by Mary Clark

Created on: January 22, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2011

With an economic outlook that remains in a downward spiral, more and more individuals face lay offs. Where do you turn and how do you cope with searching for employment in a market full of slim-pickings, well, I can tell you one thing, you don't sit at the house feeling sorry for yourself. You become an aggressive campaign manager, a tooth and nail promoter seeking to win a financially secure title match for yours truly.

For the average Joe, be prepared to have a case of sore knuckles from knocking on doors. You may even wear out a few pairs of shoes as you tackle the task of searching for gainful employment. There are steps you may take to pack more punch to your search efforts though.

Know the economic market in your area. If the local factories are experiencing a slow down, they are not likely to be looking to add new employees on at this time so you can give them a pass on this search. Look at the businesses in your area. Make note of which ones remain busy. They are you best targets in a slow economy. Read the paper, not the want ads. The paper is a good source of information for companies receiving new contracts with local businesses or government agencies and they are the companies that more than likely would be looking to add a few able-bodied workers to their crews.

Middle management professionals are some of the hardest hit recipients of unemployment. Companies, in an effort to lower operating costs, are scaling back their payroll and middle management positions have taken a significant slice of the lay off axe.

This group had to broaden their search parameters considerably in order to locate a position. Even those fortunate enough to secure another position may find that it is at a much lower salary than they previously earned and required a longer commute than desired. Those less fortunate take menial positions they are over-qualified for while they continue to search for a position that measures up with their previous post. Others cannot even find a menial job because of their qualifications. These individuals remain tethered to their unemployment benefits while they continue to search for gainful employment.

In slow times, the person who provides an edge, or gets a leg up on other applicants lands the job. Be impeccable, but honest. Leave a business card at every location where you have applied and always say thank you, even if you are applying for a minimum wage position.

I know a man named David, who landed his new position because of a unique thank you card he sent to each company that interviewed him. This card gave David his edge over hundreds of other applicants vying for the same position. As David prepared to enter the building before his interview, he asked a stranger on the street to take a picture of his smiling face and professional appearance as he approached the building. He then printed a thank you card using the photo he took which allowed him a distinctive opportunity to get his face in front of those who interviewed him again. He wrote a personal note to each man and women who interviewed him and enclosed a copy of his business card. Before long, David not only had a new position, he actually climbed the corporate ladder while doing so, all because of the one of a kind manner in which he promoted himself.

Hard times call for hard measures and having a passive nature about advertising your abilities will only keep you standing in line, the unemployment line that is.

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