| How to Find a Job in a Slow Economy Posted: 12 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST Whether you were laid-off, just graduated, or simply want a change from your current job, it's especially stressful to look for work during bad economic times. It's completely normal if you're having a tough time landing the right job. Luckily, there are some key strategies that can help. Try these important steps to find postings, tailor your applications, and nail interviews, even in a bad economy. [Edit]Focus your search on growth industries. - No industry is recession-proof, but some are more resistant than others. Some of these industries actually grow during poor economies, depending on where the recession is focused. If you search in these sectors, you have a better chance of finding and landing a job.[1]
- In general, healthcare, education, civil service, law enforcement, IT, cybersecurity, and law are stronger industries during a recession.[2]
- You might have to do some extra work in your application to explain why you're a good fit for certain jobs if they're outside your normal sector. This is why a strong resume and cover letter are so important.
- Service sectors like restaurants, travel, or retail tend to suffer during recessions. Manufacturing jobs tend to fall as well.
[Edit]Zero in on the largest companies in strong industries. - Big companies are more likely to make it through the recession. Once you identify the major industries that are safe during the recession, go a step further and find the biggest hirers in that field. You're much more likely to find job postings and land a job that will last through the downturn.[3]
- If you're looking in IT, for instance, companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple are usually solid choices.
- Not all of these companies post on general job boards like Indeed. You might have more luck checking on their main websites.
- Businesses with a lot of debt or financial trouble before the recession are still at risk, no matter how big they are. It helps to do some research and confirm whether or not a company is healthy.
[Edit]Tap into your network to find job openings. - Don't be shy about asking for help in your search. There's no shame in it! Reach out to friends, family, old coworkers, or even casual acquaintances to say that you're looking for work and would appreciate any leads on job openings. One of them might know about an opening that could be your next job.[4]
- Networking like this is also a very important way to get your foot in the door for a job. Companies are probably receiving hundreds of applications, and a recommendation from someone could put you ahead.
- Many jobs, maybe even up to 70%, aren't even advertised publicly. That's why networking is so important to uncover these openings.[5]
[Edit]Partner with a recruiter to help find jobs. - Recruiters match candidates with jobs that they're a fit for. They can be great resources during a recession since recruiters already have industry contacts that will make your job hunt a lot easier. Even better, recruiters are paid by the companies they match with, so their services won't cost you anything. Try contacting some recruiters or recruiting agencies to see if they can help.[6]
- Recruiters can also review your job materials and resume, which is a big help for you.
- Sometimes, recruiters will reach out to you if you set your LinkedIn or Indeed profiles to say you're looking for work. Try doing that to make yourself more visible to recruiters.
- Don't just work with any recruiter. Investigate the person to make sure they match people in the industry you want to work in and have a good track record of success working with major companies. If not, then they may not be much help.
[Edit]Contact companies even if they haven't posted jobs. - Find the contact information for a hiring manager with the company. Email or call and briefly state your qualifications, then ask if there are any open positions. Since a lot of jobs aren't advertised, you can find some hidden openings this way.[7]
- You'll be a lot more successful with this tactic if you know someone who works at the company. They can put in a good word for you.
- Be prepared for a lot of "no's" with this method. It'll be frustrating, but it only has to work once to find you a job. Try to stay positive and keep up with it.
[Edit]Don't be too picky about the jobs you apply for. - You might not find your dream job during a recession, and that's okay. You need to be open-minded and step outside your comfort zone a bit. Consider applying for jobs for companies or industries that you didn't think of. Be prepared to take a smaller salary if you have to. Staying flexible like this gives you a greater chance of success.[8]
- You might even discover a new passion by getting a job in a different field!
- Even if you get a job that's not ideal, you can start looking for a new one when the economy improves. You only need to take care of yourself until things get better.
- This doesn't mean you have to take a job you know you'll hate. It's okay to pass over jobs that you could never see yourself doing. Just try to keep an open mind.
[Edit]Do some freelancing or temp work in the meantime. - If you're like most people, you need income while you're job-hunting. There's no shame in taking temporary work to make ends meet for the time being. Try looking for part-time, temporary, or seasonal positions while you're sending out other applications. It might not be ideal for you, but the income will be a huge help.[9]
- Around the holidays, delivery companies like FedEx or Amazon usually hire seasonal workers to help with the increased demand. Getting one of these jobs could give you a nice income for 2-3 months while you look for other work.
- If you have any particular skills like writing or graphic design, you could also freelance on a site like Fiverr to bring in some temporary cash.
- Some positions might even become full-time when things improve, so this is another reason you shouldn't discount temporary work.
[Edit]Revamp your resume and cover letter. - Having both of these prepared means you'll always be ready to apply. Old or poorly-written job materials can make you look bad, and you definitely don't need that in a bad economy. Revisit your resume and make sure it's up-to-date, readable, and really displays your skills. Then put together a strong cover letter template that explains your qualifications and interests.[10]
- Make sure to list any recent accomplishments, awards, certifications, and promotions on your resume. Make these front and center so employers see them clearly.
- While you should write a new cover letter for each job application, some sections can be reused. Your greeting and explanation of your past work, for example, can work in most cover letter versions.
[Edit]Tailor your application to each job you apply for. - It's more work, but generic resumes and letters show a lack of effort. You need to show each hiring manager that you're a hard-worker and enthusiastic about the job. Review each job posting and be sure to address some of those points in your cover letter and resume. This shows that you're familiar with the position and willing to put work in. This will be time-consuming, but it gives you a higher chance of success.[11]
- Simple things like naming the company, hiring manager, and job title in the cover letter show that you did your research and personalized the application.
- It's helpful to have a few different resumes tailored for different fields. An IT resume could highlight your technical experience, while a salesman resume focuses on your interpersonal skills.
[Edit]Explain your relevant skills when you apply. - This is very helpful if you're applying for jobs in different industries. Your old job role might not be relevant to the new position, but the skills you used are. Try to highlight how the skills you have will help in this new job. This shows a hiring manager that you're a good fit, even if your old job doesn't seem relevant.[12]
- If you were an event planner, for instance, you probably have excellent communication and negotiation skills. These would transfer well into a sales position, so be sure to highlight them.
- This is especially crucial if you're trying to enter a new industry.
[Edit]Prepare extensively so you nail the interview. - Be ready to really sell yourself when you do land an interview. A bit of extra work will go a long way, so try these important prep tips to impress the hiring manager:[13]
- Learn about the company and the position so you can explain how you'll be a good fit.
- Prepare some stories to highlight your qualifications.
- Be on time!
- Dress well and be polite to everyone you meet. Stand and sit up straight so you look confident.[14]
[Edit]Follow-up after every interview. - Don't be passive after applying and doing your interview! Let the hiring manager know that you're enthusiastic by sending a follow-up email. Thank them for their time and say that you're still very interested in the position. This might convince them to move forward with you if they were on the fence.[15]
- If you don't follow up, it could make you look rude or disinterested. This could definitely hurt your chances.
- Don't be hard on yourself if you don't get a response or they tell you that you didn't get the job. These are normal parts of the process. Move on with your applications to find another opening.
- Try to stay positive! Job-hunting is tough during a recession, but you can pull through if you're consistent.
- Take care of yourself during your job hunt too. Eat right, get some sleep, and exercise to stay healthy.
- If you name any references in your application, be sure to let them know ahead of time so they're ready to put in a good word for you.[16]
[Edit]Warnings - With so much competition employers will be more selective. Don't lie on your resume' or inflate your credentials. This could cost you the job.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make Tea Cakes Posted: 11 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST Tea cakes might sound like a posh treat, but they're actually simple butter cookies. These cookies are popular in the South, where recipes for them are handed down through the generations. Once you make a batch, you'll see why. Tea cakes have a comforting flavor that comes from the classic combination of butter, sugar, and a little vanilla. Whip up a quick batch and enjoy a tea cake with a cup of tea or a glass of milk. [Edit]Ingredients - 1 cup (115 g) of butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) of white granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- of vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360 g) of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) of baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.3 g) of salt
Makes 9 dozen cookies [Edit]Classic Tea Cakes - Preheat the oven to and grease 2 cookie sheets. Spray the sheets with nonstick cooking spray or spread a thin layer of butter or shortening across them. Then, set your prepared pans aside while you make the tea cake dough.[1]
- If you don't want to grease your sheets, line them with parchment paper instead. The parchment paper has silicone in it so the cookies won't stick.
- Cream 1 C (115 g) of butter with 1 1/2 C (300 g) of sugar until it's light and fluffy. Get out a large mixing bowl and put 1 cup (115 g) of softened butter into it. Add 1 1/2 cups (300 g) of white granulated sugar and use a stand or hand mixer to beat them on medium speed for up to 5 minutes. Keep beating the mixture until becomes pale and fluffy in texture.[2]
- It's really important to use softened butter or your tea cake dough will be lumpy.
- Stop the mixer a few times and scrape down the sides of the bowl so all of the mixture becomes fluffy.
- If you don't have a stand or hand mixture, it's fine to use a sturdy spoon. You might just have to use a little more elbow grease to mix up the dough.
- Beat in 3 eggs, 1 at a time, and add vanilla extract. Turn off the mixer and crack 1 egg into the bowl. Beat the mixture on low speed until the egg is incorporated. Then, add the remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time and stir in of vanilla extract.[3]
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Get out another mixing bowl and put 3 cups (360 g) of all-purpose flour into it. Add 1 tablespoon (12 g) of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon (1.3 g) of salt. Then, whisk the dry ingredients for about 30 seconds so the baking powder is completely mixed with the flour.[4]
- If you haven't baked tea cakes or cookies in a while, check the expiration date on your baking powder. Usually, if cookies don't rise, it's because the leavener has expired.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture to make a soft dough. Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the butter mixture while you mix on low speed. Keep mixing until you've added all the dry ingredients and you don't see any pockets of flour in the mixture.[5]
- Stop mixing as soon as the soft dough comes together. If you keep mixing, your tea cakes might be tough.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dough apart on a baking sheet. Scoop up a teaspoon full of dough and spoon it onto a greased cookie sheet. Put about a dozen tea cakes on your sheet and leave of space between each one so they have room to expand as they bake.[6]
- If you have a small cookie scoop, use it to drop the dough onto the sheet.
- Bake the tea cakes for 7 to 8 minutes. Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake the tea cakes until they spread and the edges become golden brown. The tea cakes will puff up as they bake, but they'll flatten a little when they cool.[7]
- Cool your tea cakes on a wire rack. Use a flat spatula to transfer the tea cakes from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, enjoy your tea cakes with a cup of tea or a glass of milk![8]
- Once the tea cakes are completely cool, put them in an airtight container. Store your tea cakes at room temperature for up to 1 week.
[Edit]Variations - Add spices or fresh lemon zest to customize the flavor of the tea cakes. Although tea cakes are known for being simple, delicate flavored cookies, it's easy to add spices. Mix 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground nutmeg to add warm flavor, for instance.[9] For brightly flavored cookies, add 2 teaspoons (4 g) of fresh lemon zest just before you mix the dough.[10]
- You could also substitute the same amount of almond or lemon extract for the vanilla extract.
- Use shortening instead of butter if you'd like puffier tea cakes. Butter causes the tea cakes to spread more when they bake so they're crispy. If you prefer tea cakes that are puffier and tender, replace the same amount of butter with butter-flavored shortening.[11]
- For another option, use half butter and half shortening. This gives your tea cakes crisp edges and softer centers.
- Substitute self-rising flour if you have it. If you stock your pantry with self-rising flour, use 3 cups (360 g) of self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour and leave out the baking powder and salt.[12]
- Since self-rising flour contains baking powder, it's really important to use flour that hasn't expired. Check the bag before you mix up your dough so you know that the cookies will turn out.
- Roll out the dough instead of dropping it if you'd like perfectly circular tea cakes. Dropping the tea cake dough onto the cookie sheet creates cookies that are quick and rustic. If you'd rather have uniform cookies that have crisp edges, cover the dough and chill it for 2 hours. Then, roll the dough thick and use a cutter to make circles.[13]
- The cookies spread a little as they bake, so leave at least of space between the cookies on the sheet.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer or sturdy spoon
- Cookie sheet
- Flat spatula
- Wire rack
[Edit]References |
| How to Stand for a Long Time Posted: 11 Feb 2021 08:00 AM PST Whether you're standing at work, at school, or to do a hobby, it can take a toll on your body. If you don't have the option to sit down periodically, there are a few ways you can make the day easier and give your back some relief. Try some or all of these throughout the day to see which ones work the best for you. [Edit]Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. - Those sandals might be cute, but they aren't great for standing. Put on shoes that fit you well and provide arch support.[1]
- Shoes made of mesh or soft cotton are usually more comfortable than leather or suede ones.[2]
- Try to avoid high heels if you can. The position they force your feet into isn't natural, and it can make your feet hurt after a while.[3]
[Edit]Use shoe inserts to support your arch. - If you have a high arch, you might need more support. Put shoe inserts into your shoes to give your feet a little more comfort throughout the day.[4]
- You can buy generic shoe inserts from most stores, or you can get ones specifically for your feet from a podiatrist.
- Even if you don't have a high arch, shoe inserts can give a nice cushion between your feet and the floor.
[Edit]Hold your hands behind your back as much as possible. - Crossing your arms in front of you can give you poor posture. To stay upright, keep your arms behind you to push your shoulders up and out whenever you're not doing something with your hands.[5]
- Make it a habit to stand with your arms behind you. That way, you won't even have to think about it when you need to stand for a long time.
- This position can also help you walk for long periods of time.
[Edit]Bend your knees slightly. - Locking your knees is bad for both your legs and your feet. As you stand, give your knees a slight bend so they aren't straight up and down.[6]
- Slightly stagger your stance as you bend your knees for a more natural posture.
- Locking your knees can also lead to lightheadedness and even fainting, so it's best to avoid it altogether.[7]
[Edit]Rock back and forth. - This will help improve the circulation in your legs. Periodically lift your heels, then your toes, then your heels again.[8]
- Rocking back and forth can also help you strengthen your legs slightly, so you can actually work out a little bit while you're standing up!
[Edit]Wear compression stockings. - Compression socks or stockings help circulate the blood in your legs and feet. Put these on before you stand for a long time to improve your blood flow and reduce swelling in your legs.[9]
- You can find compression socks or stockings at most shoe stores.
- Compression stockings can also help prevent venous diseases, like edema and thrombosis.
[Edit]Stand on a floor mat. - Standing on a hard floor is worse for your body than a squishy mat. If you're inside, try to stand on a floor mat for most of the day to give your feet a little cushion.[10]
- If you're standing for long periods of time at work, ask your employer to provide a floor mat for you.
- If a floor mat isn't an option, try putting padded inserts into your shoes instead.
- This can provide some relief to your lower back. Try propping one foot up on a stool, a box, or a ledge throughout the day.[11]
- A small foot stool is perfect for propping your foot on when you're feeling tired.
- Try switching feet every now and then to give different sides of your back a break.
[Edit]Kick your heel up to your butt. - This is another way to get your blood flowing in your legs. Stand in place and kick one foot up behind you like you're trying to kick your rear. Switch to the other leg and kick back and forth a few times whenever your legs feel tired.[12]
- You can also do this exercise if you feel your legs falling asleep.
- Look out behind you! Move any large objects nearby that might get in the way of your feet.
[Edit]Decompress your spine by hanging onto a door. - If you're feeling a lot of back pain, give your spine a quick release. Hold onto the top of a door and rock your hips back slightly to put your body weight into your hands. Hang on the door for a few seconds to give your back some relief.[13]
- If you aren't tall enough to reach the top of a door, put both hands on a countertop and let your feet dangle below you instead.
- These stretches take the pressure off your spine, which can make your back hurt less.
[Edit]Stretch your back using a countertop. - If your lower back is hurting, stretch it out with a table or countertop. Stand with your back to a countertop, and make sure the counter is hitting just below your belt line. Lean back just slightly until you feel a stretch in your lower back.[14]
- You may also feel this stretch in your hips, too.
- If you're tall, this stretch might not work for you. Try to find a solid surface that hits just below your belt line.
[Edit]Use a chair to stretch your hips. - Standing all day puts a lot of pressure on your hip area. Put one foot up on a chair or a stool and lean forward to stretch your upper thigh and hips, then switch sides.[15]
- This stretch will also take some of the pressure off your back, so it helps with back pain and fatigue, too.
- Make sure the chair you're using can't slide around!
- Always maintain solid posture throughout the day to avoid aches and pains.
- If you can, alternate between sitting and standing to give your body a break.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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