From the course: Writing a Resume

Manage long term unemployment

From the course: Writing a Resume

Manage long term unemployment

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- If you have ever heard the words, I'm sorry. But unfortunately we chose a candidate whose skills were a better fit for their position, you've probably also failed, that person wasn't really all that sorry. And whoever they chose could possibly have been a better fit than you. Unfortunately, you could be correct. The problems facing the longterm unemployed were highlighted during our most recent recession. And it was quite likely that a person who had been unemployed for longer than six months, wasn't being hired, not because they didn't possess the skills, but because they had simply been unemployed for too long. So how do you prevent your resume from being blindly rejected? First of all, you can't. And while that may not sound encouraging, I'd like you to see things a little differently. If you're currently unemployed, you are probably frustrated with the process and feeling a little down on yourself. But worrying about all the bad things that can happen, won't improve your situation. What will, setting realistic expectations, understand the market, know the rate of unemployment for the field, to which you are applying and know the rate of unemployment for your particular city. Knowing this helps you understand exactly what you're up against and your chances of success. Be realistic about your skillset and what you bring to the table so that when you do apply for a job, you have an understanding of the possibility of being contacted. Remain confident in your abilities while you work on getting your foot in the door, starting with your resume. If you're someone who's been unemployed for a long time, with a long time being longer than six to 12 months, you understand its importance. You've probably already created 28 versions of your resume and the thought of creating yet another version might send chills up your spine. As with any of the common challenges candidates face, you increase your chances of overcoming your particular challenge by adding more optional sections to your resume. Such as the volunteer work and achievement sections. For someone who has been unemployed longer than six months, adding these additional sections of the resume is not just a nice to do, it's an necessity. And while at first, this may seem unfair, I challenge you to think as an employer. If you have been unemployed for a few months and you state you have a particular skill, how can you show you have used that skill and kept up with changes? How can you show you a better than other applicants who have been gainfully employed and who are using that skill every day? The longer you're unemployed, the higher the temptation becomes to throw everything you've ever done in your career, into your resume and hope it will improve your odds. Instead, part of the customization process might mean removing extra information from your resume. And while that might seem counterproductive, keep in mind, you're attempting to focus the reader on the skills you possess that are directly relevant to the job you applied for. If you have had trouble securing employment, try putting your resume down and leaving the house, getting out and meeting people will create additional ways for you to submit your resume. There's nothing better than submitting a resume with a personal referral attached to it. Turning your situation around sometimes begins with a change in attitude. And having watched this video, you should be in the right frame of mind to update the relevant sections of your resume to showcase your expertise, your volunteer work, and any other areas where you can stand out. With an updated resume and a fresh outlook on your opportunity for success, I'm positive, you will begin to see results.

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