After going through several job transitions over the years in various states around the country, Paul Cronin identified the following five stages one must go through to regain employment:
1. Deal with your emotions first. Allow some time for grieving, but don't let this control your search.
2. Create a marketing document that describes your next job as you see it. This practice focuses you [and or a professional writer] on getting the job you want.
3. Seek help from a professional resumé writing service. You might be satisfied with how your self-written resumé displays your skills and qualifications. But you probably don't know what it is exactly that hiring managers want to see. Should your profile be functional or chronological? One page or two pages? Consult an expert.
4. Develop an "elevator pitch," a 30- to 60-second statement that addresses who you are, what you're looking for, and what it is you have that qualifies you to do the job best. If you enter into a conversation with a hiring manager, you'd want to have those features in your pocket. Think about how you would respond concisely to interview questions. Using a preparation tool you prefer, identify the most likely questions. Practice your response - don't memorize - so your responses come naturally.
5. Finally, start networking. It's kind of like fishing: You want to have as many lines in the water as possible. But don't waste your time where you know there aren't any fish. Networking is the number one source for finding new jobs. Headhunters are next in line, but that's a completely different process; they won't help if you're looking to change careers, for example. They want round pegs in round holes. Recruiters look for the top 10 to 15 percent in certain areas to market as a commodity to differentiate themselves as recruiters. They're working for the employer - not you.
