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As the economic downturn continues the impact is obvious: thousands of Data Technology jobs have been lost with even more downsizing expected as the new year progresses. As IT specialists we are all worried about the impact a attainable job loss will have on our families, our careers and our futures.
There are a number of methods you must be taking, regardless of whether or not you are worried about the status of your employment, to prepare for the eventuality of a job loss. These are simple, standard-sense recommendations that are too typically taken for granted until we comprehend that the unthinkable has occurred.
1. Have an updated resume prepared. Certainly, the wrong time to work on your resume is quickly following the loss of your job. Emotions and anger can simply influence your vital thinking and writing abilities and this can be reflected in your resume. The rush of panic to locate a new job can impact the style and flow of details in your resume, as nicely. For these causes you will need to be continually updating and polishing your resume to make sure it reflects the finest of your abilities and personality. You will need to ask several trusted mentors or peers to review your resume and ask that they offer honest feedback. Remember that maintaining your resume is an ongoing procedure and there is consistently room for improvement.
2. Collect new good quality references and verify existing references. Similar to the resume, the wrong time to seek out professional written or verbal references is quickly following the loss of your job. Begin collecting skilled references now. When you are embroiled in emotion it can negatively impact the tone in your voice as properly as your writing. When requesting a reference you want to convey a specialist and upbeat image to the person you are asking to supply the reference. If an explanation is warranted, let the prospective reference know that you are not actively seeking a new job but rather taking proactive methods to prepare in case a job loss occurs. This is also the time to reach out to past and existing references to reaffirm their capacity and willingness to present a fine reference on your behalf.
3. Reconnect with technical recruiters and contract firms. If you have utilized technical recruiters or recruiting/contract firms to find employment in the past it is essential to reach out to these individuals early. Whilst you might not want to submit your resume or begin a job search at this time you do want the recruiters to know your existing status. New certifications or training, promotions or change in responsibility, and new hands-on expertise are all examples of the vital particulars you want to share. The objective here is to offer sufficient details so that when a new opportunity arises the recruiter or recruiting firm has you in mind due to your recent conversations.
four. Build your private network. Now is the time to improve the size of your personal network. When looking for new employment your private contacts can prove to be the key to returning to function. The bigger your individual network the much better the odds of obtaining good quality leads and advanced word of new opportunities. Constructing your individual network takes work but is not a difficult job. Use common web sites such as LinkedIn and MyWorkster to find and connect with men and women you know. Seek out introductions to peers, managers and executives in your area by means of social events, specialist gatherings and existing contacts. The key here is to get your name spoken inside the valuable expert circles. If a job loss occurs your established skilled contacts and network will turn out to be increasingly valuable in acquiring new employment.
five. Develop bridges and mend fences. No matter what the circumstances it is by no means a great notion to degrade your relationships with peers or management-past or present. In tough economic times it becomes even far more important to build good quality relationships with the folks you function with and function for. Preserve in mind that lots of neighborhood IT communities are smaller and reputations follow you. The specialists that you function and interact with on a everyday basis are likely to play some portion in your future no matter whether it be a reference, a rumor, or a whisper the issues that are said about you can impact your job search. Depending on your past relationships this can be a positive step in obtaining a new job or the reason you remain unemployed. Strive to remain above reproach in each your expert and personal lives, and always take the high road. With the flood of experienced technical personnel entering the job marketplace you cannot afford to have a negative reputation accompanying you to the next job interview.
Preparing for the doable loss of employment is an critical step towards a fast transition from job seeker to new employee status. Investing a little time and power in following these recommendations can go a lengthy way in helping to preserve your IT career.