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IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE:
7 Immediate Steps For Every Laid-Off Individual
by Darrell W. Gurney, CPC, JCTC, RScP
A Permanent Success National Career Coaching & Search Partners
- Prepare a "keyword searchable" resume: today’s companies and
recruiters use databases for information storage and retrieval—quite
different from the non-electronic filing cabinets of past recessions.
If an appropriate position isn’t available immediately, only the right
words in your resume will “find” you in a search later on.
- Create a simple cover letter: state positions and industries desired,
preferred locations, and salary range. Drop the salary info for
letters going directly to companies, but definitely include it for
placement services—it’s a critical piece of the placement puzzle and
they need to know up-front.
- E-mail (don’t snail-mail) your info to every recruiting firm in your
niche: check the yellow pages, recruiter directories (available at your
local library), or research online to find firms dealing with what you do,
from administrative and clerical employment agencies to retained executive
search firms. There are headhunters for every level and discipline, and
it’s completely FREE for job seekers. If you’re open for temporary work
(even as a high-level executive), be sure to include appropriate staffing
firms.
- Now forget about recruiters: you’ve given them everything they need to
determine their ability (or inability) to help you. They live to
"place" anyone they can, and will respond accordingly if you
have any placement potential. Don’t take it personally if you don’t get
called right away…they’re only doing their job. Call to confirm receipt
of your info if you like, but just consider it a message in a bottle that,
hopefully, will catch some trade winds. If at some point you are
contacted, begin to evaluate not only the opportunities presented, but
whether or not this recruiter might become a career partner for life.
Always wanting to make an immediate placement when possible, they also
want to stay permanently connected with great candidates. So, whether or
not they land you an immediate position, keep these individuals updated
with your particulars…even after you get settled into your next job.
Better to cultivate long-term relationships than to start over every time
you need help.
- Post your resume on all the free job boards/sites available: there are
always the biggies like Monster.com, HotJobs.com, CareerBuilder.com,
Headhunter.net, but look beyond these into even more specialized niche
sites related to your field. You’re unemployed, so you might as well get
the word out in every way possible. For a fee, you can post to more
"exclusive" sites, as well as have your resume "blasted" to thousands of
recipients (mostly recruiters).
- Network like a shameless self-promoter: There’s nothing wrong with being
unemployed, so don’t consider it a personal black mark. Treat it like
a new job. You’re now in Sales, or, if it fits better for you, in the
Research Department. Make sure that your friends, family, and
neighbors know you’re on the lookout. Send an e-mail outlining your
qualifications and desires, and ask them to forward it to anyone they
think might be interested. It’s called viral marketing. Don’t hide
from the world, because the miracle connection might be right in front
of you…or only three degrees of separation away.
- Organize your life around your new job—finding a job: Get up in the
morning as usual, exercise/eat on the same schedule, and finish the day
to be with your family as before…but plan everything in between for
success around landing your next position. You’ll stay sane, and be a
lot more effective, by keeping your other life structures consistent.
About the Author: Darrell Gurney
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