Our team was recently asked to contribute to an article on cover letters for the publication, Up Journey. Read on for the full snippet from our Chief Talent Officer, Marilyn Maslin, and click here for the full piece.

Interestingly many people today forgo taking the time to craft a custom cover letter. I believe this is because they can be challenging to write, and they don’t understand the advantages of this personal marketing tool.

There are several purposes/advantages of applying with a cover letter.

• Cover letters often hold key information that resumes do not contain, such as career transition details, relocation logistics, and back to work information.

• In today’s technical world, the first hiring decision-maker is the ATS (applicant tracking system). Individuals who add a tailored cover letter are doubling their chances of getting sent through to the “Yes” pile due to added content consideration.

• As an HR professional and active recruiter, I can confirm that I read every cover letter when sourcing candidates. I respect that they took the time to produce an additional document. A cover letter also tells me a lot about a candidate. If they cared enough to craft a detailed cover letter for an opportunity, they would hopefully care about their job.

• Lastly, when sending your resume, the cover letter content can be used as the email.

As a business leader, you know that navigating the changing economic landscape is challenging, especially when faced with unprecedented hurdles.

Notifying staff of a layoff is never a good moment. As reported by MarketWatch, more than 22 million jobs were lost in 2020 due to the pandemic; since then only 42 percent have been recovered.

But most worrisome is that according to a survey of HR executives at 330 companies conducted by the Conference Board, nearly one in 10 US businesses laid-off workers, froze hiring, or cut bonuses in the fourth quarter.

It would appear that the economic damage brought on by COVID is far from over.

If you are forced to issue layoffs and want to protect your company’s reputation, avoid legal issues, or provide an act of professional kindness, Resume Footprint provides quality career transition and outplacement services.

Designed to ease the transition for laid-off employees, these services include resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and career coaching. 

Reach out today to show that your company is truly people-first, even in the face of challenging business decisions.

Outskilling is an emerging trend which describes a company-sponsored training program that helps employees find another job or even an alternative career with a new employer.

Expected to catch fire as companies work to counterbalance the negative impact of layoffs due the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent recession, outskilling programs demonstrate a company’s social commitment to its employees and the local community.

Amazon and McDonalds are leading the way to outskilling innovation, although other well know brands are actively considering this new approach to help displaced workers get a fresh start.

Outskilling could help laid off workers acquired the skills need to find new work:

According to SHRM research: 57% of U.S. Workers are worried they will lose their jobs, 46% of workers  have lost their work, wages, and income because of the coronavirus and 33% believe that if they lose their job that they will need additional education or a new skill to find a comparable one.

If investing in retraining your workers for new occupations at a new employer sounds too far, consider that layoffs are distressing for both workers and corporations, causing reputation harm, damaging morale, and impacting financial security.

Protect your corporate brand by investing in outskilling and win the long-term loyalty of talent and consumers. 

Need help with either corporate or personal branding? Check out www.resumefootprint.com for more information.

America’s booming job market collapsed overnight, with over 10 million workers applying for unemployment benefits in March alone. 

“The magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that has followed (the lockdown) is unlike anything we’ve experienced in our lifetimes,” said Gita Gopinath, IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) Chief Economist. Based on this occurrence, the global economy will this year likely suffer the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Job Market Statistics and Projections

This week the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) reported that U.S. employers lost 701,000 jobs in March and that the unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent (marking it the end of a 113-month growth streak since September 2010).

Based on trending information, economists forecast a 6 to 15 percent unemployment rate through 2021, which would make it the highest unemployment rate since World War II.

In the 94 days since the first known COVID-19 cases outside China were reported, 1 in 5 Americans had lost working hours or jobs, and 73 percent of Americans have indicated their household income has been reduced.

Be Indispensable with Future-Forward Credentials 

Get a leg up on the competition by acquiring the high demand skills valued by startups and multinationals alike.

Use this time of adversity to strengthen your knowledge and learn a new discipline. Invest in education, get a certification, or take a course.

You will never go wrong by developing next-gen skills in Information Technology, Information Systems, Programming, Cybersecurity, Biotechnology, Finance, Engineering, and Robotics.

Consider augmenting your skillset with a course in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and analytical problem solving or take a course in UI/UX design, mobile development, blockchain development, IoT, virtual reality, video production, channel sales, digital marketing, analytics, data science, or cybersecurity.

Don’t forget to hone your soft skills in creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and persuasion to round out your ability to innovate and influence across the corporate ecosystem. 

Consider a Fresh Start with a Recession-Proof Career

If anything has been made apparent over the past few months it is the importance and value of healthcare workers (doctors, nurses and medical personnel), first responders (police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians), and supply chain specialists (truckers, delivery people and grocery store workers).

If you want a durable career alternative, consider other recession-proof jobs such as being a Counselor, Therapist, Senior Care & Hospice Worker, Dentist, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Worker, Social Worker, Corrections & Judiciary Worker, Funeral Worker, Public Utility Worker, IT Specialist, Pharmacists, Veterinarian, Auto Mechanic, Public Transit Worker, Plumber, Electrician, or Hairstylists.

Create a roadmap of the necessary education and credentials you need to get started and go for it!

Tell Your Career Story

Your online personal marketing materials are your digital first impression that will open doors to new opportunities.

Select a modern, ATS (applicant tracking system) compliant format to differentiate yourself from the competition!

Build a Powerful Network of Connectors

According to numerous career studies, 80 percent of people end up in their current positions thanks to who they know (not what they know).  

The strength of your network and your willingness to tap into your database when job searching is the deciding factor as to how long you look for a job and what position secure.

If you are interested in landing a great job faster, contact admired influencers, mentors, and thought leaders. Arrange virtual coffee meetings to ask for career advice, job leads, or coaching.

In a world of endless “breaking news” reports, we have all learned to expect the unexpected. Think strategically, be flexible, hone your skills, connect with others and keep positive – and you will win the day.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of creating personal marketing documents for hundreds of healthcare workers and first responders. Although each one is unique in their background and skillset, I have discovered that they share a common bond. Nurses, doctors, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers often feel “called” to serve.

Here are a few stories that I’d like to share.

Mark was a New York construction worker whose world changed on 9/11 when he rushed to ground-zero. Serving as a first responder at what has been called the “Pile,” he provided lifesaving first aid to a multitude of individuals. This experience triggered an immediate career change for him. He enrolled in nursing school, attained his BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), and today serves as an ER Nurse in what could be considered the highest COVID-19 spot on earth.

Unlike Mark, Lisa knew from a very early age that she was here to help. Full of faith, she has that element that all first responders possess, the ability to run towards the accident, not away. She serves as an EMT in the Denver Metro Area, where she is regularly exposed to patients testing positive for COVID-19.

Lately, her days are consumed by a surge in alarming, cardiac arrest calls. Amid this outbreak of calls flooding in, she keeps calm and levelheaded and assists those in most need.

Audrey grew up in Somaliland, where she saw an immense need for medical care for women and children. Passionate about helping underserved people and communities, she worked her way through medical school as an interpreter and zookeeper. She works as a Physician in New York and regularly goes back to Africa to perform essential surgical interventions. Today you can find her in the trenches working side by side with nurses and other medical professionals helping coronavirus patients. 

When Dave was a boy, he loved to dress up like rescue heroes. Every day he would embrace the world as a firefighter, police officer, or Buzz Lightyear. It was no surprise to his parents when he said, I’ve decided to become a Police Officer. He now works for a community law enforcement agency in Northern Colorado.

As 911 calls are hitting all-time highs, he and other Police Officers are scrambling to balance public safety and protecting themselves and their families.

Patricia knew that she was an emergency services professional when she started her career working in a dual role as a Firefighter and EMT. She worked in the trenches responding to alarms and serving as the primary care provider on the scene. While working in collaboration with hospital personnel, she was inspired to become a Nurse. Today she works as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in Virginia, where she brings her immense skillset to fighting COVID-19.

Lastly, Emmy was on her way home from a desk job when she had a devastating auto accident. Months of hospitalization and rehabilitation changed her course forever.

She decided to join the nursing ranks. In her words, “I never would have made it without the compassionate and dedicate care of my nurses.”

On behalf of Resume Footprint, thank you to all of our first responder heroes for stepping up and answering the world’s call to service.

We here at Resume Footprint hope you’re hunkered down and safe at home with your family this week. While there is certainly never an ideal time for a pandemic, this unique period in global history may actually provide a good opportunity to improve our personal brands.

Taking the right steps now can ready you for great success after things calm down. Read on for some tips on maximizing your time away from the office.

Analyze Your Personal Marketing Materials

When’s the last time you gave your resume a good hard edit? Have you added all of your recent achievements? Does your document reflect the new projects you’ve been working on over the past few years?

Take the time you would usually spend eating in a restaurant this weekend to sitting down with your resume. While you’re diving into your document, ask yourself the following questions:

· Are my resume and LinkedIn profile current?

· Are all of my roles and titles accurate and updated?

· Are my resume and LinkedIn profile telling the right story?

· Will recruiters understand my goals by reading my marketing materials?

· Have I listed all of my education and training experience?

· Do I have a good mix of tasks and numbers-based achievements?

If you’re not sure where to start, consider working with one of our branding experts at Resume Footprint to help improve your resume, LinkedIn profile, elevator pitch, and cover letter.

Invest in Yourself

Just like the 2008 Great Recession forced professionals into reinventing themselves, any economic downturn related to the COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead many of us do some serious soul-searching.

In 2007, 1.9 million students ages 40 to 64 were enrolled in college or university either full or part time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That number increased to 2.3 million by 2011 and then dropped as the economy recovered.

More education can result in higher wages and more stable employment. You may be able to find great digital educational resources during this virtual boom. Find some time to search online during your downtime to see what’s out there.

Connect with Others – At a Distance!

Experts say that social distancing is one of the best ways to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19, but we can still be engaged with others during this period thanks to technology.

There are more virtual options than ever before – Google Hangouts, Zoom, etc. – to help professionals keep in touch with others. Set up meetings with your similarly restless colleagues or professional connections over a digital cup of coffee. Discuss what’s new in your industry and how your company is handling the pandemic.

If you’ve been laid off or let go due to the strain on company cashflow, try to network with recruiters and headhunters on LinkedIn. Have faith that the economic downturn will be followed by a pent-up demand for great employees like you.

In the meantime, get yourself in a position to make a splash when the job market starts heating up again.

Ready to rebrand your resume? Give the experts at Resume Footprint the opportunity to help get you market-ready. Visit www.resumefootprint.com and reach out today!