How I Found My Job During the Recession
After getting laid off, I entered my own personal “Unemploymentality”. And unfortunately, I didn’t immediately find the silver lining. Instead I retreated to the biggest pity party I had ever thrown myself. What finally woke me up from my coma?
An impromptu phone interview that resulted in an in-person interview (remember I almost acted desperate on my first interview?). This ultimately transpired into...a JOB!
I wish that I could give you some grand story about how I left my last job embracing the pink slip in hand, smiling and skipping into a fierce and determined frenzy that culminated into a newer, shinier, and prettier occupation.
Instead, it was the hard work I did in the few weeks prior to the actual layoff. Once I entered the world of unemployment, I pretty much fit the stereotype down to the bath robed drone staring off into the television.
So what beautiful words of wisdom do I have to leave my fellow pink-slippers? What magic key is there to unlock the door to the next 40-hour-a-week job, complete with health benefits and watercooler chatter?
It could be you next SO PREPARE! Here's what I did to land a job...
*I pounded the virtual pavement. I stopped by every Website possible, putting out over 100 resumes. I applied to dream jobs, to jobs I was over-qualified for, and even to jobs I said I would never work again (call center supervisor).
*Focus your efforts. The job I ended up landing is one that I am extremely qualified for and that my experience directly correlates to. While I was playing a numbers game (something had to stick, right?), I never lost sight of what I wanted to do.
*Call for help. I wasn’t shy about sharing the fact I needed a new job. I told friends, family, and connected with old coworkers and classmates. After sharing my pitiful story, they wanted to help me - and they did.
*I used references in my favor. Just so happens that my future boss is neighbors to a past boss from an internship I completed - and she gave me a glowing recommendation. However, I also offered up a written reference from my last boss. Don’t be afraid to have someone else sing your praise. (Take advantage of guilty bosses who are showing you the door!)
If it happened to me, it could happen for you. Finding a job in a recession is not easy, but it's not impossible either. Keep the faith!
Lauren Kleinman
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Reader Comments (11)
Here's an idea when it comes to job-seekers and altering thinking and results. Since so many are talking about being more creative during this economic slump, why not think outside the box of looking to work for another in the first place? I know, I know, but stay with me for a moment.
It's amazing that there are plenty of skill sets that are for whatever reason not "conventional" enough to be taught in schools, but the mastery of which would lead to more autonomy.
Most of us are trained to be employees- nothing wrong with that, but thinking that way can be a kind of tunnel vision that keeps many from learning skills that would allow them to carve out their own path to income and contribution.
One of them is as close as the computer in front of you. No really, for the first time in history, we are 3 feet in front of the world, yet few learn how to use it in a way to render 1) value to others and 2) income for themselves.
There ARE ways to learn this stuff, if you can avoid all the junk and find good and reputable sources.
leavethejobbehind.com
http://www.iget2work.com
cuz we have humor, info, stories and tips.
and a really cool unemployed quilt project where all kinds of outta work peeps, speak out into their webcams. best advice for jobseekers? keep your sense of humor! you'll be more hire-able!
GOOD LUCK.