ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > November > 20 > Entry
5 tips for a job search in a recession
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our guest blogger Chandra Fox provides job seekers some helpful tips for searching for work during a recession:
- Now is not a good time for a passive job search. This means if it only took you 10 days to find your last job 10 years ago, things have changed. You need to really get it together and make first contact.
- Update your resume. If you have an objective listed on your resume and you’ve been working for more than three years, update your resume. If your resume is longer than two pages, seriously evaluate and probably edit your resume.
- Network! Network! Network! This means listen to those around you that are looking for new work. You never know what ideas they may come up with that will help you better your position.
- Be aggressive, not desperate in your follow-up. Be sure to send a note at the end of any interview thanking the hiring professional for their time and calling back at the time specified by the interviewer, not before.
- PMA: Positive Mental Attitude. Just because you have been looking for a job for the last six months, never let them see you sweat! Walk in to your interview with all the confidence in the world. Just because the right person hasn’t met you yet does not mean you are not a wonderful employee. Be confident, but not cocky.
Comments
By jery miler
November 24, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
are you hiring? HOW DO I POST A RESUME IF IM USING LIBRARY COMPUTER?
By Coach Gwen
December 8, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Great Tips Chandra!
I think one of the big problems with resumes is that people just tell and not sell themselves. It is very competitive out there and candidates must use action verbs and think carefully about all of their accomplishments. Here is a link that shows examples of this.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/543/02/
If a person is unemployed or underemployed, they should think of volunteering to use their talents and skills at a non-profit organization, such as Hands On Atlanta, the United Way, etc. This is a great way for someone to give back and see how much they do have, to feel good about themselves, improve skills and to increase their network of contacts.
Yes, candidates must network. This is critical for their job search. Especially in the “big small town” , Atlanta. Candidates must obtain and maintain contacts. They should keep in touch with their network of friends and not just call them when something is needed.
This is a perfect time to send out holiday cards to your network of friends, frienemies, business associates, etc. Online networking is also big right now, but of course being careful about the information shared on the web is important. Here are some great tips on networking. http://www.rileyguide.com/nettips.html
They must stand out from the crowd, but not in an obnoxious way. Candidates can do things, such as setting up informational interviews, mailing their resume to the hiring manager, etc. With the Internet it is fairly easy to find contacts.
Surrounding yourself with positive friends, family members, etc., taking care of yourself (mentally and physically) will go along way during your search. “Chase your Dreams as though your life depends on it.” Les Brown
By Tabitha
March 12, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much Coach Gwen. I was informed a couple of weeks ago that I will be laid off in four months. I was completely devastated and heart broken, but I immediately updated my resume, created a cover letter that sells my skills and experience, and began my job search.
I make it a point to continue to come to work and give 110%. My professionalism is just as it always has been, but today I am extremely angry. I sat down this morning and counted the number of positions that I have applied for. I am up to 32 positions so far and I’ve only heard back from two employers; thanking me for my interest, but I am not what they are looking for basically. I’m angry at our ex-president for allowing this to happen, I’m angry at our current employer for some of the ridiculous steps he’s taken, I’m angry at my current employers for choosing me to lay off, I am ANGRY!
However, after reading your post I realize that attitude is everything. I took a few minutes and stepped outside. I took a deep breath and now realize that I have to remain positive through this entire process. I am very good at what I do and I am excellent in my career field. Today, I will work on refocusing my energy and finding my confidence.
Full steam ahead!