Basic guidelines for the recently unemployed

Oct 15th, 2007 | By Bill | Category: Employment News



Basic guidelines for the recently unemployed
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Tom Wall knew it was coming.

The commercial photographer in Loudonville, N.Y., said his job at a news channel has changed over the years. It wasn’t like the early days when he was pinching himself because he ”got paid to do this.” Many of the special projects he worked on were scrapped to cut costs. His workload was decreasing and he kept asking himself, “How long can this last?”

Still, when he was told his job was being eliminated, the reality came as a shock.

The reality is that in today’s volatile job market, many employees will find themselves in a position similar to Wall’s at one time or another. Losing one’s job, whether expected or not, can throw any employee for a loop. The loss of a job can crush a person’s self-esteem and rob him or her of a sense of identity.

Experts say that the trick to working through job loss is to stay active and positive, which is perhaps easier said than done. Here are some tips on what to do and what to avoid when suddenly faced with an unanticipated job search.

• Make a graceful exit. Relationship expert April Masini of AskApril.com suggests you suppress the urge to say something you might later regret. “Thank everyone for their time with you. Don’t boast false bravado. Be sad if you feel sad. But continue to be professional even after the job ends.”

• Don’t panic. Luke Schmonsky, associate director of the Career Center at The College of Saint Rose, agrees that this is easy to say when you’re not the one who just got a pink slip. However, Schmonsky advises job seekers to avoid making a knee-jerk reaction (like accepting the first job that comes along) that could potentially send a job seeker down the same career path as before, even if it’s not the right path. “One of the main things that people should do is reflect on why the position didn’t work out. Some people become misplaced in the job market and end up with positions that don’t necessarily fit their career goals.”

• List the positives. When you’re feeling down, listing all of your transferable skills can be a positive experience, explains Schmonsky. “Transferable skills are skills that people obtain in various positions that can pertain to another position. Skills make you marketable, and often people don’t realize how many they have.”

• Step outside of your comfort zone. Seven years ago, when the technical firm she was working for went under, ”literally overnight,” Elizabeth Freedman of Elizabeth Freedman and Co., a Boston-based career development firm, suddenly found herself out of a job. After months of networking and job searching, she signed up for an acting class — a move that dramatically changed the path of her career. She wrote and starred in the one-woman show Made Redundant about her trials and tribulations in the workplace. From there, Freedman developed contacts and soon started her own business.

• Make it personal. Sure, you know it’s important to network, but these days it seems so much easier (and safer) to just send e-mails while hiding behind your computer screen. While it is certainly easy to research and apply for jobs online, Freedman believes that there is ”no replacement for picking up the phone — be gently persistent, but break through the tech tools.” Along with making phone calls, Freedman urges job seekers to stay active within their fields by attending conferences or maintaining memberships in professional organizations.

• Remember, it is only temporary. Yes, you lost your job and are devastated. Freedman recommends you keep it in perspective, though. ”I have an MBA and worked at a gym for months,” she says. ”You have to be OK with taking something less than perfect” while you search for something better.

• Put on your game face. You can complain and stress to your friends and family all you want, but when it comes time to interview, a prospective employer doesn’t want to hear your sob story. In today’s job market, Freedman believes that most recruiters will understand a job loss. When discussing your previous position with prospective employers she says it’s important to “be positive, but make it clear you’re moving on.”

• Visit your alma mater. Whether you’re across town or across the country from your alma mater, chances are their career center can help you. Schmonsky notes that The Career Center at The College of Saint Rose offers everything from tips on résumé writing, mock interviews and assessment skill tests to a career-advising network comprised of alumni and community members. Many of their services and assessment tests can be accessed online. Schmonsky also suggests taking advantage of the books about employment that are available at a school career center. A book he recommends is Suddenly Unemployed by Helen Kooiman Hoosier, which offers a practical, step-by-step approach for people coping with job loss.

• Live your life. Freedman reminds clients that their job search should not be the only thing going on in their lives. Along with staying in touch with friends and family, Freedman suggests staying active by working on projects and activities that showcase your skills. This could mean volunteering or doing pro bono work. This can give your something to show for how you spent your time while unemployed and can be a big boost to your confidence.

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