Make Your Job Search Recession Proof

As the economy continues on the downward spiral, it's harder to find job opportunities in both technical and traditional lines of work. Balance this fact, with ego issues and the desire to maintain one's current standard of living and you have a recipe for conflict. Yes, finding a job requires patience and perseverance, but it also requires acceptance of a new point of view. These personality traits are humility and gratitude. Circumstances of the current mortgage crisis and employer cutbacks require the individual job seeker to modify his or her goals to meet the needs of temporary hardships. In contrast, after this point of view has been accepted, never let an interviewer see too much of this newly recognized humble attitude (see below). Let's take a look at some simple concepts, to make your job search a recession proof operation:

One, consider organizing your job search using great search engines such as career builder, yahoo jobs, and monster. Spend some time using the database profiles and uploading your resume to allow for instant applications. This time-saving tool allows for applications to be shot out like a machine-gun for multiple hits. Tailor your job search to specific key words, and worry about salary or hourly pay negotiations after you get to the call-back or interview phase. The point here is to generate leads, similar to a sales call. In essence you are marketing "you."

Two, whether you are applying for a job in a certain technical field or other, consider whether those skills transfer to a new or different environment. For example, if you are prior military, consider not only applying for law enforcement or security positions - but try your hand at management searches. Corporations and retail are starving for good leaders. A prospective job searcher should consider an introspective evaluation of his or her skills, and see to what extent they are transferrable. Do not pigeon-hole yourself to one line of work. Marketing transfers to sales. Computer engineering can transfer to network maintenance, and sales experience can transfer to orator and communication skills.

Three, dealing with job interviews is an easier process than many career coaches would lead you to believe. Confidence, moving closer to arrogance is better than humility (as stated above) moving towards self-doubt. Employers want to know that you follow-through on decisions and behavior, rather than passing the buck. They are looking for an outgrowth of themselves, and want that portrayal to be one of predictable success. Model yourself after that image, and let them know why you are better than the competition. An analogy dating applies here. Does the opposite sex want a man or woman who is a touch haughty or substantially weak and indecisive? One can always work with the former, but the latter is almost inevitably bound for failure. Similarly, the interviewer wants to hear the same strong and assuring statements from the prospective applicant.

Although this is not an all-inclusive list, online job searching, notice of job transferability and interview statements are three key factors to consider not solely during a recession but during any job quest. Good luck and stay strong.