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Recovering from Unexpected Job Loss or a Lay Off

While many of us are happily anticipating the promise of a new year, many others are grappling with the weight of unexpected job loss. After all, ‘tis the season for pink slips, layoffs, and workforce restructuring. Let’s face it, January can feel especially cold and gloomy for job searchers.

When we find ourselves suddenly unemployed, our first instinct is to rush to the computer to polish up our resumés and LinkedIn profiles. This feels proactive and productive. Once these tasks are done, we are left with the raw emotions of our recent experience.

How do we deal with the emotional aspects of being laid off or terminated? We are all unique and situations vary. Therefore, the process of healing is different for everyone. For some clients, the experience is quickly viewed as a “blessing in disguise.” For others, the wounds are deeper, and it takes longer to recover.

Regardless of where you are on this continuum, it is wise to take steps to process the experience in a way that leaves you feeling whole and strong. It is tough to execute an effective search when you are weighed down by emotional baggage. You don’t want to unconsciously carry negative emotions into a networking event or job interview.

Take time to grieve.

Unwanted or unexpected change almost always includes a sense of loss. Even if you were unhappy in your job and considering making a change, you will mourn the loss of the relationships and routines that work provided. You might feel a loss of identity and self-esteem. There is almost always a loss of financial security.

The impact of job loss can be similar to divorce or even the death of a loved one. When we think of it this way, it makes sense to mourn before we jump into a job search. This includes identifying your emotions and processing the experience.

Acknowledge your emotions.

Denial is a common coping mechanism. Avoid the inclination to dismiss or minimize your feelings. Are you hurt, angry, ashamed, scared, sad, vengeful, or confused? All of that and more? Give yourself permission to feel whatever is coming up for you.

The sooner you acknowledge the breadth and depth of your emotions, the sooner you will be ready and able to move forward. Name your emotions. Take time to reflect and journal about your experience.

Many people avoid looking too deeply within for fear of being overcome by their emotions. Research shows that avoiding dealing with feelings can cause more stressors. The negative energy builds up and keeps you stuck.

 Talk about your experience.

Internal processing is a good start, but full recovery includes telling your story – out loud, to the right person, and in a safe setting. It is healing to share your experience with a supportive person who can listen without judgment and without rescuing.

After a termination or lay off, there is often a lingering sense of shame. We wonder what we did wrong or we worry that we might face similar issues in the next job. Some layoffs are completely random. In other cases, we might need to own some of the responsibility.

In either case, you can recover and even grow from the experience. Talking is curative. By sharing your narrative, you begin to tease out the truth. You release unhealthy feelings of shame and replace them with self-compassion and an honest appraisal of yourself and the situation. This lays the groundwork for creating your next chapter.

We live in a “dust off your pants and move on” culture. Getting right back on the horse after a fall is seen as a strength. However, a strength overused can become a weakness. If you are recovering from job loss, take time to grieve. Then you can hop back in the saddle and ride off in the direction of your dreams with confidence and clarity.

 

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2017 – The Year to Give Back!

Mountain Landscape in Colorado Rocky Mountains, Colorado, United States.

One of the best things we can do for ourselves, and our careers, is to share our time and talents to do some good in the world. Volunteering enhances our professional resiliency and increases our personal life satisfaction. Here are 5 reasons to make ‘giving back’ a priority in the coming year.

Expand Your Network

Serving on boards, volunteering for a non-profit, and supporting fundraising events connects us to new people who share similar interests. In time, these acquaintances can turn into professional alliances. When we volunteer, we have a chance to put our talents to use and show our skills in action. This leads to high-trust relationships with people who can then speak to our qualifications or refer us to new opportunities with real conviction.

Build the Resume

Volunteering helps us look good on paper. We can minimize gaps in our work history by showing that we have remained active and involved during transitions or layoffs. We brand ourselves when we include volunteer experience on our resumes. We also differentiate ourselves from other candidates who have similar skill sets but lack community involvement.

Skill Development

Think about what you have to offer and what you hope to gain in terms of skill development when you consider a volunteer opportunity. Sometimes we volunteer because we want to be considered for full time, paid positions within the organization. In other cases, we plan to take the skills we gain from volunteering and put them to use in our regular jobs. Yes, we give back for the sake of giving back but we can also be strategic in terms of what we want to develop in ourselves.

Career Exploration

If you are considering a career change, volunteering is the perfect way to test the waters before jumping in with both feet. You get first-hand experience and valuable insights into what it takes to be successful in a new industry. This can help you avoid a costly career mistake. If you do find a match in your new field, you will have developed great experience and connections to help you make a successful transition.

Good Vibrations

Volunteering often leads to feeling a sense of purpose and belonging in the world. If we are a bit stale in our careers, volunteering can reignite a sense of passion. It feels good to give back yet we all need support from time to time. When we are in a career transition, it can be psychologically easier to reach out for help if we have made it a priority to be of service. In giving to others, we can create good karma for ourselves.

Keep in mind that finding the right volunteer opportunity can be challenging. Start by considering what issues call to you. What are you curious about? Do you want to work locally? Or, do you yearn to support national or international issues? What talents do you have to share and what new skills do you hope to gain?  How much time can you devote given your other commitments?

Use this online resource:  https://www.livecareer.com/quintessential/volunteering to learn about possible areas of interest. Your local library also offers resources to help you research non-profits, foundations, and giving organizations such as Rotary International.

The new year is a perfect time to envision a brighter future for yourself and for the world. It is a time to set goals and seek out rewarding experiences. One thing I know for sure is that as you serve the world, you will also be doing yourself a whole bunch of good. Happy New Year!

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Job Search Survival Guide

Your job search has been going on for months. After turning in hundreds of applications, you only landed a handful of interviews. You made it into the final round on a few occasions but have yet to receive an offer.

Looking for a new job is a lot tougher than you imagined. Initially, you were hopeful but now you feel lost and discouraged. You hear news of the job market opening up which only adds to your despair. Trust me, you are not alone.

I realize this is a small consolation. However, it is really important to remember that looking for a new job is a tough process. I don’t know anyone who thrives under financial pressure, enjoys being in a state of limbo and relishes the sting of rejection.

Unless you just won the lottery or inherited a fortune, giving up is probably not an option. Like it or not, the hunt for a good job must go on! Here are three tips to help you survive your job search.

Take a Break

Job seekers who are dealing with health issues tend to flounder the most. It is difficult to focus on job search activities or make positive networking connections when grappling with anxiety, depression or serious physical conditions.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is put your search on hold. Depending on your circumstances, this could mean a week, a month, or perhaps longer. You may need counseling support or you may simply need to give yourself a break from the stressors of life.

During this time, you will not scan job boards, go to networking events, or even peek at LinkedIn. Instead, put your health and wellbeing first and fill your calendar with enjoyable activities. You might add a few house projects to the list if that seems therapeutic.

Once you are stronger and more confident, you can step back into the job search process with renewed energy and hope.

Get Clarity

The second biggest hindrance to job search success is a lack of focus. Job seekers who struggle the most often confess to being unsure about what they want to do next.

When you lack clarity, you are going to pale in comparison to more focused, enthusiastic and determined candidates. Your networking tribe will struggle to support you in your search. Simply stated, it is mighty difficult to be compelling when you are confused.

You may need outside support. Visit a workforce center, utilize alumni career services at your college or seek out a job search coach to help you gain the clarity you need to move forward.

Reset the Strategy

Finally, many job seekers struggle because they do not know how to conduct an effective search. Landing a position in today’s marketplace requires a fresh strategy and a different set of job search skills than in the past.

Today, you need so much more than a polished résumé. Landing a great job and managing one’s professional growth requires a career marketing plan. If you have never heard of a career marketing plan, you have some homework to do!  If you have one, start executing it with determination.

It’s a jungle out there. In order to survive, self-care is key. You also need a clear focus, updated job search skills and a strategic career marketing plan. If you are still feeling lost and unprepared, find a group of other job searchers and band together. The journey is much easier, and hopefully more fun, when shared with fellow travelers.

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Resumé Advice You Never Hear: Stop the Endless Targeting!

Imagine you are at a barbeque and a friend says, “We are hiring. Shoot me your résumé and I will pass it along to my manager.” Elation suddenly turns to panic. You spend the rest of the weekend pulling your hair out in order to get a résumé together by Monday.

Whether you are in active job search mode or more passively open to new opportunities, it is prudent to have a sparkly résumé ready to send off in a moment’s notice.

Job seekers are generally advised to target their résumés to each specific position. This sounds good in theory but it is not always possible. The aforementioned barbecue scenario is one case in point.

Another issue is that position descriptions vary widely. Some are overly detailed while others are short and skimpy. Rather than expressing any amount of passion and truth, job seekers parrot back what they think employers want to hear. The end result is a résumé that reads like the back of a can of paint.

There are certainly times when we should tailor a résumé to a specific position. However, there is a lot to be said for creating a personalized marketing piece that can be used more broadly. This allows us to be nimble and effective in responding to opportunities and it ensures we don’t lose ourselves in the job search process.

For the next few minutes forget everything you have heard about the importance of targeting your résumé. Rather than focusing on employer needs, look into your heart to identify what you want in your next position. Here are three steps to creating a powerful, all-purpose résumé:

Be Future Facing

Let this version of your résumé describe the job of your dreams. Rather than simply regurgitating what you have done in the past, highlight what you want to do more of going forward. Don’t list anything that you find draining.

Think beyond recent work experience and also emphasize skills gained through volunteering and personal interests or from positions held long ago. A résumé is a ticket to your happy future and it needs to be written with a clear vision in mind.

Be Compelling

Beyond listing skills and qualifications, develop a “career highlights” section in which you provide brief accomplishment statements to communicate the real value you can provide.

These accomplishment statements are like pencil drawings that support your goals and ambitions. When you land an interview, you can turn these pencil drawings into vivid word pictures and stories. For now, let your resume offer captivating snippets of who you are becoming professionally.

Be Yourself

When it comes to landing a good fit opportunity, your best bet is to present yourself honestly. Most résumés are sterile and lack personality. It seems the goal of so many job seekers is to avoid offending anyone – ever.

Speak your truth. Use conversational language and let your natural voice flow on to the page. Being forthright and creative in your presentation will cost you some jobs but staying true to yourself increases the likelihood of finding a position in which you can thrive and grow.

A future facing, compelling and personalized résumé allows you to be ready when random opportunities present themselves. When you do need to target your résumé for a specific position, you can modify this version while maintaining your personal brand. Putting more heart into your résumé is a good first step to attracting the attention you desire.

 

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Love It or Leave It?

Love It or Leave It? 5 Questions to Ask Before Giving Notice

Active job markets often get people thinking about new opportunities. When jobs are plentiful, we imagine ourselves in greener pastures with better pay and more perks. We begin asking ourselves, “Should I quit my job?”

There are definitely times when we need to move on from positions. It is prudent to polish up your résumé if the company you work for is financially shaky or your boss is verbally abusive. However, if you are just making change for change’s sake, it may be wise to consider what is driving the impulse.

The following five questions can help you discover if you truly do need to move on or if it is possible to rekindle your passion for the job you have.

  1. Are you stagnating?

Jobs change and morph over time. We can find ourselves doing work that is far different than what we were hired to do. Or, we may be bored from lack of variety or challenge.

Morale plummets when we don’t use the skills that make us feel strong and satisfied or when we are not given opportunities to learn and grow.

Before jumping ship, let your boss know that you want to be challenged in your current role or explore the possibility of a transfer or promotion. If nothing comes of this effort, you have a solid reason to consider moving on to a better opportunity.

  1. Do you respect leadership and do you feel valued at work?

Most people leave their jobs because of a negative relationship with their direct supervisor or due to an overall toxic leadership style. If you don’t currently feel seen, heard and appreciated by your boss, you probably never will. Before you cut ties, consider getting some coaching to ensure you don’t end up in a similar situation.

  1. Is recent organizational change fueling your desire to leave?

We can become stressed and discontent due to changes in company leadership or in the way business gets done. Some people handle change better than others but these are generally tough situations. Avoid jumping on the negative bandwagon and give yourself time to adjust. What if the changes turn out to be positive? It could happen!

  1. Are you happy outside of work?

When we feel dissatisfied with our lives, it is easy to blame our jobs. Sometimes the best way to feel happier at work is to take up a hobby, start an exercise program or deepen connections with friends and family. Enriching your life outside of work may lead you to feel better about your current position. It will also improve your mental outlook should you decide to begin a job search.

  1. Do you know what you want?

Make a list of what you really like about your current position and what you find intolerable. Next, list what you want to gain by making a change. This can include new skills, enlightened leadership, better pay or an increase in responsibility. The clearer you are about what it is you want and need, the more likely it is that you will find it.

Asking for what we want and need in order to be happy takes courage but so does giving notice! We can improve our current situations. Sometimes we need a fresh start. Keep in mind that those greener pastures are sure to be filled with manure. Your best bet may be learning to love the job you have.

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