Downtimes are Uptimes!

Getting that job - in a depressed market!

EVERYBODY says that the recession is receding, so why is it so difficult to get that dream job?

While it is true that things are improving in the market, the wise are still waiting and watching before embarking on major hires and on beefing up their staff strength. The only people who can't see the improvement are those freshly qualified people who just don't seem to find the job of their choice. From researches and from reluctantly divulged figures (by the Labour Ministry) unemployment is the only growth industry in the country! At any given time there are several million professionally qualified people looking for jobs. Being a statistic in the Ministry of Labour and Personnel Affairs still has not, so far, put food on the table. You are qualified and need the job you have been trained for, and quickly, I mean, one would like to make all those study hours pay for themselves at last! You need to step out into that formerly recessionary world and get that wary watcher, that frightened fence sitter, to hire you! Easily said but as the saying goes, kind words don't butter any parsnips! Still, being a professional hirer for several companies, I share with you things you can do that will help you to fetch in that pay packet every month!

New bottles

You could start by re-vamping your risumi. The style and format doesn't change because the market is shaky, what you write in it does! You need to help the reader decide whether you fit in with what is on offer in his firm. Dwell lovingly on what you have done rather than what you may be able to do. Your former designation may mean something significant to you, it will not to him! Try and convey what you can do for the firm, not what the firm can do for you! Remember, in a difficult economy, companies are looking for people who can do many things at once (why hire three people when one can more or less do the same job?). Flexibility in capability is an advantage, and if you have it, a new, improved CV is the place to say it! You need to demonstrate that they will actually save money by hiring you!

Boning up or busting out!

If you have no more than one skill, (highly unlikely) its time you boned up and acquired one (or more)! Remember, times are different and there are droves of others out there trying to get their oars in before you do! The competition is fierce and you need to stand out! Attend courses, become really good at things in which others are merely competent. If its, say, PowerPoint, demonstrate that you can churn out superlative presentations, not plain vanilla versions! Take a course or two on emerging technology, so that you'll be a natural hire rather than a serendipitous one! If you are a marketer, try and become an expert on international business and the export market, learn about the systems and procedures of conveyance of goods and the legalities involved even though you may never need to deal with that aspect of the business. Employers are impressed with people who know more than they need to!Spreading the word around

This is a really good time to call in all the favours you can. People you know are the people who can help. Our country is one that epitomises the recommendation in letters of gold! One gets jobs through these letters and phone calls, in many instances; one gets jobs because of these! Actually, in many cases, this is not such a bad thing as it works to the advantage of the employer as well as the candidate. A trusted source of candidates is halving the work of an organisation's HR department. References checks are not difficult and the applicant will always be `so-and-so's candidate'. The way to go about doing this is to first list the companies you are thinking of. Next, find out the names of people in your circle of friends and relations who are somebody, or who knows somebody in those companies. This should be followed up by a couple of strategic phone calls and perhaps a letter, though I am more sanguine when I don't get a written recommendation, and am happy with a phone call or two. However, a letter of introduction does the job quite nicely. Remember that most jobs are filled through word of mouth, rather than through due process!

Willing and thrilling!

People today don't look only at your qualifications; they look at your attitude too! In fact, it is the main trigger of any hire- decision today! You need to behave and look hirable if you want to be hired. You should exude enthusiasm and display proactivity in every action of yours. I don't mean you need to be an eager beaver; you need to look ready to face all newcomers and have a visible desire to come out on top! You have to have the look that you can do the job and would enjoy yourself in the process. Your cup of self-confidence must run over and your `zing' should carry the day. Don't forget, there are droves of candidates with your qualifications; the hire- decision will depend solely on the picture you present. Talk to people, be communicative, and be interesting! Its not untrue when its said that only jokers get jobs, its true, people who display a sense of humour are seven times more likely to be hired than those who present a lugubrious attitude! Everybody knows that life is not wholly hunky-dory, so don't rub it in! Be positive!

Belief for relief!

Despite the economy being in shreds, once the employer has decided that you fit the bill, don't undermine yourself by accepting a cut-rate compensation. You are a multi-tasking extraordinaire, you are enthusiastic and you are blessed with a great attitude. Remember that the company is looking for the exact match and you are he! The only thing that can go wrong is yourself and your thoughts. You might spoil the pitch by asking for less because you feel that the market will not support your profile. Rubbish! The reason they are hiring you is because you appear as if you are going to do the work of more than one person and that you will generate more that seven times your cost to them, they'd much rather keep you happy from the start than expect you to be happy with cut rates!

Do yourself a favour, ask for and get what you deserve! Good economy or bad!

S. RAMANUJACHARYA

professor1@sify.com