Thread regarding IBM layoffs

Source below, this has been put together by Mark Renkert and Scott Decker... We have a Case Study Research have, access, and be able to name and call your previous (the employer you were laid off from, “Big-Blue” in this case) employer’s direct competitors and on your behalf and speak directly to the Hiring Authority, should be replaced.

Outplacement Professionals’ Number One duty is to find or facilitate your landing a job quickly. It is NOT to simply review your resume and your Myers Briggs profile.

• Have your resume written by a PARW Certified Resume Advisor: http://parw.com — demand example resumes — telephone resume prep references from the preparer and ask about the results. 95% of people can’t do a great job writing their own resumes — it pays to have professional outside help — and most outplacement firms don’t do a good job on resumes.

• SMARTVT endorses one of the best Resume Development Specialist in the US, Ms. Dana Clark ( www.linkedin.com/in/drideout/). She is expensive and very selective about her clients. A work product example is here: http://slidesha.re/14kOSOI

• Immediately update your skills, certifications and degrees. Find out what resources you have to pay for updating these credentials. Finish your degree. Ask about state resources to help finish your degree — not having a degree will greatly diminish the kind of job you find next.

• Make sure you have a wide network from which to draw on — at least 500 on Linked In and at least five Linked In Groups specific to YOUR subject matter expertise and not “Job Finding.” Example: http://linkd.in/11KNy5u — nearly 25,000 people just like you who you can collaborate with where you can 1. declare a subject matter expertise (SME), 2. prove and show work product of your expertise, 3. help others solve problems within your SME, 4. publish examples of your work product on Linked In, 5. ultimately find a job. (Don’t miss a step) See: http://linkd.in/13Oopdq. Be ready to move / relocate – re-domicile very quickly.

• Focus on what The Market Needs. Do not focus on What You Do or What You’ve Done. Laser focus on the specific needs of the potential employer and directly link your SME to what they need.

• Research how you may go about launching your own business. Demand from your outplacement person all available Business Creation Resources — start by asking about the money: grants, unemployment compensation during biz start phase, training, certification. Money, money, money … if the Outplacement or other advisors won’t directly connect you with money they are wasting your time. Access to capital is key to your successful launch. A SMARTVT Launch: ( http://slidesha.re/122pOx6 )

• Immediately start economizing — you have no idea when or from where your next paycheck will arrive.

• Take Zero Time Off — immediately begin your Job Search.

• Disregard entirely the counsel of Lee Hecht Harrison, Right Management, and other IBM-selected re-employment firms. Especially be wary of any Department of Labor Rapid Response Teams. See for yourself — review Work Product Examples. Your advisor should be from the trenches — and have power-contacts directly with your market. Any advisor that does not have a minimum 500 Linked In Connections, and that doesn’t post their cell phone and profile photo should also be disregarded.

• Immediately hire an expert Job Search Coach.

• Don’t apply to online HR platforms.

• Don’t use Monster or Career Builder.

• Never post your resume to a job search board.

• Never work with Contingency Recruiters.

• Only work with Retained Recruiters.

• Anyone that won’t give you a home telephone number is not a viable and meaningful job search connection.

• Avoid Linked In connections that don’t have phone numbers, current profile photos, and at least five recommendations that also list phone numbers.

• Avoid HR people that won’t give you their cell phone numbers.

• Always follow up with notes, emails and telephone calls — try to make one phone call to every other email.

• Use Skype Video Conferencing at every opportunity.

• Know what an Authentic Business Relationship is.

• Avoid Non-Subject Matter Expert recruiters — if they haven’t worked in your profession — and are recruiting in your profession — don’t talk to them.

• Demand to see work product examples of people who Link In with you.

• Anyone who says “…. send me your resume” is stalling your job search. Don’t send a resume; demand a Skype conference call or a meeting.

• Be wary of Human Resources — they will always appear more empathetic than they really are and are skilled in giving you just a little bit of hope. Remember: the hiring process has momentum and energy. You will feel it when there is a stall. During the stall the employer has likely made an offer to a competitor candidate. Ask if this is so. If there’s no answer, withdraw (turn down) your candidacy. (When you turn down / withdraw from the candidate process — if there is real interest the potential employer will chase after you, try to convince you not to withdraw: no one wants to lose a great preferred candidate.) A candidate who withdraws can apply again. A candidate who was denied will often show the “Denied” on the ERP Applicant Tracking Systems. Most HR people then disregard future applications. “Turn-Downs” are processed differently and future applications are considered.

• Have someone pre-call and corroborate your references to make sure your references can speak intelligently about your Work Product and your Subject Matter Expertise.

• Have at least five Recommendations on Linked In.

• Avoid any counselor that won’t pick up a phone and introduce you to a Hiring Authority directly if you have a declared Subject Matter Expertise and a visible Work Product example that you can see online.

• Unless you are a military veteran, you should probably avoid the Federal Job Application System.

• Update your apparel. Get new business clothes for interviewing.

• Get new shoes. Don’t wear white socks with dress shoes to an interview. Or anywhere else for that matter.

• Women’s shoes: appropriate heel, color, and fashion

• Practice impeccable grooming habits. Men: ear hair / nose hair, updated haircut.

• Wear apparel that your peers confirm look good on you.

• Ensure your Facebook and other online profiles are clear, clean and appropriate. Employers WILL check you out.

• If you have a horrible credit rating it can affect your ability to get a job.

• If you have a DUI, it will surface when employers do a background verification. In such a tight job market, it may well exclude you from employment.

• Make certain your private email is presentable and ‘mature’. “Idrink4fun@yahoo.com” will not impress any would-be employer.

SOURCE https://smartvt.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/ibm-layoff-survival-guide/