Time to be different, not just efficient

2008 is over but has not left a very great feeling for the people world over with the worries of recession and global slowdown taking the front seat everywhere. The discussions are centered on layoffs, cost cutting, and closures. In midst of all this finding a job seems like a Herculean task for freshers and even who lost their jobs.

If you are a fresh graduate hunting for job or have been laid off, you need to understand that you are not the only one. Globally, thousands have been laid off and young jobseekers are becoming skeptical about the job market. Move ahead with a positive and affirmative approach and leaving depression and negativity behind. Below are a few tips to follow while hunting for a job in the present scenario:

1. Look for the right company first and then apply for job: Yes, don't just apply for any job vacancy that comes across you. With this you may think that at this stage you really don’t have a liberty to have choices but don’t make a mistake of landing up in wrong job in haste. Search for the right job and profile for you. Explore the future prospects of the company, do a proper research on the company financials - Profitability, revenue graph, cash. Explore your own potentials. Prepare yourself well for the job you are about to apply so that you regret post joining.

2. Explore industries and sectors in growth and specializations: Look out for industries / sectors that are still growing or are predicted to grow during recession. Currently BPM, Healthcare and Education are performing very well. This will increase your chances of finding a new job and decrease or eliminate your chances of getting laid off again during difficult economic crises.

3. Write the Perfect Resume: Job hunting starts with a Perfect Resume. You can also try and enhance your skills to make the resume more worthy for the job that you are applying for.

4. Prepare yourself for the interview: Once you have found the right company and have applied for the job vacancy with your best resume, prepare yourself for the interview. Study the company and position you have applied for. Gain all the required information and knowledge and be 100% confident. This will enable you to reply intelligently quoting examples of the company while answering the question giving the interviewer a chance to gauge your knowledge on the hiring firm.

5. Be Active and Flexible: Once you pass the interview and are handed over the joining letter, it is time to celebrate. But this time, try to be very-very active and flexible in your job. Participate in all company activities and be honest and hardworking in improving the productivity of the company. Be an asset to the company by contributing innovative ideas for the development of the firm. Present yourself as a business developer. Never say NO. A job is a job. Be prepared to travel. Be prepared to visit customers.

6. Keep enhancing your skills: To make yourself a candidate of choice for the employer, the key is updation of your skill sets. Knowledge never goes waste so new certifications, degrees, programs can actually differentiate you with others at your level. In fact utilize the time that you have before getting a job in further education or gaining new skills so that you can present yourself as a future asset for the company. If you are in technology than keep yourself abreast of the latest technologies and growing trends. Web2.0. Collaboration tools, social networking, mobile convergence are changing how we live. Try and specialize in these areas and will help you find a job with relative ease

“Time to be different, not just efficient”. This is right time for all of us to introspect ourselves on the current skills and move forward. Nothing is impossible if you have the determination to WIN.