As unfortunate as the reality of it is, people get laid off all the time; you are not alone and most importantly, there can be light at the end of the tunnel. If you are struggling with a recent layoff, expected or not, moving forward can feel like a very overwhelming and daunting process. However, according to Forbes.com, these key tips can go a long way in helping you move on to bigger and better things.

• Breathe. Whether you being laid off was sudden or somewhat expected, it can feel like a huge blow to your professional career and your personal well-being. You need to give yourself some time to sit and think about what just happened. You may be angry, hurt, frustrated, worried, etc., but regardless of how you feel, it is important to remember that these feelings are natural. Talk to a friend or even keep notes on how you’re feeling. It will surprise you how much of a weight can be lifted by just allowing yourself time to breathe.
• Try To Stay Positive. Obviously this is much easier said than done. The idea is simple; if you fill your mind and inner dialogue with positive thoughts, focusing on your strengths as a person and employee, your brain will instinctively react accordingly. Positivity can only foster further positivity and growth.
• Remember To Take Care of Yourself. Initially, your first reaction to being laid off and suddenly without an income may be panic and an urgent need to save your livelihood. However, your first thought needs to be to take care of yourself. Simple acts such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and continuing to get enough sleep, going for walks etc., can go a long way in clearing your mind and enabling you to focus on what’s next.
• Open Yourself Up To The Positive Side Effects Of Being Laid Off. It will be extremely easy to immediately find all of the negative potential outcomes after being laid off. However, it is key to try and focus on anything positive that may come out of it as a result. For instance, you may find yourself gravitating towards jobs that may be better suited for your skills and interests. Use this time to figure out what is truly important to you and what you really want to do moving forward in your career. Who knows, your next position may have higher pay or even more lucrative benefits available.
• Take Advantage Of Your Support Team. Whether this means surrounding yourself with family and friends or reaching out to your networking circle, keep the conversations and connections open. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed for being laid, it happens to even the best performers. Your support team may be able to lend some insight into how you’re feeling and provide recommendations or advice on how to move forward.

Regardless of how, why or when you were laid off, no one likes the idea of suddenly being back in the job market without a solid foundation under them. The feeling of having to start over can be hard to wrap your head around. The best thing you can do is focus on the positive possibilities that are now available to you. Keep your head up and push forward, remembering that this is all temporary, especially if you focus your energy on the next step, in what is sure to be a long and productive career.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Don’t worry! There are some key tips that you can utilize going into that next interview to not only give yourself confidence in your abilities but to also project that same confidence to the interviewer.

• Do Your Research: When looking into a specific job opportunity, look beyond the job description. Get to know the company and their overall mission to see how this aligns with your own goals and values. If you go into an interview prepared to not only explain why you’re excited about the role but can discuss how the company’s mission aligns with your experience and ideals, this will go a long way with impressing the interviewer.
• Passion for the Industry/Product/Company: Regardless of the particular position you are interviewing for or in what department it may fall, express how passionate you are regarding the industry, product or service that the company provides. If an entry level Admin walks into a software company discussing how much they enjoy using the product at home or in their previous position, this will stand apart with the Interviewer. The bottom line is that no matter the industry, companies love to hear how consumers enjoy their products or services.
• Understand the Role: Maybe you don’t have industry specific experience but have experience in the duties involved in the role. If this is the case, be sure to emphasize the job duties that you do have experience in. For instance, if you have worked previously as a Marketing Data Analyst for a local non profit but are now seeking work in the logistics industry, explain how your experience with market data analysis and promotions can translate to other industries and how in turn, that role has prepared you for future positions.
• Sometimes it is all about Timing: Many times the first question that is asked during an interview is “What brings you into the job market?” How you answer this seemingly simply question can prove to be quite beneficial. There are plenty of reasons why individuals end up in the job market, searching for a position, but how you portray this to a potential employer is important. A lot of times, job seekers may be looking to change industries or even start a new trajectory in the same industry. For example, if the next step in your current role is in management but you are not too keen on going down that path, it may be time to make a change. This could certainly benefit a potential employer who would be getting an experienced individual ready to work where their expertise is needed. However, it is extremely important to not dwell on your past working relationships if they are a huge reason for making a move in the first place. Companies want to hire you because they feel you will be a good fit and because you express that you want to work there, not because you’re just looking for something to replace your previous employer.

When looking for a new job it is the hope of any job seeker to find a new job with which they can be passionate about, not only the job itself but with the company as a whole. Although, this may not always be the case, try to make the best of any job search by implementing as many of these concepts as you can to ensure you are better prepared for what any interviewer may throw at you.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

In today’s job market, it seems that every time the topic of labor shortages come up, the lack of skilled workers for trade positions in construction and in the manufacturing realm are in the forefront. Less and less students have been deciding that even if they are unsure what career path they want to go down, college is their only avenue. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 68% of high school students go to college with 40% never completing their degree. This is leaving highly paid and stable positions across the construction and manufacturing industries empty. Ultimately, we are left with the realization that the Baby Boomers who thrived with careers in these industries are starting to retire with no one to fill their shoes.

As I’ve mentioned before, the conversation regarding career options needs to start early! The idea of college being an end all beat all for post high school students needs to stop. Outside of the traditional 4-year degree, students have a variety of options available including vocational schools, trade specific training programs, online classes and even simply starting from the ground up. Sometimes the best way to learn a new trade is to start as entry-level as possible, observing those around you and gaining true on the job experience. But, don’t take my word for it. Educational leaders and even some of the nation’s most well known and profitable companies are jumping on board. David McGrath, an English Professor at the College of DuPage recently wrote an article regarding this very issue.

“We need to debunk the inference made by parents that vocational and technical jobs are inferior. Such a notion has led many of them to steer youngsters unwilling or unsuited for academic study into frustration, failure and depression. A campaign of public relations, parental education and cash is needed to combat the stigma.”

-David McGrath

Last spring, Glassdoor.com compiled a list of top employers that are expanding their talent pool by looking beyond the 4-year degree. Google, Apple, and IBM are all included in this progressive strategy in an attempt to bring in qualified and eager job seekers. In fact, Joanna Daley, IBM’s Vice President of Talent told CNBC that about 15% of IBM’s hires in the US do not have a college degree. IBM makes a point to include candidates with hands-on experience through coding boot-camps or even vocational classes.

The conversation needs to start now, whether that starts with school counselors or parents at home with their kids. We need to get rid of the stigma behind not going to college and provide our students with the support and proper education on available alternatives. Bottom line, college is not the answer for everyone and that is something worth shouting from the rooftops.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 98 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Regardless of the reasons fueling your desire to seek a new opportunity, you likely do not want to jeopardize your current position with the job search. If your current employer learns that you are seeking new opportunities they may grow concerned about your engagement, the release of confidential company information, your use of company time, and other factors that could impact your position with the company. While it may be difficult to conduct in today’s job market, a confidential job search is the best way to protect your current position while seeking future opportunities.

While you may be tempted to upload your resume to a well known job board, even marking it confidential, there are some factors that you should consider. Many employers have access to these job boards- including your own. Even if you mark your resume confidential your current employer or peers may be able to identify you based on your work history. You also may be bombarded with career opportunities that are of no interest to you. So how can you optimize your confidential job search?

1. Complete your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your LinkedIn in or AboutMe profiles highlight your career history, strengths, abilities, and include recommendations from those who have worked with you in the past.

2. Engage in your networks. Share articles, blogs, and other industry specific information that allow others to know that you are knowledgeable and up to date with trends in your line of work. Reach out to your personal connections and share that you are conducting a confidential job search and would be interested in any leads they may be able to pass your way.

3. Connect with a respected Recruiter. Research and identify respected Recruiters who specialize in your industry. Have a clear and open dialogue with your Recruiter and empower them with enough information to locate a career that meets your goals an objectives. Recruiters often represent employers who are conducting confidential job searches that will not be posted online or through other means.

4. Remain engaged. While you may have mentally put one foot out the door, remaining engaged with your current position will help you obtain positive references from your current employer and co-workers as well as open you up to more opportunities within your current organization.

Keep in mind almost anything that you put online can become public in a matter of seconds. Be sure to consider the outcomes of anything you post on your social networks, emails, etc before pressing send. Be sure to let potential employers know that your current employer is not aware that you are seeking new opportunities and that references there will only be provided if an offer is likely to be presented. For more information on conducting a confidential job search, contact a Recruiter or trusted career adviser.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

• Capture their attention. The average employer spends less than 10 seconds reviewing your resume or CV. Bullet points highlighting skills that are relevant to the position are most likely to catch their eye. Avoid distracting formats or designs that could quickly take their attention away from your qualifications.
• Make it professional. No matter the level of creativity required for the position, this is not the place for a self portrait. According BeHiring.com, there is an 88% job rejection rate if you have a photo of yourself on your CV. Keep your resume free of personal information including family status, age, photos, and most importantly do not include your social security number. Your resume is a professional sales platform, use it to sell your professional abilities and accomplishments.
• Review Your Contact Information. Placing phone numbers that you are not likely to be easily reached at or that may be answered by someone that is not likely to pass on the message can certainly cost you an interview quickly.  Are you including an e-mail address? If so be sure to check it regularly, a growing number of employers prefer to contact candidates via e-mail to help cut down on phone traffic volume. Keep in mind over 75% of resumes are ignored if the e-mail address listed is unprofessional.
• Triple check it for errors. Make sure that before passing your resume along you have checked it for spelling and grammatical errors. Do not rely on spell check to proof your work. Be sure to have several people review it. Chances are, they may find an additional skill or accomplishment that you forgot to highlight as well. Submitting different resumes for various positions? Be sure to have each version proofed and saved separately. If you continuously change or update the file you are more likely to include an error.

Keep in mind with over 200 resumes received on average for each open position, your efforts to land an interview cannot stop after submitting a resume. With hundreds of thousands of resumes being uploaded weekly to sites like Monster and Career Builder, setting yourself apart from the masses is crucial. Proper interview and follow up etiquette can go a long way in setting yourself up against the competition.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.