Recession, Resume, Resell Yourself

The word is out, sales are down, budgets are tight and the company is looking to scale back. Do you have a strategy to keep your job? If you are you not part of the solution, you are part of the problem, and that is a problem!

How do you add value to the bottom line, through increasing revenue or decreasing costs? If you cannot contribute to either side, you are in danger of being cut from the payroll...

Keep reading....

Begin to market yourself and skills to other areas of the company that may be less impacted by employee cuts.

If you have been in the company for awhile, you may have the necessary background and experience to move to other areas that still need to be supported by the company.

Re-establish your network to let them know you are interested in moving into their areas. The more people know that you are ready, willing and able to fulfill needs in other areas can go a long way.

Begin your marketing campaign - Market yourself to departmental managers that your services are needed to support company business practices and your unique skills are necessary and that you are the best person to contribute during the downward transition.

Emphasizing your skills and talents to align with what is needed within the business at this time may allow you to remain through the potential restructuring waves.

The longer you can withstand the downsizing, the better your chances of being there when the company stabilizes and eventually begins to grow again.

Moral is usually at its lowest point when dramatic change is about to take place. Whispers around the water cooler and closed door conversations will take the place of productive dialogue about business issues.

Avoid getting caught up in the negative climate and stay focused on the daily tasks go along way for you mentally. Your mental state, as well as others in your circle of influence, will be stronger as you avoid being drawn into the mass decline in attitude.

Psychologically, the more the climate deteriorates, the more people feel depressed and hopeless that their situation is unavoidable.

Many companies would rather retain their employees since the investment of education and knowledge have already been spent. Losing this human capital will require the organization to spend money in the future when times get better.

If the company can retain your knowledge and have access to that information and experience, even on a part time basis, it may provide an opportunity to share your job with another person to keep it.

The company may not need you 40 hours per week or able to pay you on full time salary. One option may be to Offer yourself up to a Job share arrangement. This may be a win/win situation for you, the employer and the other individual until other employment is secured or the company becomes more stable.

A huge expense many companies have to deal with is Health Insurance Costs. If you can sell yourself as a contractor where the employer is not burdened with the additional employee related costs, it may make you more attractive to keep, at least temporarily.

If you have a spouse that is employed with Health Insurance from their employer, migrate over to their plan to minimize some of the financial burden from your employer, which is their ultimate goal.

You still have income, the company reduces their costs to keep you on longer and can still retain your knowledge and expertise. A potential solution for everyone involved.

If you are one of the unfortunate to have received the formidable Pink Slip, you are probably going through many feelings and emotional stages along with the loss of employment.

Many people go through several emotional stages when they are let go from their place of employment. Many feel lost as they struggle with their issues of self worth or esteem. You may be asking yourself the 64 million dollar question "Why Me?" as you begin to realize the potential life without a steady paycheck.

The most common emotional stages felt by many people are:

Shock/Dismay - The initial shock to the system occurs when the news of release is delivered, especially if there was no warning at all that the company was pursuing this route. Numbness envelopes the senses as the details being provided are laid out in front of you.

Denial - Once the initial message is conveyed, the brain will begin to process the data, trying to analyze whether or not the information collected was accurately absorbed. You may even feel the twinge of embarrassment as you wonder how you will look when others find out about your plight, especially family and friends.

Unfortunately, this is an ongoing reality that many have had to endure. Take comfort in the fact that many people have been put in this position at least once in their career and that they will see this as an unfortunate circumstance and not as a reflection of your character or work ethic.

Realization - Once time has passed and the data processed, it is time to come to the realization of the situation you are in and thoughts now transfer to how life will be different and how this will impact others in your life.

Relief - As you begin to visualize the new things you have to do, one quick realization is that all of the issues, concerns and other details of the job you have been dealing with simply evaporate. The relief that follows quickly fills your thoughts with a sense of freshness knowing that you do not have to worry about the meetings, reports and issues of the day.

There may be a little satisfaction peppered in there as you visualize the others left behind who are charged with taking on your responsibilities. Especially the peer or manager that you had a love/hate relationship during your tenure.

Anger - As your psyche bobs and weaves through the emotional roller coaster, you begin to feel betrayed and hurt. The company you expended so much time, energy and work just negated the relationship with a quick conversation about the company's financial position, a packet of HR documentation and a relatively quick thanks for the memory speech.

Acceptance - The final stop on the ride. An ending to a tough road fraught with confusion, despair and distress ending a tenure that can now been counted as a chapter closed. Once entering this stage, it allows you to rethink and re-evaluate where you are in life and opens up potential horizons that were hidden by company reports and deadlines.

Some people pass through these stages with relative ease and swiftness, others may need additional time to discharge "the emotional baggage" of losing their job. The next stage of the evolution "Surviving the Pink Slip Blues (Part 3)" examines the various areas of the job search process that focuses on various options available to the unemployed.

This will help answer the questions relative to the best tools, techniques and resources available that will guide you to the next tier in your career or life?

Now that the dust has settled, the goodbyes have been extended and the ceremonial exchange of e-mail address and cell phone numbers have been completed, it's time to get down to business.

Family Time

Taking some time off to re-energize the batteries and re-acquaint yourself to your spouse and children may be a good idea. Remember that the situation of unemployment affects everyone in the family, not just you. Children are very sensitive to the changes in the household and it is important to be open and honest with them. The support you gain from them will help you keep focused on your end goals.

Since you are no longer out the door every morning, it may be a chance to take your child to school or see them in sports events that were always held during your normal work day.

Financial

If you are like many people, you have not saved much for a rainy day like today. If you have a month or two of salary in the bank, you are probably better off than most in your position. It is time to survey your personal/family balance sheet to identify your financial position.

Just like your previous company, you now need to list the current monthly expenses to see what can be cut from "The Budget". If you have not done this exercise in awhile or at all, the data will be much more meaningful now that the income line (steady paycheck) is severed.

Income Streams - Your ability to survive financially will partially depend upon the amount of income you will have access to during the job search process. Accounting for severance, savings and unemployment compensation, knowing the overall amount of money coming in will be paramount to your sustainability.

Of course, if you are married, your spouse's income may provide much needed financial support and health benefits during this time.

Expenses - No more morning $4.00 lattes and $10.00 lunches at the Deli... Eliminating the waste and trimming the fat is where you will have the most control over your financial position. Listing the monthly bills; mortgage, utilities, food and other essential expenditures will help map out the discretionary spending that may be able to be reduced or totally removed.

Self Evaluation

Now that you have a clear mind, know where you stand financially and have the support of family and friends, it is time to "Go Deep". Have an open mind, clear thought, take a deep breath and look at yourself from the ground up.

Many find being let go from a job can be a time of reflection, a re-evaluation period to determine if the path you were traveling is still the one you want to continue on.... Depending on your situation, you may elect to look at other industries, job descriptions or organizations that may interest you. The skills and talents you posses may be applicable and marketable in other sectors or industries that you may or may not have thought of before.

If you have an interest that has been hobby or side interest, you may elect to expand into that area. It is widely known that if you can earn a living doing what you love, you are truly a successful person. What better way to make a living, whether it be starting a business or landing a job that deals in that interest or area.

Take a look at the pros and cons of your previous role, the responsibilities you had and categorize them into what you enjoyed, and what you tolerated because it was part of the job. Search for the characteristics that define your likes and dislikes and list them out as a way to keep you focused on new opportunities that drive you in the direction you want to move toward.

Obviously, it is a personal decision whether or not the job you had is the type of job you want. Even though many people do not take the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone to toward their dream, but those that do, see their job loss as a launchpad for a new happier life direction they may not have taken if not for the downsizing they experienced.

Resume

Your Resume Profile and work experience detailed in a well written format is one of the more crucial aspects of your marketing plan. A resume that is succinct, grammatically correct containing the right keywords to promote your skills to the online recruiter well set you ahead of your competition. Remember that your resume is your web advocate and online representative to a potential employer search.

SEO your resume; utilizing Search Engine Optimization techniques could be the difference of your resume being or read or not when someone begins to search the internet.

Job-hunt.org recommends using different variations of keywords since the person searching may place them in their search criteria. For instance, if you are interested in jobs in a certain state, use the full state name, the abbreviated name and other variations that may be used. (ie. Colorado, Colo., Co.).

Placing a keywords section at the top of the resume will add more visibility to the documentand because they are located at the top, they carry more weight for the Search engine. They also recommend placing the word Resume within the document to allow more opportunity for the search engines to list your resume before others that do not follow some of these SEO strategies.

Before you go into a full bore job search, it is recommended to develop a high level plan to help set the foundation for your search. Once the overall plan is developed, it will allow you to proceed more effectively in reaching your goals and objectives much faster.

If a plan is not created beforehand, you may flounder and waste valuable time and energy as you conduct your search without results. People who execute their plan with focus and intent enable themselves to realize faster more meaningful results.

Promoting yourself to the world can be difficult for many people. Marketing your strengths and selling your skills are foreign concepts, even to those that have done it for others can find it frustrating to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Personal Networking is the most efficient way of landing your next gig. Put the word out, family friends and neighbors are all personal advocates that can give you instant credibility to the potential resource manager or recruiter.

Taking advantage of your personal network is free and allows you to leverage your time by putting the "word on the street" while you tout your wares in other marketing channels.

Online Networking or Social Networking sites are quickly becoming an avenue for marketing yourself to others through a myriad of virtual connections. Sites like Linkedin.com are common ground for connecting individuals with common business interests. Recruiters and HR Professionals are now looking at these sites as they hunt for prospective employees. Social Networking is a must have for your marketing plan....

Building a reference list can help tremendously in adding credibility to your name and experience. Some employers do not even call references, but many do, so make sure you have the right references ready to be your advocate. They should be sincere, honest individuals that speak highly of you.

When building your reference list, ensure they are the right references that know you well and that have a very good understanding of your character and skills. Offering a mediocre or bad reference that does not consider you in a favorable light can kill a good opportunity.

Providing a reference that barely knows you or your work can also be detrimental to your success...Keep a good list of contacts with up to date phone numbers so that you can provide them in a moments notice.

Personal

A personal character reference should be someone who understands your character and speaks highly of you. A Family member or close friend are appropriate references. Having multiple names can allow the potential employer to call one or more of them to check for consistent character traits etc.

Professional

Although a professional reference is pretty obvious, you may want to use someone you had worked with in an previous company on a project team together. They do not always have to be manager types, but those are good too.

Claiming a workspace within the home will help you get organized and help build a common area for you to identify as your new "place of business". Try to simulate an environment of privacy and professionalism to keep you focused and clear on your objectives and goals.

Ensure you have the tools necessary to communicate your message to the world...Phone, proper lighting, desk space, computer and printer...

If possible, locate yourself away from the family to alleviate distractions. Having a closed door during the end of the school day will be a lifesaver in the afternoon as kids tend to come home with friends to hang out even though you may have a phone interview @ 3:00 in the afternoon.

It is also a good idea to set specific ground rules for children, that if the door is closed, you are working. It is important to keep the noise level down especially when you have an important phone interview. Having loud a TV or bickering going on while you are trying to ficus on the conversation can be very difficult.

Having your private workspace will help you separate your business life away from family life. Your work space will help you develop your daily routine needed to keep focused on your objective, employment.

You have the plan, you have the tools, you are now ready to EXECUTE!

Establish a Routine

One of the pitfalls of job searching is to become complacent and unfocused, sleeping in now that you do not have to punch the clock... Get up early, start your morning the same way everyday... Morning Coffee, check your favorite recruiting websites for leads, tips and information that may give you a jump start on the competition,

Many have heard the term "Re-invent Yourself"; which typically defines new ways to utilize or package your skills for new job descriptions or industries. If you have an accounting background, you might look at other areas business that you can transport your skills.

Looking at other industries or areas that you have had interest in may provide new doorways to explore. Some individuals may have acquired generic transportable skills that may be utilized in other areas that previously were thought to be too far a stretch.

Re-thinking yourself is similar, but a more broader, deeper evaluation of who you are, what you enjoy and where you really want to be in life. Many of the unemployed will be more mature job seekers who re-evaluate their lives in stages with a more holistic view of solving the employment dilemma.

Baby Boomer Effect

Many Boomers are able to look at their unemployment dilemma in a new light. Removing the boundaries that have directed your career to this point can provide a refreshing perspective. What new opportunities exist if you no longer are restricted by geography, young children or high income requirements?

You may require less money to live on, and would rather look at opportunities that provide more social benefit than your previous positions.Travel restrictions may no longer be an issue if you have selected past positions to stay closer to home so that you could be more active in your children's lives.

More possibilities may be available to you if you can re-think yourself through to the next "LIfe Stage". These articles have information and perspectives that challenge the mainstream on life, work and happiness. Take a look :

Re-invention process

5 Steps to Reinvent yourself...

I Don't Know what I Want, But it's not this... ,

Some People will look to create multiple income streams by starting a Home Based Business utilizing Affiliate marketing techniques and programs..

Ebay is probably the most popular model that most people have heard of.. Using a digital camera and a little know how, many people have created substantial income through the web..

These programs can create supplemental income for job seekers to fill the gaps while they continue to look or even after they have found a full time job. Internet can be a lucrative tool in earning part time/full time income. Obviously, any new business ventures should be met with a high degree of research and due diligence before plunking down any money.

Legitimate Online Jobs are available as a way to supplement your income from Filling out Online Surveys to online stores though Cafepress or Zazzle.com.

Many companies are interested in your opinion and would divert some of their marketing dollars to this growing area.

The popularity of online surveys is a growing marketing channel that leverage the power of the internet to solicit your input of which you are compensated.

See some of the Online Survey guides that you can subscribe to:

Paid Etc.Online Surveys

Survey Scout Online Surveys

Express Pay - Online Surveys

After you have been laid off, and have completed the Emotional Recovery stages of the process, it is time to begin to look into defining your job search strategies. What new ideas can technologies can you leverage that gives you an advantage and sets you apart from other candidates in the marketplace?

One such idea being utilized, due to the popularity of Blogs on the internet, is Personal Web Resumes%u2026 This concept allows anyone to create an online portfolio of information that can be used as another avenue to showcase a candidate's skills and experience.

Prospective employers and recruiters can be referred to these online resume properties to seek additional information about a candidate, which may be fresher than the paper resume received.

There are many blog tools that can be easily setup and maintained with minimal or no cost. WordPress, Blogger and Wetpaint are just a few that can be used for hosting this type of information. In addition, you can create a domain name that points to this informational site to make it easier to find.

If this is an avenue you would like to pursue, there are some other things to consider:

Privacy Considerations - It is advisable to resist putting information on your site that can be used for non-employment related activities. Address, Social Security Numbers or any other of this type of information is discouraged.

Replies and Comments - It is possible to have visitor comments show up on your site. Plan to monitor your site regularly and set yourself up as a moderator so that no comments can be added without your approval.

Accuracy - Since this medium can be viewed by anyone, ensure your information is accurate and up to date. You can password protect parts of your site if needed and control who sees this information.

KISS Approach - This information should complement your paper resume not replace it. Therefore, keep the site simple and professional so that it can be easily viewed and scanned by an prospective employers.

Grammar/Spell Checking - Having another person review content and ensure grammar and spelling are correct can eliminate embarrassing conversations and is advised before promoting your web site.

In summary, it is easy to create a web presence that can be used to complement your paper resume and used as another tool to your job search marketing strategy. It does not matter whether you are Old School or a New College graduate, this tactic could assist you in getting additional exposure when job searching.