I just came across this article in the Wall Street Journal which says companies are stepping up layoffs because of the lack of economic recovery. I've been told by some sources to expect unemployment to reach 10% by the fall. And the government just eliminated extensions on unemployment benefits in July.
WARNING: If you've been affected by a layoff, or you get laid off in near future, you should see if your employer will provide you with outplacement services to speed up your job search.
Why? The average length of time it takes to find a job right now is 39 weeks. Unemployment benefits (depending where you are) run for 26 weeks. Do the math. You need help as a way to shorten that job search!
What is Outplacement?
Basically, it's job search support that's delivered either in-person or 0n-line. You'll receive training and assistance as a way to get your search in gear.
What is GOOD Outplacement?
Not all outplacement programs are created the same. And, just because they are more expensive, doesn't mean they are better. I've worked with people who paid 1,000s of dollars for "premium" outplacement with some big name firms, only to spend a year looking for work and not landing a single interview. By the time they reached my doorstep, they were pretty frustrated. To avoid this, keep in mind that good outplacement services:
Let you work with career experts on ALL of your career tools including, resume, cover letter, career story, personal branding, LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, interview prep, informational interviewing, networking, salary negotiation, career transitions, salary negotiation, etc.
Provide training materials in both written and video form that can be taken advantage of on-line so you can use them at your convenience. Some places demand that you attend classes in-person to receive their training. For many of us, this is not possible. So, outplacement that has extensive on-line support is better for most job seekers today.
Can prove that their materials are helping people in today's economy actually find work.
Are especially knowledgeable in the "new rules" to job search which rely heavily on social media as a way to find job opportunities as opposed to the outdated job boards.
How do I approach my former employer?
Step 1: If you've been affected by a layoff recently, or get laid-off in the future, contact the employer's HR department and inquire if they have any existing outplacement service providers that they are offering to ex-employees. There may be some resources you weren't aware of at the time you got laid-off. Losing your job is such an emotional experience, many people don't hear what the HR person is saying/explaining with respect to options because they are too shocked to pay attention.
Step 2: If your company doesn't have any outplacement service providers, ask them if they would be willing to offer any financial assistance for you to get access to an outplacement program that could help you find a job faster. Affordable yet comprehensive on-line programs like CareerHMO.com, cost only $49/person to join and $9/month after that.
Companies can even negotiate group pricing for all employees affected by the lay0ff. You'd be surprised how few companies know this kind of outplacement service exists. It's a cost-effective option they could give to you and your fellow colleagues who were affected by the layoff. It certainly is a good way for them to show their support of you and desire to help you find a new job to replace the one you lost.
Step 3: If your company doesn't offer outplacement and won't provide you with any financial support, consider investing in outplacement for yourself. The cost of getting the right information and support to help you find job faster could be well worth it. The alternative could be a longer job search where you are tapping into savings and racking up credit card debt.
Remember: You Won't Get Help if You Don't Ask!
In closing, getting laid-off can be very traumatic, especially in a gloomy economy. With 25M Americans currently "between jobs" and the unemployment outlook not improving, you need to speak up and get the help that can assist you in finding your next job. Sadly, if you don't ask for the help, you most likely won't get it. So, don't waste the opportunity to request outplacement services from your former employer. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
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Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
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In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
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You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.