Laid Off Jobseekers Mistakenly Think They Were Fired (Press Release)

With layoffs running rampant throughout corporate America, jobseekers are at a loss on how to broach the subject during interviews.

“One of the mistakes jobseekers make during job interviews is stating they were ‘fired.’ Most don’t understand the difference between getting laid off and being terminated. But there is a distinction between the two. Representatives of hiring organizations understand the difference. Jobseekers should as well,” says Linda Matias, author of How to Say It Job Interviews.

Matias continues, “Layoffs occur due to a business decision – for example, the outsourcing of a department. The circumstances are beyond an employee’s control. Firings, on the other hand, are based on poor job performance or inappropriate conduct.”

Words have a lot power and when jobseekers qualify their ‘I was fired’ response with the specifics of the layoff, the damage can be irreparable. Hiring managers may assume the candidate isn’t being forthcoming about the circumstances. Once a hiring manager questions the candidate’s integrity, it will be difficult to shake that impression – even when proven through a reference check that the candidate’s version of events are accurate.

Uneasy that their candidacy is tainted, most jobseekers are discouraged about their chances of landing a new position. Jobseekers’ perception is their own worst enemy. Often, they walk into an interview defeated and simply going through the motions. This strategy is sure to backfire.

“Candidates should keep in mind that through the employment dates on resumes, interviewers are aware the jobseeker’s unemployment status prior to extending an offer to interview. They are purposely overlooking a job loss in favor of experience,” explained Matias.

Over the years, the stigma surrounding those who are laid off has decreased significantly. In fact, in some cases, jobseekers are harder on their unemployment status than those responsible for hiring.

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Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides and author of How to Say It® Job Interviews, has earned credentials in all three primary aspects of the job search: Certified Interview Coach (CIC), Job & Career Transition Coach (JCTC), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). Through her career and outplacement firm, CareerStrides, Linda dispenses advice on topics including changing careers, resume writing, and effective interview techniques. Linda is also the former president of the National Resume Writers Association.

Contact
Linda Matias
linda@careerstrides.com
www.careerstrides.com
(631) 387-1894

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Dear CareerStrides: Emailing Your Resume

Dear Linda:

I found your Emailing Your Resume article published on Net-Temps Careers News to be helpful. I do have a question. Lately, I have read and heard a few people mention that it might be better to email both your cover letter and resume all in the body of the email as opposed to cover letter in the email body and resume as a .doc attachment. The reason being that some IT organizations are particular about receiving attachments in a email for obvious reasons. However, in my mind, it seems that an organization that receives resumes, has to be able to handle/allow attachments to come through. Also, I fear that even if you get the formatting of your resume correct in the body of the email, it might appear differently when the recipient opens the email. This might be especially true depending on how you format (HTML, Word, text, etc.) the email and what email editor you use vs.. what the recipient is viewing it in. I wonder what the recruiting community feels about putting your resume and cover letter both in the body of the email? I also have heard some recommend having both cover letter and resume both in the word attachment also which I am not fond of. What do you think?

Dear CareerStrider:
Thanks for the question. Below are my thoughts.

"However, in my mind, it seems that an organization that receives resumes, has to be able to handle/allow attachments to come through."

An organization, especially one in the IT field, are equipped to manage attachments. There was a time when the Internet was new that attachments were taboo. But we are now in 2008. Things have changed. Unfortunately, someone reads an article from the 1990s and doesn't take into consideration that technology has evolved.

In addition, if an IT organization isn't equipped to handle email attachments, it is not very progress. Is that the type of organization you want to work for? IT is constantly changing. In order for you to grow professionally, you should seek employment with a company that is ahead of the curve - not behind it.

Also, I fear that even if you get the formatting of your resume correct in the body of the email, it might appear differently when the recipient opens the email.

That is a valid concern. For this reason, if you are going to send a resume in the body of an email, you should follow resume text guidelines. Here's a link to an article I wrote that walks you through the process: http://www.careerstrides.com/article_converting.html

Though there isn't any one method to ensure that the resume will transmit 100% as you expect, the instructions in the link above is the best shot you have.

I wonder what the recruiting community feels about putting your resume and cover letter both in the body of the email? and I also have heard some recommend having both cover letter and resume both in the word attachment also which I am not fond of.

When an organization supplies specific guidelines, then follow the instructions. But if an organization doesn't include instructions then I would recommend to paste the cover letter in the body of the email and attach the resume. When an organization doesn't accept attachments, they will most likely say so. As a result, there isn't a guessing game.

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