Follow these steps after losing a job
Dear Sam: I don’t know where to start. I just lost my dream job, out of the blue, and am devastated. I can’t even imagine searching for a new job after having poured my energy into my past employer for more than 19 years. I’m hurt, I’m angry, and most of all, I’m confused as to where I should even start. — Sal
Dear Sal: I am so sorry. I know it is hard; I experienced my own career trials early in my journey. Let me outline the critical steps you should take in the simplest terms.
1. Define your purpose.
This is the most critical step to ensuring a targeted and effective search. Conducting a targeted search, while reducing the overall number of positions you may apply for, will yield stronger results and a higher average return rate — I promise!
2. Develop a great brand.
Once you have defined your target, create your resume. When considering your target audience — the hiring managers you are trying to attract — you want to make sure you are speaking their language. To do that, you need to know how you want to market yourself. Then translate your past experiences — and this is the key to an effective resume — to create a strategic image of what you have done that positions you for what you now want to do.
You may have heard of keywords that need to be included in your resume. Speaking the right “language,” as mentioned above, means you will incorporate appropriate keywords and key phrases to secure the attention of your target audience. If you have defined your purpose and are qualified for the jobs for which you are applying, incorporation of those keywords will come naturally in the presentation of your background and key qualifications.
3. Create a job-search action plan.
Now that you have defined your purpose and marketed yourself on paper, begin to outline where you are going to look for a job. Do not get caught in a rut of simply applying for jobs on the open market; instead, leverage networking, prospecting, referrals and job-search events as additional elements of a multipronged distribution strategy.
Hang in there, and don’t let this situation define your career.
— Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Nolan Branding, a full-service resume-writing firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@nolanbranding.com. To find out more about Nolan and her services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 614-570-3442 or 888-952-3928.