Am I hirable?”
“Who would want to hire a 50-year-old?”
“I have been out of the job market for a long time and need to get back to work. How do I talk about gaps in my work history?”
“I was let go from my job and have no idea of how to job search — it’s been years!”
“Why was my position eliminated? I have been a loyal and dedicated employee.”
If you are looking for a job right now, it’s fair to say that you may have said a few of these things recently.
It can be tempting to turn inward in these uncertain times when so many are looking for jobs. You may find yourself questioning your marketability. You may be asking how you can stand out from the crowd and how you can get an interview with so much competition out there. You may even be asking, “Will I ever find a job?”
The longer your job search lasts the more questions will arise. Often, questions turn into doubts and spin into a cycle of worry, anxiety and uncertainty. Welcome to the world of job searching.
It’s difficult to avoid the daily score card of employees laid off, and each day seems to appear more ominous than the one before. Listen to enough of this news and you might start to think landing a new opportunity is next to impossible right now.
Here is the good news — while you might not be able to control the economy or how quickly your receive an offer; you can control how much knowledge you are willing to acquire to help you deal with this new marketplace.
The new rules for job searching in a recession require that you develop a real understanding of marketing and how to leverage it to potential employers.
The traditional way — relying on a good resume and going door-to-door applying for jobs — does not apply in today’s job-search world.
You need to adapt the way you present yourself and stay flexible. You are the product and it’s completely up to you to market your value to employers that interest you. It does not matter what position you hold or role you play. Whether you’re looking for entry-level employment or are an executive-level management type, successful job searching is all about learning how to effectively communicate your value.
Here are some new-rules job search tips for today’s market:
• Practice communicating in a persuasive way, and do it with friends or family members who will give you honest feedback. Even if you are a confident speaker, during a job search the subject is you , and you need to practice asking good questions as well as answering them.
• Pay attention to the power of words. Avoid using words land phrases like retirement or was fired. And, avoid complaining about your job search. Words paint pictures and help potential employers form perceptions.
• Employers are most interested in job candidates who can bring value to them right now. Your past employment history is important, but make your accomplishments current and connect the dots to how can contribute to their company by “hitting the ground running.” Talk about results.
• Make use of technology. Your online presence plays a stronger role than you might imagine. It reflects your professional style and expands your ability to create opportunities.
• You need a strong resume, but don’t stop there. Keep current with new ways to market your skills, such as profile sheets, resume letters and accomplishment letters that can serve as companions to your resume.
• Be open to contract positions, such as temporary projects where you can keep your skills current and add to your cash flow. Contract work can help you meet more contacts and gives you the opportunity to interface with an employer on a daily basis.
• Take a traditional job-search method such as networking and add to it by joining social networking sites such as LinkedIn.
• Develop a job-search plan. This serves as your daily structure and a way to measure success. Be flexible and review it weekly.
• Ask for help. Job searching during a recession is not the time to be a Lone Ranger. Everyone is in this together, and at some point everyone will face a career transition.
• Know the principles of networking. Networking is an overused word — but it does make up about 75 percent of a job search. Here’s a myth: Networking is passing out resumes and handing out business cards. So, if you feel intimidated about attending events bring a friend along.
• Practice interviewing. Never assume you can go into an interview without preparation. Do your research.
• Follow up on applications you’ve made and with people you’ve contacted. Keep them current with your job search. Take a proactive stance.
• If you have been out of the job market for a while, and you believe age is an issue for you, get connected with the latest technology, and be prepared to position yourself as up-to-date with industry-specific technology. Focus more on the present and you can contribute in the future rather than what you have done in the past.
• Take the time to write your own personal branding statement. Break your statement into steps starting with your area of interest, skills, target audience and your style. Think in terms of what makes you different, and why an employer should be interested in you.
• Have a strong list of references and try to have reference letters available. Having others comment about your skills and work performance speaks volumes and lends to your creditability.
The job market is always changing, but learning how to stay employable and adapt to change is one thing you can control.
