About this time last year, several fellow recruiters and I were all writing about the same thing: how the restaurant industry was one of only two industries remaining untouched by the worsening economic conditions. My, how times have changed.
Here it is mid-2009 and unemployment in the restaurant industry has shot from 7.8% to 9.8% in just one year. Now, there is an ever-widening pool of qualified candidates, making it harder and harder to find a suitable position. So, what can you do? I have a couple of high-level suggestions:
Take an Active Role
I’ve seen the way many individuals “hunt” for jobs and it often consists only of a single resume and standard cover letter being emailed out to a small group of employers found on a job board. Let me just tell you that this is not the way to get a job. You have to look at the job search as your full-time job. Consider every possible way to identify open positions including job boards, networking, cold calling, etc. In this market, the opportunities absolutely will not come to you – you have to go out and find them.
Customization is Key
Cover letters are underused and underappreciated, and can often be the key differentiator between you and the other candidates. I have another blog or two specifically outlining steps in writing effective cover letters. Using a guide like this will help ensure you hit all the necessary highlights. And don’t stop with job-specific letter customization only. It may be necessary to tweak your resume for each position as well, spotlighting talents or skills that are more appropriate for one position than for another.
Use Down Time Wisely
If you’re out there right now like so many are, then you are experiencing a period of down time. Don’t let this go to waste. Use it to improve yourself and your resume. I give some good and specific examples of how you can make this tip work for you in my blog: Using Time Wisely Between Jobs.
