I have heard these words over and over again as a career coach. The truth is that many individuals, through no fault of their own, lose their jobs. This can happen for any number of reasons including economic necessity, job elimination, a poor fit in the corporate culture, or simply politics. Whatever the reason, an involuntary job loss can feel degrading and test your confidence in the blink of an eye. While this is never a pleasant thing to deal with, the truth is that more and more companies recognize that losing a job is sometimes out of your hands and does not necessarily constitute a performance issue. If you are faced with such an unfortunate incident, there are several things you can do to minimize your transition time between jobs.1. Keep your confidence - The easiest thing to lose, yet the most necessary thing to keep is your confidence. Lack of confidence is one of the most recognizable weaknesses that are transmitted in an interview. If you lack confidence, employers will question your decision making ability, and desperation doesn’t look good…to anyone. Keep your confidence by staying healthy, active, positive, and focused on the task at hand.
2. Use your network - When faced with a job loss, it is easy to go into your shell and feel sorry for yourself. It is also easy to feel embarrassed and think that people will want to distance themselves from you. The truth is, most friends and associates understand and want to help. Enlist an army to network with, put the word out and keep your chin up, there is nothing wrong with asking for help and assistance. You are not asking for a handout…just a hand.
3. Count your blessings - Easier said than done, but sometimes an employer’s decision to let you go is a blessing in disguise. I always ask folks that are in transition if they liked their last job. The majority of them inevitable respond with “no, not really”. The fact that someone else made the decision is the toughest thing to grasp. Don’t let bitterness get its hand on you; this is also an easily recognizable thing by future employers. Understand that business is just that; business, it is not personal. If you were unhappy, the timing could have been better but now you must pull yourself up, keep your confidence and use your network to get a tap in to the hidden job market.
4. Call in reinforcements - When you are faced with a career speed bump, it may feel like a crisis. Sometimes this is the most opportune time to get expert assistance in your career transition. A career coach can help you get on track and stay there while focusing on both your immediate and long term job satisfaction. Most importantly, they will be completely dedicated to your advancement the betterment of your professional life. Career coaches also have useful knowledge and tips on how to minimize the search time, get in front of the decision makers and manage your career search from beginning to end.
Career-Forward offers one-on-one sessions designed to meet your career needs for today and tomorrow. Contact us today for your free introductory consultation. http://www.career-forward.com/
