Searching for new employment is not an easy task, but the process may seem even harder if you have recently been dismissed. After all, in the aftermath of being let go, you are bound to feel negative emotions, which will not help in your job search. You need to be in a positive frame of mind to find a new position.
Therefore, the first step you should take after becoming unemployed is to apply for unemployment benefits. Then, take a couple days off to get over the shock. After that, you can begin your job search with new determination.
Part of that new determination must include having a plan. However, the plan needs to be strategic and realistic. The more time you devote to getting organized and thinking about what you are after, the better placed you will be to gain new employment. Being terminated from a job is hard, but it could be a blessing in disguise. Use the following information to create a dynamic and workable reemployment plan to speed up your efforts.
Get Organized
You may feel like you have to get a job right away after being terminated, but there is no point in applying for just any job before you have considered your options. It is important to create a plan of action. The first thing you should do is take time to think about your career priorities and plan what you want to achieve.
If you were let go from your job because of poor performance, you will want to reconsider applying for a job of a similar role. If you did not like your job, you will also want to rule out going for a similar position. It may be another industry is more suitable for you. Even if you come to the conclusion you liked your last job and want to stay in the same sector, it is worth thinking about it first before you decide on a course of action.
Once you have carefully considered your situation and decided what you want, you can move on to making it happen. Treat your search for a job as a job in itself. The more organized you are, the easier and less stressful your job search will be. Set a reemployment plan tailored toward your own needs and requirements. Begin by:
- Identifying and prioritizing which factors at a potential job are most important to you.
- Creating a daily structure.
- Organizing your day so you are using your time efficiently.
- Creating a plan for how you intend to search for jobs, with daily goals and manageable steps to help you succeed.
Once you are organized with a reemployment plan, you will be in a much better position to find the right job.
There are many ways of finding jobs. Looking online is often the best way, as there are a number of job sites that have tools to narrow your search in order to find the type of position you are looking for. However, using the internet is not the only way to find jobs. If you are looking for jobs in a specific sector, for example, there is no harm in approaching companies with your resume and asking if they have any openings.
Update Your Resume
As part of your reemployment plan, one of the top priorities is writing a new resume. You may have fished out your old resume and now be tempted to simply add your last employer to it, but you need to spend more time on your resume if you want to succeed in finding a new job.
Part of the reason why you will need to update your entire resume is due to the new technology and software that allows employers to scan the multitudes of resumes they receive for pertinent keywords. Without them, your resume will not even be viewed, no matter how qualified you are.
You should rewrite your resume from scratch to keep it fresh and up to date, as well as to make sure your resume reaches the employer. It is also important to rewrite your resume for each different job you apply for so it is tailor made for the employer you are approaching. Make sure it is relevant by reusing some of the keywords that were utilized in the job posting. Rather than just firing off the same resume to all potential employers, spend time customizing it to the companies and roles that interest you.
When writing your resume, you may be worried about how to tell your future employer you were let go from your last job, especially if you were fired for a fault. Generally, you should give positive reasons for leaving your last job. You should also choose your words wisely. Avoid using words that convey negativity or vagueness, such as “quit,” “fired” or “personal reasons.” Positive euphemisms, such as “involuntary separation” always work better.
If you have become unemployed through no fault of your own, then it is important to include the reason for the termination on your resume. However, you still need to use the right wording. Here are some sentences and phrases you could use for certain reasons for your unemployment:
- “A lack of operating funds.”
- “The company closed.”
- “The company downsized.”
- “A corporate merger.”
- “A lack of work.”
When writing your resume, think about your last job and which skills and areas of expertise you gained from it. Find examples to use and illustrate them in a clear and convincing manner. You should also spend time articulating why you want to work for the employer you are applying to and show how your experience makes you a suitable candidate for the job. You want to show your potential employer you care about the role you are applying for, rather than giving the impression you are applying for jobs indiscriminately.
Having an effective resume is vital if you want to be successful in your job search. Your resume should not only tell employers about your qualifications and experience but also give a sense of who you are and what makes you different to other applicants. Your resume is often the first point of contact an employer has with you, so it is crucial you stand out from the crowd and convey your strengths and professionalism.
Network With Others
As part of your reemployment plan, you should think about the connections you have. Networking with people can be a great way of finding employment. It is not just about the connections you have. It is also about the connections your connections have. If someone in your network knows you are looking for a certain role and she has a friend who is looking for someone with your skills and experience, you could be on your way to gaining new employment. With online networking being so popular, it is more than possible you could find a job that way. More and more employers and job seekers use social networking, so it is important you get involved with it.
Here are some factors to remember about networking:
- Many companies use networking to hire people, either through online networks of people or people they know in person. Companies hire this way because it helps them to employ someone they know or someone who has been vouched for. That means the person will more likely be a good fit for the company and be reliable. You will also find that many of those jobs are not even officially announced because the company manager who is hiring has been pointed to a good candidate first.
- If you build your network steadily and regularly, you will know more people. The more people who know and notify about being interested in a certain job, the more you can be helped to get it. Do not be afraid to reach out to others to gain their support.
- When networking, it is important to be focused on what you want. This is why it is important to work out your plan of action before you actually start your job search. Sending messages to your network of people with generic messages like “I need a job. Can you help?” will not bear as much fruit as sending more specific messages such as “I am interested in finding out about this particular company in this specific sector, and I am reaching out to you specifically because …”
By Admin –
