Creative retooling strategies for job hunters
By Carole Moore • Bankrate.com

Recessions are as normal as death and taxes. They're also about as much fun. With the national unemployment rate at 5 percent, and by some measures much higher, the American worker has every reason to be wary of the economy's downturn.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that about 240,000 people lost their jobs in the first four months of the year. Among the industries affected are the obvious: home construction, finance and real estate. Perhaps not so obvious are the losses in other fields, ranging from marketing to transportation to companies that offer luxury and leisure services, such as hotels or boat builders.

But how or where you earned your living before you lost your job isn't really the point. What does matter is that you get back on your feet before your savings -- and spirit -- run dry. And that means you need to attack joblessness the same way you would your work: with a strategic plan.

Employment expert Susan Ascher says it's inevitable certain industries are going to feel the pinch when the economy tanks. One way to protect yourself is to become the "go-to guy (or gal)" in the company, she says.

If your job's in jeopardy or you've already gotten the boot, consider temporary work to keep that wolf from your door while you look.

"Become the temporary IT guy, the one without benefits, but who works at a decent hourly wage," Ascher says. "And consider jobs that you wouldn't under ordinary circumstances."

In the British movie "The Full Monty," a supervisor who has lost his job spends weeks pretending to go to work so his wife won't catch on. Ascher says that happens in real life, too. "I've seen in recessions in the past where guys say, 'don't call my house because my wife doesn't know I've lost my job.'"

In real life, staying quiet about a layoff is the worst thing you can do. Michael R. Neece, chief strategy officer for Pongo Resume, says telling everyone you're looking for a job is absolutely essential to landing one.

8 tips for job-hunters:

• List your accomplishments from previous jobs. You might be surprised at how much you've done, plus you can highlight them in your resume and job interviews. • Don't take your layoff personally. It happens to almost everybody at some point. • Compose an "elevator speech." That's a very short pitch (about one minute) that you can use when you run into someone who might be able to help you. Practice it often. • Update your resume. Neece says resumes that present competencies and skills separately -- not linked to your industry -- work best. • Have business card-sized mini-resumes printed and hand them out. • Work to get the financial monkey off your back. Realistically assess your finances. Cut expenses wherever you can. • Exercise. Really. Not only will you feel better but you're doing something proactive in your downtime. • Lower the bar on what makes for a good day. While you are job hunting you need to keep your spirits up and your attitude positive.

"Don't be ashamed you're out of work," Neece says. Inventory your skills -- and not just the obvious ones -- then apply them to industries on the rise, such as health care.