5 Ways You Can be Prepared When Facing a Job Loss
As a college graduate, you are in the midst of what can be your first big financial insecurity. You fear that things may not work out and that perhaps you will soon be looking for a new job.
To help prevent this situation from becoming an unfortunate reality, here are some practical steps to take before your current employment experience comes to an end.
1) Update Your LinkedIn Profile: Make sure all of the details on your LinkedIn profile match those on your resume or CV. You want prospective employers to know about everything you have done and what you want that is relevant to their company or industry sector.
2) Do The Research: Be sure to research your employer's hiring process and policies. Check the company website, press releases and social media profiles to learn more about the company and what it is like to work with its employees.
It also may be a good idea to talk with someone who has worked there before.
3) Bring Your Resume: Always start off your job search with a resume or CV. You want your credentials to be one of the first things that prospective employers see about you. Keep your resume up-to-date by making sure it has all of the necessary components and that it is concise.
4) Take Advantage of All Interview Opportunities: If you are having a hard time finding new opportunities, then maybe it's time to consider different career paths or even accepting a slightly lower position. However, keep in mind that with any kind of job loss, you may be well positioned to get a new job soon!
5) Keep Your Eyes Open: You never know when an opportunity will present itself.
On the flip side, if you have been looking for work but remain unemployed, consider what skills and competencies you have that are transferable to another job.
If you are having trouble finding something that matches your current skill set, then it might be time to consider taking a few classes on something that will benefit you in your job search.
6) Accept The Challenge: Don't let this challenge defeat you; rather, incorporate it into how you view yourself and where you want to go. If things are really bad, perhaps it's time to accept that you may need to move on but make sure this is the right decision for you.
7) Keep Your Options Open: You never know when an opportunity will present itself. On the flip side, if you have been looking for work but remain unemployed, consider what skills and competencies you have that are transferable to another job. If you are having trouble finding something that matches your current skill set, then it might be time to consider taking a few classes on something that will benefit you in your job search.
8) Be A Winner: Don't let this challenge defeat you; rather, incorporate it into how you view yourself and where you want to go. If things are really bad, perhaps it's time to accept that you may need to move on but make sure this is the right decision for you.
9) Be Passionate: It's hard to be motivated and enthusiastic when you are worried about the possibility of being out of a job. Keep your spirit up and find new ways to stay motivated. A new hobby or a long walk in the park may do the trick!
10) Take Advantage Of School's Resources: If you are in school, check with your instructors and professors to learn more about career trends and which industries may be hiring. You can also learn from your classmates; many students will not be too familiar with their professors' areas of expertise so they might have some suggestions about where you should look for work.
11) Get Creative: You have to be smart and you have to be inventive. Keep thinking outside of the box and come up with new ways of getting noticed, like using social media to promote yourself or your ideas.
12) Make The Most Of Your Network: Make sure you are using your network of friends, family, teachers and colleagues as much as possible. They can help you find out where new positions are coming up and what skills are in demand.
13) Get A Mentor: Having a mentor is a great idea because he or she will not only give you advice on how to get a job but also help you stay motivated throughout the process. A mentor may suggest ways to stand out from the competition, build your confidence and increase your chances of getting hired.
14) Look For Options Outside Of Your College Career Path: This may be just what you need. To find a new career path, work on refining your skills and researching about different industries and different companies. As you achieve more success in other areas, you will become more attractive to recruiters or organizations that are hiring right now!
15) Try A Different Job Title: You never know when an opportunity will present itself. On the flip side, if you have been looking for work but remain unemployed, consider what skills and competencies you have that are transferable to another job. If you are having trouble finding something that matches your current skill set, then it might be time to consider taking a few classes on something that will benefit you in your job search.
16) Get A Second (Or Third) Job: You never know when an opportunity will present itself. On the flip side, if you have been looking for work but remain unemployed, consider what skills and competencies you have that are transferable to another job. If you are having trouble finding something that matches your current skill set, then it might be time to consider taking a few classes on something that will benefit you in your job search.
17) Examine Your Job Search Methods: Think about what you are doing and what you have not done. Is there something that you can do differently? Are you being creative enough in your methods? Are you targeting the right people in your search efforts?
18) Get Involved: Consider volunteer opportunities or even taking a leadership role in an organization, if it's available. Not only will this give you the chance to lead, but it will also allow for new contacts and show off your skills and competencies that might differentiate from other job-seekers.
19) Keep A Positive Attitude: You might be upset that you have been out of work for a while, but don't let this affect how you carry yourself and how you interact with others. Being unemployed is not a character flaw; it is simply a situation that requires some extra thought and commitment!
20) Get Excited About Your Job Search: Losing your job can be a major, life-changing challenge, but don't let it overtake your life. Instead, use this time to get excited about a new opportunity and new career path! Think about what classes or activities you can do in the meantime to bring more creativity to your search.
Conclusion:
As much as I feel for everyone who has lost their job, it is about time for many of you to get a new one! If you are having trouble transitioning from the world of work to the world of education or on how to leverage your time and energy getting back into the workforce, please do not hesitate to contact me at: http://alexpolikoff.com/contact/. Someone like me would be glad to help you out in any way possible.