Beating Unemployment And Job Loss Quickly

Whatever your situation may be, it would be to your advantage to study the following unemployment and job loss tips:

Check Your Resume For Mistakes

Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check your resume for corrections at least three times before handing it over. After researching about the job position, it is critical that you format your resume to match the needs of the company. For example, if you are applying for an accounting job, make sure the details of your accounting experience on your resume match the specific experience required. Typos and grammatical errors count as serious negatives. It is also ideal to try and keep the length of your resume to at most two pages long.       

Taking The Interview Challenge

A survey conducted by a staffing and consulting firm based in California which corresponded with 1,400 chief financial officers concluded that candidates for employment made most of their mistakes on their interviews. Some of the (avoidable) mistakes they made include: arriving late, having little knowledge about the company and the position applied for, and behaving arrogantly.

The body language of the applicant must also denote confidence yet not be overpowering. Unemployment and job loss can make you act a little out of character so you should maintain eye contact, have a strong handshake, and avoid looking defensive by the act of crossing your arms. Wearing the right clothes is crucial for projecting a confident stance and looking as if you will 'fit in'.

Answer Interview Questions Smartly

Another common mistake of interviewees is that they tend to get tense and forget the questions they are asked, which causes the interviewer to think that they are not prepared for the interview. It is important to research about the company and the position applied for to prevent being side-tracked during the interview. If you do not know the answer to the questions being asked, it is better to admit you don't know the answer and add that you can research about it. Identify the skills or expertise that the company is looking for so that when the interviewer asks about your key strengths and core competencies, you will be able to match it to what they need.   Do some advance interview preparation and the interviewer will respond positively.        

Getting The Necessary Referrals   

Having a referral from one of the company employees can go a long way toward landing an interview.  A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds and usually 35% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals. The odds of getting hired when you have a referral are very high especially if another 200 to 500 applicants are pursuing the same position. If you do not know anyone from the company that may give you a referral, it is a good idea to get in touch with the alumni network of your college, trade groups, social networks, and professional associations.

Remember, having a personal referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position.

Online Applications

With the current trend of technology and its merging with business processes, more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online.  Thus, first impressions are relayed not by your personal appearance but by the quality and content of your e-mail. E-mails regarding job applications should be polished and well-articulated and not like the casual e-mails that you may send to friends. When applying on-line, use the following tips:

• Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate.

Employers do not like when you send them application letters that seem to be too casual. It is important to make a letter that is both formal and well written. This gives a good impression regarding your capabilities and skills.

• Get directly to the point.

When writing an application letter, you must be concise and straightforward. Do not put a story on the letter just to get the attention of the employer, chances are he or she will just get irritated with you and this only reduces your chances of getting hired. Say you are interested in the job and why you are interested.

Consider Potential Issues That May Hinder You In Getting The Job.

Even when you don't think you have enough experience, or the right kind of experience, it may only be that you think they need more experience because of the way they describe the job.

Consider how you can describe your skills and experience in a way that means more to them.

Getting the job you want may be a challenge but never lose hope. It is better to wait a while and get the job that you will enjoy rather than get a job as soon as possible that makes you dissatisfied and unhappy. Make the right decision about unemployment and job loss then act on it.  

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Read more about my strategies for returning to work after unemployment.

Please also visit: Midlife Career Change for more information about finding a new job later on in your career.