Recently I wrote about how an unexpected departure can dramatically affect your career and your life. A place to start. If this has happened to you or someone you know, like it did to me, know the sun will come up the next morning, the job is over, but you are not.
This post is about reinvention, resilience, and rediscovery. It will not be easy and there are no guarantees; but it is a guide to the road ahead.
Make a plan and decide what you want.
As part of the previously mentioned post, before anything you must deal with the feelings, anxiety, and your current financial position all of which are are very real components of your situation. Next, decide what it is that you want from your career and start planning how to achieve those goals. There are resources available, some free and others not, use what you can and start to chart a path.
Get the word out.
As your plan forms and evolves, start-letting people know about what you are planning. Many people who lose their jobs can be embarrassed by their situation and will have the temptation to withdraw, fight that feeling. Let people know about your situation: references, friends, former employers, anyone and everyone. The only thing to be embarrassed about is not asking for help.
Volunteer.
I started on this path just as the world began to shut down with the first wave of Covid-19. Companies were not hiring, I was not getting any younger, and with each passing day, my anxiety only grew. Inside of despair, I decided to offer my services on LinkedIn; I messaged every one of my connections. Several responded, unfortunately all with the same message that they were not hiring, one was different though.
One was from the Executive Director of an organization that I had worked with previously and they said they had some jobs but could not pay me, but would I volunteer. I took on those jobs and some more besides. It allowed me to get out of the house, interact with people, and make use of my skills. It also allowed me to learn so much about people and issues that up until now I only had a passing knowledge.
At a time that I needed to feel useful, volunteering for a charity gave me that opportunity. Every community has short-staffed charitable organizations that are always in need of volunteers. Apply your skills; positions are available from drivers to board members, it is a great way to build new networks and connections, as well as to keep your skills current. And, most importantly to make a difference in your community.
Even afterward, consider continuing to volunteer and even consider becoming a board member.
Start a Blog
I began my blog as a way to keep busy. I was used to working 60-70 hours a week and then I went to zero. A blog is a great way to keep your mind active. I wanted to use it as a way to share my knowledge and to let people know what kind of skills I had available. I had no idea if anyone would read it, but I hope some of you have found things that you can use. Sharing knowledge is a great way to repay the people who took time to teach me to be success.
Blogs are easy to set up and regardless of how many times you publish one, they are a useful exercise.
Send Motivational Quotes
I originally started sharing quotes with my children as they experienced some of the trials of being teenagers. I remembered the importance of person centered comments from Dale Carnegie and always tried to send an original quote each day. I found by helping them that I also felt more connected and I always felt better too.
Over time, I started adding a daily quote for my associates by posting one at the staff entrance. The quote was always for a different person each day, someone who could use a boost. The quotes were general enough that nobody knew exactly whom it was for. Ironically, usually three or four people would find a way to quietly say thank you for the quote each day. I tried to avoid the standard quotes by famous people and looked for rare and unique quotes. When I became a free agent, I started sending quotes to some of the people who liked them and I have continued, each one still makes me feel connected and useful, which is something some days is as much for me as it is for the person getting the quote.
Read.
Improve your skills and stay current, 15 to 30 minutes a day, everyday. Depending on how long your plan takes to implement, this is another good way to stay sharp and engaged.
On-line Learning.
Upgrade your skills and experiences, learn another language, and see what government re-training packages might be available. Nobody wants to be unemployed, but it you have time, take advantage of it.
Anticipate feeling discouraged and depressed.
There will be days that you will feel this way, plan on it and have people to speak to that will help you overcome them. Losing your job later in your career is tough. If you are lucky, it will not take long, if it doesn’t happen right away, never give up and never lose hope.
Don’t expect much help from former work friends and associates.
As connected, as you might have seemed while employed, once you are no longer on “their bus” it is amazing at how quickly you are forgotten and no longer relevant to them. It is one of the harshest realities that I experienced and perhaps the hardest thing for me personally to overcome, even now. Not everyone will abandon you, but expect it, don’t be surprised, and don’t be biter.
Network as much as possible.
This is not a contradiction to the previous point. Everyone you know should know you are looking for work. All of the people who are unemployed are competing for the same advertised jobs. Build a new a social network, you may find jobs that haven’t been advertised yet and this might be the only advantage you need to find your place.
Join groups such as LinkedIn, if you are publishing a blog, post teasers on LinkedIn. Indeed and other job websites are excellent, post your resume and use the tools to help accomplish your plan.
Offer to help your friends, I have offered my skills free to friends in business as well as volunteering. All of these opportunities will help you stay current as well as really helping people who may be able to help you sometime.
Reconnect with people.
Do this genuinely, we all have friends and people we have know who have fallen off our radar. Take the time to reconnect. Invest your extra time in reaching out and making them part of your life again.
The road back to re-establishing your career, the road ahead is not easy and it will have more than a few curves. Take control, using some or all of these suggestions will help. You may have to take a few sideways steps as part of your plan, but many of us have done it, and you will too.
Good luck,
Paul.