Tips for Snagging a Job in a Tough Market

The dreaded "R" word is a blank check for bosses to fire anyone. They use a recession as an excuse to get rid of the highly paid people who would ordinarily be hard to fire. In other words, a recession climate is used as an excuse to clean house.

In my book Bulletproof Your Job, (HarperCollins) I share 50 trade secrets on how anybody can seduce their boss into helping them save their job. Yes, I said seduce.

Like the idea of how American Express' black card “seduced” you in to wanting one, even though it was expensive.

Keeping a job today is hard enough – finding a new one is even more difficult.

You may represent the upper echelon of the job seekers, but it can be tough to sell your expertise when someone else will do the job for less.

So, here are some tips on getting back to work fast.

“Lowball” yourself. Take the lower salary – don’t scare away a company with your past “Rolex” wages. Get your foot in the door, and when this economy turns around next year you will be in the driver’s seat to renegotiate or find a new job entirely.

Loose lips sink ships. Everyone is looking for a job today, so ears are everywhere. Every networking group you go to, everyone you talk to may be applying for the same jobs. You’d be shocked at who else has their eyes on your perfect job. Have you ever seen that show in which the actors steal auditions from one another? It’s no different in the executive suite. Keep it quiet.

Never act desperate. Always look like you deserve a six-figure job. If you’ve been making six figures, you’d better have a resume template that screams, “Hire me!” Then, don’t mess it up by dressing like you’re headed for an open casting call for the next Real Housewives. You’re dressing for an interview, not for your 15 minutes of fame.