|
|
7 Immediate Steps After Being Laid Off
-
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 have you "found" 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 onto all the free job boards/sites
available: there are always the biggies like Monster.com,
HotJobs.com, CareerBuilder.com, CRMJOBS.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.
|
|
|
