Part 2 in a Series of 3

Continuing from last week, layoffs are sometimes a sudden shock from corporate downsizing or even office politics. The next three tips to practice are: establish your safety net; retain a business/professional mindset; up-date job search tools and skills.

4. Establish your safety net.  Identify people who you feel will be extremely helpful and supportive in helping you in this uncertain time and through the transition to your new work situation.  They can be family members, long-time friends, or close colleagues.  They play key and different roles to keep you centered and motivated. These are people who are objective, truthful; offer constructive advice, feedback, and types of help.  When you are frustrated, want to sound off and have to get refocused and back on track, members of your support group are there for you, strongly committed to help you reenergize yourself and continue your job search.  You can turn to other members to brainstorm with, obtain resources from, act as your sounding board, review your marketing documentation, listen to your networking introduction, and work together in other ways.  In summary, with the love, support, and encouragement of your safety net, your goal for being gainfully employed again will be achieved.

5. Retain a business/professional mindset.  Maintain structure to your life by establishing a daily routine, setting a schedule, and doing your self-assigned tasks. Accept the realities of the changing workplace and expand/up-date your skills, learn about relevant technologies, identify transferable competencies, brainstorm viable work options/possibilities, and do everything necessary to stay in touch with your business or professional life.  Consider part-time or temporary employment for income purposes or try-out a new work arena or professional role.

Employers consider it to be in poor taste or unprofessional when receiving E-mail messages that are very casual, and untimely, and that contain poor grammar and spelling.  Do not list home phone number if children maybe answering; instead have a cell phone with voice mail.  Record a businesslike message as your voice mail message.  View all networking activities, professional meetings, and information interviews as potential sources of job leads and dress in business clothes. If necessary, buy a new shirt, tie, scarf, shoes, and otherwise update your job interview clothes. Retaining a business or professional mindset helps your self-esteem, your commitment to finding new work, and the image you project when meeting and talking with people.

6. Up-date job search tools and skills.  Take a good look at your resume, think about your interviewing skills, and assess your knowledge level regarding the latest methods and ways of job listings.  Your story focuses on strengths, expertise, experience, and accomplishments, communicating deliberately and briefly how your unique background and work history can benefit an employer. Essentially, you are marketing yourself as the product.  

Consider working with a career coach to be readily competitive, to become more self-assured, and to have a clear image of the professional image you want to project.  Know the difference between “informational interviews” and job interviews.  Develop a short paragraph presentation, for introductions in networking events, informational interview situations, and for that cliché question, “What can you tell me about yourself?” Know how to use Web sites for job search uses, including desired resume format.