Parting Is Truly a Sweet Sorrow

A little more than a year ago, I parted with a job I thought would last a long time, one more victim of a wave of recession-induced layoffs in this country.

The following year’s journey turned out to be active and productive for me, despite occasional moments of fear. Three months later I started this blog and launched full steam into social media. I managed to keep my financial head above water later in the summer by doing freelance writing, editing and marketing. It didn’t replace having a job with benefits, but it was a good bridge. I became so busy, though, that I had to cut my blog activity from five posts a week to two.

Now that I am back in the world of the mostly employed, my focus has shifted to the matters at hand in my job each day. And, with a 3-hour round-trip commute each day, the time available to contribute my thoughts and expertise, as well as marketing efforts, to this blog has dwindled down to almost none. So, now I must part from this wonderful excursion in the world of blogging for my fellow post-layoff travelers.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed ideas, comments, kudos or complaints since I started One Tomato at a Time in June 2009. You have been great.

Please look for me on LinkedIn if you would like to continue the conversation. One Tomato at a Time will not disappear, but rather go into a dormant stage, since the information remains relevant and is completely searchable. I invite you to share the link and individual posts you found most useful with friends and colleagues who are struggling through the process of picking up the pieces after a layoff.

My best wishes to all.

Springing Forward and Finding a Job

It’s spring again, almost time to plant this year’s tomatoes and herbs. I might even pot up a pepper plant this time. Last year I planted tomatoes on my deck as self-therapy after being laid off without warning in the throes of a recession. This year it’s a celebration of renewal, as I see hope for the future of the job market, at least in the Washington, DC, area.

In the past few weeks, I have learned of several people who recently found jobs, not all in their original line of work, but nonetheless, jobs with salaries. These people, like me, had been out of work for months, if not more than a year.

Since starting this blog in June 2009, I have posted more than 110 entries. After writing about my tomatoes, the birds and chipmunk in my yard, and anything positive that came to my mind, I turned my lens on how to deal with life after a layoff. As I was working out the process for myself, I wanted to share what I’d learned from experts and my own experience as a hiring manager.

My goal was to get back on my feet and into a new job in the quickest, most efficient and painless way possible, and to help others along the way. Before letting panic set in—which, in light of gloomy media reports on the jobs market and a shaky time for my own profession of marketing, was a real threat—I decided it was better to be proactive and to stay active. I’m glad I did.

Along the way, I have found ways to keep my head above water. First, there were consulting and freelance jobs, then a small on-site contract job, and now a larger contract that could take me into the long run. It took me a year and a month to get where I am today, but persistence and a positive outlook helped me maintain momentum.

If I have one piece of advice for anyone who has been out of a job for a long time, it is: Never give up.

There’s No Magic Bullet for the Job Hunt

Don’t you wish you could close your eyes, spin around, open them again and learn that you’ve been hired for your dream job? We all do, but it definitely doesn’t work that way. There is no magic bullet, no one answer to the “How do I get a job?” question. Unless you are very, very lucky and land a job quickly, or you give up hope and drop out (in which case you should seek counseling help right away), if you want to get a job you just have to keep going. Dropping out will get you nowhere.

Finding a new job after a layoff in a down economy takes hard work, ingenuity and persistence. You are competing with a vast sea of other laid-off professionals for a compressed bank of job openings. Seems depressing, doesn’t it? It could be, but with the right approach you can overcome the odds.

It is important to maintain a high level of energy and attention in order to achieve your goal in the shortest time possible. Eat healthy foods and exercise, take fresh air breaks, call a job search buddy, listen to music that inspires you and stay as positive as you can. Stay as organized as you can by establishing files and maintaining a calendar and expense records. Your attitude will pervade every meeting, letter, hand shake and phone call—so maintaining a realistically optimistic outlook should be part of your job search strategy.

Set aside up to six core hours a day for your job hunting activities. Overdo it and you could burn out. The secret lies not in the number of resumes you send out each day but rather in developing and following a strategy that fits today’s job market. That means using your connections, targeting companies, doing research, ferreting out the hidden jobs that never get listed, and staying current.

The job hunt process doesn’t have to cost you much. Email and electronic applications have reduced the expenses formerly associated with sending resumes. You can find low cost ways to network with local business leaders and peers in your field and conduct informational interviews. You can also network online and by phone. Friends and family may be able to help through people they know.

You could decide to go back to school and learn a new set of skills either to enhance your career chances in your previous line of work or to give you a shot at a new field where jobs are predicted to be more plentiful.

No, there’s no magic bullet, but to use a sports metaphor, you can’t win the game if you’re not in it.

It’s Tax Time—What Can You Deduct as a Laid-Off Jobseeker?

The last thing we all want to deal with is taxes unless we expect a refund. Chances are that as a laid off worker, you will be eligible for a refund this year, if you played your cards right.

Hopefully, you’ve kept records and receipts since your layoff, because if you have been looking for a job in the same profession, many of your job search costs are deductible on your federal tax return. Also, if you’ve been collecting unemployment, hopefully you’ve had taxes deducted.

The IRS allows a few job search-related itemized deductions, including:

• Employment agency or headhunter fees (if you pay them yourself and they are not later reimbursed).
• Resume preparation, printing and postage (and faxing).
• Long distance or cell phone charges related to your job search.
• Career coaching fees, and travel or phone costs related to their services.
• Local travel expenses. Mileage by car is reimbursed at 55 cents per mile, but you need to keep a log of your car travel, including local trips for job search purposes, including parking. If you travel by public transportation, be sure to keep track of your fares as well.
• Unreimbursed out of town travel expenses for interviews, including meals, transportation (air, train, taxi, bus), lodging, parking and tolls.

If you didn’t do it in 2009, I recommend keeping an inexpensive travel log with you all the time this year and setting up a spreadsheet to record your travel and other expenses. That way when tax time comes around again, you’ll be ready.

 

This CNNMoney article is from last year, but it has many excellent tips for unemployed taxpayers that remain relevant.

Encore! Encore! Take a Bow for Your Encore Career

Many people who lost their jobs in the current economic doldrums have decided to go back to school and learn new skills. Others have decided to shift their careers in new directions. These people will take the stage again in new roles, often in public service or with nonprofit organizations, and I applaud them. They obviously have faith in themselves and the determination to keep moving forward, two key ingredients for career success.

Earlier this month I participated as a judge in a marketing and publications awards competition among continuing education programs at private and public colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, conducted by the University Continuing Education Association. Marketing professionals, graphic designers and writers formed two teams to evaluate hundreds of entries in seven hours. It was exhilarating to see some of the great programs created to give people a second go at a career. And, the experience showed me today's vast array of opportunities that are available to explore and master new fields by going back to school.

This week I talked with an enterprising woman who has been “in transition” since last April when she was laid off. She has used the last year to retool her skills by taking multiple courses in certificate programs and is completing a Masters degree in order to reshape her career and re-enter the job market.

You might think that with no income other than unemployment benefits, going back to school would be impossible for you, but there are options to check out. For instance, there are foundations and other organizations that provide scholarships and grants for adult students pursuing a degree as well as specifically for women, veterans and minority groups. Colleges and universities sometimes facilitate such funding. Before you rule it out, it’s worth your while to do a little online research, talk to your local community college or university counselors, and peruse your options.

The jobs that are available today are not the same jobs vacated by layoffs last year. Requirements have changed because of business needs and technological advances. How you use your “out-of-work” time could determine whether you will be able to get a job and how soon … and how much you will make. How will you re-enter the stage?

Demons, Roadblocks and Pitfalls on the Way to a New Job—Part Two

Last week I covered lethargy, fear, disorganization and email—common trip-ups to people unwillingly ensconced in searching for a new job after losing one to a layoff. But there are many more factors that could sabotage your chances of success, such as how you use your time. For instance:

Household chores—"I’ll just clean the garage before I get started today." "This load of laundry won’t take long."

Avoid letting your time be eaten away by chores just because “you have the time.” You don’t really. Set aside a window of time early in the morning or evening for some household work, but maintain a daily “work schedule” for your job hunting. Besides, you should be getting out and networking, not just staying at home.

Your dog or other pet—“Wag, wag, play with me.” You take out the leash and go for an extra walk, just because you can.

Your pet can be a great source of solace for your spirits, but you need to keep your play time to a minimum during your most productive daytime hours. Toss a ball once in a while, but try to avoid being sucked in by cuteness. Take that extra walk during your lunch break, or stick to the same schedule you would if you were still going off to a job each day.

TV watching—Now I can watch my soaps! Oprah’s on at 4! All day sports...wow!

If you have a favorite show you never got to watch because of your job, either record and watch it later or take your lunch break during the time of the show. And, turn the TV off once it’s over.

Lunch out—Your friend calls and says, “Hey, let’s get together for lunch at __!” The old gang invites you to meet for coffee and chat at a café.

Now that you are not working at a "job," many people will mistakenly think you have all the time in the world for social events during the day. Gauge these carefully in your job hunting strategy. An occasional totally social gathering is fine, if you can afford it. The most productive way to spend your going out dollars, though, is on lunch or coffee with someone who can help further your job search efforts.

Watch for Part Three of this series on demons, roadblocks and pitfalls next week. If you have suggestions for additions to the list (and solutions), please let me know at OneTomatoataTime@gmail.com.

Demons, Roadblocks and Pitfalls on the Way to a New Job—Part One

You have probably already encountered one. Almost everyone who has been “put out on the street” by a layoff or job loss faces some demons, roadblocks and pitfalls that get in the way of an effective job search. Some can be overcome simply by focusing on them and making changes yourself. Others will take special effort or reaching out for professional help. Each requires a different strategy, but if you can block the following from railroading your job search, it will be smoother, and quite likely, faster:

Lethargy & Laziness—Not enough sleep. “Tomorrow is good enough.” “I’ll take this week off.” “Job hunting is so much work!”

The solution lies within you. You have to decide to get enough rest and to become focused and stay on task.

Fear & Panic—“No one will hire me now.” “I don’t know what to do.” “What if I can’t find a job and ____ (you fill in the blank) and a year goes by? Then what?”

If this is holding you back, get professional help. Talk to a career coach, your college career counselor, your best friend or spouse, your pastor, a psychiatrist…anyone who can help you get a grip and focus back on the task at hand.

Getting Overwhelmed by your own Disorganization—Can’t find anything. “Which resume was the last one I revised?”

Start now, early in the game, and you will be glad you did. Already deep into piles of unidentified papers and files? Dig in now and sort them out. Rename your computer files and put them into folders. Establish a naming convention for your documents and stick to it.

Falling in the Email Trap—Too much time spent checking, reading and responding. “Where did the day go?”

If your time is being eaten up by email, pick a couple of times a day and a certain length of time you’ll spend on emails. Delete or get off lists that fill your inbox with emails you never read.

Pressure (perceived or real)—“I am the sole support for my family.” “Everyone will think I’m a loser.”

Focus on the pressure you put on yourself, not what others think of you. If you are in danger of running out of funds and your unemployment has run out, take an interim job—anything you can get—whether in or out of your normal line of work. Set aside time daily for job hunting and enlist the help of friends, family and former colleagues. There’s nothing about being laid off that reflects on you. It’s not about you. So, redirect your energy to finding a new future.

Pinching Pennies & Spending Effectively After a Layoff

Face it, one of your first worries after a layoff, or any job loss, is money. In this economic environment we are all watching what we spend, but when there are no more paychecks or unemployment benefits are all you have to live on, spending decisions are critical.

Your main goal is to find a new job as quickly as possible, but to make sure your money covers your needs and expenses, your spending choices need to be strategic. Consider first what you absolutely have to spend on for your job hunt—things like Internet access, cell phone bills, business cards, transportation and a few office supplies. If you need professional help with your resume or job hunting techniques to get you started, especially if you have been out of the job market for a while, seek recommendations from friends and price out your options. Put your money where you will gain what you really need.

Networking is a necessity. Not every penny you spend will bring you actionable results, but every connection can lead to another. There are plenty of low cost networking options, where $10-30 will get you in the door if you register ahead.

Consolidate your events or meetings to economize on travel costs and time. If you have to drive to networking events, try carpooling with a friend or job hunting buddy, trading off on who drives each time. If you are going into the city for a meeting or an interview, take public transportation and make it a day. Set up additional informational interviews in the same area. Meet someone for lunch and maybe someone else for coffee.

Print your own business cards or use one of the low cost or free online business card printers. Printing you own will allow you to customize your cards to specific scenarios, which is helpful if you are looking at more than one career path.

Stretching your job hunting budget is possible if you make wise decisions.

Turning Anger into Positive Energy after Job Loss

When you leave a job, especially under unhappy circumstances such as a layoff or separation, it is wise to leave with as much style as you can muster—staying calm and professional. And, to stay that way, no matter how angry you are. Throwing epithets or trashing your former employer will only do you harm.

In a town like DC where a lot of people know a lot of people, word can get around. You may tell people what happened to you in “confidence,” but in another context your tale of woes may just be another bit in their memory bank, and it may be reaching the ears of possible future employers or coworkers. It might even reach your previous boss, which could hurt your chances if he or she is called by your next potential employer for a reference. Additionally, people shy away from complainers. If you are networking, you’ll do better if you park your personal issues at home.

However, I’m not suggesting that you ignore how you feel or suppress your initial anger. What I am suggesting is that you deal with it to get over it, so you can start on a positive path towards finding new employment. If you deal with your anger in constructive ways, whether it’s writing in a personal journal (not a blog), talking it out privately at home or with a professional counselor, or taking it out in exercise, you are taking charge of it rather than letting it consume you and infect what you do and say.

Employers are looking for upbeat attitudes, and burning bridges has never been the route to success. Working through your feelings will help you find the positive energy you need to move on.

10+ Portfolio Tips for Creative Professionals

If you’ve been out of the job market for a while—now thrust into it by a layoff or other job loss—your portfolio has likely been languishing on a shelf. Hopefully, you’ve been saving samples of your work in your recent jobs in case you needed them someday. Now is the time to dust off or replace your old presentation binder and start all over with a winning portfolio. Here are some tips to help you make your portfolio a tool for job hunting success:

1. If your presentation binder is old and worn, buy a new one. Look for an attractive, professional one that will be durable, flexible and easy to carry.
   
2. Research the types of materials produced by the employer. Ask in the phone interview what types of pieces they would like to see.
   
3. Customize your portfolio to the organization’s needs and the job description.
   
4. Make sure your portfolio contents are fresh, bright and interesting with no torn or spotted pieces.
   
5. Organize your pieces by type or by employer, whichever seems most logical for your presentation.
   
6. Put your award winners, if any, up front.
   
7. If your work is online, do screen captures and print them. Explain what your role was and the outcome.
   
8. Inquire ahead if you want the option of showing your portfolio in presentation slides or online, to make sure the employer’s office is equipped, particularly if you are interviewing with a group. Test your electronic presentation at home before arriving for the interview. Technical glitches can be spoilers.
   
9. Time your presentation to no more than 10-15 minutes. Practice by showing it to a friend or family member.
   
10. Talk about your work as you show it, relating how it fit into the business plan, what your role was and what the results were.
    
11. Highlight any comprehensive projects you had and how you managed them.

Donate Your Talent When Job Loss Leaves You Short on Dollars to Give

After a layoff or other job loss, you may not be able to donate money, but there are a lot of ways to volunteer your time and talents.

Volunteering brings multiple benefits. It’s an outlet for you to think outside of yourself and do something good for others. It’s also a way to network, depending on where you focus your volunteer energy.

Here are some ways to volunteer:

• Help organize a community event, such as a park clean-up or neighborhood barbecue.
• Make your hobby the focus of your volunteer time. For instance, if you like the outdoors, join a hiking club and become active in the group’s leadership.
• Organize a group visit to a nursing home to bring cheer to the residents.
• Get politically involved in local, state or national actions or groups.
• Read to children in daycare programs or at the local library.
• Deliver meals on wheels to homebound seniors.

While you’re doing your volunteer work, get to know your fellow volunteers or coordinators. Collegially, let them know who you are, what you offer and where you want to be. Share ideas and jump in to get things done. The rewards are immeasurable.

Day After Labor Day Pep Talk for the Jobless

It already feels a bit like fall. Children have all returned to school. Vacation time is over. Put away your summer attitude and get down to brass tacks. It’s time to refocus on where you need to be—gainfully employed.

The jobless rate was reported at 9.7% on Friday, a slight gain over the previous month, and it is likely to climb again. You could let that get you down. It would be easy to get down in light of unhappy statistics.

However, there is an undercurrent in which jobs are beginning to appear. Capitol Communicator reported last week “that things are starting to heat up on the business front” for DC area communications agencies. As I see it, new business leads to job opportunities. Also, the federal government, according to the Washington Post last week, will need to replace more than 270,000 retiring workers for “mission-critical” positions in the upcoming 3 years. More temporary jobs are starting to emerge as organizations find they need extra help for annual events or to replace people out on special leave, such as maternity.

Yes, most employers are back from vacations and refocused on business, and jobs may be slowly opening up, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue trying just as hard as you did right after losing your last job, whether because of a layoff or other reason. Or, that you don’t stand a chance in a highly competitive job market. You need to do whatever it takes to stand out, show off your strengths and offer employers what they need, and do it better than anyone else competing for the same jobs.

It’s a new season. Let’s get going.

Why Should I Help You? Part 1

Reaching out to others
by Linda Franklin, guest blogger

Last year I became another statistic filing for unemployment. My story was not unlike many others: With a company for 7 years, I thought I would be there for my career. When my notice came, I went through the usual shock and disappointment (“WHAT?!?!?”).

And then came the “What do I do now?” I began reaching out to everyone I knew and began meeting new business contacts at professional networking functions. LinkedIn became my new best friend.

While networking I quickly realized an important lesson: those who had themselves been laid off or experienced similar job ups and downs were the ones most likely to lend a helping hand. They understood the pain and frustration of the job search, and they regularly went that extra step to get my resume in front of the right person.

It was easy then for me to decide that, once I was employed again, I would make sure to reach out to help others in my network going through a layoff/job search. Not just by getting their business cards, but learning more about their background, experiences and their goals so that I could refer them to others or job postings that would be a good match.

_____________________________________

Linda Franklin, who has survived the bruises of 2 layoffs, is happy to be working again as Marketing Manager of WiseChoice.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lfranklin99
http://www.twitter.com/LindaFrank123
http://us.mc518.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Linda.Frank123@yahoo.com

Who’s a Loser? Not Me, Not You

So what if you were laid off? It’s happened to so many people these days that it is not a badge of shame. It may hurt at first, but if you look at the bigger picture, you’ll see that it’s not about you or anything you’ve done.

There are a lot of ways you could view your situation:

1. “I can’t hold a job anymore. I might as well give up.”
2. “The job market is bad. I’ll never find a job.”
3. “What will people think of me? I want to hide.”
4. “I wasn’t wild about my job anyway, so now I can find another better one.”
5. “People are losing their jobs everywhere, so I’m not alone in this.

Nothing will take away your financial worries, but you will solve them sooner if you can overcome grief or shame quickly after a layoff. To have some of those feelings is natural. To let them hold you down is unproductive. This is a time to reach out and move ahead, not to withdraw.

For more on this topic, see Lying Low After a Layoff by Annie Gowen in today’s Washington Post.

Staying Positive When Time Drags On

Let’s face it, the economy is way down and news reports tell us every day how bad the outlook is. Unemployment is up here and there (although reportedly not quite so bad in the D.C. area as in many other U.S. regions). Companies are doubling up the workload on the employees they kept after laying off others and hiring fewer temps. I could go on and on.

It’s easy to get sucked into the gloom and doom scene, which can drag you down so that your job search becomes a perceived exercise in futility. Once that happens, your low mood will sabotage your efforts and show on your face and in your voice. I know. I’ve had a few days since my March layoff when the job hunt seemed hopeless, but it’s not. For example, I heard from a recruiter the other day that he’s seeing some action on the hiring front. Things are beginning to stir.

Also, if you get out and meet people in and out of your own field at local networking or learning events, you will find a great community of helpful professionals, willing to offer tips, support, leads and comfort. The main thing is to stay active in your professional arena. You may be on the outside now, but it could be your door to getting back inside. For me, it has been a lifeline to keeping a positive outlook and continuing on.

What’s Your Plan—What’s Next?

Before you start your search for new employment after a layoff, it’s a good idea to take stock of yourself. Think about it. Yes, you want to earn a paycheck again, but first, who are you professionally and what do you want to be doing when you go back to work?

After I had updated my resume, notified everyone I knew and updated my online profiles, I took a little time to develop my own strategic marketing plan—where I wanted to be and how I planned to present myself. My inspiration was a book I was reading, called Beyond Buzz: The Next Generation of Word-of-Mouth Marketing, by Lois Kelly (see My Blog List to the left). Reading her book reminded me that the conventional approach to a strategic plan is to define:

• Vision
• Mission
• Values
• Value Proposition
• Messaging (including an elevator speech)

All of these are helpful in defining yourself and creating your personal strategic marketing plan. But Kelly goes one step further by proposing that companies—and I suggest this for jobseekers too—identify their “point of view,” which she defines as:

“Beliefs and ideas that help build understanding, provoke conversation—and are something a person would actually say.”

Conventional strategic planning produces a one-way message in buzz word language, in the same way a resume can. Kelly says, however, that the most effective marketing today is done by “making meaning” rather than “creating buzz” and through creative conversations. In my thinking, the same approach should work for the job hunter.

What are your thoughts on applying this new approach to the job hunt?

No Pay, But the Rewards Are Many

People who are out of work after being laid off can start to lose their steam after the first rush to find a new job. One way to energize yourself, help others and build professional equity at the same time is to volunteer.

Arsha Jones writes: “…what has helped me when I wanted more experience, I volunteer(ed). It looks great on your resume and you actually can learn some stuff for free. And, keeping up to date with current trends in your profession keeps you marketable.” [Arsha is owner of Brand It! Domains - Domains & Web Hosting for Beginners]

Here are some sites that offer to help you find volunteer opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://www.charitablechoices.org/default.asp
http://www.dc-cares.org/
http://www.onebrick.org/index.asp
http://www.some.org/
http://www.capitolletters.org/

Build Your Network…and Your Knowledge

You may feel tossed on the street after a layoff, but getting on your feet quickly after you dust yourself off is a good idea. Instead of concentrating on the painful aspects of your new condition, start making connections, and update your knowledge while you’re at it. Here are a few ways to get started:

LEVERAGE YOUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: In the Washington, D.C. area there are myriads of professional organizations, local and national, that offer networking happy hours, brown bag lunches and other low-cost events. Attend every free or low-cost business networking event you can. Also, almost every group has a job board, so check them out. If you do not have any memberships now, it’s a good time to establish at least one. Some groups are free or low-cost to join, especially those that are D.C. based rather than national. One active networking resource I recommend is the Washington Network Group. The dues are $90, but they offer a lot for it.

CHECK OUT LINKEDIN GROUPS: For instance, Washington DC Connections is a business networking group started just this spring by an enterprising local financial advisor, Andrew Meringoff. It already has almost 6,000 members from a wide range of professional fields and now has subgroups for more focused networking. After launching with three very successful breakfast networking events at La Madeleine restaurants in Maryland and Virginia, plans are underway for much more, including happy hours and educational events. So far, the only cost has been for the food you buy.

BUILD YOUR SKILLS: Learn and meet people at the same time. Sheila, a reader of this blog suggested Toastmasters as a way to mingle with people who are still employed. Great idea. Also, check out MeetUp groups that focus on areas that will expand your professional knowledge. Take a course or start work on a certification that will enhance your resume.

BUDDY UP: Find a job hunt buddy, preferably someone in a field related to yours who is not a direct competitor for the same jobs. Review each other’s resumes and check in with each other regularly. Send each other occasional leads or ideas. Stay connected.

For some tips on how to network, see this short video by Patricia A. Frame, management consultant, speaker and author, of Strategies for Human Resources.

Marketing Yourself—Your Public Image

You want to be found. And, when you are found, you want to impress. That means there are a few steps you should take as soon as possible after you rejoin the job market.

UPDATE YOUR ONLINE PROFILE—Update your online profile on LinkedIn, Plaxo or Twitter, or all of them. Anywhere you are part of a social/business network, you need to be promoting yourself. If you are not on any of these networks, get on now, but keep your content and your connections professional. Be sure to post a recent photograph (a headshot is preferable) showing you looking professional and approachable.

POST RECOMMENDATIONS—Ask your references and other colleagues to post short recommendations of your work and your work style on your online profile. Recruiters do check them, according to two HR professionals who spoke at a workshop for out-of-work D.C. professionals that I attended this spring.

MAKE AN EMAIL UPDATE—If you use AOL for email, consider using an alternate provider for your job search, such as gmail or Yahoo. Pick a professional account name, such as your own name, to use for your job search communications, especially since it will appear on your resume. The word on the street is that if you use AOL, you are probably older and not tech savvy. I’ve heard this from recruiters and seen it in multiple articles.

SPREAD THE WORD—Tell everyone you know that you are unemployed and what kind of job you are seeking. Friends, former colleagues, neighbors and family can be great resources for support and networking. Even tell the grocery store clerk or your bank manager. It’s not a time to hide your situation, especially since you are definitely not alone and, in today’s economic climate, there is no shame in being on the job market because of a layoff.

My online profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiarosso

Marketing Yourself for a Job—Gather Your Playing Cards

There are resources you should gather right away after a layoff. And, if you still have a job, make this a “just-in-case” preparation measure.

RESUME—Your resume is the most obvious resource, and it is one that should be addressed quickly and updated constantly, even when you are still employed. Seek out some expert advice on your resume content and format, and make sure it has not one single error in it.

SUCCESSES—Have you thought about your achievements, i.e. what you have done that you can call a success? Write up short success stories while you can still remember the details. Be sure to include data, if you can quantify your accomplishments. Being able to tell “your story” will come in handy in letters and interviews. Highlighting your achievements on your resume will draw attention to the value you offer.

KUDOS—Save any congratulatory messages or recognition that you may have received for successful projects or outcomes. Have them ready and at your fingertips when you write a cover letter or prepare for an interview.

AWARDS—Won any in recent years? If so, add them to your resume and your online profile.

PORTFOLIO—Depending on your career line, a portfolio may take different forms. In any case, it should be visual, showing documents, products or charts and graphs that showcase your skills and best efforts. You can post your portfolio on a personal website, but you should also have PDFs ready. (Recently, I saw a job announcement that specified “no links” for writing samples submitted with resumes.) In other words, keep your options open.

These resources will be covered in more detail in upcoming posts.