Getting laid off can be unexpected and stressful. Once you have processed the situation, you may find yourself wondering what steps you can take to best positon yourself for your next job opportunity. Brock Mangus, Senior Account Manager at SkyBridge’s Tampa location has developed five tips that will help you in creating a plan to jumpstart your search for a new job.
1. Update your Resume The first tip may seem obvious but updating your resume is a crucial first step on your search for a new job. Take inventory of all skills learned at your last job, and all projects/tasks you were involved in. Also, make sure to list all achievements. Most staffing and recruiting agencies can help with improving your resume format, but you should make sure you are providing a resume with the most up-to-date information.
2. Research Next step in your plan should be research. Your research should be broken down into five different categories.
Ø Companies: LinkedIn is a great tool to see the size of a company or industry and can help you create a target list of businesses you wish to pursue. SkyBridge recommends creating a list of 10+ organizations that you are interested in pursuing.
Ø Job titles/Type of positions: There are some standard job titles among different industries but many companies can have unique names for different roles. “For example, an Implementation Manager title and a Project Manager title can have similar functions at two different companies. Having an understanding of your target company’s title structure is crucial when applying for a new job.” You can also utilize tools such as LinkedIn.com, GlassDoor.com, and Indeed.com to do your market research regarding titles.
Ø Employment type: Determine whether you are open to full time positions only, contract, contract-to-hire, or part-time roles.
Ø Compensation: This may sound simple, but contract positions often pay higher than full-time salary roles. You can use Payscale.com and Glassdoor.com to give you an idea of market rates for your industry.
Ø Location: Determine how far you are willing to commute. If you have been working in the same place for many years, keep in mind that traffic patterns may have shifted in your city. Utilize google maps to look up live commute between you and your target companies.
You may be able to answer some of these questions automatically, but thinking about these factors when starting a job search can help you prioritize opportunities that you will find.
3. Utilize your Network: Another tip that goes hand in hand with updating your resume is reaching out to your professional network and updating your social media accounts. Reach out to at least five to ten former co-workers and managers from your professional network, letting them know your situation. With today’s technology-driven job search, it may be hard to get in touch with your professional contacts directly. Smart job seekers will also let their broader network on LinkedIn know that they are currently seeking new opportunities by updating their settings, or changing their tagline to ‘Open to new opportunities’. In addition, by updating accounts for job sites like LinkedIn, you create an easy way for employers to start a conversation with you. Make sure if you currently have accounts for LinkedIn or other professional social media sites, your information includes accurate dates and job responsibilities for each position.
4. Post your Resume to the web: The next step in your search for a new job is posting your resume to the web. Make sure you target job sites that are well-known in your industry and allow you to retain your privacy. Brock says, “Job sites like Indeed.com allow you to keep your contact information private until you see an opportunity you want to engage.” You may also want to create a separate email and phone number that will solely be used for your job search. A good app for creating a separate phone number which ties to your personal phone is Google Voice. If you do this, make sure to give your personal contact information to people who you are choosing to have a continued relationship with.
5. Team up with a Recruiter: Now is a great time to consider teaming up with a recruiter by partnering with a reputable staffing agency. Recruiters can offer access to direct relationships and streamline hiring compared to the standard application / interview process. When looking at staffing agencies, ask contacts from your professional network for referrals to a recruiter in your industry. If you don’t have any referrals to a recruiter, make sure to review staffing companies near you that are targeted towards your specific industry. Be aware that staffing agencies work for their clients (the employers), and have relationships with many, but not all, companies in the local market. Review your list of target companies and compare with your recruiter’s client relationships. Make sure you continue to follow up with your recruiter throughout your job search, and be transparent regarding your status.