Career Experts Offer Advice to 6 People Out of Work

Reader's Digest asked this panel of job pros to share their best advice in the tip boxes that follow.

Also in this article:

• 9 Recession-Proof Careers
• What to Do When You Lose Your Job
• How to Find a New Job
• Read what may be the world's worst cover letter and resume.

The Experts

• Mark Anderson, ExecuNet, a business and career network
• Anita Attridge, the Five O'Clock Club, an outplacement and career counseling network
• Jo Bennett, executive search firm Battalia Winston International
• Gary Burnison, search firm Korn/ Ferry International
• John Challenger, Challenger, Gray& Christmas, an outplacement firm
• Debra Feldman, the JobWhiz, an executive talent agency
• Dennis Garritan, human resources master's programs, New York University
• Katharine Hansen, Quintessential Careers, a job search resource
• Randall Hansen, QuintessentialCareers
• Paul Mathews, Hire Aspirations, a career coaching and outplacement firm
• Caroline Nahas, Korn/Ferry
• Stephen Rosen, Celia Paul Associates, a career management firm
• Nancy Salzman, business, management, and legal programs, University of California, Irvine Extension
• Bettina Seidman, Seidbet Associates, a career coaching firm
• Laurence Shatkin, coauthor, 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs
• Cheryl Lynch Simpson, CoachingSolutionsForWomen.com
• Bob Skladany, RetirementJobs.com, a job site for people over 50
• Trudy Steinfeld, NYU's Wasserman Center for Career Development
• Laurence Stybel, Stybel Peabody Lincolnshire, an executive career consulting firm
• Elaine Varelas, Keystone Partners, a career management firm
• Peter Weddle, Weddle's, a research, publishing, consulting, and training firm
• Emily Westerman, Office of Career Management at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies
• Michael Worthington, ResumeDoctor.com

FYI: The Experts on Job Loss
"If you sense your time is up at your current job, don't be afraid to present options: Could I take a pay cut? How about unpaid leave? Is relocating an option? Could I work for the company as a consultant?" --Gary Burnison

"If you can get over the fear of telling people you're out of work, you'll be more successful at finding your next job." --John Challenger

"Get a temp job. It can lead to a full-time opportunity." --Michael Worthington

"Maintain your relationship with your employer and your colleagues. Ask them for help but not with a hat-in-hand attitude. Remind them that they have worked alongside you and know your strengths." --Paul Mathews

"Volunteering helps to structure your time and relieve the sense of isolation. And it offers networking possibilities. But it should not be in place of the job search.” --Emily Westerman

The Reader's Digest Version: "Don't stay in a bunker. Be prepared, proactive, and positive." --Mark Anderson FYI: The Experts on Resumes
"A job posting is all about tomorrow, and a résumé is all about yesterday. Make your résumé future-focused. Ask how you can honestly, ethically, and professionally marry yourself up with what the employer is looking for." --Paul Mathews

"Use at least 11-point type but no underlining, graphics, boldface, or bullets. Send it as part of an e-mail and not as an attachment." --Peter Weddle

"Read the job description and use the same words. If the ad specifies 'instructor,' don't write 'trainer.'"--Anita Attridge

"Don't use a bunch of buzzwords like good team member, problem solver, self-motivated. You're not telling me anything. Be specific. Describe your accomplishments, not your duties. Quantify your experience." --Michael Worthington

The Reader's Digest Version: "Don't use lower-level verbs for higher-level activity—'I administered' instead of 'I directed.' Power verbs are critical.” --Cheryl Lynch Simpson

FYI: The Experts on Interviewing
"Practice answering the question 'Tell me about yourself.' Include your experience, accomplishments, skills and abilities, and education." --Bettina Seidman

"Seventy percent of job descriptions fail to specify the industry. Go to the corporate website and check. You'd better know before you go to the interview whether it's a job in real estate or transportation." --Michael Worthington

"Dress like it's 2009. Have a list of questions you want to ask but not about things you can learn from the website. An example: 'I see that you have contributed to such and such charity. What other projects give you such a strong reputation?'" --Elaine Varelas

"Practice alone in front of a mirror or with a friend. Many very intelligent, highly successful people think they can go unprepared. Those who shoot from the hip usually shoot themselves in the foot." --Stephen Rosen

The Reader's Digest Version: "Show enthusiasm in the interview, thank-you letter, and follow-ups." --Paul Mathews

FYI: The Experts on Getting in the Door 
"Work your way around the system. Call the person you want to see from your cell phone outside the building, say you're downstairs, and ask if he or she can give you just a few minutes. Don't go on the job boards until after dinner. Use the daylight hours for more productive activities." --John Challenger

"Don't limit yourself to networking with your professional peers. Look to network in adjacent areas. You are less of a threat, and they may be more open to sharing information. The best way to network is to say, 'I want to get your advice and counsel about how you see our industry changing once we are out of this recession. How can I position myself for the future?'"--Laurence Stybel

"Not all jobs require industry experience. There are functional jobs, like human resources, that cut across sectors." --Jo Bennett

"Follow up, follow up, follow up. By phone. E-mails get lost." --Michael Worthington

“The computer scans your résumé, then grades it on points of similarity, so if the ad asks for five to seven years of experience and you say you've got 15 years, the computer will take off points. As a result, you probably won't even make the short list." --Cheryl Lynch Simpson

"Even during a recession, people are hiring. It's not so much your friends as your friends' friends who may know someone." --Laurence Shatkin

"Networking is not the most important thing. It's the only thing." --Dennis Garritan

"Practice the three p's: polite, persistent pings. Stay in consistent contact with employers and people in your network. A no now doesn't mean a no forever." --Debra Feldman

"Bring the people in your network information they can use to do business better. Networking is a two-way street." --Mark Anderson

"Retirees returning to work part-time might consider working only for salary if they already have health benefits through a former employer or through a spouse." --Katharine Hansen

"Now is not the time to say, 'Either I'm getting my dream job or forget it.' Ask how you can get a job doing something you like doing, that pays a decent wage, teaches skills, and lets you make connections, so that when the economy gets better, you can be promoted or get the job you really want." --Trudy Steinfeld

The Reader's Digest Version: "Employers find employees through word-of-mouth contacts, employee referrals, and networking. In other words, either network or not work." --Stephen Rosen Hire Me!
RJ Panda, 26
Queens, New York
Field: business
Unemployed since: May 2008

"I graduated from New York University with an MBA in May. I'm passionate about the energy industry, and I've learned an incredible amount on my own by doing informational interviews. I've told employers that I'm willing to work without a salary, on a trial basis. This approach has opened up doors already. I know I'm competing with candidates who have 20 years of experience. But I'm hoping someone will take a chance on me."

Free Advice 
(from Laurence Stybel): "You're asking for a commitment at a time in the economy when people are scared to make one. Tell the person that you're willing to work two days a week for three months, then you want to be paid. And 'payment' consists of a job title appropriate to your role and a glowing reference from the boss to a hiring authority at another company. You're pitching a no-cost, time-bounded project instead of a long-term relationship. You'll get a title and reference that will help you get a paying job."

Hire Me!
Kimberly Groff, 38
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Field: information technology
Unemployed since: November 2008

"I was laid off from two jobs last year due to cutbacks and the outsourcing of IT jobs to India. I'm a technical analyst for software companies. I have a degree in medical secretarial work, but I couldn't find a job. I ended up taking a part-time position as a secretary for an IT firm. I worked my way up, teaching myself programming and analysis. I could get a job consulting, but that's not steady work. I need health insurance and a regular paycheck. I'm hoping to find a job before I have to dip into savings."

Free Advice
(from Paul Mathews): "If you're great at technical analyst roles and love them, that is what you should pursue. If you love medical secretarial work, you should pursue that. But it might be a great idea to combine the two and look at technical analyst roles in health care. Health care and informatics are still good industries. Among all the job boards are some niche sites, like dice.com, that focus on technical roles."

Hire Me!
Michael Durwin, 39
Brighton, Massachusetts
Field: graphic design
Unemployed since: December 2008

"I was the creative director of a small advertising agency and helped build it into an award-winning organization. A layoff never comes at a good time. I'm a new dad, and my wife, who's also in design, had her hours cut. We may have to sell our house or our cars, defer school loans, and possibly default on credit card debt."

"I was a Web designer during the dot-com crash. To find a job then, I expanded my skill base. I'm now proficient in all types of design. I'll continue to look for full-time jobs and freelance work. I'm hoping some agency or company will see the value of a guy like me."

Free Advice 
(from Elaine Varelas): "In this market, you'll need to continue developing cutting-edge skills and broadening the types of organizations you'll consider. Look at part-time and consulting jobs at smaller companies or organizations that would love to have your expertise but might never be able to afford a full-time person. Nonprofits, including those in higher education, might be a place to start."

Hire Me!
Catherine Olohan, 53
North Arlington, New Jersey
Field: human resources/finance/administration
Unemployed since: April 2007

"After 34 years with Verizon, I took a retirement package. It was my chance to get my pension and benefits for life. I received eight months of salary, but that money is gone. My background is primarily in human resources as a benefits specialist. What's hindering me the most now is that I don't have a college degree. I'm thinking of going back to school, but it's so expensive. My husband works, but one income isn't enough. I'm looking for anything."

Free Advice 
(from Jo Bennett): "You should have many opportunities in the health insurance field because of your background. Consider approaching insurance companies about openings in their claims or sales departments. There may be opportunities with consulting firms that help people understand and use their health care benefits. Rather than just getting a business or liberal arts degree, consider training to be a nurse or a medical assistant, since there are severe shortages."

Hire Me!
Jeff Randa, 52
Chicago, Illinois
Field: sales and marketing
Unemployed since: June 2008

"Losing my job didn't come as a surprise. I figured out what I wanted in my next position—location, salary, responsibilities—and then I started reaching out to my network. I don't think my age has been an issue. I bring 30 years of sales and marketing experience. Employers say, 'I need help, and you're a seasoned guy.' So far, I've turned down three jobs because I want to stay in Chicago."

"I'm spending about 50 hours a week on my job search. The toughest part has been maintaining my energy and upbeat attitude. I try to find time to do something fun every day, whether it's hitting a few golf balls or riding my motorbike."

Free Advice
(from Bob Skladany): "You certainly have a positive attitude. My major concern is the time you're putting into the search. I encourage you to target your efforts on Chicago-based opportunities. It's likely that 20 to 30 hours per week of intense, focused effort may be a more sustainable pace until you get that next job."

Hire Me!
Mary Ellen Moses, 62
Bellevue, Washington
Field: interior design
Unemployed since: June 2008

"I've been in business for 30 years, but things just dried up last year. Builders and real estate agents would call every week with jobs, but now the phone doesn't ring at all. I'm still applying for design jobs, but I'd consider a sales position at Ethan Allen at this point. I may have to deliver newspapers; I wouldn't mind that. I try to stay positive and motivated. Some mornings, I just want to go to work—but I can't."

Free Advice 
(from Cheryl Lynch Simpson): "I would recommend that you have your résumé appraised by a reputable résumé writer (often a free service) to make sure your career branding and positioning are on target and that you aren't inadvertently inviting age discrimination or the perception that you're overqualified. If you're overrelying on Internet job boards and not networking or contacting hiring managers and recruiters, you are not accessing the hidden job market, the jobs that are currently available but not advertised outside the company."

Hire Me!
 James Easterlin, 59
Durham, North Carolina
Field: investment management
Unemployed since: November 2008

"My job search has been easier since the last time I was laid off because I've already established my network of contacts. People tell me they like my résumé—I have an MBA from Harvard—but that it's been a tough year for the stock market and there's a hiring freeze, so let's talk in the New Year. In the meantime, I'm going to keep networking and reconnect with my career coach. Something's bound to come up."

Free Advice 
(from John Challenger): "Your attitude and confidence are a big plus. Your Harvard Business School network is of immense value. Try to see every alum in your area in person. I don't recommend a consulting assignment or part-time job unless you must bring in income. If so, do the part-time job at night so you won't put off your search during the day. If you know that a prospective boss wants to hire you but can't get around a hiring freeze, let her know that you'd be happy to defer your compensation until the freeze has lifted."