Recession-Busting Tips for Getting a Job in Tough Times

There is a lot of doom and gloom out there.  With all the grim headlines and with graduation quickly approaching, it’s pretty easy to feel down and out about your job search.

Fortunately, there are a few great tips for any job seeker to help with a difficult job search:

1. Network, network, network.

You’ve heard it before - networking is the key to getting a job.  Recruiting directors want a safe, easy hire.  If they met you at a networking event or if your name was passed along to them by a friend or colleague, then you likely will stand out from the sea of candidates and resumes.

For some reason, many students dread this horrible word, “Networking”.  Really, networking is just having conversations with your friends, family, colleagues, and peers.  Here are just a few places to start:

• Your friends’ parents
• Your parents’ friends
• Your dentist
• Your neighbors
• Your college professors
• Your alumni association
• Your hair stylist

Talk to everyone you know.  Reach out, and let them know what you’re seeking.  You may be surprised with all of the connections your Uncle Phil has.   

2. Volunteer your time.

Now that you have a little extra time on your hands, it’s the perfect opportunity to volunteer in your community.  Serve on a board, organize a neighborhood recycling program, or design marketing pieces for a charity pro-bono.  While volunteering, you add to your experiences, develop your skills, and possibly meet someone who can help you get a job.

3. Think differently.

If you’ve been job searching for awhile, it may be time to broaden your view on what your next step could be.  Instead of one of the top, five advertising agencies, would you like to work at a regional agency or in the advertising department in-house?  Maybe you can move to a new city or start out working as an intern.  Think creatively on how you can make a successful next step.

4.  Be Persistent.

It’s not going to be easy.  Unfortunately, the game has changed a little bit, and companies can afford to be more selective.  You’re going to have to network a lot, apply for numerous positions, and receive a few rejections.  Hang in there.  Follow up with recruiting directors if they don’t get back to you.  If you didn’t meet anyone at the last networking event, go to another one.  Who knows when you will be in the right place talking to the right person at the right time. 

Courtney Pike is the Director of Operations at JobBound (www.jobbound.com), a company dedicated to helping job seekers with resume writing, interviewing, career coaching and landing that dream job.  Courtney is a solutions-oriented career development and communications professional who has brought leading-edge career initiatives to JobBound.  Courtney manages and contributes to JobBound's company blog, and she is co-author of the book, How to Say It On Your Resume.  Courtney received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, and she currently resides in Chicago.