Shout it from the mountaintops - you're job hunting!

Job hunting? Make sure others know about it.

Maybe not the mountain tops, but for job seekers who have experienced a layoff, one of the worst things you can do is keep your job search a secret.  With over 80% of new jobs this year obtained through networking efforts, it is critical for your contacts to know what it is you seek and what you have to offer.  Yet, so many people who have felt the sting of unemployment during this recession have kept quiet about their job search.

It is understandable that you might be inclined to keep this information under wraps.  Victims of a layoff often feel embarrassed and begin to question their own self-worth.  Unemployment is an emotional roller coaster and the pressure, financial strain and uncertainty can be overwhelming.   Life/Success coach Kat Jaibur of Amesbury, MA, recommends moving beyond the negativity by focusing on what the future holds: “Embarrassment is emotional quicksand for laid off workers.  You need to spot it and avoid it as soon as possible.  Easier said than done?  Maybe.  But the sooner you replace it with thoughts of what you want next in your career, the easier it is.”

Keep in mind that the vast majority of layoffs these days are the result of business conditions unrelated to employee performance.  The number of recent Boston layoffs has been substantial.  More than 900,000 Massachusetts workers filed initial jobless claims in this current recession.  With only 2.7 million private sector jobs, and minimal layoffs of government workers, this means that at least 1 in 4 private sector workers lost jobs in just the past two years in Massachusetts.  New jobs are created as old ones vanish even in recessions, and most workers find new jobs in under a year, so the unemployment rate belies this startling fact.

Staggering unemployment numbers cause hiring managers to shy away from publicly posting positions.  Word-of-mouth and employee referral are the biggest sources of corporate recruiting, so keeping quiet about your status may cause you to miss out on a terrific opportunity.  Career coach Bridget MacMillan of Boxford, MA, recommends thinking about your network in a broader sense than just former colleagues.  Consider calling friends and neighbors for coffee.  “Reconnecting casually takes the pressure off and just may be an inroad to the hidden job market.  You might also inquire about potential contracting opportunities that may be available.”

  As Jaibur says “When you are open and honest about your layoff situation, you open the door for others to come in and help.” 

Up next: how to make the most of networking meetings.