Recession Proof Skills for Job Hunting

"With the Recession and America on Alert, job hunters face new challenges and need new skills," says Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach and author of "Recession-Proof Skills for Job Hunting." Marcoux has spoken on this topic at Experience Unlimited (a job club for professionals under the Calif. State Employment Development Department), at 745 Franklin St., San Francisco.

"During this critical time, employees are overwhelmed with job losses and uneasiness in their jobs. New skills are urgently needed," said Tom Marcoux, guest instructor in venues, Calif. State University, Los Angeles and Stanford University, faculty instructor at Cogswell Polytechnical College, Silicon Valley. He is the author of "Communicate to Win," (required textbook at Cogswell); a member of the National Speakers Association and speaker for National Association of Broadcasters Conferences 2001, 2000. He earned a degree in psychology and television production and won a special award at the Emmy Awards. He is the President of TomMarcoux.com, Inc. Marcoux is certified to offer counseling and does one-on-one interview skills/networking skills coaching with clients. Marcoux offers these excerpts from his book, "Recession-Proof Skills for Job Hunting"

Use this acrostic, "S.K.I.L.L.S.":

1. SEEK ATTENTION

   With fewer jobs due to recession-caused cutbacks, you must stand out. Write an article for an industry newsletter - or for your own industry focused web site. For example, a friend started a web site about Java. Subsequently, he was asked to write a chapter (paid $3,000) and later a book (paid $10,000). He gained a new career.
   Many firms are requesting resumes via email. It is crucial to make your 'cover letter' email message stand out. Put your most convincing comment in the first two sentences of your email.
   The functional resume that begins with your most relevant experience is preferred over the chronological resume. For every job application, you must customize your resume like never before. Start with hard hitting facts that show you are qualified. Then toward the end of the resume, include how you are different and will be uniquely effective for the team. With his students, Marcoux recommends using an 'Honors and Awards' section near your education section in the resume.

2. KEEP 'CHAMPIONS'

   A 'champion' is someone who knows you and refers you to others in the organization. Job-seekers must network like never before. Focus on the Power 5 of networking which is '5 gentle touches': 1) meet at a networking event, 2) follow-up with email, 3) meet at a subsequent event, 4) send helpful information in email, and 5) send a postcard. To get someone to be a champion for you, you must provide the person with something helpful - perhaps, some information or a lead to a useful web site. Make a promise and come through. The top principle is: "Make it fun for people to help you." When someone says, "Why don't you try XYZ Company?", make a follow-up telephone call. Report how the suggestion worked for you - thanking the person. People feel great when their advice is followed.

3. INTENSIFY ANSWERS

   During an interview, you must respond to questions effectively with brief stories that illustrate your abilities. Prepare responses like: "Yes, at XYZ Company, I streamlined the AB procedures, saving the company 17% in MN costs." Job-seekers must rehearse - like never before. People who gain job offers are now using personal coaches to refine interviewing skills. This process is similar to media training that CEOs use to help them speak in 'sound bites.'

4. LISTEN AND ASK

   The asking process is based on the latest research. Interviewers have 'input - preferences' that are visual, auditory or kinesthetic. During the interview, ask a question like: 'In order for you to feel that someone is the ideal candidate, what has to happen?" You will hear responses like: "I need to see samples of your work" or "I need to hear comments from your clients." This interviewer has shown you the direction to take in the interview.

5. LAND VISIBLE ROLES

   Join a Toastmasters group, Experience Unlimited, or an industry association. Volunteer for a position that will make you visible. Best-selling author Brian Tracy ("Maximum Achievement") notes that the most effective people or the Top 20% of the working population never need to worry about working. These professionals invest in their continual education. Professionals also do what another best-selling author Harvey Mackay ("Swim With the Sharks") advises: they get credit for effectiveness. These professionals keep a job diary and file folder filled with delighted customer letters (which they ask for), emails from supervisors commending their work, logs of overtime, and logs of procedures they devised that became company policy.

6. SECURE A GREAT IMPRESSION

   To make a great first impression in an interview, a recession-proof job-seeker must be insightful about the interviewer's personality style. Interviewers have a driving 'director' style; a friendly 'relating' style; an expansive but non-detail conscious 'socializer' style; or an exacting 'analyzer' style. The effective job-seeker learns to mirror the personality style by demonstrating congruent behaviors and verbal tonality.

"The effective job-seeker overcomes the recession by making powerful connections with interviewers and networking in compelling ways," Marcoux said.

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