Dealing
with a job loss may be one of the most difficult experiences
in your life. Unless you’ve been unemployed, you probably
don’t understand the amount of effort required to finding
that new position. Add the financial pressure and reduced
spending and you have all the ingredients to make anyone say,
"I want to give up."
Isolation is not the answer to changing your situation and
may significantly add to the stress of dealing with your situation.
You may have been used to rising early and leaving for work.
Now is not the time to change your routine. You need to be
dedicated. This means the task of job hunting becomes
a regular daily task. Take the time to put on clothes
that make you feel good each day so you'll be more inclined
to get out of the house and seek out others.
The research is clear: it is "who"you
know. Your network is much larger than you think. Set a goal
to meet with one person each day. The best time to do this
is early in the morning or over lunch. Begin making a list
of everyone you know. You'll probably need everyone on your
list at different times. Some will help with the search process,
but others will be an excuse to get out of the house and share
a cup of coffee. This list can never be too large. Add names
as time goes on and keep it fresh.
Begin creating your resume. Before presenting
it to anyone of consequence, show it to several of your coffee
buddies and ask for their feedback. Remember there is no one
best way to create your resume, but there are best practices.
Quantify your accomplishments in terms of time saved, costs
saved, clients gained, revenues generated, and begin creating
your story.
Roll-playing. Your friends can take on the
role of the hiring manager. Use your resume to create to begin
your discussion. The goal is to slowly develop an “elevator
pitch”; the 15-20 words of what you are looking for and why
you would be a good fit for their organization.
Contact placement firms and share your resume.
This will give you the opportunity to practice your speech
and create opportunities to find work. If you don’t know anyone,
call your friends and ask them. You may find an interim position
or a full-time position. It won’t hurt and can only help.
This is a great time too to ask an expert their suggestions
on your resume and possible places to look.
Post online. Don’t spend a great deal of
time doing this but they are free. Possible sites might include;
LinkedIn, Ryze, Ecademy, CorporateAlumni.com, BrightCircles.com
and Classmates.com. Search adds; professional organizations
might be best for a professional position.
Contact people in-the-know. These are people
you probably don’t know but people who have been referred
to as well as people at a company you would like to go to
work for. Contacting them by phone is best. These are professionals
you want to speak with for professional advice. If you connect
with them, it could lead to a great new contact.
Your people-in-the-know should be able to assist you in creating
a list of potential employers, positions, salary and benefits
and the potential career path. Evaluate the company in terms
of whether it can offer you the job changes and career development
and vision. Find out what jobs are open that could lead you
toward your next objective in six months or a year. If the
company is an outstanding place to work, don't worry too much
about your first job there. In fact, don't worry too much
about any one job, because the work assignments change quickly.
Follow up on all leads. Document all your
attempts to reach someone. Send your thank-you by mail and
updates by email. If you are rejected, find out why. Be specific.
Keep yourself positive. Remember every rejection gets you
closer to your goal.
Staying connected with your contacts will
help you deal with the stress of job loss and contacting people
in the know can help you stay positive and hopeful of finding
the right position.
Back
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Reproduction
of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed
consent of Human Resource Staffing.
Don Schmitz
is a popular speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO
of Human Resource Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in
Education, Administration and Human Development.
Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com
952 854 6040
