more job
security; if one position evaporates, you have the others to fall
back on."
Moreover, it will pad your résumé and your wallet.
Rachel Weingarten, author of "Career and Corporate Cool,"
recommends job sharing or taking over for someone on maternity leave
or during the holiday crunch.
"A lot of people don't want to commit full-time skills to
a part-time or temporary gig. In this economy though, it can allow
you to not only try on a job for size, but to also improve your
skills, impress a potential long-term employer and network like
crazy with people in your chosen industry," she says. "Instead
of nervously waiting for the right full-time career, you can potentially
make something better happen in the short term."
4. Rev up your social networking
Gone are the days of peddling your résumé at anonymous
networking events with watered-down drinks and goofy nametags. Now
you can have countless opportunities with a few keystrokes and a
couple of mouse clicks.
Sure you've received those requests to join LinkedIn and BrightFuse,
and you certainly use Facebook daily. (Scrabble anyone?) But now
is the time to really take of the network you've probably casually
built over the years.
Networking is easier than in years past because of the easy access
to your network and those of your friends and colleagues, Matuson
declares. "Now you can go onto [social networking] sites and
see who in your network knows someone at a company that you might
be interested in working for. You can then ask them to make an introduction
on your behalf."
5. Think in terms of results
"In today's recessionary environment, the single most important
thing that a job seeker can do to advance his or her career is to
demonstrate how they can build value for a company," says Wendy
Enelow, author, trainer and career consultant.
"As we all know, past behavior is indicative of future behavior,
so if you've been successful in growing sales, slashing overhead
costs, improving profit margins on specific products, capturing
new clients, etc., then clearly and prominently position those achievements
within your résumé and other job search communications,"
Enelow suggests.
6. Role play
Practice your answers to interview questions -- especially the
one that explains why you aren't working, recommends J.T. O'Donnell,
a nationally syndicated workplace columnist. "If you were fired,
or part of a layoff, you most likely are struggling to deal with
this adversity. Role play with someone so you can get comfortable
with your answer," she proposes.
"Confidence is key. You'll need to be able to explain the
situation in a way that is authentic and sincere without sounding
bitter or defeated. Try to stay positive and share what you've learned
from the experience -- employers hire folks with good attitudes
and the ability to handle adversity."
7. Polish your brand and market it
"How you choose to market yourself will directly impact how
long it will take to find a new job," O'Donnell declares. "Identify
your strengths and put together the best possible personal brand."
You can do this with a flawless résumé, customized
and compelling cover letters, and articulate and engaging networking.
"Searching for a job is the same in any type of market. You
should be prepared, professional and do the work for the interviewer,"
Morgan says. "Don't make them guess or imagine how you could
fit in -- that is your job ... If you can't make yourself relevant,
your résumé will quickly be on the bottom of the pile."
8. Find opportunity in your current position
"New skills can come from a small part of your job that you
most enjoy doing," Morgan declares. Ask your current employer
to send you to a conference, pay membership dues or join an association.
You can also leverage dreaded tasks by seeking out ones that match
a future interest, Morgan adds. "If you dream of running a
nonprofit but are an operations manager, volunteer to run the community
day for your company. A former law colleague is now the head of
PR for a botanic garden because she leveraged her hobby. "
9. Be realistic
"Get real about the time it will take to find a new job,"
O'Donnell asserts. "In this current job market, I tell clients
to expect it to take at least three months to find a job that pays
$40,000. Add one month for every $10,000 more you want in salary.
In other words, if you are looking for $80,000 a year, expect it
to take at least seven months to find a new job."
10. Consult your Pastor for job leads and
spiritual guidance