Surviving a Job Loss & Prevailing in the Job Market
You’ve just been layed off, and a new chapter in your work life is ahead of you. How do you best prepare for moving forward in your career, especially in this difficult economy?
Here are Keys to not only surviving the loss of a job, but to prevail in the job market and land a new career opportunity as fast as possible.
Surviving a Lay-off
1. Take Advantage of All Benefits
Understand all aspects of the separation package that are being provided to you including severance pay, unused vacation pay, retirement accounts and health insurance coverage. Read carefully the packet of information that was given to you, and contact the human resources department to get an explanation of items that you have questions about. Apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible.
2. Use Career Transition (Outplacement) Services to Help Your Job Search
If the company provides outplacement services to help you plan and implement a job search campaign, take full advantage of it. If these are not provided, seek the services of the state, county or city Workforce Investment Board. These government “One-Stop” Centers offer workshops and one-on-one consulting on all aspects of finding a job in addition to access to computers, the Internet and a number of Job Posting services. Private career consultants and resume writers can also provide services vital to the success of your job search.
3. Reach Out to Your Contacts and to the Community for Support
You are not alone in looking for a job, and in addition to the public and private services listed above, many non-profit and community organizations provide support services for job seekers. Churches, alumni associations, professional and industry groups offer workshops on job hunting, networking meetings, job fairs and job posting services.
4. Develop a Strategic Plan to Find a Job Fast
Using all the available support organizations mentioned, develop a strategic campaign to plan and implement a job search. Especially in this difficult economy, you need to set objectives and follow a step by step action plan to be successful in your ultimate goal of landing a new career opportunity.
Prevailing in the Job Market
Key 1 – Planning: The Key to Finding a Job Fast
Gather and analyze information, set achievable goals and develop and implement a Strategic Plan.
Key 2 – Matching Your Talents with Available Jobs
Research the job market and identify jobs that align with your talents and interests.
Key 3 – Using All Effective Sources of Job Leads
Use not only the traditional methods of finding jobs including Internet Job Postings and
Recruiters, and network extensively and reach out to unconventional sources of job leads.
Key 4 – Overcoming Challenges & Barriers to Your Success
Deal with internal challenges like lack of self-confidence and external barriers such as biases and misconceptions.
Key 5 – Your Personal Brand: Communicating Your Talents to Employers
Develop a comprehensive marketing plan for yourself that includes effective written communications (resume, cover letters, biographies, etc.) and verbal communications (introductions, interviewing strategies, follow-up statements, etc).
February 25, 2009
Working My Way
6520 East Cholla Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254−5038
© 2008 Taft Resource Group • All Rights Reserved • APP. PD. SVC
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