You can call it anything you want… “laid off”, “let go” or “downsized”… at then end, it all means the same. What matters the most is the emotional turmoil that goes through a person’s mind once the news sinks in, from self-esteem to relationships to actually being able to pay the bills, the enormous burden can be felt in every area of life. I don’t have to tell you about statistics. We are all quite familiar with this common challenge of the problematic times we are facing worldwide. But.... if you have lost your job, I’m going to ask you to read this article as you may find a couple of bits of useful information to use in your next job interview.
So, step back for a little bit, and try to see things from a different perspective.
Re-focus your mind even if for a few minutes and allow yourself to see this experience as a blessing in disguise; as a time to re-evaluate your talents and finally have the opportunity to be, do and have whatever you want in your life.
In other words, now is the time to get courageous, go out, get a job interview, or step up to a new and exciting career. Luckily, it’s not as difficult as it might seem!
You literally have thousands of resources at your fingertips to help you land a job interview for the job your dreams, and if you are willing (or able) to relocate, your options are multiplied. Besides the common sources like newspapers (especially weekend editions), your local library and the Internet, you may want to consider hiring a Head Hunter to help you get job interviews that match your talents and education. Networking groups, the gym and even your friends are good sources too. Don't be afraid to reach out in a big way!
Not sure what you want to do or how you can take your experience into a new career? A Life Coach may help with that as well. What I want to convey to you here is that no matter how terrible the horizon looks at this time, there are always better days ahead. Trust me on this.
I realize how frightening this situation can be, especially if you had been employed at the same place for several years. Hitting the job market can be intimidating indeed! So, I'm going to take you through the basics for you to remember the steps to land the job of your dreams.
Your Resume
Once you’ve found a job you are interested in, it’s time to write and submit your resume to try to get a job interview.
This may seem like a huge task, especially if you had been at your prior job for years. Thus, it is important to remember that your resume is used to represent you and sell you to a potential employer before you meet face to face. It should reflect who you are in an extremely positive light.
It should make you stand out among other applicants and urge the person in charge of hiring to want to call you first!
There are plenty of sites to help you create a winning resume. A comprehensive search and some time will get you writing your resume in no time. You may also consider hiring a professional rresume writer.
Your Cover Letter
In most cases, you will also need a cover letter to accompany your resume. In general, the cover letter should be as concise and to the point as possible. Don’t ramble on and on, let your resume do the talking. The cover letter is just a basic introduction to your resume where you can include your main qualities that make you the perfect candidate for the position you are applying for. Above it all, use very positive language and be concise.
If you don’t have a specific person you are addressing the letter to, you will want to address it to “Ladies and Gentlemen”. DO NOT address it to “To Whom It May Concern”. That is considered unprofessional and very non-businesslike.
Just as with the resume, you should proofread extensively to make sure that there are no typographical errors and that your punctuation and grammar is all correct.
Preparing for the Job Interview
A good, solid resume and cover letter will get you a job interview which is when it is your job to shine and stand out from other applicants. How do you do that? Preparation is key in the process. 
Being prepared for a job interview means knowing about the industry, the employer, and yourself. It means paying attention to details like personal appearance, punctuality, and demeanor. And it means feeling confident about your interview skills. Do your homework and be prepared!
What To Wear
First, you must dress appropriately. Generally, it's a good idea to wear a suit for a job interview or a classy dress if you are a woman. Go with something simple, in a neutral tone. The more conservative your field, the more conservative
your suit should be.
It's a good idea to match your interview attire to the prospective job. If you are applying for a job working on a warehouse floor, you will look out of place wearing a formal suit. Keeping that in mind, dress a little better than you would for a day at work and make sure your clothes are neat and clean. A good, classic style and cut for a suit is a good choice since it’s appropriate for many situations. Do not wear jeans.
In all instances, wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals are never appropriate for a job interview. And, of course… sneakers are not appropriate at all.
If you are a woman, don’t wear an excessive amount of jewelry or makeup. You want
to make a good impression at your job interview without distractions and just with your personality and qualifications.
You’ll want to bring an extra copy of your resume along with your reference sheet. Leave the backpack at home. A woman can carry a small to medium sized handbag.
A man or woman can carry a briefcase if he or she wishes, a folder or a portfolio.
The Job Interview
Once at the interview, you are going to be asked many questions by your potential employer. They will ask about you in particular such as what your strengths and weaknesses are. You might want to prepare for answering questions by listing some of your attributes. Talk to former co-workers with whom you worked closely. Ask them to list some work related traits about you that they most admired.
Try to find some faults as well just in case they come up as questions. By studying your faults, you will be able to choose one that is somewhat innocuous and turn it around into a positive. For example, if you are obsessively organized, this could be presented as a fault but most employers look at organizational skills as assets not liabilities. So in an interview, I would tell them one of my shortcomings was that I wanted to be too organized.
Practice how you will answer possible questions in your job interview. You want to seem somewhat spontaneous, but you also want to appear self-confident. The way to do that is to rehearse, not exactly what you will say, but how you will say it. This will increase your confidence tremendously.
A great method is to rehearse in front of a mirror. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language. Ask a friend to do pretend interviews with you. The more you repeat a scenario, the more comfortable you will begin to feel with it.
Speak slowly and clearly. Pause before you answer a question. Your answers will seem less rehearsed and it will give you a chance to collect your thoughts. Keep in mind that a very brief pause may seem like an eternity to you but it is not.
Since the interviewer's job is to make sure that not only your skill, but your personality is a good match as well, you must establish rapport with the person interviewing you. That begins the instant you walk in the door. Let the interviewer set the tone. For example, if the interviewer is speaking softly, so should you.
It’s alright for you to show your true personality, but be careful not to go too over-board. Humor may help relax both, you and the person doing the job interview and may help you communicate much easier; but… use caution with humor.
As you may know, body language gives more away about us than speech. Eye contact is very important but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting. Hands resting casually in your lap rather than arms folded across your chest also is more inviting. If you normally move your hands around a lot when you speak, tone it down some. You don't want to look too stiff, but you don't want to look like you're a bundle of nervous energy.
After The Interview
After the interview, it is essential to follow up with a “Thank You” note. This serves two purposes. First, it tells the employer that you are grateful for their time and want to do the polite thing by sending out a note thanking them for that. But, a thank you note also brings you back into their mind which can be good if they are close to making a decision on who to hire.
And then, you are done with your part. It is now waiting time. You may get a call for a second interview or you will get a call to discuss salary and starting time. Congratulations!
If you are not chosen for the job, you may want to make a phone call to the person who interviewed you and ask why you weren’t chosen for the position. Simply explain to the interviewer that you are looking for ways to improve yourself for your next job interview and would appreciate his/her input.
Above it all, do not despair. You may have to go through several job interviews until you land the job of your dreams. You may also find yourself yearning to turn a beloved hobby into a business. Many people have done this. Like them, you can Become A Successful Entrepreneur and realize great success. Remember… it is YOUR time to decide what to do… feeling fulfilled will allow you to live a happier life. Isn’t this what life is all about?
