Furloughed or let go? Immediate steps necessary to find your next job.

So, you just got furloughed or let go, these are the steps you must take right away.

Draft/update your current resume. This needs to be ready to go so that you can pounce when a new opportunity presents itself.   If you are not confident in the resume you can create, pay a professional. Costs range anywhere from $350 - $500 per page. Keep your resume to one page (1.5-page max) if possible and triple check for spelling errors. Those small glaring mistakes stand out like a sore thumb to prospective employees. 

Create or update your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile details your most current employment and that it matches up exactly with your resume including dates, titles, and companies. Click the option “open to work” so that companies and recruiters know you are active and do not be afraid to reach out to your network with your interest into new opportunities.

Prepare for the interview process. These days that means video conferencing so make sure you have a zoom account set up and that you know how to work the app. Do a couple test runs with family or friends to get comfortable. Figure out a place in your house that you can conduct video interviews; ideally in a quiet place that is organized and de-cluttered within the frame of the camera.

Be Interview Ready. Make sure you are well-groomed and have a clean suit/professional outfit ready. Also have a few business casual outfits that play to your audience with your style and dress.

Transition Points. If you have worked multiple jobs and some are short stops, be able to clearly explain the various transition points. Some of the changes might be outside of your control (company closed, acquisition, relocated headquarters, etc). In today’s world, candidates tend to have more career moves than in the past however companies still want to see the staying power so be ready to convince them why you are committed and looking for a long term home.

Create a new email account strictly for interviewing. Just your name if possible but add numbers if your name is taken already. This way you can communicate professionally and track/log your interviewing activity. Also, don’t forget to use this email on your resume and within all networking prospects.  

Be ready for the “salary” question. While this tends to be something discussed further along in the interview process, have a game plan for the “desired salary” question that may come up. You don’t want to be fumbling around when asked and this shows you know your worth. A recruiter should be able to help you manage this. If you don’t have that luxury, its best to be direct (I was making “X” salary with “X” bonus) or at a minimum provide a desired range.

Go hunting for that next great job. Create a list of companies you think would value your experience. For this, most likely you will want to consider competitors of your last company or places where the product or service is familiar. Companies want to hire someone that requires minimal training and can make an impact quickly utilizing their recent experience and relationships. Reach out to these companies and don’t be afraid to sell yourself. If you’re uncomfortable with the initial outreach find a reputable recruiter that specializes in your industry to help you through the outreach, interview and hiring process.

Keep your head in the game. Exercise. Eat Healthy. Stay Focused. This will help get your mind and body in the zone and boost your self-confidence. Often, confidence levels decrease the more time that passes. If you can’t find suitable full-time employment, start a new project around the house or take on freelance/contract work. Who knows, maybe you will discover a new passion, or the part time work may blossom into a prosperous full-time opportunity.