In the Face of Changing Times,
Flexibility is a Critical Weapon

by E. René Hart, CPRW

Someone asked me what I thought was the #1 key to success in a job search. There are so many different components to coordinating a successful search that it's hard to narrow it down to just one.

With recent layoffs announced from some of the country's biggest companies, however, we are seeing the return of the type of labor market prevalent 10 years ago, one that requires a drastically different approach. More than a quarter of a million employees have been downsized in recent months, and every week another company adds its name to the list.

When faced with a recessionary environment like the one we're seeing in 2001, the #1 key to success is FLEXIBILITY. Just a few months ago, job seekers ruled the market and, if their skills warranted, they could wield quite a bit of negotiating power over an employer desperate for qualified talent. During a recession, however, job seekers typically don't have as many choices and must be much more flexible with their expectations.

The "one size fits all" approach of generic resume and cover letter writing won't work in a tight labor market. You must be willing to create a more customized approach with your resume and cover letter presentations, honing in on each employer's needs and fully illustrating your capacity to provide solutions. This means you'll be doing more research into the company, identifying where its core needs lie and promoting those aspects of your skills and expertise that directly address those needs.

If your skills are lacking in some areas, you must recognize that additional training may be required in order to get up to speed. Employers don't have the luxury of hiring someone who requires a greater learning curve; they need personnel who can hit the ground running and begin to produce results immediately.

Job seekers may also have to be flexible with regard to initial salary offerings and core job responsibilities. You might also find yourself in a position where you're forced to consider a job "lower" than what you'd might like, just to establish yourself with a company. If there is reasonable expectation that you'll be able to regain ground once you're with the company, the temporary sacrifice might be worth it in the long run.

Even without hiring freezes and layoffs, the savvy job seeker is one who does his homework, doesn't rely on second-best to get the job done, and formulates a focused plan of attack in accomplishing the ultimate goal, whether that be advancement within a company or a position with another organizaiton. If you're a victim of a downsizing initiative, take full advantage of the outplacement opportunities provided to you, but don't be afraid to seek outside assistance in the form of a career counselor, interview coach, or resume writer. These professionals can be your strongest ally when facing a tightening labor market.

Copyright 2002 E. René Hart