| As the economic downturn continues the effect is | | | | New certifications or training, promotions or change in |
| obvious: thousands of Information Technology jobs | | | | responsibility, and new hands-on experience are all |
| have been lost with more downsizing expected as | | | | examples of the important details you want to share. |
| the new year progresses. As IT professionals we are | | | | The goal here is to provide sufficient information so |
| all worried about the impact a possible job loss will | | | | that when a new opportunity arises the recruiter or |
| have on our families, our careers and our futures. | | | | recruiting firm has you in mind due to your recent |
| There are several steps you should be taking, | | | | conversations. |
| whether or not you are worried about the status of | | | | 4. Build your personal network. Now is the time to |
| your employment, to prepare for the eventuality of | | | | increase the size of your personal network. When |
| a job loss. These are simple, common-sense | | | | seeking new employment your personal contacts can |
| recommendations that are too often taken for | | | | prove to be the key to returning to work. The larger |
| granted until we realize that the unthinkable has | | | | your personal network the better the odds of |
| occurred. | | | | obtaining quality leads and advanced word of new |
| 1. Have an updated resume prepared. Obviously, the | | | | opportunities. Building your personal network takes |
| wrong time to work on your resume is immediately | | | | work but is not a difficult task. Use popular sites such |
| after the loss of your job. Emotions and anger can | | | | as LinkedIn and MyWorkster to find and connect |
| easily influence your critical thinking and writing skills | | | | with people you know. Seek out introductions to |
| and this can be reflected in your resume. The rush of | | | | peers, managers and executives in your area through |
| panic to find a new job can impact the style and | | | | social events, professional gatherings and existing |
| flow of information in your resume, as well. For these | | | | contacts. The key here is to get your name spoken |
| reasons you should be continually updating and | | | | within the important professional circles. If a job loss |
| polishing your resume to ensure it reflects the best | | | | occurs your established professional contacts and |
| of your abilities and personality. You should ask | | | | network will become increasingly important in finding |
| several trusted mentors or peers to review your | | | | new employment. |
| resume and ask that they provide honest feedback. | | | | 5. Build bridges and mend fences. No matter what the |
| Remember that maintaining your resume is an | | | | circumstances it is never a good idea to degrade |
| ongoing process and there is always room for | | | | your relationships with peers or management-past or |
| improvement. | | | | present. In tough economic times it becomes even |
| 2. Collect new quality references and verify existing | | | | more important to build quality relationships with the |
| references. Similar to the resume, the wrong time to | | | | people you work with and work for. Keep in mind |
| seek out professional written or verbal references is | | | | that many local IT communities are small and |
| immediately following the loss of your job. Start | | | | reputations follow you. The professionals that you |
| collecting professional references now. When you are | | | | work and interact with on a daily basis are likely to |
| embroiled in emotion it can negatively impact the | | | | play some part in your future; whether it be a |
| tone in your voice as well as your writing. When | | | | reference, a rumor, or a whisper the things that are |
| requesting a reference you need to convey a | | | | said about you can impact your job search. |
| professional and upbeat image to the person you are | | | | Depending on your past relationships this can be a |
| asking to supply the reference. If an explanation is | | | | positive step in obtaining a new job or the reason |
| warranted, let the prospective reference know that | | | | you remain unemployed. Strive to remain above |
| you are not actively seeking a new job but rather | | | | reproach in both your professional and personal lives, |
| taking proactive steps to prepare in case a job loss | | | | and always take the high road. With the flood of |
| occurs. This is also the time to reach out to past and | | | | experienced technical personnel entering the job |
| current references to reaffirm their ability and | | | | market you can't afford to have a negative |
| willingness to provide a good reference on your | | | | reputation accompanying you to the next job |
| behalf. | | | | interview. |
| 3. Reconnect with technical recruiters and contract | | | | Preparing for the possible loss of employment is an |
| firms. If you have used technical recruiters or | | | | important step towards a quick transition from job |
| recruiting/contract firms to find employment in the | | | | seeker to new employee status. Investing a little |
| past it is important to reach out to these individuals | | | | time and energy in following these recommendations |
| early. While you may not want to submit your | | | | can go a long way in helping to maintain your IT |
| resume or begin a job search at this time you do | | | | career. |
| want the recruiters to know your current status. | | | | |