Bio: Paul Pachuta is a wireless industry recruiter and president of Wireless WorkForce, Inc., a contract staffing firm and host of the telecom industry Careers website and job board: www.theWirelessWorkForce.com.

More of the same. I received another email from a friend and wireless colleague advising that he has been given his notice. I get a lot of these, especially now; but that’s because I’m in the “find me a job” business. The surprising thing is how surprised they are. Maybe not so much today as they were last year, before the economic hysteria set in. I suppose that most people half expect to get the unwelcome “tap on the shoulder” at any time in this economic climate.
But truth be told, even in a much better economic environment such as we had up until mid-2008, no one is immune to being ‘downsized’. With or without fiscal crises, the largest wireless employers have been shedding full-time staff, (especially technical operations), since the end of the halcyon days of vast PCS network builds of the late ‘90s. I recall one year when AT&T Wireless alone had an $8 billion annual capital budget. Wouldn’t that be great news today?
So what are we, (those of us who work in this industry), to do? How do we maximize our hiring potential? How do we distinguish ourselves in the sea of resumes flooding the websites of telecom employers?
First of all, an unsolicited resume goes nowhere. It really doesn’t matter how spectacular an employee you are. If an employer isn’t looking for you, you won’t be found. So where do employers look for people? Their own corporate websites? Third party job boards? The #1 answer: industry colleagues. Personal referrals. So how does a job seeker tap into that resource?
NETWORK! Are you a member of any groups? Even if they are not business oriented, let people know that you are looking. Consider the people you currently work with. You are most likely part of a team and, like it or not, your teammates may someday be called upon to reflect on your character. Are you a team player? Are you consistent? Do you work well under stress? Are you able to handle difficult personalities? Speak with colleagues and former higher-ups who are connected, have moved on to other companies or who have worked elsewhere in the past. Chances are good they have kept some kind of communications open with their former co-workers and may be aware of a particular opening that would suit you well. Would your co-worker be able to give you honest and positive endorsement?
BE PROACTIVE! Don’t wait until you are desperate. This is the single biggest mistake that people make. I know of certain clients who will not even consider people who are out of work. They know that those people will accept compromises that will prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Desperate people make bad deals and that hurts everyone concerned.

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION. Have you proofed your resume lately? Believe it or not, spelling and grammar are important. They are indications of a candidate’s level of intelligence and work attitude. If you aren’t careful with this introduction to the employer, when do you become careful?

Design the resume around the job. Because employers can receive literally hundreds of resumes, they look for words that will alert them that you are familiar with specific aspects of the job. For instance, list all equipment & tools, (software, hardware), with which you are familiar. Include OEM names and certifications, I recommend incorporating a segment into your resume simply listing these items separated by comas; there is no need to embellish since employers are simply scanning for key words. Try to capture as many of these as possible since many websites search by keywords.

List employers and employment terms plainly; include the months as well as the years. Try to show employer consistency. Avoid defining every title change. Employers do not have the time to read your resume. Initially they will only scan it and a long list of short-term employment will not work in your favor. If your employment was project-based, make certain that you mention that you were working as a contractor. And finally, be specific about your reason for leaving. Potential employers will assume the worst.
Armed with a job-specific resume and honest references, what else can you do today to improve your chances?
Invest in yourself. Add specific skills or certifications: i.e.: College degree, PMI, Safety, CPR, Siterra…
Research what’s happening in the industry: Which companies are funded? To do what? Where?
Be flexible in your demands, especially with regard to relocation, temporary employment and overall compensation.
Get ahead of the curve. Consider bold moves such as changing industries, relocating or coming in at a lower level than you’re used to.
Promote yourself. Even if you are not looking for a job, make yourself aware of opportunities. Promote your skills anonymously by posting a profile on the Wireless Workforce website free of charge. No one but you will know that you are keeping your options open.
Just as there is such a thing as a ‘buyer’s market’, there is such a thing as an employer’s market… and we are definitely in one! Does that mean that you may need to accept some compromises? Probably. But with a positive attitude and some forward thinking, you will keep yourself ahead of the pack. Best of luck!