Staying positive through a layoff

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:23:22 +0000

If you read my earlier post about things not to do while layed off, this one applies to the same audience. Watching TV doesn’t help either: you get hooked, you get fat, you stop trying. They real key here is to stay busy while searchign for a job and honing in on what your most valuable skills are. While you may have had a particular duty at your former job, you also may have excelled in a specific niche that is more marketable. Take for example an auto worker that was originally hired to build suspension components, but has since learned all about CAD design and metallurgy. Why try to find a job in the former, when you now have more marketable skills? Get my drift? At every job you should be acquiring new skills and in every job search you should be promoting those new skills.

The next big thing: don’t be angry. Being angry with your former employer, the president, hedge fund managers: anyone; doesn’t get you any further in your job hunt. Prospective employers would rather talk to someone who understands the reason they are now unemployed and is ready to move on. They don’t want to hear you bashing your former employer/boss/company any more than your wife/kids/dog/fish. Plain and simple: it is what it is and you need to make the most of the opportunity.

With the tough competition for jobs right now, employers can be more picky about who they hire. You most likely won’t be the only one qualified, so you may as well make them like you.

So you were fired from your last job?

admin — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:36:57 +0000

Thats what many employers think when they see that you have been laid off. The best solution to this is to be honest about it. Explain the situation as best you can, and even include this in your cover letter. Many times after a aly off, former employers will help you with letters of recomendation and as references. It sucks that they let you go, but by not burning that bridge you can get them to help you. Be sure to have this in your cover letter. In these tough economic times, it doesn’t pay to pretend that you are looking for a better opportunity. The truth is, you need a job. Employers know this and appreciate honesty regarding your former company’s downsizzing.

All of this is also applicable following medical/maternity leave. Just be honest and try your best to make the placement happen

Unemployment Today » interviewing

Staying positive through a layoff

So you were fired from your last job?