Resume Help Blog

Well, what we feared has suddenly happened. The Labor Department reported that the official unemployment rate for October rose from 9.8% to 10.2%, in September. (don’t be fooled, it’s actually higher) And just today they announced another 485,000 lay-offs last week. Just one week before Christmas; what a great Christmas gift! Everyone feared this was coming and just wondered how long it would take. Hundreds of thousands of people are unemployed and job opportunities on a large scale just aren’t available.

So now the next question; what are we to do now?

There seems to be a spirit of cynicism and foreboding everywhere. It’s frightening!  This is an age of political divisiveness, there is a huge dose of bashing and finger-pointing. The plain truth is we have collectively allowed our manufacturing base to be stripped away and it doesn’t look like it’s coming back any time soon.

Don’t expect Obama to rescue you, no matter what he promised in his campaign speeches. The plain truth: you’re on your own. There is no magic bullet that will solve this problem. In fact the way the current majority political party is going it just may get worse. Many of the over 15 million unemployed are not going to find a job again.  ANY job. Am I being pessimistic? I don’t believe so.

Many of our icons that we thought would be here forever are gone are on the verge of going. Many companies are barely surviving, their management are on shaky ground and know it. It’s time to change your thinking from “it’s all about me” frame mind. It’s extremely difficult when the rent’s due and you’ve had no income or possibilities. One solution remains, companies have problems to solve and if you are a problem solver you have a product to sell and lots of buyers.

Look for ways to show that you are a problem solver.  Answer this question: “How can I help them solve their problem NOW?”  This simple change in mentality serves a great purpose in your resume writing or during your job interview.

Start making a list. (be specific) Then boil it down and refine it then do it again till you are convinced it’s the best. These are problems that you’ve already solved.  This what employers will buy today. Don’t just rely on the Internet but take your message out there to the real world to get an audience.

Networking is where it happens, but that could be as simple as talking to someone in line at the supermarket or mall. You have to be “on” all the time.  So develop a great elevator pitch that’s short and sweet.  It should sound natural and reflect exactly how and why you’re a problem solver. That’s what it will take and you can do it. I have a friend who does this in California. She calls her company “Corporate Solutions”.

Not everyone is buying right now but there are jobs. And even if it’s not the ideal job it’s an opportunity for you to shine. You’ll snag one only if you’re “on” and ready to offer someone solutions for the immediate future because of problems you’ve solved in the past. So get that resume polished and I mean as the military calls it; put a “spit shine” on it.