According to the research of Right Management of Norwalk, a human resources consultancy, one in three people may sabotage their job search by acting with haste after a job loss.Â
 “You should avoid rushing into the job market,” said Douglas J. Matthews, president and chief operating officer of Right Management. “Don”™t panic.”
Right Management research shows that most employees can typically expect to be displaced from their jobs at least once during their careers and that more than 50 percent of new jobs are found through networking.
“It”™s all about a multifaceted approach,” said Steve Morrissey, executive director of human resources at Michael Page International in Stamford. “In the market at the moment, there are a lot of candidates out there that are more and more and leaning toward agencies and recruitment firms. Remember, the companies know full well that most likely the best candidates are currently working and are happy where they are,” said Morrissey.
Two-thirds of 1,029 survey respondents recognized that people who are displaced from their jobs should initially take time off to re-evaluate and develop a plan.Â
“The problem you have with the economy at the moment is that it comes down to two things, how financially desperate you are, and how long you can go without gaining a job,” said Morrissey. “Some people are forced to take the first job that comes along. Human nature takes over and yes you can make a mistake and you can understand why people do that.”
According to John Nardi, president of Human Resources Staffing Inc., in White Plains, N.Y., quick moves can be interpreted as rushing to take anything out there.
“In essence, they could simply be passive candidates,” said Nardi. “The job search market is fast and furious today as a lot of companies in need reach out to multiple search firms which can hinder the effort rather than expedite it. Several agencies find the same person, but the agency that convinces the candidate not to observe two weeks”™ notice, or any at all, gets the prize. The result: a candidate who has rushed along with the illusion of a great job, only to appease the recruiter”™s pocketbook.”
Thirty-four percent of those tallied indicated they would immediately jump into a job search, and according to Right Management, potentially sabotage the very goal they set out to achieve by being unprepared and reactive.
“Take time to think about what you want to do next in your career,” said Matthews. “You may wish to explore career possibilities, such as changing functions, industries, or even a range of work and life options such as part-time employment, entrepreneurial and retirement alternatives.”
According to Matthews, people experiencing recent job losses shouldn”™t make calls or send e-mails to networking contacts asking for job leads, contact recruiters, respond to ads, or post to Internet job boards until carefully reviewing and updating their resumes.
“Do try to project a positive attitude,” said Matthews. “Avoid making negative comments about your previous employer.”