It's a Jungle Out There! How to Survive in Today's Job Market

Losing a Job Can Happen to Anyone

According to Money magazine, 61% of American workers will be out of work for at least a full year during the course of their careers. Another statistic: Today's college grads will likely change jobs 10 or more times before they retire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 1.7 million Americans were laid of or fired in January 2019 alone.

You Can Lose Your Job When You Least Expect It

Our clients, who are largely in managerial, professional, sales, engineering, medical, or executive roles, often experience layoffs and unexpected terminations at the worst possible times... For example, one client was "let go" from an executive-level hospitality position after moving here from the West Coast a year before. She had just bought an Uptown home when she was terminated (that story had a very happy ending based on some specific help we were able to give her). Similarly, another client had landed a great job on the Northshore and had just purchased a home when he was called into the office and lost his job.

Job Loss Can Occur Due to a Variety of Factors

One factor we are increasingly seeing is age discrimination. Older, more expensive employees are pushed out based on "reorganization" or sometimes terminated due to perceived performance issues in order to hire younger, less expensive workers who may be more willing to put in extra hours. Other factors precipitating job terminations can include mergers, economic downturns, office politics, corporate relocation, or simply a boss who does not see eye to eye with you.

The Best Strategy to Survive a Job Loss

For the thousands of clients we have helped and coached, one factor has stands out above all others for those who successfully survive the jungle of the job market. That factor is PREPARATION. Successful survivors are those who don't wait for the dreaded pink slip to survey the area job market, prepare their resumes in advance, attend networking events, build up their LinkedIn networks, enroll in "continuing education" seminars, or keep a sharp eye out for potential opportunities.

The Second Best Strategy to Survive a Job Loss

Another factor that our Survivor clients share is that they build up a ton of "Career Karma" when times are good, so that when the axe falls, as it eventually may do, they are in a good position to hop into a suitable replacement job. Career Karma can include going the extra mile at your current position, gaining a reputation for dependable performance, or mentoring and helping others when they need you most.

The Best Job Jungle Equipment

Just as a traveler stranded in the jungle would give anything for a machete, flashlight, matches, a good map, canteen full of water, mosquito netting, and enough food to last awhile, there are certain tools that you will want in a hurry should you find yourself on the wrong end of a job loss... 1) Up to date resume meeting today's best practices, 2) A powerful cover letter that can be quickly adjusted for a variety of opportunities, 3) A polished, comprehensive, visually attractive LinkedIn Profile with enough content and bells and whistles to attract the best recruiters and top decision-makers, 4) Sharp, crisp, great-fitting, super-looking suit and shoes for interviews, 5) An updated list of the names, email addresses, and cellphone numbers of at least four outstanding references who can vouch for you, and 6) A continuously refined road map of the steps you are taking, day in and day out, to enhance your marketability and improve your career.

Our clients are distinguished by the knowledge that preparation and confidence are the keys to success, and they rely on Strategic Resumes & Career Coaching to give them an edge.

Grant Cooper received the Career Directors International President's Award (CDI National Conference, Orlando, FL)

Grant Cooper specializes in Reinventing Resumes, Upgrading LinkedIn Profiles, and Career Coaching for Success. Strategic Resumes & Career Coaching has assisted the U.S. Air Force, Kinko's, the Louisiana Dept. of Labor, the NFL, the NBA, as well as universities, regional banks, hospitals, celebrities, nonprofits, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and corporations. Grant's clients land competitive positions at Fortune 500 firms and attract the best offers. Contact: [email protected] or call 504-891-7222 (leave message for quick return call from Lela Neff, our Client Director)