As a follow-up to last month’s column on Networking, this month I’ll share with you tactics and strategies on how to stand out in a down job market. This is, no doubt a challenging job market. However, certain sectors are stable or thriving in these uncertain times. Well-positioned employers are doing well in this economy.

 

Job candidates must position themselves well, as they prepare for the job search.

 

I cannot stress enough how important every detail is in the application and interview process. If you truly want to stand out in a down job market, you’ll make sure that you’ve got it right the first time. These days, there is no second chance to make a first impression.

 

Three ways to stand out:

 

Build relationships Build Relationships Then, Build More Relationships

 

Be Active and Proactive

 

Do five strategic activities every day for your job search. That means SEVEN days a week!

 

Set up informational interviews with influencers in your profession. Do NOT ask them for a job. Let them offer to help you.

 

Attend local business/professional networking mixers, if your budget allows and bring your business cards/resumes.

 

Read local business/professional publications to see who is growing or stable and potentially hiring.

 

What are your transferable skills?

 

Where can you take those transferable skills? Who is hiring for those skills?

 

Be willing to do self-training and embrace your own professional development: online, at-home, night classes, community colleges, vocational schools, internships or apprenticeships.

 

Consider a staffing agency in your field that will take you from temp to permanent.

 

The segment in demand right now is the 1-3 years of experience. Too much experience in a down economy is too expensive for employers.

 

Search and Research

 

Research the organization: what are you recruiting for right now, in the next three months?

 

Know more about the organization than the interviewer.

 

Seek to uncover an employer’s current challenges and propose to create a position to help solve those problems.

 

Be proactive and not reactive!

 

Play to your strengths, talents, skills and accomplishments.

 

Stress what you can do for the organization in all of your communications.

 

Consider relocating to another market with the prospective employer.

 

Create Quality Communications

 

Consider a functional resume, instead of a chronological format. Stress your skills, talents, accomplishments and achievements and not your employers.

 

Use powerful descriptive adjectives on your resume like, magnanimous, effervescent, cordial, dynamic, passionate, and entrepreneurial. Be sure that you can live up to these in the interview.

 

Target each communication to the specific job qualifications the potential employer seeks.

 

No communication should appear to be “generic” or “cookie-cutter.”

 

Research who the hiring manager is for the position and direct mail him/her your cover letter and resume.

 

Send personal thank-you notes after the interview, to all interviewers.

 

Follow up with a personal phone call, to the hiring manager.

 

When you return home from a successful interview, apply for another job.

 

Visualize Your Success

 

Do you see your new office with your name on the door? Can you see the view outside of your window? Can you hear the welcome of your new colleagues/clients? Can you read the job offer being made by your new employer? Why not?

 

Don’t move into “Panic Mode,” communicate with confidence, self-assuredness and a positive attitude. No one wants to hire a desperate candidate. Remain centered and focused on the goal. Take lots of deep breaths before your phone/in-person interviews and nix the caffeine.

 

Remind yourself regularly that you will survive this and move on to the next phase of your career. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people. Create a supportive lifestyle based and health and well-being.

 

I wish you and yours Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas! Peace and all good.

 

 

Paul Carpino, M.A. is a career counselor at UNLV and in private practice. His new, innovative career guide is “Now, Launch Your Career”- Find Your Path: Personal Career Advice from the World’s Top Professionals. It is available at: www.iUniverse.com