Strategies for Career Survival in a Down Economy

Strategies for Career Survival in a Down Economy
Here are some tips on how to keep your job and, if you are temporarily unemployed, how to re-enter the workforce stronger than ever.

1. Add Value –The first employees asked to leave during a economic slowdown are normally the ones who cost the company the most money. Talk with supervisors and peers to determine what you can do to be seen as a more value-added employee.
2. Shhh! – If you are hearing rumors that your company might be liquidated and you have decided to start looking for other employment, make sure you keep everything related to your search confidential, no matter what. Even the guy you’ve known for the last 10 years at the company might make an innocent comment to another guy he’s known for 10 years that you are looking to leave. This information can very easily end up in the lap of your boss, guaranteeing you a spot at the top of the list for people to be laid off.
3. Confidential resume– If you decide to post your resume on the Internet job boards, not the wisest decision to begin with as you will see in #4, make sure to remove your name and contact information, including references from the entire resume. Overzealous recruiters will not hesitate to contact the references for leads to other job openings and so forth, jeopardizing your confidentiality.
4. Avoid hanging out with the herd - Don’t post your resume on the Internet…at least not right away. The process of finding a job is in many ways like dating. In the earlier stages, it is a good idea not to make yourself easily available as you may appear desperate. Internet-derived candidates are seen as easy and will not be the first ones employers call for an interview. While it might very well be true that you are desperate for work, it is vital that you don’t communicate that to potential hiring managers. Find a hiring manager’s name and phone number at the company and make a call to find out when they will have time to meet with you. Something like this can move you to the front of the line.
5. Stay open and flexible – If you are out of work and aiming for a position that is going to keep you at the same salary, provide you the same vacation package and health benefits, you are out of your mind. It isn’t happening. Without taking too far of a step back, determine what your family can survive on, financially, and take steps to get back to work right away. Without a job, you have absolutely no leverage to bargain. Get your foot in the door and when positions arise that meet with your accustom level of expertise, you will have a greater shot of landing in as an internal employee as opposed to an external stranger. Having a job also provides you more leverage should you continue to search for the ideal position somewhere else, but be careful not to burn any bridges.
6. Try a new industry – Years ago, my dad was laid off, mid-career, from a VP position in the garment industry after the company announced they were moving operations overseas. He was out of work for a year when finally he found an opportunity in a completely different industry doing something completely different than in his previous role; initially paying a lot less money, ‘draw against commission’ compensation structure no less. Within a year’s time, he went on to earn a larger income than he could have hoped to earn in his previous role and was far happier with the new industry in which he flourished. Keep an open mind to other industries and positions. It could lead to something far better than you could have imagined.
7. Stay positive, be relentless – It is easy to fall into the “Woe is me” routine, attending every pity party that will have you, however, it is this negative spiral that is the reason many people don’t get back to work sooner. Stay positive. Each job you don’t get just means you are a step closer to finding the right opportunity. A relentless pursuit to find the right opportunity must remain consistent and take up your entire day. Even letting up slightly invariably leads to laziness and apathy, giving other job seekers with more drive, first crack at potentially huge opportunities. Stay focused and quit the whining.
8. Take care of yourself – Eat right, get good sleep, and be kind to yourself. Showing up to interviews undernourished while lacking sleep is a bad idea as it is always written all over your face. You only have one chance to make a first impression.
9. Be prepared - Have a professionally created resume printed on high-quality paper and always have copies of it with you. You never know when you’ll meet someone who can help you out.
10. Dress for Success – Dress each day as though you are going to an interview. Sitting around the house in your nice suit will feel awkward and it ensures you are prepared should the opportunity for an interview arrive on-the-spot. Leave the house and get to work finding work.

Maintain the Leverage of Being Employed Without Having a Job

It is a lot easier to obtain a good job offer, for a new position, when you are already employed. Due to layoffs and terminations, we sometimes don’t have that luxury. Don’t panic! Here are some solid ways that you can take back the advantage you need to land fair and competitive job offers.

1. Have the Right Attitude – Being “unemployed” simply means you now have a new job, Career Improvement Professional. For 8 or more hours a day, all your energy should be poured into bettering your career by finding the right opportunity. Not only will you make strong progress in finding a new job, but the activity itself will promote a feeling of accomplishment, and provide a boost to your overall self-confidence, a much needed trait throughout this process. Languishing around your home and submitting resumes on the Internet between commercials is a surefire way to increase your feelings of desperation and uselessness, severely impeding your path to career success.
2. Contract work through an agency – Some companies specialize in assigning professionals to contract (temporary) positions. Corporations have projects that need to be completed but they sometimes aren’t ready to hire someone permanently to their staff. This makes contract work an appealing and practical alternative. I have worked with professionals who begrudgingly started working on contract positions and now they wouldn’t have it any other way. The rate of pay is higher and the work-life balance tends to be more reasonable.
3. Start your own business – In the state of Ohio, you can register a new corporation for $125. Having your own business allows you to employ yourself and, in-turn, show it as current employment on a resume. If your name is Bill Johnson, avoid calling it Johnson’s Engineering Consulting. If it is initially obvious to an employer the company is yours, the desired effect of showing consistent employment is lost. You can explain it to them in the interview when you are asked. The goal here is to get your foot in the door.
4. Suck it up – You might have to accept a position that isn’t exactly what you had in mind; however, it serves the purpose of getting you back to work. That doesn’t mean a CFO should take a job as a filing clerk. There is a point when a position’s skill requirement is too far below your typical responsibilities can diminish future earning potential. The CFO should consider a position as an Accounting Manager or Director of Finance. While the money might not be as good, it is better than $0 and allows you to leverage yourself to bigger and better offers at a fair competitive salary, ideally within that company.
5. Good work references will increase an employer’s desire to hire you. Make sure the references are telling potential employers they would rehire you or, if your termination was the result of a layoff, to have them explain that they would have kept you if it was economically feasible. This demonstrates that you are a wanted candidate and it will elicit a strong offer of employment.
6. If you were fired for cause – First, be sure to understand your previous employer’s policy on references. Make sure the company is only permitted to provide dates of employment and that your contact listed is someone in Human Resources. You always want to be up front and honest as to why you are out of work, but definitely want to avoid using a reference from a company with loose policies, ready to throw you under the bus without thinking twice. If this is the case, attempt to contact customers or suppliers you worked with who can vouch for their positive experience working with you as long as it doesn’t violate any previously signed employee agreements.

How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

For most people, the word sales conjures up images of slick hucksters with painted-on smiles and polyester suits, tactless and saccharine in their approach. Therefore it isn’t too surprising when talented job seekers recoil at the prospect of having to “sell themselves” in an interview. Here are some ideas on how to convey your value to an employer without being overbearing and overconfident.
The main difference between the stereotypical salesperson described above and a top-end sales executive is one thing...the ability to listen. The majority of clients I have helped with their career-transition over the years, whether they are an industry newbie or a seasoned veteran, have had a misconception of what it means to sell their selves during an interview. The common perception of “selling yourself” has been to communicate each task accomplished in every position they have had to an employer, while simultaneously conveying their strong work ethic and ability to “pick things up quickly.” This, however, is a recipe for disaster that often leads to a perception that you are more focused on yourself. The goal of a successful interview should be to create enough rapport with the hiring manager so, to put it simply, they like you. Regardless of whether or not you have the top skills in an area, an employer will not hire you without feeling a personal connection. As a point of reference, a candidate should reach the level of rapport with a hiring manager that equates to being the type of person the boss wouldn’t be embarrassed having over for dinner with his family.
Here are some ways you can sell yourself in an interview without feeling like you are selling-out:
1. Ask questions – Be an investigator. Learning more about the position by asking questions not only shows your legitimate interest in the position but also functions to transform the interview into more of a conversation. More often than not, when candidates ask an employer to tell them more about the position, other job aspects that were not on the ‘official’ posted job description will arise.
2. Make sure you understand exactly what you are being asked – If you attempt responding to broad statements such as, “Tell me about your work history,” the odds of your answer being shorter than 5 minutes is slim. Counter something like this by stating, “I would be happy to. Would you like me to tell you about my most recent role at XYZ Company?” Provide an answer that is detailed but concise and then STOP TALKING! Don’t fear the silence. That is your cue to ask the first question and begin the conversation that will lead to the positive rapport you need.
3. Ask why the position is open. Find out which strengths the previous person in the role had that were viewed as valuable. If the person was terminated, ask what his/her weaknesses were and what led them to initially hire them. Having this information allows you to better understand which aspects of your background to focus on or which to ignore. If the employee’s strength was in tying his/her shoes, then it would be wise to bring up the fact that at XYZ Company, you won an award for shoe tying. If the employee was terminated for attendance, it would be a good idea to mention that you didn’t miss one day of scheduled work all year.
4. Don’t say ‘No’ – Saying ‘No’ implies you have absolutely zero knowledge of what the employer is asking you about. Make sure you relate your similar experience to what it is they are asking so they have enough ammunition to hire you when the time comes. Without any related experience, no matter how much an employer likes you, they won’t be able to justify the hire to themselves or their superiors.
5. Is there anything else I can tell you about myself to assure you that I am the right person for the job? – Many times, employers make decisions based on assumptions they have made about you. Whether it is the content of your resume or the type of companies you previously worked for, an employer might think you lack a certain skill that in fact you have. This question will give an employer more confidence to ask a question that might have been tough for them to ask for one reason or another. Even if you lack direct experience with an area of concern, using the strategy explained in #4 should help you navigate through any objections presented to you.

How to Handle Stress in the Workplace

It is no secret that the workplace holds many opportunities for stressful situations to occur. How you handle those stresses is the key to your survival and growth within an organization and as a person. Switching jobs when things become challenging at your current company leads to a resume that shows instability and unreliability and it takes a lot of explaining to convince an employer that you aren’t a flake. Here are some common stresses we can experience in the workplace and some ideas on how to successfully get through them.
1. My boss and/or co-worker is a jerk - At one point or another I think we have all been in a situation where a boss or co-worker’s behavior makes the daily experience less than tolerable. While you might feel like lashing out against this person, and they might very well deserve it, the workplace is not the best place to get verbally ‘UFC’ on somebody. Companies err on the side of caution when witnessing any type of confrontation and equally reprimand both people regardless of who is right or wrong. Therefore you must maintain composure and avoid taking the immediately more-satisfying path of spontaneous retribution. Initially, consult your company’s manual to fully understand the process of how to deal with this situation. Once it is evident that someone has become a problem for you, make sure to document all incidences, so you can clearly communicate your points to Human Resources. When making these types of declarations in an official capacity, not having your ducks in a row, will make you appear emotional, irrational, and unfounded in your concerns, and you will not be taken seriously. Also, be sure not to spout off to other co-workers within or outside of your department about this person. You never know who their friends might be outside of the workplace or perhaps they haven’t yet learned the virtue of discretion.
2. The company is in financial trouble - Rumors fly around the workplace like a bad joke, so before taking action make sure what you are hearing is true. If it turns out that the company is losing money, don’t assume that means your job is toast. Do a little legwork to get the facts. Whether it is asking your boss, Human Resources, or simply checking the Internet to see what the experts are saying, be sure not to automatically go along with the wrong assumption. Sometimes companies will intentionally spread that type of rumor to “thin out the herd”. It is much easier, and cheaper, to have employees leave for other jobs instead of having to lay them off and pay a severance.
3. Job description changes - As an employee it is absurd to think that you won’t be taking on additional tasks outside the boundaries of the official job description. In fact, if you aren’t being asked to take on added responsibility, it is likely an indication that your employer isn’t considering you to be promoted any time soon. That being said, there is a point when it is obviously crosses the line into being unfair. Some bosses pile on work until you can’t take it anymore, under the assumption that you can easily be replaced with someone else. After you finish primal scream therapy in your car, it is time to turn this negative into a positive. Sit down at home and create a list of everything you do that is outside of your official job description. How many of your boss’s tasks are you handling currently? Having taken on these responsibilities, what value have you added to your department, other departments, and the corporation? Once you have finished this list it is time to update that resume. Hold on though. I am not suggesting you do this so you leave your company for a new job, at least not yet. Initially this document will be used to apply for other internal corporate positions or, if there isn’t any room for promotion, to show your boss what you do that warrants a pay increase and title change.
4. Passed over for promotion - You have been with your company for 10 years and the guy who just started last year was just promoted to the position you also applied for three different times. What do you do? Do you “get the message” and immediately throw yourself into the market for a new job? Maybe you do eventually, however there are usually a few steps you should try first. As uncomfortable as it might be, try contacting the hiring manager by phone not email, and inviting him/her to lunch or to speak for 15-30 minutes onsite. Be as pleasant as possible in this invite, not showing the slightest hint of bitterness or frustration. Their initial thought in you scheduling this meeting might be that you want to berate and insult them or beg for the job you didn’t get. This however is not the case. At the meeting, express thanks to them for taking time with you and say, “I am pleased you found the right person for the XYZ position. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed but am sure that you saw things in the other candidate that led you to believe they would provide better value to the company. The reason I wanted to meet with you today was so you could show me the things that I need to do in order to be seen as a more value-added employee.” Any good hiring manager will be impressed at your initiative, maturity, and class.
5. Co-worker is being paid more than you- Waiting on hold for a customer, your eyes aimlessly wander around the office until, like flypaper, it sticks on the paycheck stub on a co-worker’s desk in your group. The gross amount is significantly more than yours and they perform the exact same tasks you do. Plus they have been there less time! Before you look like a fool running to your boss, get the facts. Does the person have a college degree or some type of advanced education that you don’t have? Even though you are doing the same job right now, having the advanced education will allow that person to be promoted to other areas in the organization, thereby making them more valuable to the company. Likewise, it is also important that you understand the person’s prior work experience. They may have only been at your company for a short time, but in their previous positions they very well might have gained more experience than you have. Companies aren’t in the habit of throwing excess money at their employees unless they anticipate a better return on that investment. Instead of arguing about your value versus theirs, it is time to consider upping your value. Obtaining your college degree, industry-related certifications, or learning more about your industry will improve your chances of career growth within the organization. Overtime, as you are able to use these things to demonstrate more value and a commitment to excellence, a company will recognize that and label you as a high-potential employee.

How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

For most people, the word sales conjures up images of slick hucksters with painted-on smiles and polyester suits, tactless and saccharine in their approach. Therefore it isn’t too surprising when talented job seekers recoil at the prospect of having to “sell themselves” in an interview. Here are some ideas on how to convey your value to an employer without being overbearing and overconfident.
The main difference between the stereotypical salesperson described above and a top-end sales executive is one thing...the ability to listen. The majority of clients I have helped with their career-transition over the years, whether they are an industry newbie or a seasoned veteran, have had a misconception of what it means to sell their selves during an interview. The common perception of “selling yourself” has been to communicate each task accomplished in every position they have had to an employer, while simultaneously conveying their strong work ethic and ability to “pick things up quickly”. This, however, is a recipe for disaster that often leads to a perception that you are more focused on yourself. The goal of a successful interview should be to create enough rapport with the hiring manager so, to put it simply, they like you. Regardless of whether or not you have the top skills in an area, an employer will not hire you without feeling a personal connection. As a point of reference, a candidate should reach the level of rapport with a hiring manager that equates to being the type of person the boss wouldn’t be embarrassed having over for dinner with his family.
Here are some ways you can sell yourself in an interview without feeling like you are selling-out:
1. Ask questions – Be an investigator. Learning more about the position by asking questions not only shows your legitimate interest in the position but also functions to transform the interview into more of a conversation. More often than not, when candidates ask an employer to tell them more about the position, other job aspects, that weren’t on the ‘official’ posted job description, arise.
2. Make sure you understand exactly what you are being asked – If you attempt responding to broad statements such as, “Tell me about your work history”, the odds of your answer being shorter than 5 minutes is slim. Counter something like this by stating, “I would be happy to. Would you like me to tell you about my most recent role at XYZ Company?” Provide an answer that is detailed but concise and then STOP TALKING! Don’t fear the silence. That is your cue to ask the first question and begin the conversation that will lead to the positive rapport you need.
3. Ask why the position is open. Find out which strengths the previous person in the role had that were viewed as valuable. If the person was terminated, ask what his/her weaknesses were and what led them to initially hire them. Having this information allows you to better understand which aspects of your background to focus on or which to ignore. If the employee’s strength was in tying his/her shoes, then it would be wise to bring up the fact that at XYZ Company, you won an award for shoe tying. If the employee was terminated for attendance, it would be a good idea to mention that you didn’t miss one day of scheduled work all year.
4. Don’t say ‘No’ – Saying ‘No’ implies you have absolutely zero knowledge of what the employer is asking you about. Make sure you relate your similar experience to what it is they are asking so they have enough ammunition to hire you when the time comes. Without any related experience, no matter how much an employer likes you, they won’t be able to justify the hire to themselves or their superiors.
5. Is there anything else I can tell you about myself to assure you that I am the right person for the job? – Many times, employers make decisions based on assumptions they have made about you. Whether it is the content of your resume or the type of companies you previously worked for, an employer might think you lack a certain skill that in fact you have. This question will give an employer more confidence to ask a question that might, for one reason or another, have been tough to ask. Even if you lack direct experience with an area of concern, using the strategy explained in #4 should help you navigate through any objections presented to you.

A Lighthouse in an Ocean of Candidates

As the economy slows and an increasing number of people are finding themselves without employment, the job market is more crowded than ever. Like a lighthouse, you must be seen amidst in the vast ocean of candidates searching for a new position. Here are 10 ways to get noticed:

1. Resume – In the 21st century, the definition of a resume has changed – It has become more billboard and less novel.
2. Making contact – Don’t just send your resume to a job posting. Do a little research and dig up the hiring manager’s name. Make a call, introduce yourself and schedule an interview.
3. Be assumptive – If you submit a resume, make sure you follow it up with a phone call to see when they will be meeting with you.
4. Use a good recruiter – There are a lot of mediocre recruiters out there. Talk to different ones and find out how long they have been recruiting and their process. Make sure the recruiter will let you know before you ever send their resume anywhere. Some recruiters use resumes as a marketing tool to demonstrate the high quality of candidates they have.
5. Research – Learning all you can about a company prior to an interview is a must. Having this information at your fingertips throughout an interview will win you major points over the competition.
6. Interviewing – This requires a whole other set of skills from the ones that make you a valuable commodity in your field. Find a good interview coach with proven experience to help you navigate the entire hiring experience. It is a small investment to ensure you don’t lose the golden opportunity to make a good impression.
7. Ask for the job – We interviewed three Fortune 500 VP HR professionals. They all said that less than 5% of candidates actually ask for the job. If you want it, you have to ask for it.
8. Don’t leave any stone unturned – At the end of the interview make sure you have answered all of the questions that will allow the employer to extend you an offer. “Is there anything else I can tell you about myself to assure you I am the best candidate for the job?”
9. Thank-you note – When you receive mail, do you open the typed or handwritten envelopes first? Don’t email your thank-you notes. Write a thank-you note, by hand, that expresses appreciation, enthusiasm, and a reminder of the value you bring to that person and/or company. Make sure to send one to everyone you talked with…even the hiring manager’s secretary. Sometimes a decision can be made within hours, before you even get home from the interview. By writing the notes in your car after the interview and dropping them off at the front desk before you leave can be the slight nudge your candidacy needs to put you over the top.
10. Follow-up – After a couple of days, call the hiring manager using the direct number on his business card you asked for earlier. Don’t pressure them. Express your enthusiasm for the position and see where they are in the process. Ask if it is okay for you to follow-up when they say the process will be over, to check on their decision.

The Resume Bay is a full-service career enhancement service, specializing in resume writing, interview coaching, and teaching job offer negotiation strategies.