Finding a Job in a Tough Economy
Our economy is suffering today and American families are struggling because of it. Unemployment and job loss are both at their highest right now. Unemployment has reached its highest in 26 years with a 10.2 percent unemployment rate. The number of those who are unemployed today is almost as much as it was at the peak of the depression. Popular words like financial failure and foreclosure are beginning to lead the headlines. Trying to find a job is very hard right now, but is not impossible. The key in today’s hard economy is still the same as it is in times of a good economy: action. The more positive action that is taken, the better chances are of finding a job and possibly a career. With today’s challenging economy, the rules for job searching depend on communication skills more than ever.
The economy of today has taken many top financial executives by surprise and now they are struggling to hold employers’ attentions. They are beginning to realize that their usual job searching methods are no longer working and a change in game play needs to be made to get through barriers. A little over two years ago, someone who was looking for a job typically had a choice between two or more offers and signing bonuses were very common. Competition for jobs openings was scarce and proving someone simply had the needed skills for a job was enough to get the job.Today, there are very few companies who are hiring and the ones who are receive hundreds of job applications for each open position that they have open. The economy has been falling and the wealth of candidates competing for each position shows that balance of the strength in the employment marketplaces has shifted again to employers. Focus used to be on a person’s skill set when job searching, but now that is just a given and employers today are looking for much more. They are looking for someone who has flexibility and the ability to change and also those who can fill several different roles. They also want to find someone who has strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Tips for finding a job in a tough economy:
* Referrals and network. These are number one when it comes to finding a job, so it is vital to meet as many people as you can while job hunting. By expanding your network, distant contacts are able to pass along your information and this can result in more job opportunities.
- Prepare for what an employer is looking for in a candidate and have a positive attitude when applying for a job. Make sure you are that type of employee before you set up an interview or apply for the job; make someone want to hire you.
- Purposefully network. Ask networking contacts to connect with particular people. Use social networks to build key contacts, like Jigsaw.com
- Aim for companies and then target their senior executives directly. Cold calling and direct contact are greatly effective in getting attention. There are several services on the internet where you can access these type of contacts.
- Allow your resume to send a message that is focused on the market you want to reach. A resume also has to be perfect before presented to anyone. You shouldn’t just list your work history and job descriptions; summarize the key highlights from each of your jobs and how you contributed to the bottom line of the company.
- Manners. Remember to use manners, be polite, courteous, cooperative and patient. There are some companies that tend to move slower than others when it comes to hiring employees. Make sure to give them space but also regularly keep in touch.
It is important to remember not to go to an interview and tell the employer that all you have been doing is looking for a job the last few months. Make sure you are volunteering, continuing your education or taking seminars to enhance your skills. All of these show an employer that you react well to adversity, that you are ambitious, and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the potential employer.
I wish you well in your job search and career! Rob Collins