It is simply everywhere. Companies downsizing, merging, and closing. Jobs are short and candidates are plentiful. While this is good for a company filling a position, it makes for stiff competition for those looking for a job. Instead of being able to implement a career change on your timing, it may be necessary to find a job until you can search more intensely for that career change. So you just lost your job, what do you do now?
In this economy, it will be important for you to gather up your bills and do a financial assessment. Yes, that means doing a budget. It will be imperative that you lower your monthly expense immediately. Unless, of course, you were one of those treasured few that received the million dollar settlement! Search the internet for a home budget calculator to help you.
List every expense that you have and find out where you can cut costs. Do you really need that fully expanded, bells and whistles cable connection, or could you get by with the basic channels and rent a movie? Do you really need that new pair of shoes? Or can you take your current shoes to the repair shop and make them last another season? If you have to eat out once a week, can you share an entree with a friend or spouse and cut the cost in half? Cutting costs can be difficult, but it can be done, I promise!
Once you have developed a budget and know where you stand financially, map out several action plans. What will your plan be now that you are out of work? Where will you start?
Career Change Survivor Action Plan No. 1. If severance was not an option with your job loss you may need to take a job to bridge the financial gap while you continue to look for a real career position. It can be at a lowered salary and will not look as damaging on your resume as a gap in employment. Beware, though, that some companies will question your motivation to stay in a full-time position that is not challenging for any length of time, so a part-time or contract position can be a better fit for this transitional period.
Career Change Survivor Action Plan No. 2. In a survivor situation begin immediately to deal with the emotion of losing your job. It will be difficult to think clearly and convince an employer that you can be a positive employee hire if you are depressed or feeling embarrassed about the job loss. How many people do you suppose have lost their job at one time or another in their career? Almost everyone has or will. So, do not blame yourself. Look at the positive contributions you bring to a job and focus on those.
Career Change Survivor Action Plan No. 3. And, while you are focusing on those positive contributions, make sure you reflect those skills and talents in an updated resume. Think back about projects where you made a valuable contribution or a team you worked with that accomplished a specific task, either under budget, ahead of time or both. Once completed, have a trusted friend or advisor review your resume.
With an action plan in place, the last step will be to work your J.O.B.S.
Journey. Surround yourself with supportive people who embrace your journey, even if they do not always understand it! Find support in your own household and, if not there, search out others who can be a positive support to you.
Objective. Develop an objective on how to best maintain your mental health in this kind of situation. If finances are stressing you, making that budget or searching out that transition job may be the objective. How you approach your job search, what industry, what job, what area, may be another focus. Is this the right time to change careers? That may be the objective. Find and work your objective.
Balance. Find balance in your life while you are out of work. Do not ditch that healthy routine while you are looking and even after you take that next position. That quick walk around the block can clear the cobwebs and help the brain to think clearer. Statistics show that one of the best relievers of stress is exercise. End the chaos by walking away for a short time!
Sell. Sell yourself to everyone without being a used car salesman. Focus on how to articulate the value you bring to an organization. You never know when a contact may become the next source for an opening that fits you. Get involved in social networking on-line and with your community, professional associations, and even volunteer or work part-time at a niche organization that fits your career target so they can see first hand your work ethic and style.
Working to find a job that is a career is one of the hardest jobs you will ever have to do. Use your resources and call in all of your support and favors. Seek out a professional if you need to hit the ground running and need their expertise to gear up faster. Stay focused, work all of your leads and never give up! Before you know it, you will be back to work again.
David Hults author of the book "From Cornered To Corner Office" Overcoming the most unexpected obstacles that stand between you and your career dreams http://www.fromcorneredtocorneroffice.com
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