Mobilizing an Unplanned Job Search

From the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120430513855303309.html?mod=CarJMain_middledeco

Mobilizing an Unplanned Job Search

First, don't panic. When you're faced with the prospect of an unexpected job search, you'll need to act deliberately -- not just fast.
By TODDI GUTNER Special to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Ramping up to land a new job quickly after a layoff, a downsizing, or company relocation takes thoughtful planning despite the urgency of the task. More professional and middle managers have been laid off since March 2007 than in the previous three years, according to Right Management, an outplacement and career transition consulting firm. "The trick to a successful transition is not to panic," says Doug Matthews, President and CEO of Right Management. "You don't want to hit the market in a chaotic fashion," he says.

Take stock of your finances. Identify and prioritize your bills and debt. An immediate need for cash flow may require you to take a temporary assignment. "It can give you a sense of productivity and give you some good experience," says Mr. Matthews who notes that the number of people taking temp work has risen 10% in the last two years.

Create a planned job search strategy. Despite the need to mobilize a quick job search "you don't want to send out a bunch of things into the marketplace without any thought behind it," says Mr. Matthews. Take some time to step back and create a thoughtful and measured approach to your job hunt. Be specific about the position you want and target the companies where you want to work.

If there is an onslaught of professionals in your field who are flooding the market, think creatively about where to apply for your next position -- consider a smaller company or another industry that may need your skills.

Determine your market worth. Conduct research with several executive recruiters, career coaches and others in similar positions to the one you're seeking to determine what salary and benefits you can request. If you happen to be in an industry that is in general contraction, make a checklist of your skills and identify those that are transferable to other industries that are in a growth mode.

Practice your pitch. No matter how quickly you need to land a job, make sure you take at least 72 hours to process your emotional reaction to job loss. You don't want to jump in immediately, but rather practice your pitch until it is devoid of as much anxiety and negative emotion as possible. Try it on friends or family, then a trusted colleague or mentor. A successful job search is partly about how you present yourself. "You've got to be out there telling people about yourself," says John A. Challenge, president of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

Polish and post your resume. A resume is your window and calling card to the world of work. Make sure it highlights the position you want, your key accomplishments and measurable results of those accomplishments. Post your resume on the Internet at general and industry specific job boards as well as social networking sites like LinkedIn. Make sure it gets in the hands of executive recruiters as well. "You don't want to leave any stone unturned," says Mr. Challenger.

Network, network, network. An estimated 42% of people found their job through a networking contact, according to a Right Management survey. To that end, make a list of contacts from your college or university and former companies, to charities and volunteer organizations. Reach out and tell them what kind of position you would like, but "never ask anyone for a job," says Mr. Matthews. "Instead ask them for information and referrals." Find a contact who can introduce you to a decision maker at companies where you want to work. And take heart, nearly two-thirds of the 21,000 professionals that Right Management serves annually end up finding a job within 90 days.

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