Brentwood Search

In a flurry of layoffs, how to manage your job search

The recent economic downturn is causing many companies to rush to layoff employees in an attempt to implement cost cutting measures.   If you are one of those receiving this unwelcome news at a time when job opportunities are rapidly disappearing, panic can often set in.    This is perhaps the worst response to this crisis.   Cooler heads and a clearly thought out job search plan are absolutely essential in these situations.

Beyond the usual and obvious “network with people you know” advice that is, of course, crucial in a job search, there are several things to focus on that enhance your chances of getting work.   Many people who find themselves suddenly employed, turn right away to Internet job boards and postings.

What most people do not know is that you can spend days, weeks, months even, firing off responses to job listings, and your resume may never even be seen by a company’s internal recruiter.   To deal with the large influx of candidates, many companies use screening techniques that are keyword sensitive.   If your resume is not properly prepared, it may find its way into the circular file without ever being read by a live person.   It is always best to look at each individual job description and fine tune your resume to utilize exact words and phrases from that description in your resume.   Automated screening software will often look for the best “exact match.”     The earlier in the resume these keywords are utilized, the better chance you have of having your resume reach an internal recruiter’s hands.

Very, very few internal recruiters, or search firms, are happy to receive “functional” resumes.   Your best bet is ALWAYS to craft a chronological resume.

But all this aside, success in your job search will require far more in the way of proactive involvement.   We always encourage a candidate to put together a “target list” of companies.   This list should include companies that take advantage of your body of experience and knowledge.   It is much harder to change industries or job function when looking for work in a climate like the one we are experiencing.   And you cannot rely on the hiring manager to recognize how you might “fit” the position.   You enhance your chances of success if you spend a good deal of time researching the company — the Internet is great for this.  Press releases on current activities at the company and areas of growth within each company will be key to helping you define how you are the best candidate for the job.   Too many candidates spend time talking about their past, who they are and how they have progressed in their career.   What the company wants to know is, “What can you do for us?”   Nothing works better than a candidate who comes prepared with a knowledge of the company and ideas about how they might be useful to an organization.   It is never about you.   It is always about what can you do to enhance the company.   Most successful candidates win jobs by taking this more proactive approach.

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