by Julie Desmond

“We’re letting you go.” As soon as they enter the airwaves, these four little words become four-letter words, a powerhouse of evil. First, they kick you in the gut, then they whack you in the head. Soon, this simple statement has you and your ego reduced to a puddle on the sidewalk, and nothing here looks familiar, because down and out is not a place you’ve ever been before. You crawl home and wonder how you are going to recover.

Not if, but how. You who have survived the working world for ten years or more already know you are capable, talented, and flexible. You have transitioned from carbon copies to scanners and laser printers. You remember dial-up networking and offices with ashtrays. You have been the go-to on major projects and you have made many friends. You know you will succeed in your next position; the question is, how are you going to find it?

Creating a systematic approach to looking for work can give a sense of control over the unknown world that is 21st Century job searching. Lists, timelines and a compelling scoreboard will keep you from slacking off in your search. It will take some time to reach your goal; look for ways to measure progress as you move toward the finish line.

Look for work that lights you up. Make a list of the responsibilities and accomplishments you’ve had throughout your career, including volunteer contributions. With a friend, look over the list and talk about those situations that really made you grin. Where do you shine? What makes your eyes dance when you think about it? One candidate told me, “I make great pies.” She had a long-ago background in food service and the pride and pleasure of that experience was palpable. What could I say, except, “I’ll take pumpkin, please?” and “Why isn’t that on your resume?” Her search instantly turned a corner.

Today, people find work through others who know and trust them, so get comfortable talking with people about your situation. This is humbling, and invigorating. As you reach out to others for informational interviews, job leads and coffee, you will discover opportunities to help others, and you just might learn a few things about yourself and your own aspirations.

Your old job might have a new title. Today’s effective resumes utilize key words, which come directly from job descriptions. Key words are the single link between your resume and an HR manager’s electronic walk through the myriad applications stored in the company’s database. Scrutinize the descriptions of jobs you would accept, and pull words and phrases from there to spruce up your resume.

Are you overqualified? Knowing before an interview what you stand to gain from this position will keep your conversation on track. What are you hoping to learn? Where will your experience add value or address a company’s needs?

The last time you looked for work, you sent a resume in an envelope with a stamp on it. Remember stamps? This job search is going to be different. Not harder, just different.

Julie Desmond is Director of Career Search Strategy for Help Wanted! Workshop in Minneapolis. Her experience includes 15 years in employment recruiting and counseling across a wide range of industries and at all career levels. Send comments and job search questions to julie@helpwantedworkshop.com.