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- Nov 11, 2004
1. Network, network, network. Expand your circle of friends by joining civic and professional organzations, charities, chuchgroups...anyplace you might find people who work in your industry that may be in a position to help you should the worst happen and you need to find a job. The more people you know in your profession (or a related profession), the better your prospects when looking for a new job. Your friends and acquaintencescould not only tell you about any unadvertised openings, but also put in a good word for you, depending upon how well they know you.
2. Be prepared. Even if you think your job is safe, now is a good time to dust off and update that resume. Make sure you have goodreferences on your resume. Keep an eye out for any possible job opportunities you could take advantage of if something happens to your company. Shore up youremergency fund, and try to have 3-6 months of living expenses socked away in case you lose your job and need the safety net.
3. Be the "model" employee. Make yourself indispensible at your current job. Learn how to do things that may be a bit outsideyour job description, volunteer for extra projects and don't be a complainer about your current work load. When employers trim staff, they will targetunhappy employers and those doing the minimum as the first to go. You might still get the axe, but at least you'll get a good reference out of the deal.
4. Don't overlook freelance work. If you don't find another full-time job right away, look at doing something on a part-timebasis. Consider consulting for another company (or the one you just left, if it's available). Jobs aren't just outsourced to overseas locations. Many companies look to farm out some of their work to freelancers and consultants right here in the U.S. on an "as-needed" basis. During therecession of 1991, I was "unemployed" for six months. The truth is, while I didn't have a full-time job during that time, I never really didstop working. I worked part-time for several different companies and did numerous one or two-time only projects for others. It didn't replace myfull-time income, but it was better than not earning anything at all. Besides, one of those part-time jobs led to me receiving a full-time job when theopening became available.
5. Brush up on your skill set. Make yourself more employable by expanding your skill set. If you work in an office environment youshould know how to use all of the programs in the Microsoft Office suite of products including Powerpoint, Excel and Word. There are free tutorials availableonline. If you have fallen behind on continuing your education in your profession, now is the time to take some continuing education courses and obtain theskills you need in this competitive job environment.
6. Have an "exit strategy". What would you do if you lost your job today? A lot of people don't like to think about it,but they should have a "Plan B" in case the worst happens. Would you know where to look for another job? Do you know people in your industry thatcan give you good leads on other work? Do you have an idea for a business you would like to start up on your own? The time to come up with other optionsavailable to you is when you have a job, not when you are desperately seeking a new job.
If you do find yourself out of work, having a plan of action will put you ahead of the game. Make finding a job your new "full time job" and bevery good at interviewing (practice makes perfect), have a stellar resume and identify other jobs you can do other than the one you currently have. You mightalso consider moving to another are that does have jobs available and taking a little less pay to get your foot in the door at a new company. When it comes toreplacing a job and surviving in a rough economy, no option should be off the table.
Its only getting worse out there. I see my friends with finance and accounting degrees finding hard times getting jobs and i can see how bad it is. Good luckguys
2. Be prepared. Even if you think your job is safe, now is a good time to dust off and update that resume. Make sure you have goodreferences on your resume. Keep an eye out for any possible job opportunities you could take advantage of if something happens to your company. Shore up youremergency fund, and try to have 3-6 months of living expenses socked away in case you lose your job and need the safety net.
3. Be the "model" employee. Make yourself indispensible at your current job. Learn how to do things that may be a bit outsideyour job description, volunteer for extra projects and don't be a complainer about your current work load. When employers trim staff, they will targetunhappy employers and those doing the minimum as the first to go. You might still get the axe, but at least you'll get a good reference out of the deal.
4. Don't overlook freelance work. If you don't find another full-time job right away, look at doing something on a part-timebasis. Consider consulting for another company (or the one you just left, if it's available). Jobs aren't just outsourced to overseas locations. Many companies look to farm out some of their work to freelancers and consultants right here in the U.S. on an "as-needed" basis. During therecession of 1991, I was "unemployed" for six months. The truth is, while I didn't have a full-time job during that time, I never really didstop working. I worked part-time for several different companies and did numerous one or two-time only projects for others. It didn't replace myfull-time income, but it was better than not earning anything at all. Besides, one of those part-time jobs led to me receiving a full-time job when theopening became available.
5. Brush up on your skill set. Make yourself more employable by expanding your skill set. If you work in an office environment youshould know how to use all of the programs in the Microsoft Office suite of products including Powerpoint, Excel and Word. There are free tutorials availableonline. If you have fallen behind on continuing your education in your profession, now is the time to take some continuing education courses and obtain theskills you need in this competitive job environment.
6. Have an "exit strategy". What would you do if you lost your job today? A lot of people don't like to think about it,but they should have a "Plan B" in case the worst happens. Would you know where to look for another job? Do you know people in your industry thatcan give you good leads on other work? Do you have an idea for a business you would like to start up on your own? The time to come up with other optionsavailable to you is when you have a job, not when you are desperately seeking a new job.
If you do find yourself out of work, having a plan of action will put you ahead of the game. Make finding a job your new "full time job" and bevery good at interviewing (practice makes perfect), have a stellar resume and identify other jobs you can do other than the one you currently have. You mightalso consider moving to another are that does have jobs available and taking a little less pay to get your foot in the door at a new company. When it comes toreplacing a job and surviving in a rough economy, no option should be off the table.
Its only getting worse out there. I see my friends with finance and accounting degrees finding hard times getting jobs and i can see how bad it is. Good luckguys
