Managing your next career move in a tumultuous market whether through downsizing or a personal decision to chart your career ship to safer waters before the storm, takes some advance planning.

Still employed? 

·         Take on more projects at work, increase your productivity, make yourself invaluable; improve your profile and your attitude to the changes in the work place. 

·         Network, network, network, call former work pals, let friends, and family know that you are either laid-off or may be soon, due to changes at your company.

·         Consider speaking to your employer about a four-day work-week or reduced salary in the short term, in lieu of letting you go.

a)     The lay-off maybe an attempt by your employer to reduce cost, but the work you perform may still need to get done.

b)      Remember it is always easier to find a new job while you are still employed.

c)       Negotiate a severance package; unemployment may take two weeks to activate.

d)      Review your health insurance plan; find out when your coverage would end. 

Embrace the possibility of change:

a)       If your apartment or home will allow, get a roommate to share your home or apartment, to help with the rent/mortgage or to help you amass a rainy day savings cushion

b)      Downsize to a less expensive or smaller more efficient car, you may need to drive around to interviews, and lowering your car payments won’t hurt either.

c)        Consider the possibility of a moving, to a new location where jobs are more available.

Already laid-off?
 

Widen the types of job types you are applying for, look outside your comfort zone.

a)     Review the skills and talents you have acquired in your current and previous jobs. Brainstorm with friends about jobs where you can easily incorporate these transferable skills.

b)     Take a class it will help you meet people, retrain into a new area, and give you something else to focus on besides your job search.

Re-introduce yourself to employers who had contacted you previously:

a)      Many jobseekers may have been less than friendly to recruiters or managers calling to recruit you while you were employed. The terse “I am not interested” may be documented in your file.

b)     Do not expect these managers to respond to your resume, you will need to reach out - send a cover letter stating your interest.

       Revamp your career search tools:

a)     Consider interview training especially mastering the telephone interview ; many candidates never get an in-person interview, because they fail the telephone interview.

b)    Create a presentation resume, this is a formal resume to be used at the interview; employers do expect a formal version of your resume at the interview.

Remember: Even in today's job climate new jobs are becoming available every day. Employers are still motivated to offer Candidates career oriented positions. These Companies believe in their communities and are interested in getting its most talented members to join them, adding value and stability to the local community.

Contact a Franklin Paterson Resume Writer for a mini review of your resume

Thanks from all of us at Franklin Paterson Resumes