How to Land a Job in a Tight Economy

Black Enterprise, Oct, 2001

What goes up must come down and the job market is no different. After several robust years of job unemployment rates and jobs abound, the market is experiencing a deceleration. Hiring freezes became evident at the start of the year as the economy slowed and the dot-com fallout left many highly talented professionals in its wake. No doubt, as the U.S. economy continues putting on the brakes, those companies that are hiring will be very selective, With the playing field now getting crowded, how can you stand out from the rest and land the job you want?

First, you must change your mindset about the job search. Traditionally, most managers or executives seek positions of more responsibility and loftier titles. "However, if you are looking for a position in today's market, you must be willing to come in at a manager or director level," says Dawn Rivera, director of human resources at Media Solution Services in New York. "Don't be title hungry because responsibilities vary: A vice president at one place could be the equivalent of a director at another." Try to get a copy of the job description from human resources or the executive recruiter and compare, advises Rivera. "If the job does not fulfill all your expectations, then look at It as a foot in the door and bargain for the benefits or salary that will make the job worth it."

You should also not rule out the possibility of relocating. Often, a move out of state or even the country can offer better career opportunities. For example, low to no corporate taxes has made Las Vegas attractive to many companies seeking to relocate, but it's not so popular with job seekers, particularly those already established in the Northeast or South.

Networking should be an ongoing throughout your career track whether you're seeking a job or not. That means attending conferences, doing volunteer work, and not being to big to mingle with subordinates or those outside your department who may have leads or a heads up on internal or outside job opportunities, adds Rivera. You should also stay in touch with recruiting managers at companies you've interviewed with as well as executive recruiters. If your name is fresh in his or her head, then you stand a good chance of being tapped when an opportunity arises.

Upgrading Your Skills

Sometimes a career move may involve looking on the inside rather than only on the outside. "Reflect on what you majored in at college." says Rivera. "Perhaps you were an accounting major, but you've spent most of your career in marketing. It might be time for a career change." If you need to advance your education, now is the time to do it! It can be as little as upgrading your technical skills to earning an executive MBA. "Most midlevel professionals have secretaries and are not familiar with programs that can increase their value such as Word, PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator. When asked in an interview why you don't have the requisite technical skills, offer to learn them after hours, adds Rivera. It shows the recruiter your flexibility and that you're serious about getting the job.

Depending on your career pursuits, an executive MBA program -- a part-time but intensive version of the traditional M.B.A - might be the ticket. An executive MBA allows busy professionals who must juggle work and family with their studies the opportunity to earn a degree on the weekends or after work. The main difference between a traditional and an executive MBA is that the latter prepares professionals for senior-level positions. Students in executive programs--who are generally older (often in their late 30s and 40s)--get a broad view of management issues and situations where they can apply and share their own experiences. Most executive MBA programs require five to 10 years of practical business experience.

Beyond the spread of executive MBA programs, the greatest boom has been in the area of executive education. Many corporations are willing to invest $1,500-$25.000 to upgrade their managers' business and leadership skills. These increasingly popular training courses, which can range from a few weeks to several months, are designed to offer managers a quick way to gain the skills necessary to compete in today's eve changing workplace. Certificate-rather than degree-based, they are, once again, developed to fit the schedule of a busy professional.

All in all the road to a new Job is paved with steadfast rules: continually upgrade your skills, craft a blockbuster resume, network with determination, dress professionally, and ace the interview: However, it's the fortitude, foresight, and finesse you apply in paving that road that make the differenee.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

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