Hints for the newly or soon-to-be laid off

**Boudicca** · 02-08-09, 08:32 AM

Really basic advice from someone who is hiring right now, albeit for really specialized jobs.

1. Spell check your resume

2. Tailor your resume for the company you are applying for. There's nothing more likely to get you ignored than saying you've always respected CostCo as a company, when you are actually writing to Wal-Mart

3. Do not leave the edits in from the previous application letter. Always cut and paste what you are writing into a new document so the "show edits" feature of Microsoft Word does not show the edits.

4. Keep that letter short and relevant. Don't ramble on over 2-3 pages.

5. If you get an interview, show up on time, and looking professional.

6. To paraphrase" Ask not what the job can do for you, tell me clearly what you can do for the job. I am always amazed at otherwise qualified candidates who damn themselves when they start an interview saying "this job will be good for me because I need the experience" rather than "I will be good for this job because I have the experience."

Good luck.

**OldRoadGuy** · 02-13-09, 06:59 PM

Good thread. I'll be putting the tips to work on Monday.
Got my walking papers today.

**TruckerMike** · 02-14-09, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Boudicca

Really basic advice from someone who is hiring right now, albeit for really specialized jobs.

3. Do not leave the edits in from the previous application letter. Always cut and paste what you are writing into a new document so the "show edits" feature of Microsoft Word does not show the edits

Good luck.

I'll do one better: don't leave #3 to chance, send only PDF's of your letters. There's no way the PDF can be wrong, but there's a dozen ways the versions of MS work etc can screw you (ie how it looks on your screen isn't the same as where you send it). Don't leave this to chance.

**Juha** · 02-16-09, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by TruckerMike

I'll do one better: don't leave #3 to chance, send only PDF's of your letters. There's no way the PDF can be wrong, but there's a dozen ways the versions of MS work etc can screw you (ie how it looks on your screen isn't the same as where you send it). Don't leave this to chance.

Also, I know people (mostly in the academic/IT field) who actually get irritated when everyone assumes MS file formats are somehow universal. If MS is not mentioned, and if letters are actually requested by e-mail, using PDF is a neutral choice.

--J

**clutchy** · 03-03-09, 10:25 PM

you have anywhere between 5 and 10 seconds to catch their attention before they move on to the next piece of paper.

I recommend putting up a section at the top called "exemplary qualifications" or something to that effect, and then bullet about 6-8 top items from your resume that would be interesting or valid for this particular employer.

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

**Mr. Markets** · 03-11-09, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Markets

My "Hints on how to write a resume" thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=506379

Originally Posted by clutchy

you have anywhere between 5 and 10 seconds to catch their attention before they move on to the next piece of paper.

I recommend putting up a section at the top called "exemplary qualifications" or something to that effect, and then bullet about 6-8 top items from your resume that would be interesting or valid for this particular employer.

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLET: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

covered in the thread about how to write a resume...

**clutchy** · 03-11-09, 01:15 PM

sorry ****** i usually don't read stickies.

**varminter** · 03-22-09, 02:31 AM

invest in more guns.

**OldRoadGuy** · 03-23-09, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by whowantsit

i quit my job over a year ago and have been enjoying being unemployed since. all while collecting a cool $200 a week from the feds. i am going to guatemala in a month for the whole summer. seems like most people in this country have it assbackwards. sucks for them.

Wait till you get the "lowlife's sucking on the teats of the system" comments.

I kinda like your idea better at this point.

**OldRoadGuy** · 03-23-09, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by whowantsit

hey, i totally qualify for all the benefits i receive (unemployment, foodstamps, etc.). in their eyes i am a poor jobless kid in a ****ty economy. it's their fault for not having strict enough oversight that i can just slip through unnoticed. i just bought a $600 dollar wheelset the other day. the joke is on them.

Even so (I qualify too - got laid off 6 weeks ago) there's been posts that have
stated any job is better than unemployment because it's as if you were choosing
to live on welfare. Generally those posts are by currently employed peeps.
They may think differently when they get their turn at unemployment.

I think I'm going to do some traveling to a cheaper country too for a bit. Maybe
when I get back the job market will be better.

EatMyA** · 03-23-09, 06:34 PM

subscribed

**OldRoadGuy** · 03-23-09, 07:41 PM

looks like some post have gone bye bye ^^^^^ hmmmm.

**snapaddict** · 03-25-09, 01:26 PM

sorry. im back.

**greenpeppers** · 05-10-09, 01:50 PM

Don't ever forget what the three Fs stand for!

Free
Fun
&
****

**merckx_rider** · 05-11-09, 10:05 AM

"Don't ever forget what the three Fs stand for!"

I heard a (very) different version of that one

**hnsq** · 05-11-09, 10:28 AM

In the last two months my 401k has been cut completely and my pay (well, everyone's pay) has been cut as well.

I am not unemployed (yet), but the possibility of layoffs is real every day.

Some advice for those of you who are (like me) trying to cling to a job: Don't mess with office politics. Just do your job and do it well. Most (good) managers can see who is just sucking up to keep the job, and who spends their time working instead of talking about the VP's kids' dance recital...

Work extra without complaining/asking for pay. Right now this is my 'lunch break'. Everyone else I work with is still out taking an hour for lunch while I am working through it. I don't make a big deal out of it, but I know my boss can see that I take a 5 min break to surf the net instead of an hour to go somewhere for lunch. Do what you can (yes, even if it means working 50 hours for a job where you are paid to work 40) to make yourself indespensible. Hopefully when the layoffs do come the extra work will be worth it to still have a job.

**greenpeppers** · 05-11-09, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by merckx_rider

"Don't ever forget what the three Fs stand for!"

I heard a (very) different version of that one

what;s your version?

**Hida Yanra** · 06-18-09, 03:20 PM

Never
Never
Never give up

I got hired today- two days short of 6 months without work... and I wasn't eligible for unemployment.
Keep working and talking to everyone you can. You'll get there.

**MillCreek** · 06-18-09, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hida Yanra

Never
Never
Never give up

I got hired today- two days short of 6 months without work... and I wasn't eligible for unemployment.
Keep working and talking to everyone you can. You'll get there.

Quoted for truth! For me, it was five months and I was not eligible for unemployment either, since I resigned in order to receive a severance package. The package was more than I would have received in unemployment.

Keep plugging away.

**TexasKid** · 06-22-09, 09:01 PM

I'm looking for a licensed, experience, P&C insurance producer.... in Texas. DFW area preferably. PM me for more info.

**Mr. Markets** · 06-23-09, 01:34 AM

The MOTHER-LOAD of on-line unemployment links:

http://www.examiner.com/x-11194-Clev...-without-a-job

lots of links in here...

like, oh, say, a hundred!

**patentcad** · 07-05-09, 02:48 PM

I can't believe it, but I finally agree with Markets on something.

Good thread.

**TechKnowGN** · 07-10-09, 09:02 AM

Whoever said it above is right: Don't give up!!

I wasn't unemployed, but moving to the very competitive market in Boston, where I didnt have the failsafe of hundreds of contacts like I had here in CBus.

Today i found out I got the job i wanted, and a raise to boot. There are good jobs you just have to find them, work hard, and have some luck on your side. I wound up going through 8 total interviews for this job, plus a huge application, actual background and reference checks, etc.

**ThinLine** · 07-12-09, 06:21 AM

Thank You

**Mr. Markets** · 07-16-09, 01:41 AM

I have always had a saying about employment markets:

Employers first like to hire the "best of the best"
Then they fill in with the "best of the rest"
And finally, they get down to the "rest of the rest"

When they have to cut back, it goes in reverse order.

If you are the first one out, and you were not the last one in, you better figure out how you
fit into those categories and why. It may not help with the reference this time around, but it
sure will help when you get that new position.

Another saying I have always had is "attitude is 80% of every job"
No one wants to work with a genius with a chit attitude, but anyone will step up to help train
someone who is sharp and willing and friendly all the time.

Finally...

Keep in mind the job market is always in flux. Yes, some jobs disappear forever (like buggy whip
makers), but many jobs that go have transferrable skills. It really is a full-time job to get a full-time
job so keep at it and network network network.

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