Tips for Job Searching in a Tough Economy

Fortunately, times are good so jobs are aplenty at the moment. However, when the economy turns (as everything is cyclical in business), it’s best to be prepared to look for a job even when still employed.

Here ate ten tips for job searching during a recession:

Tip One: You need to understand that you may have to take a lower pay than your previous salary. You may have less money than u used to make, but the new job is stable and will not leave you with an empty hand. Once you understand that your salary may be lower than you are used to, it’s time to start to market yourself.

Tip Two: A great start is looking into college credits. No matter what, if a company is split between two potential employees, they will most likely choose the candidate with more college credits. This is because they will want the more educated to fill their open positions. If you are not in the financial position to obtain more college credits, try looking into a position that the credits you do have carry weight.

Tip Three: If you find that you are getting turned down for the jobs you are qualified for, try applying for a job that you are over-qualified for. You will look very appealing to the employer and when the economy gets better, you will fly right up that corporate ladder.

Tip Four: While doing your career search, apply for a job, that is, something to give you a source of income while you look for a career. Career searching may take a while, and you will need to make money while you look. Get a job that will get you by. It may not be what you want to do, but for now, you will just need money.

Tip Five: Yes, searching on the internet may be very effective, but do not forget other mediums of job advertisement. Newspapers may have many job listings n them for local people. The newspaper gives a very targeted place for employers in the area to find local job searchers. If you have a specific career in mind, you may find that walking in to a business and asking them if they are hiring to be very effective. Some employers may not have their advertisements out yet or you may have missed them. Also, do not forget to keep your eye out for Help Wanted Signs.

Tip Six: Be sure your resume is up to date. This goes without saying, but include all of your previous employers on your resume. All experience is good experience. Also, be sure to include anything that you have done in the past, from sports in high school to current volunteer work. Everything like this looks good on a resume. It shows commitment and personality.

Tip Seven: Be sure to freshen up on the skills you do have and skills that are important in the field you want. If you want a career that requires computer skills, be sure you know the newest versions of popular word processors and spreadsheet programs. Even if your career is not computer focused, these skills are very attractive to most careers.

Tip Eight: Know the industry. Look into current data and forecasts on the job market in that field. Knowing where the field you want is going will help you decide on what to look for.

Tip Nine: Use social networking sites such as Facebook.com and MySpace.com. Use these sites to post your resume, as well as search for local businesses that are looking for employees. You would be surprised how many job postings there are on these social networking sites. A word of caution: you potential employer may look at these sites to find out more about you, so be careful of what you post on them.

Tip Ten: When you land that interview, try to convey that you will make the company money. Convey that you are a strong asset to have within the company, and will bring the company money. After all, that’s what a business does.

With a little patience and some ingenuity, you can land that job of your dreams, even in an economic downturn.

Job Searching at Work: Find An Entry Level FP&A Role

It’s really competitive to find an entry level, financial planning & analysis job in Manhattan. Most people have to start in another job before making the switch into FP&A. You have to polish up your resume. Make contacts on LinkedIn. It’s even harder when you’re working already and want to make that transition. So how do you do it?

Most of us don’t have enough financial savings to handle an extended period of time without a paycheck. So when we’re seeking a new job, new employer or new career, we’re often forced to do our job hunting while we’re still employed!

Imagine your current boss slipping into your office and finding your updated resume – addressed to a competing company – on your computer screen. It wouldn’t be nice scene. And, unless you’re the company’s most valuable employee, it could even result in instant termination.

However, many of us have no choice but to search for a new job while working our current one. Here’s how to do it the smart way:

Limit your time

It may be tempting to spend your 8 workday hours searching job boards and emailing your resume, but spending too much time away from your job duties will cause your performance to suffer. And that, in turn, will raise some eyebrows – and possibly some suspicions. Keep your nose clean by giving a stellar job performance while you’re job hunting. Bosses and co-workers are less likely to scrutinize the way you’re spending time if you’re churning out top-quality work.

Give the right info to potential employers

When you’re sending out your cover letter, resume and contact information to potential employers, make sure you use your personal information. Give them your personal email address (like a Hotmail address) and your personal phone number (like a cell or home phone number). If you start getting a lot of mysterious and unexplained phone calls or emails at work, someone might take notice and investigate further.

Time your transition into an FP&A role

Do most of your job searching while everyone else is pre-occupied with work – and unlikely to walk unannounced into your office. Or arrive early – before anyone else – or leave late so you can get uninterrupted job searching time. You’ll not only be able to search for jobs without fear of discovery, you’ll also give the appearance of being a conscientious employee.

Be prepared to make that career switch into finance

If you’re checking out online job boards at work, have a work presentation or website minimized so you can instantly click it up if someone walks into your office or cubicle. Be prepared with excuses, too. For example, if someone sees your updated resume, you could tell them you’re applying for college credits to improve your job skills and the school wanted to see a resume. A quick, snappy response that requires no long explanation is your best choice.

Know your company policy

More and more businesses these days are keeping track of their employees’ use of company resources. For some companies, this means tracking and reporting on the websites employee’s visit regularly, or tracking keystrokes on computer keyboards. Make sure you know your company’s policy before everyone in the IT department knows you’re hunting for a new job.

Job searching while using your current employer’s computers and resources isn’t the best way to find a new career, but sometimes it’s necessary. Just be discrete and careful – and don’t let your job performance decline – and you should be able to avoid detection.

With enough due diligence and patience, you’ll be able to land that coveted entry level role in FP&A.