Sunday, January 17, 2010

Facing Job Loss

By John Smith

If we see the questions on the Interviewing message board we can see that it shown some of our readers' difficulties in getting a search after leaving or losing a job. But according to me it is useful for us to start at the beginning.

One thing is very clear about the work culture of the new millennium is that nearly all work is now short term, frequently even careers themselves. You have to prepare for change whether it suits your style or not. If we mention the current statistics so we can see that almost all say that the average job is only about three to four years now, but if we talk about 15 years ago when the average tenure of the job was 10 years.

Whenever you join any new organization it is good to understand well in advance that there will be many ups and down mostly during the first week of you're joining. This ride will mostly include sadness, lack of interest, denial, anger, and then some more anger. Everyone goes through this stage to one degree or another, and I don't believe the people who say they don't

It is not good to call immediately to everyone you know and start sending out resumes, answering ads, and calling recruiters. Because most of the times chances are like that you're not mentally prepared for the immediately start a search after a separation. Don't do a job search "on the rebound." you'll probably say things that you will wish you hadn't. It is good to share your true feelings with your loved once - maybe a significant other and/or a friend would be quite enough. You don't want everyone to avoid you ("Uh oh, here comes the whiner..."). Now's the time to adopt the marketing stance that your career - no matter how you perceive the reality - has been sunshine, light, and success. And you want everyone to know about those

Calling to those people you know is not networking. Networking is indirect relationship building, quite a different thing.

Develop a target. Years ago, in my private practice, I was deluged with people announcing, "I want to be in TV." I never knew what does that meant.... did it mean television repair? Developing a target is the centerpiece of beginning your search. What is the job function- specifically? What is the desired culture? Geographic location? Size of organization? Do you want to start your own business? Consult? Do you have Dot-com-Virus? This may all involve some extensive self-assessment, with or without outside assistance - but it's necessary.

And then, of course, you need to research your target

Stick to the marketing plan and stick to that. Work the system; there are no shortcuts, except for the occasional bolt of lightning. If you are discipline and consistent this thing account for a lot in this process.

Be flexible. If you're seriously listening while developing those relationships, your target might adjust and shift.

If you are creating daily structures and devise techniques for stress improvement then it is good because its not a terrible thing to do something that you enjoy during this period, something that you couldn't do while working full time.

Losing or leaving your job doesn't mean that carry the stigma it used to, except in your own mind. It's a part of the culture now. Everyone believes this or not that everyone has to go through this stage one day.

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