January 2009
The Twelve Steps to a Safe Landing
during these Turbulent Times
By
President of Workforce Associates
January 2009
The Twelve Steps to a Safe Landing
during these Turbulent Times
By
President of Workforce Associates
If you're among the more than one million workers who've been laid off this year or are vulnerable during 2009, finding a new job will require creativity and more effort than a typical job search during better times.
The competition will undoubtedly be stiffer than what you've faced before. You'll likely be asked questions about the circumstances of your leaving your last job. Knowing where to look for jobs, learning how to set yourself apart from other job seekers through serious networking, and rehearsing what to say about your past situation could mean the difference between getting a job and being unemployed much longer than you can afford.
Since you're familiar with the 12 days of Christmas, here's a 12-step guide to jump start your job search. By following these steps, you'll find new job opportunities that you may not have thought of beforehand. This guide is also designed to help you step out of your depressed and anxious state of mind to become more confident and win an early and (hopefully!) quick success that ends your job search.
1. Craigslist continues to stand out as THE best first step you can take to look for new jobs. Whether you want the private sector, government, or non-profits, Craigslist does a masterful job in providing lots of ideas and directions for your job search.There's no question about it. Looking for a job is a serious, comprehensive job in and of itself! Leave no website untouched during your search! Thank goodness for the Internet and Google!
2. You'll quickly notice that Craigslist is popular with staffing agencies of all kinds who are trying to avoid the fees at commercial job boards. Don't sniff at staffing agencies. They have become the front door for many firms that don't want to be bothered with recruiting. Manpower, Kelly, Adecco, etc. and many other staffing agencies offer professional positions -- contract, part time, permanent/temporary, and full time -- around the country. The professional counselors are welcoming and re-assuring. They can provide assessment tests to evaluate your computer skills and help you role play interviews. Their access to major employers in your area is a great way for you as a job seeker to try out a firm and for employers to check you out, too. They also provide temporary job opportunities to keep you afloat while you're still looking for a permanent position.
3. Join your professional association or society chapter in your area and become an officer. This is a great way to network with colleagues and keep your professional experience and education razor sharp. They also have strong career sections that may be VERY helpful to you. It also looks good on your resume to note your involvement with your local chapter.
If you're not familiar with associations in your field, a simple Google search will point you in the right direction. Another excellent source is ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership, which is a comprehensive list of current associations of all sizes, shapes, locations, and descriptions.
4. Check in your local paper for announcements of clubs for professionals who are also unemployed and actively networking with each other to find new positions and opportunities. Local churches often provide venues for groups of like-minded folks to meet. An example is the Business and Professional Exchange in Indianapolis www.bpeindy.org that has been operating through 3 recessions.
Cultivate your 15 second and 30 second "elevator speech" about your current career and what you're looking for. Practice this speech on your family, friends, neighbors, whomever you run into. It's a valuable tool to have in your job search toolkit. You may be surprised at the numbers of people who don't know what you do (or have done). This short speech is a valuable key to informing folks without overkill.
Your One-Stop Center and public library can give you info regarding when they meet. The library and One-Stop also have valuable information about jobs in your area have shortages and more recession-proof occupations. Examples include careers in healthcare and in education.
Another excellent resource is the federal government's O*Net system that is a comprehensive database of 813 occupations. You can learn about salary levels, job descriptions, or watch a video of the day in the life of someone in that job. Terrific resource to sample new occupations and fields.
5. Join entrepreneur groups. You'll find that they are made up of very bright, creative folks who are starting new businesses and looking for like minded folks. Check out the Kauffman Foundation for materials, resources, and educational programs that they offer.
Use a Google search to find out about Small Business Administration entrepreneur programs or SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Businesses, to find locations by zip code. You'll find a wealth of capable folks who can help you network yourself to new opportunities.
Also check out the business networking events and activities through your Chamber of Commerce. These events are good see-and-be-seen opportunities and may give you valuable leads. Practice your elevator speech every chance you get! Join Toastmasters to improve your public speaking skills. Often you'll find wonderful networking opportunities with your new found colleagues.
6. Lean heavily as an alum on your university's career center and use their abundant resources. They have many career fairs, assessment tests, and resources for their alumni to check out.
7. Check out local art museums, historical centers, performing arts places, social service agencies, etc. for jobs, grants, soft money of all kinds, etc. Many non-profits have email newsletters that announce job openings. By Googling your locale and the word "non-profit", you'll be amazed at the opportunities that pop up.
8. Volunteer at your favorite charity or non-profit group. Many folks have it a lot worse than you do and you'll be helping a great cause during the post holiday season when it's quiet. Volunteering is another worthwhile activity to include on your resume - especially when you're volunteering to do something similar to what you have been paid to do. With luck, you might be able to parlay your volunteer job into a permanent one by being on the scene when a permanent position opens up. It also pays (literally and figuratively!) to acquire the skill of grant writing. It's like learning to speak in public - an invaluable tool!
Check your local newspaper for their listings of volunteer opportunities. Food banks are especially busy during these tough times and looking for help. Your United Way is another excellent resource.
9. Read your local business newspaper for ideas. Follow up on lead articles by checking out individual company's websites. Often you'll discover comprehensive career sections that will give you a flavor of the corporate culture and hidden opportunities that don't hit the press. And do further follow-up by going to Vault to find out what the survivors at these companies have to say about their bosses and colleagues. Fascinating reading!
Start considering new and different cities for opportunities. The more flexible you are regarding salary level and geographic location, the quicker your job search will end.
Examples of excellent companies to track around the country are those that make the One Hundred Best list that comes out annually. Look for the 2009 winners here
10. Track the civilian and military BRAC job opportunities around the country that have occurred recently.
Many BRAC "winners" include increased demand for those with construction and high technology experience.
11. Keep in weekly contact with your references to let them know the ups and down's of your job search. Invite their ideas for additional resources/crazy ideas to help you get a new job. This weekly email will become a diary/journal of your latest odyssey to find a new job. You'll appreciate having this record of your contacts and activities when the next job search comes around -- which it will certainly occur again during your long career. And it will be a guide to your Erica as she starts to learn about the precarious world of work.
12. Exercise; stay healthy; use this extra time to beef up your computer skills, Spanish, reading your professional journals, business books, etc
13. And here's a baker's dozen for those of you who have read to the end: Hire a professional career coach to beef up your resume and give you practice in interviews. Check here for a list of qualified career coaches nearby.
Have a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year! I can always be reached at jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
Jane M. Lommel, Ph.D.
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