Published: A Wealth of Responsibility for a Time of Loss - Blush Magazine, August 2011

by Kathleen Lane

A Wealth of Responsibility for a Time of Loss

Life is grand! You have a great job and the future looks so bright that you have to wear sunglasses. Suddenly, the economy is flipped upside down and you find yourself unemployed. You may not be gainfully employed now, but you do have a job, and it’s a big one: you are now a full-time job seeker. This will be the most challenging position you will ever have.

The most dangerous thing to do when you are laid off is to do nothing. You may need a few days to regroup, but take your new position as a job seeker seriously. Create a daily schedule for yourself; you are now your own boss.

If you do not have an updated resume, make creating one your first priority. A resume should be updated yearly, preferably prior to an upcoming employee review.  This is a useful exercise in helping you perform a self-evaluation of your career. It also gives you the ability to discuss accomplishments, review areas in which you would like to develop and receive input from your manager to advance with the company. Making this an annual habit also guarantees that you will have an updated resume in hand at all times.

Marketing yourself is probably the most difficult aspect of your search. It’s a proven fact that networking is the No. 1 way to find a job. Consider the following:

• Join and attend professional association meetings to network with peers in your profession. (You may be doing this, but have you ever thought about sitting at a table of total strangers? If not, do it—you’ll expand your network.)
• Get involved with community organizations. For example, serve on a board, join a committee or volunteer your time to help out with an event related to your industry.
• Attend events that support the community.
• Embrace the Internet, but be wise. What you put out on the web stays on the web. LinkedIn.com is the best professional website that connects job seekers with recruiters and employers.
• Register with experienced recruiters that specialize in your field of work.
• Contact people in your network who are employed at companies for which you would like to work.
• Above all, keep a positive attitude! You want to be at your best when meeting with potential employers.

The contents and opinions contained in this article are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional accounting counsel. Always seek the advice of your accountant or other financial planner with any questions you may have regarding your financial goals.