Inhale. Exhale. Sometimes that might be all the focus you think you can muster first thing in the morning after another restless night. Job seeking is more 24/7 than the most stressful job you ever had. Why not pull the covers up over your head and grab some more sleep?
No one called to schedule an interview with you yesterday, after all, and it’s possible no one will today.
But you can’t slip into that dark room because there are many qualities about your work ethic that are still in tact.
I can tell you since I lost my job in December, that what hasn’t changed about me personally is my nature. I am still an early riser, I am still driven and my mind is sharper than ever. I have new perspective and have had time to think through strategy, analysis, plans and ideas. And you’re the same way!
Keep at it. You’ll have good days and bad days. Good days are when you see an ideal job posted or pick up some paid work. Bad days are when you find out someone else got the really good job you hoped you’d land.
That’s OK. It’s not forever and you are not alone. Not since our grandparents navigated their way through the great depression have so many Americans had such hard times finding employment, much less fulfilling employment. It is hard for people in all age groups for various reasons.
You owe an apology to no one. You do owe yourself your best. You don’t work for “the man” right now. You are your client.
Here’s what’s helped me so far, and I hope you’ll find it useful.
1. Put your automatic happy on. Whenever you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, shift your thoughts to something that makes you happy. That will become a mindset for you and it will keep you going. For more on this concept, check out Hank Blank’s excellent post, “How to stay strong when the search is long.“ Guess where else it will show up without you having to force it? In the interview! You’ll appear not only qualified but confident and positive. No one wants to give the one job they have to a negative thinker.
2. If you can’t join them, beat them. We will do a more detailed posting on this concept at another time, but hang up your own shingle and steal some business. It doesn’t cost much to register a business, start a blog or website and then to print business cards. It takes time to make a full time living at it, but it also fills time and builds contacts for you. It‘s certainly been fulfilling for me -- even in 2011! (Check with your attorney; independent contract work might not interfere with your unemployment benefits.)
3. Volunteer for anything, but especially for everything that showcases your skill sets. If you are an editor, offer free services to a local charity website. If you’re a chef, cook or serve for a charity event. This was great advice given to me by David Lippoff, a seasoned Portland PR guy. You’ll make contacts. You’ll gain some new experience. Guess where else it will help you? In the interview. They’ll ask what has kept you busy since that fateful day and you will have something to share.
4.Exercise. Yea. You never had time before. Now you do. Get to the point where you have no trouble powering through a 30 minute run or an hour long Pilates class. It sharpens your mind. It gives you energy. And guess where else it shows up? Yes, once again. You will arrive for your interview with a positive and powerful presence. Your perfect posture will suggest strength and confidence.
5. Share leads. I know, why tell someone else about the job you hope you will get? It’s a good thing to do, that’s one reason. Doing good things right now gives you another value at a time when it’s tempting to feel worthless. What’s the worst thing that can happen? They land the gig instead and then help you?
You will either reinvent yourself and be your own client, or you will end up on someone else’s payroll if you keep at it.
So here’s another thing I must share with you as a former employer who hired some people fresh out of layoff and unemployment situations. They were not always the most motivated employees. Make sure you will be. Before you start, make sure you understand this is a new start.
The reinvented job is probably going to be something less than the one you lost; that is just how it is. That’s either because you are starting all over again in the pecking order or because your new boss is also downsizing and consolidating job responsibilities, as he has to justify filling each and every opening. You may not have the same title, you probably won’t make as much money, you won’t walk in with 4 weeks of vacation and you may have to work a night shift. So what. Keep in mind that your beef is with the guy who let you go, not with the one who is giving you a new opportunity.
Keep your positive energy, exercise routine, volunteer efforts and lead sharing self together even when life gets better. This experience, one of the worst in your life, will make you positively one of the strongest, most talented people in your new work world.
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