Finding a Job in a Down Economy | Apr 03rd 2008
It’s almost impossible to overlook the signs that the U.S. is falling into a recession. From the 0.6 percent drop in purchases in February, as reported on Bloomberg.com, to the 63,000 job losses last month, tough times appear imminent.
For me, the recession has become distinctly personal as my own inner circle is pinched by a job market that’s in a downward spiral. Last week I spoke with a friend of mine who’d been laid off from her job of seven years.
She’s now scrambling to update her resume and try to get back into job seeker mindset. I’ve been where she is now. I was laid off in 2002 after five years at the same job, and I remember feeling just as displaced and out of sorts.
But I’ve learned a lot since then, the biggest lesson being that we’re never really out of the job market, even when fully employed. As a consultant, this is definitely the case. I’m always looking for new opportunities, pitching myself and trying to find resources and tools to help me land new projects and make new connections.
Thus, I think I’m in a good position to outline a few tips for my friend, and for those of you who may be in the market for a new job, during a time when competition is fierce and employers are reluctant to bring on new staff.
A few tricks from a perpetual job seeker
I redo my resume, from top to bottom, at least twice a year. I also customize my resume for each position I apply for, making sure to highlight the experience I’ve had that’s relevant to the specific project, company and industry outlined in the job description. Yes, it takes time, but it’s really worth it.
Likewise I recommend sending a customized cover letter for every position you apply to. Your letter should highlight specific things that set you apart from other applicants. For example if you’re applying for a marketing position at a nonprofit organization, it’s definitely relevant to mention any charitable work/fundraising you’ve done that demonstrates your sincere interest in working with and for a charitable organization.
Another word of advice – don’t be afraid to get help. There are services like ResumeDeli that specialize in preparing applicants for the tough job of selling themselves. Free tools are also widely available online including jobs-only search engines such as Indeed.com. I also recommend building a professional profile on LinkedIn or another job site such as Monster, so employers searching for people with your skill set can find you.
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This article was originally published in the Poughkeepsie Journal on Saturday, March 15, 2008 under the title, “Successful job hunt takes work”