3 quick career tips for finding/keeping a job in today’s economy from Kathy Leonard, President of Freeman+Leonard.

1. Finding/Keeping a Job in Today’s Economy

2. Finding a Job in Today’s
Economy
Quick Tips
1. Be Open and Flexible
• Many times candidates have decided that they want the next job to be “perfect,” the right move to the right company where
they can settle in and experience a feeling of security. So they make a list of what they will and won’t settle for : where they
will or won’t live, how long or far they want to commute, job title they will or won’t settle for, what their base salary must be
regardless of the full compensation, etc. Unfortunately Open and Flexible are rarely on the list. So, they turn down
opportunities with good companies that are ‘perfect’ but for something not on their list.
• Offer up solutions to get yourself hired that show you are capable of not just compromise, but innovative thinking. With your
own suggestions illustrate that you’re flexible and open to new ways of working.
2. Create a Creative Bio
• Everyone must have a concise and accurate resume. It’s the cost of entry to any job and there are all kinds of suggestions for
making it better, more reflective of your achievements versus your duties, etc. But you’ve got to know that all candidates who
are being considered for the position have a resume comparable to yours. The challenge is to get your resume in the
“Interview” stack and to do that you must distinguish yourself in other ways.
• Create a persona and personality that is not evident in the standard resume through a well-crafted bio. This is not a rehash of
your resume. Your bio can be written as a narrative or any style you choose, but use it to brand yourself and create a
memorable impression as someone interesting and engaging.
3. Expect Some Help
• You have likely spent a number of years building contacts and relationships with work associates and with clients. Now is the
time to turn these people into your own personal sales force. If they haven’t looked for a job in the last couple of years, they
can expect to at some point. So, use them today and return the favor down the road. Meet face-to-face with as many as
possible. Ask for their thoughts on where you should look and specifically ask them to introduce you to individuals they know
who might further your networking efforts. This is not the time to be shy and demure.
• Build a synergistic network among business associates who are currently IN a job. Ask them to introduce you to someone they
know who might further your network of contacts and exploration of possible job opportunities that you haven’ t heard about
or that have not yet been posted. This activity of meeting old contacts and getting introduced to new people creates a synergy
around your job search, keeps you in touch with the market place and opens doors for interesting new approaches to job
opportunities.