Updated content:Corona and the Job Market – What You Need to Know and Do NOW

Updated content: Corona and the Job Market – What You Need to Know and Do NOW

Update: Following this update is the original article published at the end of February about possible impacts to the job market by the coronavirus. Since then, the stock market is entering its third week of instability or declines and even more industries are feeling the negative impacts of the coronavirus. The strategies used by both job seekers and employed need to accommodate the evolving situation.

1.     The first step, whether you are currently employed or looking for your next position, is to read the original post so you are familiar with the information contained in that article and then implement the updated actions.

2.       After you update your resume, be sure to post it not only on the general job boards like CareerBuilder but also on industry specific job boards. You can find these job boards by doing a simple internet search on the name of your industry or job title then the words “job boards”.

3.       Be sure to re-post your resume on job boards every three weeks to trigger an update to the date the resume was saved. Recruiters and hiring managers did not want resumes of people who are no longer looking for a job so they will put some kind of date parameter on their search in order to get the “fresh” resumes.

4.       Because of the continued spread of the virus and people wanting to limit exposure, attending industry networking events is going to be increasingly challenging. More and more conferences and gatherings are being cancelled. You do not want though to become invisible during this period of time.

Networking on platforms like LinkedIn is going to be essential. Research the people you want to meet and see what LinkedIn groups they belong to, then join and stay active in those groups.

5.       Renew former contacts. This is a perfect time to reach out to former colleagues and friends to renew the relationship. Do not make it all about you. Find out what has been happening in their lives. Listen for how you can help them with a contact or information.

6.       Reach out to industry leaders and other news makers in your field who have appeared in recent articles and congratulate them on their successes. A nice handwritten note or even briefly worded email or LinkedIn message, without making it about you and your job search, will go far for making a good impression. Do not forget to add a business card in with the handwritten note or a signature block on the digital correspondence. That is enough to help them remember your name and encourage them to look you up on LinkedIn.

7.       When updating your skills so you are increasing your marketability, remember that not only are there millions of free online classes but many if not most software companies offer a free 30-day trial of their software that you can use while training.

To get further updates on this or other relevant topics as they occur, follow RightChangesJobSearchCoach.blogspot.com.

For more information about RightChanges Job Search Coaching services, email us at Info@RightChanges.biz.

Original posting 02/27/20
No one should panic with regard to the impact of the coronavirus on the job market but whether you are employed or in a job search, there are things you need to know and do NOW to be prepared.

As I am writing this, it is the 4^th day the US stock market has declined significantly. This is impacting a broad range of industries due to the international nature of today’s manufacturing and supply chain. Because of the stock market, there will very likely be impacts on the job market. You need to understand these impacts and act NOW to be prepared.

Impacts

From my many years in corporate management and my decade now as a job coach, I understand that due to the significant declines in the US and international stock markets and other factors, there very possibly will be hiring freezes at the end of the first quarter, if not sooner, until companies understand the full impact of these factors. If the uncertainty continues or increases, it could very well mean reorganization of staff and possible layoffs.

It is not all bad news. There are some companies that are experiencing growth during this time. For instance, home exercise equipment companies are reporting increased sales. Any industry, like in-home comforts and supplies, will be in greater demand if uncertainty continues or increases.

Things to Do If You Are Employed

Putting your head in the sand or keeping it low hoping, with fingers crossed, that you will not be impacted is not a viable strategy. Even if you feel your position is secure, it is better to be proactive and prepared. You will feel more confident and more in control of your circumstances.

1) Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

      2) Reach out to your existing network of people and renew contact with them. If you are not already doing so, start going to industry networking events.

3) Update your skills. If you have not taken training recently, you are less marketable and therefore less competitive in the market. Develop new and more current skills now. In addition to wonderful continuing education courses offered locally, there are millions of free, online courses.  

4) Start updating your list of accomplishments (STARs) so you are ready with examples of actual successes for the interview. 

5) Stay current on your industry and how it is being impacted so you can make a move before it is too late. A GREAT book to read to get in this mindset is the tiny, but powerful book titled “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. MD. 

6) Be ready for an interview. One of my clients, who recently landed, wanted me to emphasize to everyone the importance of holding a practice interview with a professional, like she did with me, to make sure you are not saying or doing something that would cost you the job.

Things To Do If You Are Not Currently Employed

If there are hiring freezes or reorganizations and layoffs, companies will still be hiring but the competition will be stiffer. If you have been in the job market for a while, this is not a time to continue on the wheel like a hamster, doing the same thing and not going anywhere. Here is what you should do NOW.

Reality Wake-Up Call

You need to understand facts about the current job market.

• Only 10% of resumes make it passed the application tracking system’s keyword software because too many resumes are written historically, “here is what I’ve done”, instead of “here is what I’ve done that makes me great for this role”. If you had your resume written by a professional and they did not use a sampling of job descriptions to be sure the content is on point, your resume was just reformatted and is probably part of the 90% falling on the floor.

• Only 15% of the jobs available today are posted on-line. If you are mainly applying on-line, you are missing out on the majority of jobs available. You have to know the various approaches and then use them.

• You have to be able to articulate why they should hire you over the competition and you cannot give the same answers everyone else gives. Too many job seekers cannot clearly articulate their competitive advantages or do not even know what they are. You need to know your actual strengths; you have to dust off your memory and be able to recite examples (STARs) of things you have actually done to support your capabilities.

• There are six items of marketing materials you need for a successful job search. The resume is of course one of them but do you have or can you even name the other five?

Job Seeker Action Items 

Do not waste another moment on a job search that has not produced results. Make changes now because the job market may not be getting any better.

1) Have your job search approach and materials analyzed by a professional. It does not matter how hard you are working on your job search; if you are doing it wrong, you are not going anywhere 

2) Implement the necessary changes to your approach. 

3) Work on having a positive attitude. You can have the best resume money can buy; you can have the best answers ever given to interview questions in the history of man, but if the interviewer picks up on a lack of confidence or anger, you have lost the opportunity.

4) Hold a practice interview with someone who will give you honest feedback on your performance. You could lose the opportunity if you are saying the wrong things or your body language is not confident.

5) Network with employed people in your industry or field. Too many job seekers only network with unemployed people. Job networking groups are a place to get spiritual support or tips but it is like going to a married group looking for a date when it comes to networking for a job; it is not a target rich environment. Instead find out where employed people in your industry or field hang out and go network with them. They know the hidden job market.

6) Double down on your job search efforts. You should develop a calendar of events to attend and tasks to complete every day for the next month. Spend 40 hours a week on your job search doing the right things based upon the successful approaches. With a possible tightening of the job market, this is not the time to conduct the job search halfheartedly or haphazardly.

There are job coaches, like myself, who can give you feedback on your search to date and help you be more productive. Get off the hamster wheel and get a job you want.

Judi Adams

Judi@RightChanges.biz

Myth Buster: This IS a great time of the year to land a job (with checklist and incentive)

Myth Buster: This IS a great time of the year to land a job (with checklist and incentive)

Contrary to popular belief, the 4^th quarter is actually one of the best times of the year to land a job. I am not referring to seasonal work (although that is true too). I am referring to career positions. Recruiters place as many, if not more, people in the 4^th quarter than any other time of the year. And search firms or recruiters only account for 11% of how people find jobs; other approaches are even more successful.

There are numerous factual reasons behind this timing phenomenon.

Use It or Lose It

If a manager has budget for open positions and does not fill them, it gives the message that the positions were not needed and the money for that headcount could be taken out of the following year’s budget.

People in Place for the New Year

For many companies, the new year brings a new annual budget. Managers want to fill positions they have slated for the first quarter as quickly as possible so should there be a hiring freeze at the end of the quarter, they are not left without staff.

Financial Advantages

There are monetary advantages for companies to hire before the end of the year. One such advantage is that companies would like to incur in this year the expenses associated with hiring to reduce the taxes they owe. There are also financial incentives for companies when hiring veterans.

Other reasons, in addition to these, exist making it a great time for companies to hire. Therefore it is a great time for the job search. But you want to be sure you are doing what YOU need to do to be found and to sell yourself. You have to be prepared and as Coach Wooden said “When opportunity knocks, it’s too late to prepare”.

Look over the following checklist and be sure you are ready and conducting the job search correctly.

1. Have all 6 items of marketing materials

                a.       Elevator Pitch
                b.      Business Card
                c.       LinkedIn Profile with picture
                d.      Networking Guide
                e.      T Cover Letter
                f.        Resume

2. Resume content is just as important as format. Instead of a historical or general resume, build your resume using job descriptions for a single type job
3. Document 70+ accomplishments (aka STARs). These are needed for the resume and for the interview
4. Know your REAL strengths. Don’t give the answer you think the interviewer wants to hear or the one everyone else gives. Know your actual strengths by taking an assessment
5. Search and not just by applying online. Only 15% of the jobs available today are online. Know and use all the approaches proportional to their success rates.
6. Identify and work a target list of 5-10 companies
7. Go to industry networking groups not just job networking groups
8. Be sure to also use industry specific job boards
9. Repost your resume on job boards every 3 weeks (and know why)
10. When applying, send the T cover letter with the resume every time
11. Stay up on the industry. Read the business news weekly (ex. The Business Journal)
12. Stay in touch with recruiters
13. Be active in LinkedIn groups
14. Take training
15. Stay in touch with your existing network
16. Have interview attire ready
17. Practice the interview & receive feedback

Some of the items listed above may be new to you. It is hard to do the job search alone and many people do not know how to be productive and successful.  In order to encourage job seekers to take advantage of this last quarter to land a job, RightChanges is sweetening the already good bundle price for coaching.

In addition to being able to buy 3 hours of job coaching and receive the fourth hour for free, you can now buy a 5^th hour for only $25. That is 5 hours for only $250. (Limit one per recipient). If you are new to RightChanges, you can add the initial hour for only $25 and get a total of 6 hours for only $275.

This is a limited time offer because we want you to act now so you are prepared before opportunity knocks. Offer ends noon EDT on Friday October 18^th.  Go to www.mkt.com/rightchanges and select the 4th Quarter special.  You may also e-mail us at Info@RightChanges.biz for more information.

What Is Standing Between You And The Job You Want? Could It Be You? (Part 1)

When I ask if it could be you that is standing between you and the job you want, I don’t mean your skills and abilities. What I’m asking is if you are possibly pulling back on the reins of your job search efforts and slowing the forward movement.

Recently one client started ramping up her job search and upon getting a wave of great referrals and leads, figuratively slammed on the brakes. You could practically hear the tires squeal. She agreed she was doing just that.

Over the years that I have worked with clients on their job search, I have observed a number of highly qualified, highly employable job seekers who know the correct way to find a job but are not doing it. When asked, they agree something in their thinking is holding them back.

Possible Hold Backs

Confidence

One of the most common hold backs for job seekers in their job search is a lack of self-confidence.

I wish I could perform a Vulcan mind meld with clients to transfer to them the confidence I have in them. Unfortunately that technique is not available in real life plus they call it self-confidence because it has to come from inside the person.

Myths

Other reasons some great candidates pull back on their job search efforts is that they believe one or more of the myths that float around and fill up their heads regarding the job search. Here are just a few of those debilitating myths.

1)      I don’t have all of the requirements so I can’t apply

2)      There are very few jobs out there

3)      Hiring Managers don’t want someone my age

4)      I’ve been out so long, no one would want to hire me

5)      I have never done this particular job before and therefore I won’t be able to get in

6)      No one is hiring now and won’t be hiring over the holidays later this year

Given Up

A number of job seekers are running in low gear or neutral in their job search because they feel they have done everything and, after not getting results, they feel it is a futile effort and it is taking way too long.

Over the next few weeks I am going to publish articles about each of these concerns so you will hopefully understand and accept the facts instead of the myths and get your search back in high gear.

I welcome you to email me at Info@RightChanges.biz with other obstacles that you have experienced in your job search. I will not be able to respond to the emails but may address some of them in one of the subsequent parts to this article.

Next: Part 2: Self-Confidence.