The difference
between failure and success in
your job search is whether you
allow yourself to become a
victim or take command!
The red
warning flags were flying high,
but apparently not high enough
to prepare everyone for the
layoffs to come. And when they
hit, employees with the longest
tenure - the folks who should
have seen trouble brewing -
expressed the greatest surprise.
One senior
engineering manager at the
Houston-based construction firm
was a typical example. After 23
years with the company, he was
totally demoralized by the
downsizing. At age 58, he felt
his career was over for certain.
His first impulse was to accept
any offer that appeared, even if
it was in a lower-level position
at a reduced salary. His
objective was to try to save
enough money for retirement at
age 65.
This engineer
is one of thousands of
executives, professionals and
managers who have lost their
jobs after years of dedicated
service. Often faced with job
hunting for the first time as
seasoned contributors, they're
completely at a loss as to how
to proceed.
Ego often
plays a large role. While most
of these folks are experts in
their respective industries and
functions, they're job-hunting
novices. Uncertain of their
futures, they withdraw to lick
their wounds. This job-search
malaise is fed by the simple
search mistakes they make, as
well as the myths perpetuated by
spouses, family, friends and
former colleagues.
Understanding
the new job market and learning
effective search techniques is
the solution to overcoming such
quiet desperation. If your
career has been derailed, you
too will face this job-search
challenge. To help get back on
track and meet this daunting
task with renewed confidence,
review the following common
search mistakes, and the counter
techniques you can use to land a
challenging position.
