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The numbers are staggering: The Labor Department
just reported 598,000 job losses in January 2009, the
worst one-month decline in 35 years, with the
overall unemployment rate now at a whopping 7.6
percent - the highest since 1992. To date, a total of 3.6 million jobs have been lost during this recession.
"Add to that millions more who, out of desperation, are working part instead of full time or have fallen off the unemployment payroll completely, and the full extent of the crisis hits home," notes BusinessSuccessCoach.net CEO John M. McKee, among America's leading career coaches and author of Career Wisdom - 101 Proven Ways to Ensure Workplace Success.
To help the throngs who now or will soon find themselves without a job to report to, McKee offers these 7 tips to help the currently and impending unemployed persevere through - and even make the most of - this difficult time:
1. Consider going solo
Given the amount of dramatic changes affecting organizations and businesses across all sectors, it may be extremely difficult and perhaps impossible to replace your job when it's lost. Now is the time to think outside of the box. This might just be the turning point opportunity you need to follow a dormant dream to open your own business. Services are still required by organizations and individuals alike, and filling those needs as an entrepreneur may be more satisfying than re-entering the work force.
2. Understand the outsourcing threat
If you do choose the corporate route, determine whether or not a change of specialty will better satisfy both personally and professionally. However, now more than ever jobs that were rarely if ever contracted or outsourced have gone that route. If your particular job skills could be done by others via a computer, even overseas, it's time to rethink your career plan. Lawyers, journalists, accountants, radiologists, and other professionals are finding out that they're no longer "safe" amid organizations looking for ways to reduce labor expenses.
3. Do a self-SWOT analysis
For decades, SWOT analysis has been a basic, straightforward model providing strategic direction to organizations worldwide. By assessing a business entity's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, SWOT analysis serves to maximize a business' chance for success. In the same manner, unemployed individuals should perform a Self-SWOT analysis to identify intrinsic qualities (strengths and weaknesses) that may help or hinder them both in their quest to get back into the workforce AND in the workplace, itself, as well as external issues (opportunities and threats) that may work for or against them in these same regards.
4. Update your skill set
With unemployment now at record highs, there is far more demand for jobs than supply. Not staying on par with others vying for the same job(s) will be a death knell. Take seminars, coursework or leverage other skill enhancement vehicles to get on the leading edge and, thus, maximize your personal value with prospective employers. Strive for your resume to show that you can do various types of work to improve the odds of a job offer.
5. Create a "Personal Action Plan"
Even in difficult times, there are many who thrive despite economic downturns, business closures, and other tumultuous events solely because they have defined goals and strategies. One way to achieve this is with a "Personal Action Plan," which takes into account the three different facets of life: the professional self, who earns a living; the personal self, who does things for sheer satisfaction; and the financial self, who understands and manages money for both the short and long term. Addressing each of these life elements as a projection of what you want will better assure they manifest.
6. Network online
Now more than ever those in a hiring position are looking to social media to qualify suitable candidates and weed out those who may simply look good on paper. Join social networking sites like Linked In, Plaxo, Facebook and others that provide real opportunity to easily share information and network with peers and prospective employers near and far. Beyond just posting your resume, these sites allow you to express who you are and showcase what you have to offer with far more depth, whether through videos, blog posts or other Web 2.0 strategies that hiring managers and business contacts will appreciate.
7. Stay busy
Going from full speed in a full time job to complete stop at home can be demoralizing and counterproductive. It's true that the more we do, the more we can do. Invest some of your free time in your local community by volunteering. You'll be helping others less fortunate while keeping yourself motivated. You'll also establish new relationships and cultivate existing relationships while your out and about, which could result in an unexpected opportunity or inspired business idea.
Socializing on a Shoestring
How to Wine and Dine Customers
in Tough Economic Times
The economy is in turmoil and your budget is restricted. Yet socializing with your customers is still an important way to cultivate business. But how do you continue to entertain business clients and still be fiscally responsible?
According to business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, author of NewRules@Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead, you don't have to spend a small fortune to have a good meal. "You just need to do it smartly," Pachter says. "You can still be a gracious host and stay within a budget."
Pachter offers these nine tips for socializing when funds are tight:
1. Pick the restaurant carefully. There are many excellent restaurants at different price ranges. Get recommendations from other people, visit the restaurant yourself, or check the menu prices on the restaurant's web site. You can also explain your choice to your guest by saying something like, "I know this great Italian restaurant. It has excellent calamari which I know is one of your favorite dishes."
2. Make suggestions in the mid-price range. As a host it is your responsibility to make recommendations to your guest. You don't have to recommend just the most expensive items.
3. Don't order the specials unless you know the price. Many waiters don't give the price when telling you their specials of the night. It can be uncomfortable to ask the price of an item in front of your guest. Specials can cost from 10 - 40 percent more than the regular menu items.
4. Manage the ordering of the wine. Learn a little about wine so you can take charge of the ordering of the wine. There are lots of good wines at reasonable prices. Check the wine list. It is often posted on the restaurant's web site or you can talk to the wine steward ahead of time. If you turn the wine choice over to your guest, he/she may order a much more expensive wine than you would have chosen.
5. Preorder the dinner, if hosting a number of people. You can usually pick three entrees ahead of time. Many restaurants will print a special menu for your guests. Speak to waiters before the meal and instruct them not to refill the wine glasses unless the glass is empty or the guest has asked for more. Waiters will pour freely,increasing your bill, unless instructed not to do so.
6. Stay sober. It is easy to lose control and forget your budget if you have had too much to drink. Order a drink you don't like and you can nurse it all evening.
7. Discreetly use any coupons you may have. With sales down, many restaurants are offering discount coupons. You can arrange ahead of time to have the check paid away from the table so your guest does not see the bill paying.
8. Be gracious yet set some limits when your guests want to continue the evening. You can take your guests to the bar or another location, explain why you can't stay (make it a good reason-early meeting), but buy the first round before you excuse yourself.
9. It doesn't always have to be dinner. Lunch and even breakfast can provide an opportunity to socialize with your customers during a less expensive meal.
About the Author
Barbara Pachter is a speaker, coach and author of numerous business books, including The Power of Positive Confrontation ($14.95, paperback, Marlowe & Co.) and When the Little Things Count ($13.95, paperback, Marlowe & Co.). She specializes in business etiquette and communication, and teaches dining/etiquette for companies worldwide. Her client list features major organizations, including Microsoft, Pfizer, Chrysler, Cisco and Genentech.
