ClearRock

BOSTON - Despite conducting an active employment search, many job-seekers are still without work.  While they should never give up, some may want to think about taking time out to better position themselves for what may be an improved job market later this year, according to ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm headquartered in Boston.
 
There have been various indications that the job market is slowly improving, and may be in better shape during the second half of the year.  The number of job openings has been increasing, with an average of 5.4 job-seekers for every available position in March, down from 6 candidates per opportunity the previous month, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, several surveys have been forecasting a better employment environment in a few months.

"The likelihood of more job opportunities a few months from now will be small comfort to those who are currently economically distressed.  However, taking time to re-focus and better position themselves now for future opportunities, if they are able to do this, can work to their advantage," said Annie Stevens, managing partner with ClearRock.
 
"This can relieve some of the stress and tension from a search, especially if job-seekers have been having limited success, and may have to try another approach.  Refining a job-search will allow them to step back and examine what is working and what is not - as well as what they really want to do with their lives, rather than simply finding a job like the ones they used to have," said Stevens.
 
"Re-focusing and re-positioning a job search will also enable people to more fully explore entrepreneurial ventures and consulting, contract, or part-time opportunities," added Greg Gostanian, managing partner with ClearRock.

"Stretching out the time frame may relieve some of the pressure on those they come into contact with as potential employers and networking contacts.  Many employers and networking contacts have been besieged by job-seekers who have grown increasingly frustrated and pressing," said Gostanian.
 
"Keep in mind that there have been predictions before that the job market would improve in a few months, only to see those speculations dashed.  So, those who have been putting off conducting an active job search, or addressing problems that have cropped up in one, may risk still facing a shaky employment environment," added Gostanian.

ClearRock recommends that job-seekers take the following steps to re-focus and reposition an employment search:

• Adopt a less-urgent tone when talking with networking contacts and potential employers.  Job-seekers should convey what their time frame is.  Direct conversations accordingly and schedule appointments appropriately.
• Concentrate on building references, as well as using their career networks to secure referrals.  Almost one-third of people who are hired from outside of companies get their jobs due to referrals from current employees.  Also, referrals from satisfied former clients and customers are consistently the top way of getting other business.
• Lay the right groundwork for effectively working with executive recruiters.  As the economy improves, the number of people hired through recruiters will increase, particularly for higher-salaried executive and management jobs.  Start deleting your resume from numerous job boards to become a more exclusive candidate.  Recruiters are most interested in placing people who cannot easily be found through other sources.  
• Focus on one or two specific deliverables that will separate them from the majority of job applicants.  Develop a distinguishing employment brand. This should include the capabilities and achievements that make them stand out from everyone else, and which would have an immediate impact on a new employer.
• Improve face-to-face contact.  The average job-seeker doesn't spend as much time or attention to building a network of job-search contacts as he or she does to developing a resume.  Face-to-face networking meetings are usually the most productive, and networking remains the most effective job-search method, with about 7 out of 10 people getting their next jobs through networking.