Some people change jobs regularly, some people get laid off, some people get fired, and people have their company’s go out of business.
For most people it is a very stressful time, looking for work can fundamentally change many things in your life. Going through this for the second time in my career has reminded me, just how difficult it can be for a person, and for their family.
You will come through this and you will survive; but you need to plan and prepare. It won’t be easy; but other people have been where you are now and if you follow the lessons they have learned and adapt them for yourself, you will get through this difficult time.
Lesson #1 – Find a new job before you leave your old one.
Looking for a replacement job while you are still working is a good thing, but not always possible.
If your basic needs are being met and you have money coming in, it is infinitely better than looking while you do not have a job. In addition, whether consciously or unconsciously prospective employers will give an edge to a person who is working over someone who is not, in my experience.
There are many employers who treat their associates extremely well; unfortunately, there are some that don’t and that is a good reason to look for another job, remember EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
Lesson #2 – Deal with your anxiety.
Looking for a new job is very stressful because what you do impacts every single aspect of your life and not having a job does creates tremendous worry and anxiety, the key is not to let it paralysis you, channel that anxiety into action:
- You will doubt your self-worth and your abilities. Some people identify so much with their job or career that losing that makes them very insecure, particularly if there are other things going on like covid-19 or if unemployment in general is very high. A person’s age can add to the anxiety, although technically illegal, age discrimination is a very real thing in our society.
- You will wonder how you will cope financially, especially with mortgages, investments, car payments, credit cards, and unexpected expenses. Many people live pay cheque to pay cheque and any kind of disruption, could literally make them destitute.
- You may have to delay new purchases and/or vacation plans. This is just a fact of life, however, focus your energy and in time, you will be able to plan again.
- If may impact your children’s education plans for college or university.
The best way to deal with any of these anxieties is to speak to someone, in Ontario try 211, it is a great service, a counselor at groups like the YMCA Employment services, friends, family, your partner; these feelings are real and natural, you are not the first person to have them and it is important not to go through them alone.
Lesson #3 – Try not to make comparisons to your old job.
This is extremely difficult, and I have struggled with it various times in my career. Keep all of the good lessons, learn from the bad lessons, but fundamentally remember, you will never get another pay cheque from that place, you need to build forward not long for what is over and done. Harsh? Maybe, but necessary, trust me.
Lesson #4 – Patience.
Another one that I am not particularly good at, but important. Things will not move as fast as you want, persistence and tenacity are good things, but temper that with an understanding that you need to relax and let things unfold somewhat. It is very hard, but learn from mistakes I have made, because I have taken myself out of contention for certain things because I was relentless when I could have had what I wanted if I was just a little more willing to let the process work.
Lesson #5 – Have a plan.
Decide what do you want to do? Ask yourself what competitive advantages do you have?
Everyone tells me that losing my old job might be the best thing that has happened to me, maybe I will feel that way eventually, but it is very difficult. The key thing is to take the opportunity and decide what you want from your next job and then figure out a “plan of attack”.
Work with people like the advisors at the YMCA Employment Services or through help that is available on-line. You will be much more likely to succeed if you take control of the process and “work the problem,” rather than simply bounce from one advertisement to another.
Lesson #6 – Look at programs that might be available to give you new skills.
Your local government may have resources available; their may be federal assistance for financial support or re-training, there is a wealth of knowledge on the internet (some good, some less than good), I have mentioned the YMCA Employment Services as one of the good ones. As well, remember, you are not the only one going through this, at any one time, between 5 and 10% of the workforce is unemployed, keep the faith in yourself and don’t despair.
Lesson #7 – Network, network, and network.
Everyone you know: friends, family, former co-workers, people you volunteer with, people you play sports with all of them should know you are looking for work. Many people are embarrassed to be unemployed, don’t be. You need to try and embrace the simple fact that many people like to help, particularly if you have helped them.
In addition, make use of on-line searching, but talk to people as well. There is a wealth of on-line job advertisements: Indeed; Monster; Workopolis; Linked-In; YMCA job board; federal and local employment agencies, etc. You can apply for many jobs without ever leaving your home.
I encourage you to get out and talk to perspective employers, I have, “cold calling” is tough, but it might just be the best way to find a job because they might have a job that hasn’t been advertised yet and if you arrive and have the skills they want, you could save them a lot of time money … I have seen in happen many times.
Lesson #8 – Anticipate being discouraged.
This is going to happen, it is impossible not too, but keep the faith, in yourself and in the process.
The first time I lost my job through downsizing, I was out of work for 13 months, the last time it was 6 months. You need to find a way to persevere, it is difficult and even the most optimistic person can get discouraged, but just keep “working the problem”.
A job can be the centre of a person’s social world and losing the job not only causes all the anxieties we mentioned above, but it can also be extremely socially disruptive. When people are removed from a social setting, it is only very natural for the people that are left to move on without you; that loss of social interaction can be as much or more destructive than actually losing the pay cheque.
When you get discouraged, talk to people, look for encouragement, do not isolate yourself even more. I know about this one too and it is painful.
Lesson #9 – Volunteer, use your time constructively.
When the circumstances of rule #8 were really bothering me, I reached out with an email on Linked-In to as many people I could think of, offering my services for free. I was very fortunate that Francesca Dobbyn, a whirlwind of a person, our local United Way Executive Director, took advantage of my offer. She didn’t care that I was out of work, she put my skills to work and helped my sense of self-worth tremendously. You can do that in your community too, there has never been more of a time when volunteers were needed than now.
Not only will you likely benefit as I did, but it will also get you out working with people and increase your chances of networking tremendously.
Lesson #10 – Improve your skills.
Now is the time. I have learned more about my industry and read more professional development skills in the past 5 months than I have in the past two years.
Take advantage of this down-time and improve your skills. Join on-line groups like Linked-In and use the training they have available on a vast number of skills.
Use your public library and/or read those books you own but have never had time to read. Read blogs, listen to podcasts, sign up for free government training, listen to podcasts, now is the time.
Lesson #11 – Try to enjoy your life as much as possible.
I really struggled with this one myself. While looking for work should be a full-time job; it is not a 24/7 obsession although it seems that way sometimes.
This can be a difficult time in your life, so make sure you balance things with a little time for things that fun and/or give you some personal fulfillment, it will actually help with your job searching.
Lesson #12 – Adjust your budget and lifestyle.
Having been through this once before, the very first thing I did was to adjust my budget to ensure that I could live on a reduced income for as long as was necessary. When you are back working, set aside a little money from each pay cheque once you are caught back up as a “rainy day fund”.
This is like Lesson #2, but it is worth mentioning again.
Lesson #13 – Remember when you are working again, try to help those people who you know are looking for work.
Empathy and compassion are important skills and remembering all of the people who have gone out of their way to help me during this time has made me more aware of the importance of helping people when they need someone to give them an opportunity. This point might just be the most important thing to remember when you are back working.
Never give up because you will find another job.
Good luck, I have been where you are and these lessons work.
Paul.