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.

Interview Panic When You’re Rusty

Has it been a long time since your last job interview? Months? Years? How will you handle it if now an employer asks you to come in for an interview tomorrow?

After a long gap, despite all you’ve heard and read about interviewing, a sense of panic can set in when there is little preparation time. Maybe you thought you’d never reach this crossroad again. You’re gulping, breathing a little harder or worried you won’t sleep tonight.

It’s time to quickly oil up the rusty pipes and get ready. There are some techniques to stave off panic while preparing to put on your best self and win the job.

Start by mapping out your day, and then sticking to your plan. Your day could look like this:

9:00-10:00 a.m.—Review the company’s website thoroughly and read the job description again, taking note of key words. Check online for the latest industry issues that may be affecting the company’s business.

10:00-Noon—Review and practice telling your best success stories and answering potential tough questions. (Didn’t write any success stories yet? Now’s the time to make some bulleted notes you can use as talking points.)

Noon-1:00 p.m.—Take a full lunch break away from your computer. Eat healthful foods that give you energy and a sense of well being.

1:00-3:00 p.m.—Print resumes and compile your portfolio or other visual materials. Write down the address where you’re going and the phone number. Organize what you will bring with you, review it once and then set it aside in a staging area for your departure.

3:00-4:00 p.m.—Time for some exercise or a fresh air walk. Don’t skip this in your day. It’s important for your whole being, especially your brain.

4:00-5:00 p.m.—Pick out your interview clothes. Press or shine anything that needs it. Assemble your complete outfit in a convenient spot so you have no clothing decisions to make before you leave for the interview.

5:00 p.m.—Call it a day. Relax over a good meal and light evening activities, such as reading.

Get to bed early. A full night’s sleep of 7-8 hours can make an important difference in your energy level.

If you methodically plot out your time this way, adjusting for what works best in your personal situation, you will have covered all the bases and be as ready as you can be to win over the recruiter or hiring manager…and get that job.

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?

10 R’s to Keep Your Job Search Alive When Winter Interferes

You were going gangbusters at searching for a new job to replace the one you lost through a layoff or other job loss. Then winter hit with full force.

It’s frustrating waiting for roads to clear and the job market to get back into full swing after blizzards and other natural interferences. What can you do in the meantime? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Review your strategy and make adjustments. Are there avenues you haven’t explored yet?
2. Research companies online to find those that might be a good fit and build a plan for getting inside for informational interviews.
3. Read books, blogs and articles by recruiters and other HR experts on conducting an effective job search.
4. Revise or update your resume and online profile.
5. Reconnect with your networking circle, checking in to see how they are doing, share interesting articles and make future plans.
6. Reorganize your files and workspace.
7. Ready your wardrobe in case you are called for an interview.
8. Recharge your energy with some exercise and healthy eating.
9. Reminisce a bit about your past accomplishments and write up some success stories you can discuss in cover letters and at interviews.
10. Rehearse your 30-second elevator speech—or write the one you don’t have and practice it.

© 2010 Cynthia C. Rosso

Climbing Out of Winter’s Job Search Black Hole

Has your job search come to a screeching halt? If suddenly you find yourself in a winter black hole—a void with no new and interesting job listings, no responses to applications, no help from your connections, and a sinking feeling inside—it’s time to step back and assess what’s going on.

Sometimes nature takes control of our destiny. If you live on the east coast, say anywhere from Raleigh to New York, then you know how this winter’s cold, snowy onslaught has affected businesses and the government. The federal government in Washington, DC shut down for nearly a week because of two storms that dropped 3 feet of snow. Networking events were canceled. No one could get anywhere because of ice-bound, clogged streets and a public transit system that couldn’t operate for days. Just about everything got put on hold. Most other parts of the country have been hit by winter’s wrath too. Hey, that’s life…and it doesn’t last forever.

Take heart. Soon winter will stop its assault on your job search progress. Employers and recruiters will be back in full action, posting jobs, interviewing, networking and hiring.

Photo and text © 2010 Cynthia C. Rosso

Posting Your Resume on a Major Job Board—A Shot in the Dark?

Job boards like Monster and its competitors have their detractors. Complaints include:

• They’re too big and not targeted.
• A large part of the jobs are lower-level positions.
• Many jobs they include are already filled.
• Employers will post jobs and then hire from within.
• When you make your resume searchable, you lay yourself open to approaches from scams.

Despite the negative possibilities, you increase your odds by adding another layer to your search when you use a job board.

Here’s a recent real case in point:

After keeping her resume private on one major job board, one professional decided that she had nothing to lose a year after a layoff by opening access to all employers and recruiters and making it searchable.

Predictably, within days she started receiving emails from insurance companies and other “recruiters” offering her a great future if she only contacted them, took a course, or something else suspect. Because these were anonymous emails and obviously not targeted to her personally, she trashed them immediately. For a couple of companies, though, she took the time to check them out on the web—and found several results that associated the word “scam” with them. At that point, she could have changed her settings to block public access to her resume, but she persisted.

One afternoon a week later she received a phone call from a legitimate employer’s recruiter, who had found her through a resume search. The call led to an in-person interview with the recruiter and a planned second interview with the executive team.

The following week she received an email about a temp-to-perm job that called for the skills she offered, asking her to call if interested. The sender signed the email, but forgot to mention that a job board resume search was the source. Our subject called and learned that the job was a real lead offering good pay. The short phone call concluded with plans for follow-up by the recruiting firm and a pitch to the employer.

So, you decide.

Major Online Job Boards—Are They Worth It or Not?

While online job boards, such as Monster or CareerBuilder, should not be your first line of attack in finding a new job, or even your second, they can be one piece of your overall strategy. Major ways to use them include:

• Searching for jobs and applying to them on your own
• Searching for jobs and applying via their own “Apply Now” feature
• Posting your resume so it is searchable by recruiters and employers, or keeping it private to use only for applications
• Setting up job agents so you receive likely matches by email
• Reading advice articles and using other resource tools they offer, such as salary benchmarks
• Letting them broadcast your resume to recruiters

Whether you apply for jobs through the job board’s mechanism or not is your choice, but I recommend researching each company and seeing who may be in your network from the company before submitting an application. Leverage your connections to learn more about the job or the organization. Then write a targeted cover letter to accompany your resume.

Keeping your resume private makes sense if you still have a job. To protect your personal privacy, be sure your posted resume does not include your home address, email or phone number. You can set your account to make all or none of your contact information available to employers and recruiters.

If you are out of work, however, you can increase your chances of being found by making your resume public. It’s a passive strategy, but it occasionally works. Keep in mind that your online resume should have all the relevant key words for your skills and job goals so that recruiter searches will land on your name.

Job agents are great, especially if you have chosen your key words well and set up a database friendly profile. They save you heaps of search time.

I have advocated against using resume broadcasting services, because they are too random, totally untargeted and generally unproductive. Many recruiters and hiring managers absolutely hate and ignore them. Such “robo-resumes” also eliminate the direct, personalized approach you should normally use, including your cover letter.

Large online job boards are a mixed bag. Used right they can be an asset, but they should rank low on your priority list of possible strategies. See last Thursday’s post on how job hunting expert Richard Nelson Bolles ranked them against other approaches.

Playing Your Job Hunt Cards Wisely—The Most and Least Successful Strategies

In a September 2009 interview published in “Bottom Line Personal,” Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the seminal job hunter’s guide What Color Is Your Parachute? ranked today’s most and least successful job hunting strategies. His latest assessments are worth noting:

The Least Successful Strategies:

Mailing out unsolicited resumes/submitting or posting resumes online. Odds: 7%
(My note: Not your best use of time, and certainly not a good first line strategy.)

Responding to ads in professional or trade journals. Odds: 7% (Many require relocation.)
(My note: By the time you see the ads, they could be outdated.)

Responding to ads on Internet jobs sites. Odds: 10%

Responding to ads in the local newspapers. Odds: 5% - 24% (Most jobs listed are lower wage positions.)
(My note: If your local paper is like mine, there are so few ads, it’s not worth even looking at them. Even a recent “Mega Jobs” section in a major city paper was only six pages.)

Working with a private employment agency. Odds: 5% - 28% (Your odds increase if you are looking for an administrative position)

The Most Successful Strategies:

Networking for job leads. Odds: 33%
(My note: See earlier One Tomato at a Time posts on networking.)

Knocking on doors unannounced at employers of interest. Odds: 47%
(My note: This is a strategy that might surprise you!)

Calling companies of interest that are listed in the local Yellow Pages. Odds: 69%
(My note: Even more surprising!)

Partnering with other job hunters. Odds: 70%
(My note: Great idea, and it goes hand in hand with networking.)

Taking inventory of yourself then targeting the employers where you ought to be working. Odds: 86%
(My note: Yes. Yes. Yes. See an earlier post on this topic.)

There is no one strategy alone that will get you a job. You need to explore all the appropriate channels for your career path. I believe that networking, including partnering with other job hunters, is an important key to success, along with making sure your campaign is well targeted.

Resources:

Check out Bolles’ latest book The Job Hunter’s Survival Guide: How to Find Hope and Rewarding Work, Even When “There Are No Jobs. (His website: http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/)

General link to Bottom Line, a subscription based service.

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.

What Do Recruiters Say? Retool Your Job Search Strategy

“For every quality job you see listed, there are probably between 5-7 qualified applicants competing for it. You need to focus on being the top person for that job.” These words were spoken by a recruiter, who specializes in IT and finance jobs, at a Northern Virginia job search support group session last week.

He added: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is to rely on just one job strategy. You need multiple strategies. The Internet is an incredibly powerful tool, but only 25% of people get jobs through the Internet. So you need to use a balanced approach. Use the Internet as your after-hours strategy or while you are watching a football game. Don’t make it your only strategy.”

At another presentation last week, a Washington, DC-based recruiter said she wants to see one- or two-paragraph cover letters—nothing longer. She and other recruiters can’t afford the time to read more—and often don’t read cover letters at all, especially longer ones. But, if you want yours noticed and read, your cover letter should directly address the requirements of the job, which you can accomplish in 3-4 bullet points.

Resumes are paramount, she said, and they must have all the most important information on the first page, near the top. That’s a good reason, she added, to limit the amount of personal data you put at the top so it doesn’t take so long to get to what makes you different and valuable. Instead, skip your mailing address and include only one phone number and your email. Including your LinkedIn profile link is okay, if you have a well developed, complete profile. The recruiter also noted that your resume should not have blocks of prose to summarize each job—they will go unread—but rather concise bullet points of your major accomplishments and responsibilities. Wordiness won’t win you a job.

There are no universal answers or magic keys to unlock the way to getting hired, but recruiters like these have a better pulse than jobseekers on what goes on in the job market. They are often the gatekeepers between you and a hiring manager. Maybe it’s time to listen.

Finding the Right Job Fair for You

There are job fairs happening everywhere in the U.S., especially in urban areas, and some of them are very specialized. Some are entirely online. If you are thinking of attending a job fair, finding the right one for you will take some research. Here is a list to get you started, but also check your local newspaper for locally sponsored events.

Career Expo for People With Disabilities (http://www.eop.com/careerfair.html) is the website of an award winning recruitment magazine for people with disabilities.

ClearedJobs.net (http://www.clearedjobs.net/) offers the cleared professional opportunities to meet employers with cleared positions across the nation and overseas.

CorporateGray.com (http://www.corporate-gray.com/) lists military career fairs.

Careernet.4jobs.com (http://www.careernet.4jobs.com/) offers the State of Maryland’s offerings such as career fairs at the county level.

CareerFairs.com (http://careerfairs.com/) gives current listings of national career fairs and job listings.

CFG Career Fairs (http://cfg-inc.com/) offers career fairs for IT, MIS, Engineering, Sales, Management and Business Professionals.

IntelligenceCareers.com (http://intelligencecareers.com/) produces job expos calling for experienced individuals with security clearances.

Nonprofit Career Network (http://www.nonprofitcareer.com/) lists jobs and career fairs across the country.

TechExpoUSA.com (http://www.techexpousa.com/) produces job fairs and corporate open houses calling for experienced individuals with active security clearances. Check their website for Career Fairs in California, Colorado, and the East Coast in addition to the metro DC area.

TransitionCareers.com (http://www.transitioncareers.com/) is a relative new site focusing on the military, usually offering the career fairs on military installations but not always.

Women JobFairs (http://www.womenjobfairs.com/) is a site focused on job fairs for women to meet with registered employers in the public, private and nonprofit worlds.

And a few more:

American Job Fairs (http://www.jobexpo.com/)
Career Fairs & Job Fairs (http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobfairs/Job_Fairs.htm)
DiversityJobFairs (http://www.diversityjobfairs.com/)
Hire Quest Job Fairs (http://hirequest.com)
International IT Career Events (http://www.it-careernet.com/)
Lucas Group Hiring Conferences (http://www.bradley-morris.com/)
National Job Fairs (http://www.nationaljobfairs.com/)
PSI Job Fairs (http://www.psijobfair.com/)

See the January 14 One Tomato at a Time posting for further information on job and career fairs.

Are Career or Job Fairs Worth Your Time?

It depends.

Marketing guru and blogger, Seth Godin, earlier this week wrote, “Planning a career at a career fair is a little like looking for a soulmate at a singles' bar.” He thinks that employers are there to fill “average” jobs with “average” people, which he points out don’t really exist. I’m not average, are you?

A 2009 Northern Virginia job fair drew about 3,000 hopeful jobseekers, most of whom waited for hours in the rain to enter the building and talk with a handful of employers, mostly from the federal government. These agencies, it turns out, were looking to fill lower level jobs and sending people to the Web to apply. One attendee reported that the real value for her in this otherwise uncomfortable experience was the networking she did with the others standing in line.

Alison Doyle, who writes for About.com, likens career fairs to ‘“one stop shopping’ at the mall.” She concedes they “can be overwhelming with many people waiting to see the same employer, one-the-spot interviewing, noise and sometimes confusion.” But, she sees their value as providing a unique opportunity to meet one-to-one with representatives from several employers, which you can’t easily do any other way.

For a career or job fair to be a worthwhile experience, it takes advance research and preparation, a lot of energy (and willingness to stand in lines), and a winning attitude. It takes all that plus a little luck.

Checking out what employers will be there and what jobs are open ahead of time will tell you if a particular event holds some promise for you. You can’t do anything about the weather or how many other jobseekers show up. You can arrive early, though, to minimize your waiting time, and you can be prepared.
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This You Tube video by Patra Frame of Strategies for Human Resources offers helpful tips on making your job fair experience more successful.

Making 2010 All That 2009 Wasn’t for Jobseekers

As a jobseeker, this is a good time to take what you learned in 2009 and fine tune it to create a new future for yourself in 2010.

2009 was certainly a year of lessons. We learned not to take anything for granted, not our jobs, our assets or ourselves. We learned that we had to set new goals, meet new people, gain new skills, and find a new job or even a new career path. Many of us learned how to live on less and developed new survival skills we never knew we’d need.

If you were new to the job market or re-entering after a long time, you were introduced to networking, even speed networking, and you probably delivered your first “elevator speech.” Did you even have one before?

Social media—from FaceBook to LinkedIn, Plaxo, Bing, Twitter and blogs—more than likely took root in your career plan. These newer communication tools connected you with the wider professional arena in your field of expertise or interest.

2009 gave us new tools for taking 2010 by the horns, seizing the reigns of what we can control—ourselves. Now it’s time to use all that learning, improve upon it, and make 2010 all that 2009 wasn’t.

Back in the Job Market After a Long Time?

If you were laid off from a job you’d had for many years, as many people have been, you probably had a rude awakening when you realized that job hunting had changed dramatically since your last foray into it. Here’s what you found:

• Newspaper listings were nearly extinct.
• Online listings were overwhelming.
• Jobs were scarcer and more competitive than ever.
• New security measures blocked the possibility of knocking on company doors.
• Your old chronological resume was out of touch with today’s requirements.
• Job fairs drew thousands of hopefuls who stood in lines for hours.
• Networking had become the way to find jobs.
• Online networking (LinkedIn, FaceBook, etc.) had become mainstream.

It probably seemed daunting. The question is what did you do about it?

Many people turn to helpful organizations such as 40Plus, a Washington D.C. support group for the older, experienced jobseeker. 40Plus provides free weekly speaker sessions on job hunting topics and a set of courses for those who pay, followed by ongoing peer support. Others turned to their alma maters or professional associations for advice. Career coaches, a fairly new cadre of professional advisors, offer one-to-one as well as group support. These are good places to start your reentry process.

With predictions of a better jobs outlook this year, being ready is paramount if you are going to be successful. Reaching out to learn how the new job market works lays the foundation for your new personal campaign.

Ageism in the Job Market—What You Can Do

We all know that despite their being illegal, hidden prejudices against older workers exist in the business world. However, there are measures you can take if you are 50 or older that can invalidate any internal company push to hire younger, less experienced employees.

I’m not talking here about altering your resume, dyeing your hair or having a facelift. Instead, I’m proposing four real actions you can take to stay vital and fully engaged in the work world.

Energy—Do you get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly? Of course, we all want to look trim and beautiful, but staying in shape will energize you to thrive even through long days facing tough challenges on the job. Your energy level shows in your writing, on the phone and in person. Arriving at an interview full of energy and maintaining it throughout the meeting will demonstrate that, with you, age is not a valid factor in being able to keep up with younger workers.

Technology—You may not love all the technologies that have come to dominate the business world: cell phones; laptops; iPods; blogs; webinars; Blackberries; social media, and the list goes on. Even so, you need to embrace those that are now integral to your line of work, whatever that may be. If the employer is using them, you need to be already using them or ready to adopt them and learn quickly. Ask someone to show you the ropes, if needed. Keep up with what’s new in your field by reading, attending learning programs and practicing.

Flexibility—One worry among employers is that an older worker will be inflexible and potentially difficult in a team setting. Be sure to demonstrate in your cover letter and other communications with employers that you are open minded and able to shift gears when needed. Make your point by relating success stories that show you as an engaged team member who can move in new directions when needed.

Salary—What you earned in your last job may no longer be relevant. Times have changed. Budgets are tighter. Be prepared to take less now and work your way back up again as the economy improves. Make it clear to employers that salary is not everything to you and that you understand the challenges of today’s economic turmoil. Stress how important helping an employer accomplish its mission is to you—and be sure to know what the mission is. Matching your values with theirs will make you a more attractive candidate.

Leaving Behind the Muddy Tracks of 2009—Here Comes 2010

All the hard-learned lessons and trials of 2009 may be caked to your boots, but it’s time to leave the muddy tracks behind you. We’re entering a new year and a new decade. On Sunday, December 20, the Washington Post’s Kiplinger Personal Finance column started off with: “In 2010, look for a sign of prosperity that we haven’t seen in years. It reads ‘Now Hiring.’”

What shape this hopeful turn takes and how many new jobs will open up, and when, remain to be seen, but 2010 holds promise for opportunities for the more than 7 million who lost their jobs in 2009. The Post added a caveat to its cheery employment outlook—that a “full recovery is far off”—but that’s nothing new. Economic recoveries are never fast, and they tend to be different from region to region, depending on what makes local economies tick.

Whether the new job opportunities turn out to be permanent or temporary, full-time or part-time, freelance or contracted, they will be competitive. Salaries may not match what they were in 2008, but it is better to be back in the market at a somewhat reduced income level than living on memories. As the economy grows, your salary will also rise again, but you have to be part of it for that to happen.

If you are unemployed—possibly since months ago or even longer—or underemployed, now is the time to recharge your job hunting batteries. Make sure your resume is current, get back in touch with your network, connect with agencies, refresh your online profile, and be ahead of the rest of the contenders for the jobs that do open up.

Good-bye mud. Hello new decade. Happy New Year!

One Tomato at a Time will resume two posts a week on January 5.

The “Gifts” of 2009

As the holidays approach, the out-of-work jobseeker could easily fall into a gloomy cloud in the midst of the festivities. If you see yourself sinking into this mood, stop now and look back on the gifts, small or large, that you have received and given in the past year. “Gifts?” you ask. “Is she crazy?”

Well, maybe, but I know that since my own layoff I have learned a lot and met many great people I probably never would have known. For one thing, I became an active social media participant and a blogger, now with more than 80 blog entries posted. My professional community grew because I participated in LinkedIn groups and local organizations, attended countless networking events, and tweeted. This year, through webinars, seminars and workshops, I expanded my knowledge on such topics as web analytics and search-engine optimization. I volunteered my expertise as a judge in a professional awards program and as a career advisor. To bring in some cash, I began freelancing as a writer, editor and marketing pro and spent the last four months filling in part-time for someone out on parental leave, learning a whole new field for me—international development—and gaining new friends.

Sure, I’ve had my moments of fear for the future, but learning, growing and sharing have lifted me so that I can look ahead with hope rather than back with regrets.

My suggestion to you is to make your own list of “gifts” during 2009. Everyone’s list will be different, but, unless you have totally isolated yourself, you are likely to be surprised by all that you have gained this year, even if you lost your job. The gifts can be prizes as small as a hug or a phone call or as large as learning a new skill. They can be family-based or in your wider professional community.

Special Note: During the holidays, I will post two more entries on this blog before launching head first into 2010. You’ll find these on December 22 and December 29.

Taking Stock—What Do You Really Want to Do?

We’re approaching the end of the year. A lot of people take this time to make resolutions for the next year. If you are out of work, and the months have been ticking away without a hot job lead or an offer, the holiday season is a great time to stop and consider what you really want to be doing. Here are some things to ponder:

• Do you really want a full-time office job like the one you had before or would you like to try something new—maybe two part-time jobs?
• Would you enjoy more flexibility in your work life, possibly working from home most or all of the time?
• Have you considered working independently as a contractor or freelancer?
• Would starting your own business be your dream come true?
• Is there another line of work you can pursue that also fits your talents and today’s job market?
• Do you have skills, knowledge or talents that can transfer to a totally new field, such as the in-demand alternative energy industry or health care?
• What’s most important to you: benefits, salary, interesting work, flexibility, etc.?

How you answer these, and the many other questions you can pose for yourself, should drive the direction you take as you move forward in your career path.

Sometimes, jobseekers feel so driven by a sense of duty to those who rely on them for support, they overlook this important introspective step. Taking it now could make your search for gainful employment in 2010 more productive and rewarding.