Unemployment
Coping with unemployment
John has been looking for work for two months since his lay off.
In showing concern, friends and family regularly ask him if he has
found a job yet, and John feels worse each time someone asks. When
socialising, John is asked what he does for a living and dreads
explaining that he is not working. He feels as though people do not
respect him as much as before. He finds he does not want to leave
the house much and is fearful about his future.
Jane lost her job when management within her company changed.
Although she had been with her company for four years and got along
great with everyone, she and her new manager simply could not get
along, so Jane resigned. She really did not think it would be a
problem finding a new job. Jane does not want to reduce her salary,
however, she has been looking for a new job for six weeks now and is
having a difficult time finding positions with the same salary. She
is now beginning to feel angry at employers in general. Jane would
like to change fields but is sceptical about being hired without
experience. She is losing confidence in the prospect of employment
and is beginning to feel less confident about herself.
The above scenarios illustrate what many people think and feel
while in a job search. Feeling rejection is a normal part of looking
for a job, although we never get used to it and usually are not
unemployed often enough to learn to deal with it appropriately.
Losing a job can bring up many feelings we typically cannot put into
words, and would avoid if we could. Many of us who are normally
confident, find ourselves feeling somewhat lost and with less
confidence than normal.
It is essential to be proactive about changing your outlook
during this time. You can read inspiring books and talk with
supportive people. Politely remove yourself from those who are
negative in general and especially those negative about the job
search process. Acquiring effective job-finding skills while keeping
a positive attitude will prove worth the extra effort. Looking for a
new job can be viewed as a new challenge and adventure. Take a
moment to watch children: everything is exciting and a new
adventure. Children don't have the thought process to inhibit their
excitement and enthusiasm, they simply feel excited over just about
everything new, regardless of how small. Taking steps to get that
feeling again will not only help you personally, but will come
across in your interviews!
Ways to recapture a bit of enthusiasm while in your job search
- Look forward to the positive events that occur in a new job,
e.g., new friends, new skills, new challenges etc.
- Think of the long term. Many good things in life take time.
Never focus on a single day.
- Remember, interviewing gives you an opportunity to meet new
people and practice your interviewing skills.
- Don't think about rejection, think about making the right
choice for yourself.
- Obtain a temporary job if needed. Many job seekers benefit
emotionally by feeling productive and working with others, and
it can help financially.
- When you do not receive a job offer, move on and know the
right job will show itself soon.
- Make positive affirmations about your new opportunities. A
positive attitude will reflect in your interviews and surely
build a momentum toward success.
Taking steps toward success
- Surround yourself with positive, supportive people; talk to a
mentor, counsellor, member of the clergy, or friend when needed
to regain a positive perspective; visualize yourself in your new
job.
- Make a list of all of your skills, accomplishments and
contributions you have made in your work, hobbies, volunteer
experience and with family and friends and review them daily!
- Ensure your resume(s) reflects the skills and accomplishments
related to your current goals. (For assistance, see
CV Clinic.)
- Be proactive and develop a solid job-finding plan.
(See Finding
the Right Position)
- Prepare a daily schedule for your job search and follow it
(just as if you were working).
- Remember, you are also interviewing the company; both you and
the employer want a good fit.
- Keep track of your contacts and follow up!
- Practice your interviewing skills regularly until you are
happily working. (See Interview
Techniques.)
What if I need to find work immediately for income?
If your immediate financial situation is urgent, you need to
think in terms of a short-term goal to generate income and a
longer-term career goal.
You need to do several things right away:
- Determine your immediate minimum monthly income requirements.
Look over your expenses for the past 6 months to one year.
Determine what you can do without and what you need. It is
important to plan for job search expenses, e.g., resume
development, postage, phone and fax, travel expenses etc.
- Assess your current skills and determine where you have the
quickest potential for immediate income.;
- Consider a short term contracting position for immediate
income from temporary assignments. These may not use all of your
skills, however temporary assignments can help with cash flow
and provide the flexibility you need to conduct a job search.
(Check with our recruitment consultants for contract
opportunities.)
- Develop and implement an overall job search campaign.
(See Finding
the Right Position)
- Pursue options for immediate income while continuing to
explore rewarding career options.
- If you are deeply in debt, see a non-profit consumer credit counselling
service in your area. They can take the stress off by helping
you plan a debt management strategy and contacting creditors on
your behalf.
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CV Clinic
Tips on how to prepare an effective CV
learn more...
Interview Techniques
Use these tips to make sure your next interview is successful
learn more...
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