Times Online

Airlines search for safe path through ash as travel pressure mounts
Times Online
Airlines are searching for safe flight paths through the cloud of volcanic ash that has grounded most aircraft for the past four days. British Airways plans to carry out a test flight from Heathrow to Cardiff this afternoon amid growing pressure to …
Airlines conduct more test flights on ash cloud safetyBBC News

European airlines test the ash cloudLos Angeles Times
Travel chaos reins as no flights over Europe for fourth dayThe Hindu
Xinhua -Reuters -CNN International
all 660 news articles »

View full post on Top Stories – Google News

 

If you are unemployed at the moment or have a hunch/fear that you may be – soon, it is highly likely that your career is not over, not unless you want to pull the plug yourself. However, tighten your belt because the ride may be bumpy at the least, and quite rough at the most. Despite all discrimination laws, the ride will be bumpier and rougher the older you are. When you think about it, discrimination may not have much to do with it at all. The older you are, your experience and expectations are likely to be proportionally higher (relative to your field of work – of course). Your expertise is more likely to be specific. You may not have a lot of flexibility to relocate. etc. All of these things add up to slowly paint you into a nice little niche corner. Based on conventional wisdom – expertise and experience should have high value, in fact they still do, however, the situation is that of demand and supply. It is just that there is higher demand for people that have generic skills and lower expectations. People that can learn new things, become experts in time and ultimately get painted into that nice little niche corner that we visited a few minutes back. Thus goes the cycle-of-life in the rat race. Bear with me, and in a few paragraphs I will write about strategies for prospectors (and prospectors to be – oh that sounded awful!).

 

Here is a piece of good news: Many Fortune 500 companies that are great with benefits continue to hire, even as they restructure, downsize and offshore. When economic conditions are unfavorable, companies tighten their budgets, lower spending, increase production & sales pressures and unfortunately announce layoffs. This is classic restructuring mechanism. Most companies that layoff employees in a restructuring process, usually continue to hire folks as well, albeit with different skills sets. This paradox, while shocking is not difficult to understand if you step back and look at the bigger picture for a moment. The ambition of any given corporation is not to layoff all its people and ultimately close down. Corporations are forever researching the economics and identifying new revenue streams, leaner operations models, use of the latest in technology, exploiting opportunities in government regulations, labor laws and so on. In the midst of all this – no matter how much you love your job, how hard you work or what your emotional involvement with the company is, at the end of the day you happen to be a number on the CFOs books. Up until the time you add up – you are great, and when you do not, unfortunately it is the end of the road. Of course there is other stuff too – anyone that has spent any time in the corporate jungle knows that things are never that simple, there is politics, nepotism, personal vendetta and all that mess. The intention of this article is to keep things at a slightly dignified higher level, and focus on what you need to do to tide through.

 

Being out of work for any reason – sucks. Being out of work for no fault of yours – obviously – sucks even more. Depending on your individual circumstances it is normal to feel any of: rejection, disillusionment, depression or panic. Short bursts of these emotions may even be healthy in keeping you focused on your immediate goal of being gainfully re-employed – preferably in something you like to do and have the knack for. However, dwelling upon this state of mind will produce no real result. Start by telling yourself that loosing a job is not a sign of failure, and in no way does it reflect the quality of your work.

 

Networking, contacts and references rule. More than 70% of job seekers find employment through contacts. Maintenance of a network of professional contacts has come a long way. The Internet offers many avenues to keep connected with professional and social contacts. Niche sites like LinkedIn offer a mechanism for keeping you and your network of contacts informed about your career movements and that of others in your contact list. These are unobtrusive avenues of letting your contacts know about your professional capabilities and how your career has progressed so far. Some of your contacts may know you well socially, but do not be surprised if most folks do not know your professional strengths and credentials – unless you have worked fairly closely with them for prolonged periods, and even that changes over time.

 

Change Рas the much clich̩d saying goes Рis constant. You are expected to adapt to change all the time. However, there is one problem Рin the context of your profession Рhow do you know what the next change is until it knocks on your door? Whether you are currently looking for a job or happily employed, the Internet offers great resources for researching professional demand. Sites like careersngigs scour the Internet for hundreds of thousands of jobs that are in demand right now. Research your skill sets to see what employers are looking for in your expertise area. Identify trends and constantly re-tool and re-train yourself for the ever changing landscape. Check if geography has any bearings on your skills. With thousands of job losses in motor city, there are perhaps many more applicants per job opening there than say a similar job in a different location.

 

Sounds like a lot of work? It actually is not. Take baby steps, spend as little as thirty minutes every day on your research and re-training. You may be surprised where you get in a few weeks time. What is more – resources like these are now literally at your fingertips and they are free to use.

 

Approach your job search as a full time job in itself. Tailor your resume and cover letter for every application that you write. Research the corporation, major projects, products, services, competition, location and the opportunity you are applying to. Include key terms, concepts and information from this research in your cover letter and resume. Make each document count. A well written tailored letter and resume will have a better chance of being noticed and perhaps even being appreciated. At the least it will stand out against mass mailer letters and resumes. Think about all the junk mail you receive in your mail box everyday – there are some that perhaps go straight to trash and then there are some that you are tempted or compelled to open and read. When sending individual applications maintain a document index of your research, documents that you send and key contacts for the opportunity. When you receive an interview call, you can fish out the correct document and refresh your memory about your approach to the opportunity and the specific research you undertook.

 

Generic skills do not sound as cool as some expert skills. However, generic skills never go out of fashion and are always in some demand. Many people have generic skills and also use them on a regular basis. However, since we do not think much of these skills, we may not be able to objectively document them as such in our resumes. When you keep a written record of your work regularly, over time you may find that your generic skills and many other seemingly small stuff may also add up to something useful. Keeping a record does not need to be a drab grandfather diary anymore. Get yourself an account on twitter and send tweets on what you have been doing (without giving out any work related secrets of course) – start with once every week, and then adjust as required. You will not only get a hang of tweeting, you will also have a fun way of assimilating what you have done in the year – come time for appraisals or writing resumes. As a bonus you might end up getting a little fan following as well.

 

While hunting for the best fit opportunity, keep an eye out for consulting and part time possibilities – preferably at a professional level in your own field. While these may not be perfect or the desirable end job, they will pay some of the bills and give you access to an additional network of professional contacts.

 

In this economic climate job hunting may not be the most attractive of propositions. However, armed with the right strategy, a methodical approach and a positive outlook you can bounce back.

• As you are getting to know the players at your target companies, ask them what you can do for them.  Just say “what can I do to help you out today?”  You might be surprised at the answers you receive.  Even if they say “nothing”, they will appreciate that you asked.
• Volunteer for a project to show them what you can do.  Give them an opportunity to see you in action – volunteer to help them with a current project, proofread a whitepaper, promote something to your network, help them with a technical problem, work at their booth at the expo…whatever it is, offer yourself up and they will see that you are an enthusiastic team player!
• Get connected on LinkedIn and send them an email once in a while.  Look for interesting articles that may be helpful to the folks with whom you are networking.
• Last, remember, you are being proactive here, but don’t miss out on the job postings from other companies – keep doing your passive job searching even while you’re targeting your ideal companies. 

Not only does it feel good to be proactive in your job search, but it can also be fun and rewarding.  You’ll learn more about what you want in your career and you’ll meet great people along the way.  And you could quite possibly get your perfect job too!  Happy job hunting!

About Author
Claudia Loens is a successful Recruiter with over 20 years of experience. She offers her expertise and insider secrets in an ebook to help you find your perfect job. Learn how to maximize modern job search techniques and the Law of Attraction to get that job now at www.happilyemployednow.com

Know what you want and go after it. Starting a job search without knowing what you want will almost certainly end in frustration. Think about it: If you don’t know what you want and what your job target is, how will you know who to contact and how to conduct your search? If you are uncertain about your career goals, it is critical that you spend some time and energy now – before launching your search – on self-introspection and analysis. Knowing what YOU want, what YOU are passionate about, and what YOU bring to the table will provide you with a confidence that simply can’t and won’t be matched by many of your competitors in the job market. This is the crucial first step to any job search and is essential for long-term career success as well.

Know and sell your personal brand. When you think about your next career move, how would things be different for you if employers and recruiters actually sought you out? Personal branding (the process of clarifying and communicating what makes you and your unique value proposition different and special) allows you to make a name for yourself. It differentiates you from your peers and helps to position you as a leader in your field – as a specialist and an authority who knows how to do a job and fill a particular niche in the workplace better than anyone else. Once you are clear on your personal brand, you can use it to project a cohesive brand image and value proposition throughout all your job search activities, and do so in a way that addresses the specific concerns of your target audience. By knowing and promoting your brand, you achieve instant, precision-like focus that positions you as the ideal candidate for the specific type of opportunity that interests you. You gain immediate competitive advantage.

Be able to clearly articulate who you are and what you have to offer. While this may feel uncomfortable to you, the simple truth is that a job search is a sales and marketing campaign: a sales and marketing campaign in which YOU are the product. Through the process of personal branding, you must identify what differentiates you and paint a compelling portrait of your unique value proposition. But, don’t stop with just promoting this in your resume and then become tongue-tied when someone asks about you and your candidacy. You will hear the “what do you do?” or “tell me about yourself?” questions over and over, both during your job search and throughout your entire career. Don’t wing it! Preparation is the key to confidence and the key to making a lasting, positive, and memorable first impression. Be ready with a 30-60 second pitch that immediately and confidently conveys to the listener who you are as a professional and what it is that you offer.

Make their first impression your best impression. Take a hard look at your resume. Like it or not, your resume is your first introduction to most employers, and your only chance to make a good first impression. Effective resumes are highly focused marketing pieces that are strategically written and designed to sell YOU as THE best solution to a potential employer’s needs and problems. Your resume should be written to convey and illustrate your unique value proposition, with succinct “stories” that differentiate you from your competitors in the job market. Does your resume accomplish these goals? Is it focused effectively? Does it accurately present you in the way that you wish to be presented? If not, it is time to rewrite.

Network, network, network…and then network some more. At least 80% of all the jobs are found through the “hidden” job market, also known as the “unpublished” job market. These are jobs typically landed through word of mouth and referrals as opposed to answering ads, posting your resume to internet databases, or other techniques meant to target the remaining 20% of all jobs in the published market. It stands to reason that if the vast majority of the jobs are to be found in this hidden market, that you should spend the majority of your job search time working to crack it. There is no more effective job search technique than networking. So, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first, just get out there and do it. Make networking a part of your daily routine and plan to spend the majority of your job search time on networking activities (approximately three-fourths of your time is a good estimate). The more you network, the faster your current job search will come to a successful conclusion and the faster and more successful any future job searches will be.

Plan and execute a multi-pronged job search campaign. Yes, networking is essential, but other job search techniques are also important. An effective job search campaign is a multi-pronged one that includes the strategic, planned, methodical use of a variety of job search approaches. Answering ads alone is almost never enough. Neither is working with headhunters, using internet job search sources, or researching and targeting specific employers. But, when you combine all these approaches with networking, carefully evaluate and prioritize the approaches based on relative effectiveness, and then launch an integrated, multi-pronged job search campaign, you will always come out ahead. The best job search is one in which the job seeker approaches it as if it was a job itself.

Build a support team. While your preparation will certainly ease the whole process, job searching can be a grueling and very stressful experience. So, I want to remind you that you don’t have to go through it alone. You should build a support team around you of people who can help you stay motivated and on track while giving you honest feedback and helping you stay accountable to the goals you set for yourself. Family and friends, past and present managers, your peers and colleagues, financial advisors, and professionals in the careers industry such as career counselors, coaches, and resume writers all make excellent people to add to your team. By assembling a good mix of people to support you, from a diversity of backgrounds and professions, you will receive a variety of different perspectives, ideas, and insights that can be very helpful. You should consider joining a job search support club or group – a local one if one is available or an online one. If you have been provided with outplacement services by your former employer, by all means take advantage of the office space and resources offered. The point is that you don’t have to and shouldn’t conduct your search in isolation. Surround yourself with a team that will help and support you. Above all, recognize when you need support and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance and guidance.

Always follow up. Following up on all of your contacts and your activities can do more to influence your success in achieving your job target than anything else. A hand-written thank you note or a more formal, typed thank you letter after speaking with a networking contact, attending an informational interview, or after attending an actual job interview can make a lasting positive impression that gives you a distinct competitive advantage. A follow-up phone call on every resume you send, whether it is a resume sent cold, in response to an ad, or based on a referral from one of your networking contacts can make all the difference in whether your resume is actually read and considered or not. A consistent method of follow up is key and you must make the time in your schedule to do so. Follow up will positively influence decision-makers, it will help key the process moving along, it will show your interest and your professionalism, and it will position you above the competition.

Adopt a “failure is not an option” attitude and make finding a job a job itself. Celebrate your accomplishments daily and weekly, but recognize that a successful job search requires persistence and consistent effort. The more “feelers” you put out, the more contacts you make, the more resumes you put into the hands of hiring authorities, and the more face-to-face interviews you go on, the faster you will achieve your job target. It can be difficult to remain motivated when you don’t immediately see results but remind yourself that job searching is a process and that it takes time. Reward yourself not just for the results, but for the effort.

Helen Kooiman, author of Suddenly Unemployed asserts, “[S]uch statistics are inaccurate indicators. They do not include those whose unemployment benefits have run out or those who don’t qualify for unemployment… Such statistics also do not count welfare recipients, temps (who cannot be counted as fully employed), or others who eke out a living on so-called self-employment.” Neither do such reports include what the Bureau of Labor Statistics terms “discouraged workers” or those who “were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed no jobs were available for them.” Their figures reached 461,000 in July.

A long-term job search can put a tremendous financial and emotional strain on a job hunter. “It’s been a demoralizing experience and it’s been very difficult budgetwise. I’m a single mother,” Kay Marie King says, a former non-profit executive with a wealth of experience that is currently involved in an ongoing job search. So, what can you do when weeks of a fruitless job search quickly turns to months? Here are seven tips for jump starting a stalled job search:

Tip One: Don’t be so quick to blame everything on the economy (your region, your industry, etc.)

These issues certainly play a role in the current job market. However, it is easy to fixate on such factors and completely discount factors which we personally control. The next six tips cover areas that long-term jobseekers do well to revisit to jump start a stalled job search. Why is this so important? I am reminded of a woman I once interviewed that looked great on paper, but during the interview she had an incredibly offensive body odor. She remarked that she’d been on several interviews but she was “overqualified” for every position. It was a classic case of the problem (or her perception of what the problem was) not really being the problem. While most jobseekers don’t have such an obvious issue, each one would still do well to take a long look in the mirror.

Tip Two: Conduct a candid self-assessment.

Look at yourself from the perspective of the potential employer. Compare your experience and qualifications to those typically required of someone in your target position. How do your skills and experience match up? Think of creative ways to to fill skill gaps and gain experience.

Tip Three: Re-examine your target position or industry.

Are you searching for work in a waning industry or oversaturated field? Is your desired position readily available in your selected geographic area? Being open to relocation may improve your chances. Can you apply your knowledge and skills to an industry that is experiencing growth?

Tip Four: Rethink your current job search.

What job search strategies are you currently using? If you are concentrating your efforts on strategies that are typically the least effective (like online job boards and newspaper ads) your job search will take much longer to yield results. Consider incorporating job search strategies that yield higher results, like networking and direct targeted mailing campaigns.

Tip Five: Re-evaluate the way you are communicating your message verbally and in print.

Communicating your message to potential employers in a clear and compelling manner is critical to job search success. Re-examine your resume. Does it communicate your value to employers by addressing how your skills and experience will meet the employer’s specific needs? Practice communicating your value in response to typical interview questions, including, “Tell me about yourself.”

Tip Six: Maintain your intensity level and a positive outlook.

It is easy to become discouraged over the course of a lengthy job search. Keep a positive outlook and maintain a high-level of focus and intensity throughout your job search for quicker results. Taking a systematic approach to your job search will help you to stay organized and on track during your job search. Yet, it is important to pursue other interests during your job search. Enjoy spending time with friends and family. Renew your interest in a hobby. Tackle a project you wouldn’t have time to if you were working. Spending time in other pursuits provides a much-needed reprieve from the stress of a job search. You’ll be energized and ready for the next leg of your job search.

Tip Seven: Build a solid support system.

If a self-guided job search has netted limited results; consider working with a career or job search coach. Your coach will help you identify any problem areas and offer suggestions for improvement. Another option is to join a local or online job search club. If a coach or job search club isn’t available try building your own support network. Enlist the help of family and friends or connect with other job hunters. Taking a team approach to your job search provides an opportunity for constructive feedback, a fresh perspective, ongoing encouragement, and added accountability.

Try applying the tips above to jump start a stalled job search. Learn more about conducting a Simply Successful Job Search by visiting SavvyJobseeker.com.

Don’t wait for the human resource department to give you a call. Don’t wait for that email response. Call them back after a day to see if they received your resume. Then schedule a time to call them back 4-5 business days later. Be persistence without sounding desperate.

Stop sending resumes without meeting with the humans behind the job postings. Have you ever been hired by computer? No! So this idea that you can send resumes all day and expect a job, is nonsense. The computer is useful for finding job openings but a human is who will hire you. Pick up the phone and talk to a human about a job.

Build your network of friends. There are jobs but you need to meet the people. Spend 2 hours a day inviting your network to get coffee. Keep what works and toss out the rest. Think of the job search as a job and aim for efficiency. Have more than one cover letter on hand. Create resumes with different themes and objectives. If you sent out 10 resumes, five with your website address and five without a website, and the five with your website received the most attention, then you should know what tactic is working. Eliminate the garbage from the previous days and work with the stuff that brought you closer to a human hiring you.

The human element of job searching might seem simple and basic but a lot of people still spend the majority of their day, wasting away on computer, without it getting them any closer to a job. It is time to get social with your job search. Use what works in finding a job and discard the rest.