You may follow these rules to land a job in tough times :-
With the economy ailing, stock markets in free fall and job cuts making headlines day after day, it’s easy to give in to the doom and gloom. Especially if you’re looking for employment. And yet, people are still working, consumers are still buying goods and factories are still churning out products. Even companies laying off employees in some areas are still hiring in others. There may be fewer jobs out there, but they haven’t disappeared entirely. So how do you find a job when times are hard? Here are strategies to find work when the economy’s stuck on life support.

Skill thrills
When the competition’s fierce, you have to stand out. List your top skills and the achievements you’re most proud of, and play them up in interviews. Now’s not the time to be shy. Pay special attention to soft skills that can be transferred to a wide variety of positions, like communication, teamwork and leadership. If your résumé is looking a little sparse, volunteer or work part-time to give it a shot in the arm.

Market yourself
Like it or not, you’ve got to sell yourself to prospective employers. Start with a flawless résumé and compelling cover letters. Then dress for success, rehearse your sales pitch and practise your interview techniques to make sure you communicate clearly and effectively. Develop a marketing plan that utilises all available resources to find job leads, including research, job fairs, recruiters and personal referrals, and lets you effectively represent yourself to prospective employers. Set realistic goals and determine your time frame.

Start early
When times are tough, younger jobseekers may choose to go back to school or prolong their studies. Others may put off or abandon their job search all together. For you, this is an excellent opportunity to get in there early. By looking for employment while others are sidelined, you cut your competition in half. If you’re a student, take advantage of campus career centres and job fairs as early as possible.

Network counts
Work all your contacts, not just for job leads but also for introduction to employees at companies that interest you and people who can provide vital information on trends affecting your field. Get the word out that you’re looking for work. Talk to professional associations, fellow jobseekers, past employers and school career placement. Don’t be shy to ask your friends for favours, and don’t forget online networks like LinkedIn and Facebook.

Zero in
Concentrate your job search on organisations most likely to be hiring. Read the business section of local newspapers to learn which companies are expanding or what new projects are getting under way. You can also find out which industries are still experiencing job growth by using websites.Good bets include small to medium-sized businesses of 200 to 300 people, which experts say account for most hiring across the country, along with “recession-proof” industries like healthcare, education, environmental sciences, security and government.

Be flexible
We all go into the job market with visions of scoring a cushy dream job with full benefits and a company car. Well, best put that dream on hold a little longer. As a new recruit, you may have to reduce your expectations and settle for an entry-level position, a lower salary or fewer benefits. You might also have to consider moving — literally — to a hotter job market. To really put the odds in your favour, you may even have to shift career tracks —at least in the short term.

Don’t panic
Looking for a job is an emotionally-charged process. Be careful not to make a rash decision and understand that finding a job may take a lot of time and work. Tackle each step as it comes, and keep your sight firmly on your goal. In time, you’ll get there.

Sources:The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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