How to Find a Job in a Down Market

As a freelance writer and editor who’s pretty well plugged in to most of the goings on in the advertising, marketing and digital media industries, I will often get requests from people in the industry who have lost their job to help them find a new one. Just this morning, I learned of two more people in our personal circle who have lost their jobs. So I thought the time was right for a blog post that discusses all the ideas that I generally recommend to people who email me.

When looking for your next great career move:

1) Don’t limit yourself to your local market. Do you work in the kind of field that would allow you to telecommute? If so, consider working for companies in California, Canada, Chicago, or anywhere that is too far to drive to. Don’t be afraid to submit your resume for a full-time position is Timbuktu and tell them all the benefits 1) of you and 2) of why they should hire you to work remotely (less overhead, less wear and tear on the environment because you won’t be driving to work). Be willing to travel to the office 2-4 times a year, but make sure it is clear that it is on their dime.

2) Don’t limit yourself just to the ads you find in the classifieds. Choose the top 10 to 20 companies you would most like to work for and contact them. Tell them that you’d like to discuss how you can [fill in the blank: grow their business, strengthen their team, etc.]

3) Consider freelancing. I’ve met freelance data analysts, direct marketers, even contract CMOs. Anything that you can do full time you can freelance. In this tough market, all companies are likely downsizing a little. But they will still have projects that need to be managed — they just can’t afford to pay benefits or pay full-time staff. While you may ultimately want a full-time job, consider offering your services as a freelancer to leading companies. Tell them they’ll get best-of-breed services without having to pay for benefits or a full-time salary.

4) If the company that recently laid you off or is planning on letting you go is running or sponsoring an conference or trade show, negotiate a free ticket so you can scower the exhibit hall or network the sessions to find yourself a new job. Companies will rarely turn down this type of request due to the guilt alone.

5) Reach out to all your existing contacts, including: vendors, PR reps, friends, family members, church members, your son’s baseball coach. You have a network. Don’t be afraid to use it.

6) Finally, step outside your career box to see how your strengths would fit another industry…and they will. You just need to see yourself differently. If you’re in sales, you can sell anything. If you’re a marketer, you can market anything. Tell them why and how everything you’ve ever learned would be a great fit for them.

I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck to all of you who are currently or may become unemployed. I’ve been there too many times to remember so I completely understand. Go get ’em!

Please check out my novel, In Fashion's Web on Amazon.