While there is no silver-bullet available to get you back into the full-time workforce, there are proven methods that will expedite the process. The rule of thumb for the time to find a job (and it has held true during this recession) is one month for each $10,000 of annual income you have earned. For example, if you made $90,000 in your last job it will take you roughly nine months to find comparable employment, a year if you made $120,000, etc. But things are different as we start the new '10's decade. While we are in a recovery, don't expect the job market to return to the way it was a few years back. We now realize how fragile our national economy is; how closely tied we are to the world's economy; and that our government cannot jump in and "save the day," as we have witnessed its inability to create jobs other than government jobs. And on this last point, that is exactly what we do not need - a bigger, bloated government which created a national debt greater than the combined debt of all the other countries of the world - sapping available funds from the credit markets that are sorely needed for private enterprises to grow and add jobs.
The jobs growth engine of our economy for the past two decades has been small business, which (depending on the source you follow) has created between 70 and 80 percent of all new jobs. It can be argued that this growth came as large corporations downsized and outsourced more and more of their functions. This trend will continue as these corporations become even more risk adverse.
The first thing needed to fast track your job search is to re-tool your resume. Keep in mind it's not about you - but about the skills required by a potential employer, with your skill set overlaid to determine the most qualified candidate. You will want to tweak your resume to mesh with the unique job requirements of each position you are interested in. You've heard it before but it's worth repeating - always maintain an up-to-date resume. The last thing you want is for a friend or colleague to "open a door" for you and ask for your resume, then not receive it for a week or two. It needs to be in their hands while you are in top-of-mind awareness.
I will bet that just about everyone reading this article can find a volunteer position directly or indirectly related to their past employment, within one week. If you have financial services experience, volunteer with a community agency to help people repair their credit scores, as an example. With a human resources background you could assist in a job services center helping workers get back into the labor force. Construction workers would be welcome at Habitat for Humanity. Who knows, you might end up pounding nails with a CEO or city councilmen - not bad connections to do some networking. There are three primary reasons to volunteer: It gives you a "story" to tell a potential employer about what you've been doing; it may provide the opportunity to network and find a new job; and it will build up your self-esteem - utilizing your skills and doing what you do best - giving you the confidence you need to project as you land interviews.
Networking is where you will find your next job. I do not mean to rush out and join Twitter and see how many followers you can get in 60 days, or friends and family on MySpace or Facebook. That is not sophisticated networking - just because someone's name showed up. But do join LinkedIn, the most professional social networking site, if you have not already done so. Use your newly crafted resume to fill out your profile and search for friends, classmates, and former colleagues to re-connect with. You do not want to appear desperate. Don't ask for a job. Ask about what they are doing. Offer any help you can in getting them connected to others for their own careers or for a work project. Tell them about your volunteer work while you are looking for a new career position. Let them offer to assist you. This is effective networking.
Don't waste a great deal of time on job search sites, which are more or less the "help wanted ads" of the digital age. You can find sites that will let you drill down for a particular field and by city and region, but you will be competing with hundreds or even thousands of others for these positions. Do research on the companies which employ people with your skills - by reading annual reports, searching their web sites, trade associations, press releases, etc. Then use LinkedIn or similar professional sites to find out which ones are hiring; current and former employees you or one of your connections might know; and who can make an introduction for you to get directly to the hiring manager. This is the best way to ensure you will be brought in for an interview.
With small businesses adding three-quarters of all new jobs, focus your efforts on those which may have been the recipient of outsourced business in your field or a closely related one. You may very well find that one of the large corporations you contact now outsources what your specialty is. Ask who they outsource it to - perhaps get them to forward your resume to them (a great way to open the door). When connecting with a small business use your large corporate experience to your advantage by suggesting how you can get more companies to outsource to them. Almost one-half of all jobs are now filled with contingent workers - either consultants, contract, or temporary employees. Find a staffing company or two, specializing in your field, and let them go to work and find you an interim position either in your field or closely related. Over a third of these jobs become full-time employee positions -- and you get the opportunity to experience the company's culture firsthand and they see how you blend in with their existing workforce.
While there are no guarantees in life, following these steps can stack the deck in your favor to land a new job in the shortest time possible. Good luck!
Richard S. Pearson is the Author of 5 Necessary Skills to Keep Your Career on Track. He has held vice-president positions with four multibillion dollar travel industry companies and three Internet early stage companies. He has a BA degree from Regis University in Organizational Development. His experience has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate the organizational structures of both large and small companies. He has hired and trained hundreds of employees from frontline salespeople to vice presidents, and coached many through their careers. He is currently working on facilitating the large increase of travel between the US and China, which is taking place.http://www.5necessaryskills.com |
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