Finding a job in tough times!

If you have started to feel a bit anxious about your career prospects these days, you’re certainly not alone! In the throes of what seems to be a global economic slump, several employers across industries are tightening their belts and beginning to look at budgets for any excess slack to cut.

Finding a job in today’s economy can be tough, but there are opportunities if you know where to look. Jobs are few and far between but the key to finding work in hard times is the same as in good times: action! To beat the job-hunting pack, you need to get proactive, be realistic, take risks and understand your prospective employer's requirements.

Tough times require tough job-search strategies! Here are some ways that can help you navigate through the madness and improve your chances of finding a job.

Maintain positivity and resilience:

Tough times require people who are strong, positive, and who believe in themselves. Obstacles need to be dealt with quickly - learnt from and move on. Strong self-assurance in creating your own luck is the core and fundamental requirement. You need to be secure and able to take the bumpy with the smooth.

Try new strategies:

We all get into ruts — setting up the same keywords on the same job websites, writing similar phrases in each cover letter, talking to the same people at meetings. Well.. You need to STOP! The same old stuff will no longer cut it. To get a job in a tough economy, you have to spread a wider net and be more innovative than ever. Try some diverse and fresh keyword searches as you look for jobs online. Challenge yourself and go to networking events in completely new industries or social circles. Start searching in newspapers, look for openings in smaller companies if you have never done before and vice versa. A successful job search should not be limited to just surfing the net. A lot of job openings are not advertised, so it is significant to uncap this hidden job market through networking.

Start networking aggressively:

Spread the word around! The majority of jobs today are not advertised; they’re filled by word of mouth. That’s where networking comes in handy. Sadly, most job seekers are shy of networking because they’re fearful of being seen as irritating or pushy. But networking isn’t about using other people or assertively endorsing yourself—it’s about trying to build relationships. So reach out and use social networking sites to connect with friends, ex- colleagues and friends in the industry. Post your job search goals on your Facebook profile and create your personal brand by connecting with professionals in your desired industry through groups. You can also follow industry leaders on Twitter or search for job posting tweets. Don’t be embarrassed about searching for work. You never know who might be looking at hiring someone with your skill set.

Revamp your resume:

Let me spell it to for you: Employers are not waiting around to offer you that dream job, especially when times are tough and jobs are far and few. So get upfront about what all you can offer to your prospective employers and how you can be a value add for them. Quantify your achievements in your resume and highlight what all you have done so far. Demonstrate that you comprehend the industry language and also sprinkle in a few buzzwords into the blend.

Yes, it's rough out there today, but you can amplify your chances of getting employed by thinking differently than other job seekers. So, employers are looking for flexible, appealing, hungry, meticulous, robust opportunists. A tall order? Sure. These qualities don't quite "go together". That is why people who have them are extraordinary!