As Central Texas works to rebound from the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus, 25 News has a commitment to share solutions and resources to help you and your family get back on your feet and get ahead.
Experts say those who got laid off recently can help chart a course for their own rebound.
Economists have said when the rebound starts for our economy, racked by the coronavirus and it’s huge job losses, it will happen with a vengeance.
So employment professionals say we should begin right now to get ready to hop aboard that rebound train and ride it to a new, and hopefully better, paying job.
The coronavirus put Nikki Altieri out of a good-paying job when the construction company where she worked had to cut expenses.
”It was pretty rough. The owner told me it was one of the toughest layoffs he's ever had to do. I'd done a lot for them and I'm a single mother, I have three kiddos,” she explained. "It's created what some call the toughest job market since the great depression.”
Josh Finstad of family-owned, and family-run Placements Unlimited in Waco knows how we can overcome that hurdle and jump right back into the workforce.
”You need to make sure your resume is polished up, that it's updated, that it builds your skills, both hard skills and soft skills,” he said.
What are "hard skills"?
They're the more technical skills that make us good at what we do, maybe a specialty.
"Soft skills" show we can show up to work on time, dress professionally, and treat others with respect.
In other words, reduce your work life to a page of paper.
”We always tell people to keep their resumes to a page if possible. A cover page gives you a whole additional page with a whole different objective to catch attention,” Finstad advised.
If you've worked longer than you can go two pages, stay organized, but think of an eye-catching presentation - but nothing too flashy.
Stay conservative.
”Bullet points are always best. They're quickly read by an HR representative or a hiring manager. So, bullet points instead of paragraphs in chronological order is the best way, so they can see what you've been doing recently,” said Finstad.
Don't make that hiring manager work too hard to read your resume. The more they can learn about you quickly, the better your chances of landing the job.
But don't overdo it.
”The candidate doesn't want to over promise, and then under deliver once they get the job,” Finstad said.
It seems to be working for Nikki Altieri, who just finished a very promising interview, in a changing workplace landscape.
”I'm pretty optimistic that I will get the position. I'm optimistic for me and I'm optimistic for everybody else. I think a lot of companies are going to try to help and do a lot of work from home,” she said.
So after you look good on paper... match that with a serious work ethic and a desire to succeed.Employment experts say that combination will help ensure a smoother ride on the Central Texas rebound train.
