Finding and Keeping a Job in 2010

While the economy is beginning to show signs of improvement, it could be several years before the job market fully recovers.  However, this should not discourage people from aggressively seeking employment opportunities, according to workplace authority John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

“For those making it a New Year’s resolution to find a job, the constant barrage of negative employment news can make it seem like an impossible goal.  It is not.  The key to success is to take an active approach and make your own opportunities.  A passive strategy of surfing the Internet job boards and emailing resumes will be ineffective,” advised Challenger.

The Challenger firm has tracked 2.5 million planned job cuts since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.  The number of monthly layoff announcements declined dramatically in the second half of 2009, providing hope for an improved job market in 2010.

“Unfortunately, hiring is still not robust enough to offset the job losses that occur each month.  But this does not mean that hiring is non-existent.  In fact, government surveys of companies show that employers are hiring about four million workers every month,” said Challenger.

“It is important to understand that those who find jobs are not going to do it by simply responding to Internet job ads.   Likewise, those who want to keep their positions in the new year are not going to do so by flying under the radar.  It will take a more aggressive approach that goes beyond most people’s comfort zones.

“The other key to succeeding in your New Year’s job-related resolutions is to set specific objectives and reasonable deadlines for achieving them.  Instead of making it your goal to find a new job, focus on the smaller steps needed to get that job.  For instance, resolve to join a professional association or find other ways to meet 10 new people in your field,” Challenger said.

“Additionally, it is important to focus on things you can control and act on personally.  Resolving to get a promotion requires your employer to take action.  Resolving to keep your supervisor regularly updated on your accomplishments and joining a workplace committee are actions that you can take that will help position you for a promotion.”

2010 Workplace New Year’s Resolutions

To Find a Job

Remain Positive. It is easy to get discouraged.  Much of the job news is negative and the job search itself, even in the best economy, is full of rejection.  It is important to remember that companies are hiring, to the tune of approximately four million new workers per month.

Join LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, et al. More employers are seeking candidates and advertising positions through social and professional networking sites.  These sites also offer effective means of expanding one’s network.  It is critical to create a professional profile and remember that even status updates can be seen by potential employers.  Do not post anything that might eliminate you from the running.

Get involved with community service group.  This is a great way to build your network as well as hone your professional skills.

Join a professional/trade association.  These organizations can provide training and education opportunities and most hold several networking functions every year.  The dues are worth their weight in gold if you meet a person at an event who can help you find a new job.

Meet 10 new people in your field but outside of your company. Building these relationships may help you in your current position and they will definitely help when you enter the job market.

Rev up your skills. Build upon your established skill set.  Explore online courses and local certificate programs to broaden your industry knowledge, increasing your marketability to a variety of employers.

2010 Workplace New Year’s Resolutions

To Keep Your Job

Seek more responsibility. Volunteer for challenging tasks and exhibit a take-charge attitude.  By assuming additional responsibilities, you demonstrate how you can increase value for the corporation.

Meet your boss’s boss. At the next company event, go out of your way to meet those at least two rungs higher on the corporate ladder.  They are the ones who can advance your career.

Join a company committee. Whether it is a committee developing new workplace policies or simply planning the company holiday party, joining or volunteering can help you build relationships with other people in your company whom you might otherwise never meet.

Find and/or become a mentor. Mentoring and being mentored provide perspectives and new ideas about career goals and how to achieve them.

Align individual and company goals. Evaluate your company’s goals and identify the similarities and differences in comparison to your personal career objectives.  Look to bridge the gap in differences by attending meetings and company-offered development courses.  This illustrates your willingness to be on board with the company’s future plans.

Discover ways to save money.  Find ways to increase efficiency and performance while decreasing costs.  This is especially important in a time when employers are looking for ways to reduce spending.  You will be making a significant contribution to the organization’s profitability.

Become an expert on one facet of your field. It is important to be a generalist, but knowing more than anyone else on a specific issue or topic will help make you the “go-to” person for anyone in the company who has a question on that area.  This specialized knowledge makes you extremely valuable and should be covered in your resume.

Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.©