What you need to know about finding a job during a recession.
First and foremost, a recession is not your fault.
And it's not your fault if you've experienced a layoff as a result.
I know from experience that it can make you feel like a failure.
But you are not.
You are valuable and capable.
I found a job during the Great Recession.
It wasn't just a job either.
It was a launching point for the rest of my career.
I found that opportunity by focusing on two main things:
>> Presentation skills. The way you:
-Show up. Please always be a few minutes early to any job related conversation/opportunity.
-Dress
-Format your application materials
>> Communication skills. The way you communicate:
-Written or verbal
-Body language
-Your skills and experiences
-Your job history and your layoff
>> How this helps you find a job:
> Everything you do throughout the entire job search process hinges on presentation and communication skills. Ex. Your resume, LinkedIn profile, interviews, etc.
> Regardless of the job or industry you're in, you're presenting and communicating in some way every single day.
> During a recession, you'll be asked about these two skills from different angles than when you're searching in a "normal" market.
Don't let this throw you off your game.
>> When you're taking about your lay off include the following information:
-Be honest
-Don't badmouth your former employer
-Use data and numbers to highlight results/value
-Fill in the gap and let them know what you've been doing during the transition - make sure this relates to how you can do the job and stand out
>> What this can look like: "Unfortunately, I was one of the many/one of the handful of people that were impacted by the recent layoffs at [Company]. While it was unexpected, I am ready to move forward and am excited about how I can support your team in [Role]. Before the layoff, I was working on [project/client/responsibility] which lead to [result]. Based on my understanding of the role, you're looking for someone that can bring that type of value to your team and I'm glad that I can meet with you today to learn more about what you're looking for."
While the way you look for a job may not be that different during a recession, but the way you show up and communicate will make all the difference.
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Required form parse features is making the job searching process more more difficult. Does anyone have any advice regarding how to handle the distorted details?
I've created so many versions of my resume and I'm down to my most basic version and still the parse resume requirement changes all of my roles including locations, lengths and even bullet points. I've take off my personal summary as that always found it's way into roles. I've kept the same format of role, job, location and date followed by bullet points and each time the resume is parsed, my resume is distorted and requires spending time updating each job and then going into a candidate portal where only partial information is included. I'm adding in full college names, locations and degree types. All of these are clearly spelled out on my resume so I don't understand what's happening.
While it's an inconvenience, I can fix the wrong information when it's visible on forms and portals but some applications don't provide that option and I'm worried how many resume is being received.
It's taking years off my resume, changing locations, wrong companies and shortening times at jobs. I've made sure to remove any built in formatting but I'm at my wits end with spending hours per application. Is anyone else facing / faced this problem and I'd appreciate your advice regarding any steps to avoid on-going issues.
Thank you,
Frustrated by Formatting
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Seeking advice: I've set a goal to move abroad in the next 3-4 years. Ideally to Switzerland because I can legally work there, but open to other options in EU. My two routes are:
Getting a remote job that allows me to work from abroad (US or Swiss company)
Find a job in Switzerland (German area)
Does anyone have experience you could impart?
companies
working with a recruiter
networking
etc.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Why do screening companies care so much about gaps in your CV ?
Such an intrusive screening what do they do with that information ?
As I only stated 3 significant roles and did not specify any short term tenure .. going through screening they only accept official documents specifying that I was indeed employed..
Why are gaps such a need ?
Longest gap was due being made redundant second gap was because I voluntarily resigned due to toxic work environment the lucky part is that within 8 weeks I landed a new role.
What the purpose ?
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Resume and jobs listed
I cut down the experience on my resume by at least 30% (due to ageism that exists) and now it shows about 20 years of experience with my last job being 12 years of tenure. I was in a leadership position at my last job and I thought that 20 years would show my progressive experience, but I am getting very little responses.
I am not sure if it is my resume or the market for talent acquisition professionals, but I have had very few interviews (about 4) despite sending out hundreds upon hundreds of resumes. I have been unemployed for 6 months.
Do you think I should cut my jobs down to 2 instead of 3 though I am not sure it would make a difference. Even recruiting firms that specialize in my field don’t have many jobs open.
I am feeling very discouraged about the market we are in right now.
Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
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I'm a Corporate Communications Specialist in Mpls, MN with 3 years experience and 8 years as a PM. I've been in my role for 6 mos with 5 mos last year as a contractor and I make $65k.
I'm hoping to get $75-$80k during my 6-month review since my coworker left in early May and I've been doing the job of 2 people for 3 months. (a new person is starting soon) I am doing a great job and leadership has acknowledged it. I work for a nonprofit, but the staffing agency got a $10k fee paid when I started. Is this a reasonable number?
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Hi, yesterday I had my midyear review, after working 10 years in the company it was the first time it was not really pleasant. My direct boss is always very positively about me, but when he gathered feedback from management team (that is quite new) it was not positive at all. The current company culture is much of he who talks the loudest is seen as the best, and that is just not my style, as an introvert. Of the 3 things that were said 2 were just NOT true. Which I also stated. The 3rd comment was me needing to be more vocal in meetings, which indeed I still struggle with a lot. If something has already been said than i wont be repeating it....
Anyway , because i do a lot of behind the scenes work, they don't recognize the effort I do and my contributions. But i just dont really care to be in the spotlight. How can I try to revert this, and yet still be myself? Thanks
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