Job Hunting
in a Tight
Economy
Practical Tips for Finding a Job

What’s Happening Out There
Data taken from Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Q2 2009
http://www.us.manpower.com/meos

A Tale of Two Perspectives
Fact
The number of available jobs is
decreasing
“…employers will be hiring. However,
instead of growth in the job market -
What this means for job
there are the same number of or
hunters…
fewer opportunities expected.”
Are you top talent? And if you
The Truth are who knows it?
The winners in this economy are
Smart companies are thinking about
those who are positioned as the
how to hire and keep top talent.
best brand on the market.
It’s more about how than
where.

Reality Check
• You do a great job, so what?
• Take an entrepreneurial approach to your
job hunt
– Identify your target market
– Position yourself like a product
– Leverage creative marketing and promotion
strategies

Outstanding vs. Standing Out
Stand Out
Out Standing
•
• Communicate across roles and layers
Communication skills
•
• See the connections
Strong work ethic
•
• Have a strong network
Teamwork skills (works well with
•
others) Know how to influence
• •
Initiative Solve their problem
• •
Analytical skills Have a unique skill set
• •
Computer skills Know more, share more
• •
Flexibility/adaptability Focus on strengths (yours and theirs)
• •
Interpersonal skills (relates well to Build a tech savvy reputation
others) • Sharpen the skills that are in demand
• Problem-solving skills
• Technical skills

• Maintain a positive attitude
A Good – Add more positive information
– Eliminate negative people and messages
Foundation – Develop an attitude of gratitude
Before you begin your job search
• Shake off learned bad work-habits
make sure you have the a good
• Repair any damaged relationships
foundation. Otherwise you may not
have the stamina to endure a
• Become resourceful
longer than typical job search
season. Current estimates on how
– Creatively manage your money, time and
long it takes to find a new job: 6-8
energy
months.
• Assemble a good support system
• Learn to look for opportunities
– Instead of complaining - ASK

Target Markets
• Health Care, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech
• IT Research and Development
• The Government
• Accounting and Legal
• Security
• Academia
• Hospitality
• Going Solo
Remember to look at industries and companies that support
these markets.

Your • Good Resume
Marketing Kit • Cover Letter
Can you “pitch” who you are and
• Business Cards
what you do in 30 seconds?
• Online profile/website
If you were a product, how would
your brand stand out from the other
“products” on the market?
– Virtual CV
Take what’s unique about you: your
– Blog
skills, strengths, your experience
and tell the story of how you will
– Website
solve their problem with your
marketing tools.
– Online Profile
-
– Portfolio
– Video

• Live Networking
Create – Professional Organizations
Opportunities – Local Events
• Meet Up
• Informational Interviews
• Dust off the rolodex
• Connect other people
• Continued Exposure
– Volunteer
– Consult
– Publish articles
– Help someone else
– Respond to everything

Promoting • The Social Networks
– Facebook
Your
– LinkedIn
“Product” – Twitter
Online – eCademy
Using online tools is not an
• Personal Sites
overnight process. It takes time to
build trust, learn how to use the
– Blogs
tools and find your unique voice.
– Websites
How to evaluate social networks:
•How many members do they have?
•What can you include in your profile?
•How secure is your information?
•Do members post?
•What do they post?
•Are you constantly being sold?

Facebook
http://companies.to/careercoach/

Other Facebook Resources

LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bright2brilliant

Twitter
@taiwriter

Remember to Learn From This
• Don’t just focus on the end result without
considering what you can learn from this
season:
– How to manage your money
– Patience
– How to be more resourceful
– New Skills
• You can also:
– Improve relationships
– Uncover a passion or strength you didn’t know you
had

How to Make This Work
• Make your job search a job
– Have a plan and work it daily
– Be consistent in your efforts
• Find out what you don’t know
• Invest in the right tools
– Resume writer
– Career Coach
– Membership groups
• Do something different
• Get involved in a group immediately

Questions