7 Ways to Distinguish Yourself From the Crowd in a Recession

By James Adams

Recessions bring danger and opportunity to your career, so it’s important that you rise to the challenge and distinguish yourself from the crowd so you can prosper. Perhaps the most danger lies in the sense of job security where you think that your experience and tenure means that you will survive the bad economy.

As hundreds of coworkers and unemployed workers compete for your job, many of them have more qualifications than you and show willingness to work for less money, so staying competitive in the workplace is more important to you now than ever before.

Here are 7 ways to distinguish yourself from the crowd in a recession:

1. Keep your resume updated: Do not make the assumption that you will have a job tomorrow. Dust off that resume or start making a new one now. Make sure it includes all your latest accomplishments and offers reasons that demonstrate why you are a valuable asset who can boost an employer’s bottom line.

2. Have a good attitude: A recession can mean that people from all walks of life have trouble maintaining their lifestyle, causing a doom and gloom environment at the office. Distinguish yourself by remaining upbeat. Bring a ray of sunshine with you everywhere you go and you will get the attention of supervisors, managers, and executives as a person they need to help the company through difficult times.

3. Get beyond the paper and market yourself: Insiders have already picked over jobs advertised in newspapers and on online job boards, so relying on those sources leave you at a disadvantage. Competitive job markets mean that you must find ways to get to the people with real hiring authority. Market yourself as a product essential to success. Employers need people like you who can make a direct impact on their bottom line. Bypass traditional job ads and contact decision makers directly. Online sources such as ZapData can provide names and mailing addresses you can use as you market yourself.

4. Use social networking to connect with opportunities: Take the time to build your social network on Facebook and Twitter. By making connections now, you will have access to more referrals when you need them. This type of strategy can take time to implement, so get started on it now.

5. Make yourself stand out: While at work, you need to get out of the shadows and into the limelight. Let your company see you as a problem solver, a self-motivated creativity engine willing to take the lead on new projects. Don’t make it all about yourself either: praise others, ask questions, and let it be known that you are a team player who is vital to the success of your company.

6. Improve your productivity: Working long hours may contribute to the perception of your value, but you probably will stand out to your employer by producing more in less time. Efficient workers produce the most and will likely survive layoffs more than those who stay content with the status quo. Look for ways to do your job better and faster and you will remain while others are gone.

7. Develop your skills: Difficult economic times represent good opportunities to go back to school. You can learn new, recession-proof skills or you can develop your existing skills that increase your value to a new or existing employer.

By following these 7 ways to distinguish yourself from the crowd in a recession can make the difference between prosperity and the unemployment line. Get started making your own opportunities now so you can excel during troubling times.

Author Information

James Adams is a full time analyst and writer at a leading UK based ink cartridges specialist where he spends his time writing reviews of new hardware like the HP 350XL.

Photo Credit: Harrison Keely

Fired Or Fired Up? The Choice Is Yours!

If I pay too much attention to the news, I will find myself getting depressed. Perhaps entertaining feelings of giving up. No, I haven’t lost my job — rather, I can empathize with those who have.

Yet, I know for the person who has recently been fired that it is essential for them to move forward instead of dwelling on their loss. Not to say that it isn’t good to reflect, but only for a little while. Much better off is the person who takes quick and decisive action as that will bring them that much closer to landing a new gig.

Advice For The Newly Unemployed

Lots of people are offering advice to the newly unemployed, but there is no “one size solution” that will fit every job seeker. But there are a few things that I believe can light the fire in the belly of the individual seeking employment including:

Get in a routine — After a few days of rest and reflection, you need to get back in the grind by establishing a daily routine. This means getting up at the same time each morning, going to bed early and using your time wisely throughout the day. This isn’t the time to catch up on your TV watching — you’ll need to make some contacts, people who can help you land your next gig.

Rub shoulders regularly — As easy as it is to stay at home and make your contacts via phone or internet, you’d do well to get out of the house often. Take in a seminar, join a job seekers group (only if the other members are positive), volunteer your services and above all else bring plenty of these wherever you go: business cards.

Stay accountable — Find a friend who can encourage you along the way, a person who won’t allow you to get caught up in a pity party. Allow this person to ask you the hard questions on how you’ve been using your time, your thought life, etc. Be honest with yourself and avoid answering to an enabler!

Reward yourself — If you have been following your daily routine, have been getting out of the house on a regular basis and are staying accountable to at least one special person, then you should periodically reward yourself. No, that does not mean you should run up your credit card nor ignore your other responsibilities, but at the end of the week you should give yourself a “mental health break” and do something really fun for a change.

The Road Ahead

The road back to work can be long or short, bitter or sweet — even costly.  Manage your time wisely and you’ll be that much closer to getting a job, returning to the workforce fired up and ready to go.

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You Can Work Better, Faster, And Smarter Without Feeling Overburdened