Are you a victim of this lousy economy?

A couple of years ago I left my company after 17 years. It was almost two years after an acquisition and I was hating my job and the new company. They were pushing, but I was comfortable and that was the problem. Had I not been, I would have, and should have, left much sooner.

I was angry at first. Worried about my family. Of course the economy wasn’t in the crapper like it is now. After not being in the job market for so long, I realized I didn’t even know HOW to look for a job in the 21st century.

I bought a newspaper. What a waste of 50 cents that was!
I found that networking and job web sites are the tools of job seekers in the 21st century. I also found much of this to be cold and impersonal. Much of the time there is no interaction, no response. I can’t say it’s better, but its todays reality.
Go with it.

So it was a learning experience for me and I immersed myself in it to learn.

1) You need a resume in WORD format. Actually a couple of versions altered to target different job opportunities you may want to go after.
2) Sign up for Monster.Com and Career Builder.Com. Post a resume that has no real identifiable information. Instead of saying “I worked for Motorola” Say “Large Electronics Company” so no one will steal your identity. Only send your real resume to companies YOU contact.
3) Set up the auto search functions and have the results sent to your email address daily
4) Get on Linked in, and Plaxo. Networking with the people you know is the BEST WAY to find a new job quickly nowadays
5) Use a job aggregator like “Indeed.Com” to help you sort through Monster/Career builder and all of the other job boards to find jobs. Great site.
6) Find headhunters in your area, or in your industry. Sign up with them.
Only send a resume when you are sure about who you are sending it to

This is a marketing job you now have. You must sell yourself and be in everyones face.

Never STOP looking even after you are hired. One of the many mistakes I made was not really looking before I left. You should always be looking.
Now my resume is updated monthly, I have search engines looking for me, and when I get called, I go on interviews if I think I may be interested. In fact, I am talking with a search firm right now even though I am employed. I have nothing to lose. Companies are no longer loyal, like you and I have been. I have no loyalty any longer.

Took me about 6 months to find a job with a company (longer commute) that I liked. 
The first thing you’ll discover is the pleasure of working somewhere where you are appreciated. They WANT you there. What a joy!!

I hope things don’t go south for you in this lousy economy, but if that happens, you’ll be ready to resume searching, because you never stopped.

Be persistent. I thought I’d take a month off and just do nothing. Never happened!!  I started contacting people I know. I met them for lunch, for dinner, network, network, network. I joined a group here in New Hampshire that has lunches and dinner networking meetings. These are more than just “chit chat” meetings. They help to hone your interviewing skills. Got a friend who hires people? Ask him/her to interview you. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and where your weaknesses are. Remember, while the process to get your foot in the door has changed, the interview process has not. All of the old school advice you got about being interviewed is still relevant. The difference nowadays is you usually only have one shot to make an impression, so make it a good one.

The best jobs are not posted…..you have to go find them. They won’t find you!!

My advice…..good luck and I hope you land on your feet—which I am SURE you will!!