How to Navigate Career Success in a Hostile Economy
By Jeremy Langevin (left) and Ted Johnson (right), Horizontal Integration
In today's economy, you would think it's impossible to get a job. However, with the right attitude, persistence and effort, you may just learn how to navigate through your job transition and on to career success. Gain inspiration for your job transition through Renee's success story.
Renee was a marketing professional with 20 years in primarily traditional marketing. In early 2008, she transitioned into a training role after her company decided to close their marketing department. Through networking and a marketing staffing agency, Renee accepted a “Temp to Perm” position outside the company. When the position turned to permanently temporary, Renee began networking again and had accepted a position as an eCommerce project manager, but they revoked the offer due to the loss of a major client. With the help of a recruiter at Horizontal Integration who had found her resume on MinnesotaJobs.com, she received a contract position. Through her hard work and exceptional attitude, the company offered her a full-time position four months after being contracted.
Renee’s story is one that is not uncommon, but is overshadowed by the job losses and economic tragedy facing today’s market. Her persistence offers some exceptional principles and strategies for continued career success:
- Be flexible – Be flexible with the types of opportunities you are pursuing, whether contract, contract-to-hire, or full-time. Be adaptable regarding compensation, especially being open to a pay decrease in exchange for skill advancement.
- Utilize Recruiters – Meet with and develop a relationship with a few recruiters that specialize in your industry and are motivated to work with you.
- Invest in yourself – Track industry trends and market fluctuations, and prepare by continuing your education.
- Be Positive – Exude confidence and bring a high level of energy to every interaction you make.
- Most importantly – Network, Network, Network!
Networking: Social and Traditional
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 80% of jobs are never posted, and over half of all hires happen through networking.
Finding a job can be extremely difficult and even more humbling, particularly in a slow economy. Using social networking sites liked LinkedIn or Facebook can help bypass the mystery of a resume “dump” through an online site. Social networking can allow you to leverage your relationships to bring you closer to the people who are directly involved in the hiring process. By using your relationships from previous jobs, your friends, and even your family, you can broadcast your availability in the beginning of the hiring process before getting lost in the shuffle of hiring. Social networking tools and websites could very easily be the key to your next dream job – it is, in fact, not always what you know, but who you know. Taking part in industry events, volunteering with local nonprofits and visiting online networking sties can help expand your list of professional contacts.
There are several professional networking groups specifically designed to get leaders in the professional industry together. These groups, like the American Marketing Association and the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association can be used as learning tools, as well as networking groups. Let people know by advertising your professional skills and strengths positively to those within the industry who have the tools and capabilities to assist you. You will be much closer in landing the next great job when more people know you are looking, and have gotten to know you through networking and professional groups.
Along with emphasizing networking and leveraging your relationships, consider what your attitude says about your approachability. To be successful in a hostile economic climate, you must remain confident and bring a high level of energy and motivation, as well as the desire for success. Though ten percent of the population is unemployed, the vast majority – a startling 90% of people are still working; those are pretty decent odds! Remember to learn how to accept rejection and that thinking positively is reflective of an approachable attitude as well.
Renee’s success story is one that reminds us that persistence works, and is indicative of an enthusiastic employee. Be flexible in your search, utilize recruiters, invest in yourself, remain positive, and utilize your networking skills.
About Horizontal Integration (www.horizontalintegration.com)
Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Horizontal Integration is an online strategy, web experience design, creative design, web solutions development and strategic staffing agency serving customers nationally since 2003. Profiled in the Minnesota Business Magazine (March 2008 edition) as an ‘emerging company’ and also recognized as one of the ‘2008 Best Places to Work’.
Horizontal Integration brings a unique blend of services to the marketplace. Our fusion of business and IT strategy, user experience design, web development and staffing solutions has proven to be a winning combination for our clients. This fusion of services promotes cross fertilization of ideas and people across our service disciplines, enabling our teams to deliver a higher level of value and greater efficiencies for our customers.
About Jeremy Langevin
Mr. Langevin is an owner and EVP, Sales and Marketing for Horizontal Integration. He has 13 years of experience in Staffing and Recruiting and has been responsible for overall new business development, account management, sales and recruiting for Fortune 500 clients such as United Health Group, Carlson Companies, Best Buy, Thomson Reuters and Supervalu.
About Ted Johnson
Ted Johnson is a Business Development Manager for Horizontal Integration with 5 years of experience within Staffing and Recruiting. As a top performer he has consistently driving long-term value through quality sourcing that aligns technology business needs with IT professionals.
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