Rachel Levy: Social Media & Marketing

In today’s economy it’s a common, and understandable, fear that you might get laid off (sorry for the dose of reality). So rather than being stuck like a deer in the headlights if it happens, here are a few things you can do to get prepared, in case it happens to you:

1. Get involved with networking groups

Find a couple of networking groups in your area, and start attending the meetings. Overall, many people only network when they are actively looking for a job, but it’s a good idea to keep up your network even when you are not looking. Be sure to find general networking groups that cover a wide variety of people and industries, as well as industry specific groups. You never know who knows who, so your next job could come from the most unlikely person.

In Boston, I recommend the following: Boston Young Professionals Association, Downtown Women’s Club, Boston Salty Legs Networking Group (small group, so it may not be open) or American Marketing Association, Boston.

2. Connect through online social networking

Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are key ways to network in this day and age.  Now is the time, to start connecting with everyone you know through these websites.  Have each site scan your email address book to find people you know.  Look at the people you are already connected with, and see who you know that you can also connect with.  Update your profile so it’s current as of today.

Now is a good time to decide how you are going to use each of these sites.  For example, I use Twitter to connect to people with whom I have similar interests.  I use Facebook for friends or people I know on more social basis.  And LinkedIn is more for networking, but only for people I have met or spoken to.  Everyone has their own personal style on these sites, but it’s a good idea to decide your plan ahead of time.

Another way to use LinkedIn is to find groups that interest you or you are somehow affiliated with, and join them. For example, I am part of Innovative Marketing, PR, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators, Social Media Pros, and 7MBAClub.  You should also reach out to people you have worked with in the past and ask them to write recommendations for you on LinkedIn.  When applying for jobs on the site, it helps to have recommendations.

3. Start looking online at job postings

Even if you are not ready to apply for jobs yet, it  never hurts to start looking.  You will have a better sense of who is hiring, what the market is like and what the current salaries are.  Set up RSS feeds now to start getting the job postings coming to you.

You can also never start too early in applying to jobs.  The application and interview process can take a long time, so you might benefit from being ahead of the game.  Just be careful with confidentiality related to your current employer.

4. Update your resume

Start writing your resume early, so you’re not rushed and stressed about updating it, and so you have time to have other people in your industry review it.  You are also in a better position to access numbers and information from your current employer to show the impact you have made in your job.  You can create your resume in MS Word and/or use a program like Visual CV.  An example of someone I know who uses this is Ari Herzog and his virtual resume looks great!

5. Get back in touch with recruiters

Scour your contact list for recruiters you may have been in touch with.  Send them your resume, and tell them you are not actively looking for a job yet, but to keep you in mind if they come across something that would be appropriate for you.

6. Take on consulting projects

Start putting the word out to your network that you are willing to take on consulting projects.  This will help you make some money the short term, and will also keep a flow coming in the event you are laid off.

7. Start a blog

A blog is an important way to communicate with people who are interested in finding out about you.  A potential employer will most certainly look for information on you online, so why not give them something that you have written that interests you.  It makes you more human, and adds personality to your resume.  If you start early creating a blog, you will hopefully build up your readership prior to the lay off news.

It’s really much easier than a lot of people thing to start a blog.  You can use WordPress or  Blogger or many of the other blog writing programs out there.  You should also be sure to use the Blog Link program on LinkedIn, which will update your contacts when you write a new blog post (this has led to great exposure for my blog!).

(Photo credit: Nicole Sunday)

Do you have any other ideas for how to be prepared for a layoff?  Please leave a comment below!