We’re seeing companies react to this year’s uncertainty and changing market conditions with staff cuts at every level. We wrote in a previous post that some companies are making strategic and thoughtful decisions, but some are also just making cuts across the board to get to a specific headcount number. Experiments in staffing that they thought might be the new normal didn’t produce the results they’d hoped for, so companies are taking corrective action. And corrections to any market are painful.
That means that some very good people were let go, not because of performance, per se, but just so the company could get back to profitability by the fourth quarter.
If you are one of those suddenly back on the job market, here’s our best advice for getting noticed by employers.
Tell Your Success Story Effectively
One of the best things you can do to draw employers’ attention is to quantify your career accomplishments. When a company is hiring, they’re looking for measurable results. You can quantify your achievements by adding numbers, percentages, or specific outcomes that demonstrate your contributions – the more specific, the better.
For instance, instead of writing: “Managed a team of recruiters,” you’d write “Managed a team of 10 industry recruiters who collectively increased billing hours by 20% over 12 months.” You’re spelling out the value you will bring to your role – in this case, leadership and productivity.
Our sister company, Podium X (a resume writing and career services platform), always recommends sharing an adversity story. You can always follow the C.A.R. (Challenge, Action, Result) method where you identify a challenge you have faced, the action you took to resolve the challenge, and then the result of the actions you took. Adversity stories are great because they are especially memorable and help show personality in addition to your ability to handle obstacles and unexpected hurdles you may encounter.
Help Employers Visualize Your Future Success
Resumes are an essential career search tool, of course, but even the best of them tell the story of what you’ve done in the past, rather than what you will do once you’re hired. You can use your cover letter or email to tell an employer how you can add value to your future team. Highlight your skills, certifications, training, and personal qualities. Show you’ve done your homework: on the industry, the company, and the market. Talk about how you’d solve problems, build relationships, and increase profitability.
It’s helpful to think like a consultant, rather than an employee. Consultants are hired because they have deep skills and resources they can apply to specific needs and challenges. That’s the information they present in a customized proposal for their clients. It’s an approach that might work for you, too.
Invest in Your Network
Sure, it’s Job Search 101, but your network is your biggest asset when you’re in transition. If you’ve let your LinkedIn profile languish, update it and start connecting with former colleagues and making connections with people at companies you’re interested in. Start getting out more. Coffee with friends and previous coworkers, attending chamber meetings or community events. Getting back into the job market is like getting back into dating; searching online is helpful, but you’ll need real-life connections, too.
Finding yourself back on the market can be a shock to the system – but may also lead to a great new opportunity. It’s just a matter of getting back to the job search basics.