Another thing: lift the phone. Today more than ever, candidates are afraid to call employers for fear of disturbing them. Many prefer to send an email … which will likely be relegated to oblivion with everyone else. Identify the head of the department of the company, call him. If he does not respond, repeat the exercise 2 more times. The 3rd time, leave a voicemail message and send your CV and cover letter by email. You can follow up by phone a week later. By raising the phone, you will stand out from the 90% of applicants who lacked courage.
What to say to the people I meet?
Before you meet your contacts, you need to visualize the talk you will have with them. Introduce yourself first by naming your profession. If you are asked which company you work for, simply answer that you are currently in a “career transition” and that you are “especially happy to be able to spend time“ networking ”. Take advantage of being given the floor to share your career interests and ask people in attendance if they can “guide you in your search”. Who knows, they might know THE person looking for someone like you.
Above all, NEVER show resentment or hatred towards your ex-employer or former colleagues in public. ‘Washing your dirty laundry in public’ is anything but proof of maturity. Keep your emotions in the locker room and vent them into your ‘loophole’ (see above).
Friend’s tip: don’t send a ‘mass’ email to all your contacts stating that you are on active research. This type of email looks suspiciously like a cry for help. You will look desperate and disorganized. Opt for personalized emails targeting the individuals, businesses and positions you prefer.
What can I say to the recruiter I meet for an interview?
The recruiter will want to know why you lost your job. You owe it to yourself to tell the truth because the recruiter can easily verify what you are saying. If you’ve been fired or laid off, it’s okay to mention that the company was having some difficulty and your job was cut.
If you have been fired, you will need to prepare more. Here, the choice of words becomes crucial. You must first mention that you did not “meet the requirements of the position” and that we preferred to “let you go”. You do not have to list all the potential reasons for this dismissal. Try to identify one (1) primary factor and say how this “experience” made you mature. Make sure that this factor is not directly related to the responsibilities of the position to which you are applying. Again, NEVER blame your employer or former coworkers. If you do, you will come across as a candidate who lacks professional maturity.
How can I keep my spirits up during my research?
Job hunting shouldn’t take 100% of your time. Otherwise, you will go crazy!
In your spare time, take online or in-class training. Take the opportunity to acquire new skills. Attend conferences and / or networking events. Volunteer with an association related to your field. Get out of your house.
Rest assured, a majority of workers who have gone through job loss now say they are happier in their new job. You now know the recipe to get there: a dose of courage, a touch of professional maturity, a good part of preparation and positivism at will!
Wish you our best of luck!