Surviving the job jungle
By Gary Kaplan© Pasadena Star News, January 3, 2009
As the old saying goes, "It's a jungle out there," particularly if you are challenged of late with finding a job in today's crippled economy.
Consider a national unemployment rate that has grown to 6.7 percent since the start of the recession last December. Labor Department data showed the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits surged to a 26-year high last week, as a deepening recession forced employers to cut back on hirings. Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits jumped by 58,000, the biggest increase since September 2005, to a seasonally adjusted 573,000 in the week ended December 6 from an upwardly revised 515,000 the previous week.
For the unemployed, or even those at work looking over their shoulder, the numbers above translate into an increasingly competitive job search - more people looking for a shrinking number of job opportunities.
In these challenging economic times, there are opportunities - as long as you are jungle-savvy - willing to dig deeper, work harder, explore further.
Do your homework
Some industries and job sectors are still experiencing worker shortages or even job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) releases updated figures every month on occupational job growth. Examples cited last month month include health care, education, government, food services and drinking establishments, and IT categories, all have gained jobs this year. These are the areas where you may want to focus your research first.
Know your target
As you consider your next job opportunity or career move, once you have identified prospective employers, take the time to get to know them. Visit their Web sites, know their product lines or services, understand their history and even their culture. Find out what type of community work a company does through its employees. Check their staff rosters, if available, to see where you might fit in. Keep your eyes and ears open to news items about the company and check the company's "News" links. In an interview, your familiarity with a prospective employer is a confidence builder that will allow you to carry on a meaningful conversation and make knowledgeable recommendations when given the opportunity.
Polish your brand
How you choose to market yourself will directly impact how long it will take to find a new job. Identify your strengths and put together the best possible personal brand. You can do this with a flawless resume, customized and compelling cover letters, and articulate and engaging networking. Brush up on your sales skills (persuasion, negotiating, and influencing) even if you aren't in the sales industry. You need to sell your best product, which is you, so make sure your personal pitch is relevant, timely, and effective.
Start with the basics. If you are considering a career transition - as is the case for many job seekers in recently impacted fields, such as financial services, real estate, construction, high tech, and travel industries - a functional resume is recommended. Think "how can I use the skills, knowledge, and experience I have gained thus far in a new industry," and re-market yourself. A functional resume highlights crossover skills and achievements and downplays non-applicable job titles and industries. This is an ideal way to show prospective employers that you're perfect for the job, even though your experience may not be directly related. The single most important thing you can do to advance your career is to demonstrate how you can build value for a company.
If, however, you are in contact with an executive recruiter, a detailed sequential work history is crucial, too. Be sure to include a component that demonstrates your chronological and quantifiable qualifications as well when re-tooling your resume. Executive recruiters most often rely on a thorough, detailed chronological listing to effectively evaluate your work history.
Past success is indicative of future success, so if you've been successful in growing sales, slashing overhead costs, improving profit margins, capturing new clients, etc., clearly and prominently position those achievements within your resume and other job search communications.
Getting to know you
An often overlooked or under-valued element in a job search, but one that may be the most critical can be summed up in a single word: networking.
Networking for your next job is always an important part of your attack, but with higher unemployment and additional job seekers in the field, networking is now crucial for success. Networking often gives you an inside track on what's coming up, what will be posted in the near future, who to contact directly, and more. Getting the information before anyone else often is the difference between success and failure. Start your network with family, friends, and business associates. Expand into industry associations, alumni, community, and church groups, as well as professional recruiters. With each new contact and each new connection, you are shrinking the "six degrees of separation," pulling more allies into your circle, and closing in on the ultimate target.
Networking today is easier and broader than ever before, thanks to technology. Internet social and business networking sites are numerous and increasing almost daily. These sites can be goldmines of information and contacts. Again, each new connection helps you reduce the degrees of separation between you and your next employment opportunity. Don't underestimate the value of such sites as LinkedIn, Plaxo, BrightFuse, and even Facebook to reach out.
Finally, don't be afraid to go old-school. Dust off the Rolodex, peruse your little black book, thumb through old business correspondence you have had with old vendors, suppliers, agencies, competitors, and others. Don't rely solely on the telephone - make yourself visible, get in front of people, and always ask for their assistance, on any level.
Think outside the box
You might think that committing your full-time skills to a consulting or contract assignment takes your eyes from the prize. This type of opportunity is a valuable one on several fronts. In this economy, such an opportunity gives you the chance to try on a position for size. It provides an environment to sharpen your skills and even learn new tricks. Consulting or contract work puts you in place to impress a prospective employer and expand your network.
Rather than one job, think in terms of multiple positions. By considering and lining up multiple contracts, you may find greater job security - if one contract evaporates, you have others to support you and possibly others in line. Moreover, such a scenario will help enhance your resume, not to mention your wallet.
Be realistic
Be patient. In the past, the rule of thumb was to allow at least one week of searching for every $10,000 in salary. That's six weeks to land a $60,000 a year job. In these difficult times it can take even longer. With over 30 years of experience in the executive search industry, I believe the formula is more accurate if you are prepared to add one month for every $10,000 you seek in salary, especially if you are doing so without professional assistance or guidance. You can get anxious and stressed about it, or you can strategize how you'll spend the time. Yes, long-term unemployment is stressful, but stressing isn't going to solve anything. Figure out how you are going to mentally deal with this temporary phase. This is where your networking success is so important, as it also serves as a support group of sorts when challenges and frustrations put you on edge.
Gary Kaplan is founder and president of Gary Kaplan & Associates, a Pasadena-based executive search firm. Visit www.gkasearch.com.
