What to do when you lose your job… I would love to be able
to give you a simple answer on this, but unfortunately there’s not a one size
fits all solution. Almost everyone I know who has been laid off has needed a
moment to reset. Even if you were expecting the layoff, volunteered to be on
the chopping block or been given an option to leave, there has been a hit to
the ego. Although you think you are putting on a good face, confidence (or lack
thereof) always seems to present itself in an interview. Looking for a new job
without confidence can be a huge obstacle to having a great interview. The tricky balance is between taking time to
‘get over it’, rebuild confidence and not let too much time slip by. (Of
course, I recommend a career coach to help you figure it out: www.katekibler.com. Please forgive the
shameless self-promotion).
Once you are ready to start putting yourself out in the job
market again, how can you make yourself look more desirable to a future
employer? First: research, second: research, third: research. You have plenty
of time as you are after all, unemployed. What companies would you want to work
for? How do those companies tie into your experience? What experience do those
companies value? What kind of person are those companies looking for
(personality)? How does your resume reflect the position you want? Have you
found a posting for the position you want at the company you want? Who do you
know who works there? Who do you know who knows someone who works there? How
can you network with these contacts to help you make the right connection?
Once you have all of the details & a perfectly targeted
resume (see Kari’s post from 6.3.13 for more about targeted resumes), you can
start working to make contact. In many cases, you only have one opportunity
when you get your resume or name in front of the right person. The more you
research, the more you can target your resume, and target how you present
yourself. Good luck with your job search!
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