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Media
reports almost 300,000 people have been downsized already this year,
and it's growing.
Your observations feed the rumor mill, contributing to a belief
that your company, like others headlined, is en route to disaster.
You forget that your particular situation may have little to do
with downsizing: People still leave by choice.
JUSTIFICATION
Sometimes you
form impressions but doubt yourself, asking: "Am I unreasonable?
Am I not giving the job a chance? Am I disloyal?" You stop asking
those questions when you recognize that a joyless, poisonous atmosphere
is pushing people out. It's time to go.
FOCUS
Unless you've
job-hunted recently, you may not know that the workplace has become
extremely complex, filled will highly specialized tasks, niche businesses
and organizations. Knowing who you are professionally will make
a successful job search possible.
You can't expend too much effort sharpening your focus. The ability
to concentrate on a goal empowers you to avoid job-hunting activities
that waste your time, energy and spirit. In addition, understanding
precisely why you're leaving your company will enable you to stand
back, be objective and envision a future drawing upon your accomplishments.
Your resume will reflect that future.
Don't be distracted by worrying about widespread loss of opportunity.
You need one slot. Your self-marketing document will reflect where
you're going, the background you bring and knowledge of the company
you're considering.
FIT
AND TRIM
Make your resume
substantive and pointed. Most employers prefer resumes that present
relevant accomplishments on a single page. They can always ask for
additional information, which you can prepare with sharper focus,
now that you know more about a particular company. Unless you know
the job calls for technical information. Your specific training
and certification can offer insight to the perspective employer.
Tighten your resume by listing all positions you've held for at
least a year. Discuss only those relevant to your future. A downsizing
climate in particular calls for you to intensify your focus on accomplishments
that relate to money you've earned or saved for companies.
Even if you haven't been in sales, discuss your contribution to
sales activities. Not one to save money for your company? Think
about how you have by discussing situations in which you increased
your efficiency or saved time for your supervisor. Prod yourself
by remembering that the purpose of any business is to make money,
even if it's not in competition with similar businesses in your
geographical location or industry-wide. While accomplishments related
to money may be painfully difficult to glean from your experience,
they are by far the most compelling facts you can research and communicate
to your next employer.
Most important,
don't "tell all." An all-points-bulletin resume may lure you into
a false sense of security, because, you remind yourself, everyone
will find something. Wrong. Irrelevant information isn't compelling.
It tires readers and prompts them to question what you're trying
to communicate.
Remove the abstract, overused words "responsible" and "responsibilities"
in favor of citing accomplishments that would have meaning to employers
and add value to their company.
Convert dissatisfaction into an efficient marketing tool that accelerates
the hiring process. This not-so-pleasant chore will help you know
much more quickly what you have to sell and where to sell it.
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