Some people might say Angela was lucky but in my opinion, more than luck, what got her employed within a month of her layoff was taking quick action to get the word out about her layoff and take advantage of any promising opportunity that came her way.
Angela was a client of mine a couple of years ago. She was feeling stuck in a junior executive-level administrative job for an online advertising services company so she took my Career Rutbuster program to figure out her next move. She had me write her resume for her and was all ready, at the end of our work together, to go out and get a more creative job at a new company. She had her list of resources and her tracking system and her list of five actions to take first.
But then she didn’t have to find a new job. With her newfound confidence and direction, she approached her boss at her current job and landed herself a copywriter job and a higher salary.
So when the company she worked for laid her off along with 80 other people, one of the first calls she made was to me. She had me advise her on her exit from her current job, what moves to make immediately after leaving her job, and what her next moves would be. She had me update her resume to include her most recent position.
She was prepared for a long layoff, as anyone should be, especially in this economy (there is a certain amount of luck involved with getting the right opportunity), but she was ready to land another job. Kudos, Angela!
Did I mention the job she got was a promotion and pays better than the one she left?
NOTE: For those who have been laid off or are otherwise unemployed or who are worried about a possible upcoming layoff, I have written a free e-book with some of my best advice. It will be released within the next couple of weeks so sign up to receive it (enter your email address under the green box that says free e-book on the righthand side of this page). And, of course, get in touch if you want one-on-one consultation and/or a professional resume rewrite like Angela had.
January 29th, 2009
Okay, people. This will probably be my last blog post of 2008. I know it’s a bit early, but nonetheless, it’s true. I’m taking this opportunity to introduce my recurring theme of 2009. I know some of you might get tired of hearing it, but others need to hear it as often as I can say it. Here goes:
There are jobs out there.
I say it a lot lately in person to clients, friends, unhappy grocery store checkers. I’m going to say it again with emphasis.
There are jobs out there.
Good jobs. Jobs you want. Better jobs, even, then the one you have or the one you are losing or have already lost.
And I am not saying this to make those who have been looking without success so far feel bad. Depending upon what you do, this can be a challenging market- but for others, there will be a brief period of un- or under-employment and then you will find something else. Something good. Something that maybe even pays more or gives you more responsibility or more fun or even all three.
Let’s get crazy while we’re talking here- it’s just us, right?- if you are unhappy with you current job, you can find another one. Even if you have a decent, secure job, you can actually hunt for a new job RIGHT NOW (well, wait until after the holidays– everyone is scrambling to get where they need to be with the appropriate gifts in hand) and be SUCCESSFUL in relocating to a position that is more fulfilling.
NO, you are not STUCK. YES, you have OPTIONS.
Take an honest look at your resume and call me if you need help with it. Think about what you want to do next and call me if you need help with that.
Let me help you make a plan to make a move in 2009 and then successfully execute that plan.
In the meantime, I am wishing you & your family happy, healthy holidays!
December 20th, 2008
Okay, so there’s no more spinning it, there’s no more if-we-don’t-say-the-word-it-isn’t… There’s only the truth. As in, we are in a recession. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? To borrow Rule #1 of AA, The first step is admitting you have a problem. Now, breathe deeply, and let’s get to it…
Here’s my best advice for survival- and for some, even thrive-al- as we go through this challenging time.
# 1. Think Short-Term and Long-Term
This economic downturn will pass. Sooner or later, it will be one of those things we look back on, like 9/11 and then like the dot-com bubble and then, eventually, like the gas crisis (which happened way back in the 70s, for all you young people out there). In order to keep your wits about you and not despair, you must consider two things:
What do I need and want to do now to survive and make the best of the current situation?
Where do I want to be when this is over and a little time has passed for the new reality to set in?
#2. Own Your Power
Yes, even in the most dire situations, there is power. If you don’t have a job- or you fear you won’t have a job for long- you can get your resume in top-notch shape. Unless you are a really strong writer with knowledge of how best to market yourself on paper, I recommend that if you can afford it, you pay for a resume rewrite. (I say this not just as someone who writes resumes professionally, but also as a veteran hiring professional. It pays to have the strongest resume possible, especially in a market like this.)
And, of course, you should network. Reach out to former bosses and co-workers, to people who you met at professional events, and to recruiters and others in the business of knowing the market. And you can network with people you like in your industry. Your friends and friends-to-be. Plan coffee get-togethers where you each invite a couple of people so it’s a bigger group. Exchange resumes and resources. You never know what that might lead.
#3. Look for Opportunities
This is another one where short-term and long-term comes into play.
The wonderful woman who brokered our home purchase a couple of years ago, Jasmine Aimaq, is one of so many people in her field dealing with a market slump. Before the housing slowdown, she was focused on helping people buy and sell homes in the Los Angeles area, and establishing herself as a specialist in eco-friendly real estate, advising people on purchases of “green” homes and on renovating homes to make them more “green.” She even appeared on HGTV’s ”My House Is Worth What?” as an expert appraiser of a “green” house being featured on the program.
A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Jasmine. She is now providing a property tax reduction service for homeowners. For a flat fee, she will provide an analysis of the market the home is in, along with comps supporting the reduction of the appraised value, and submit the report to the county for consideration. She even does a free preliminary search before you sign up for the service to see if it’s likely to be worth it for you.
I was thrilled to get this email, as I had wondered how one would go about getting their property value- and thus, taxes- reduced. I contacted her immediately and eventually sent others her way. Not surprisingly, she has gotten a lot of business for this new service.
Now, I am sure she would rather be helping people buy and sell homes, ”green” and otherwise, but she has found a way to add value, make additional income, and widen her circle of contacts during the short-term economic downturn. Knowing her, she is also using this time to position herself for her long-term career goals in light of changing global circumstances.
How can you adapt to the current economic situation and have an opportunity for the short-term?
Looking down the road, how do you see your career path evolving and how can you capitalize on it?
Bonus Non-Career Tip: Do Things that Don’t Cost Much (or Anything at All)
So it’s not exactly the free-spending days of yore (a couple of years ago). Not by a longshot. But there is still a lot you can do.
Look for cheap and free fun in your local community. Public holiday concerts, green spaces to hike in, galleries and museums with open days. You’d be surprised how much is out there if you just do a little research.
Trade services. This can be anything from you and a girlfriend helping give each other home hair color treatments if salon visits aren’t in the budget right now to trading off babysitting nights. Get creative.
Help the Less Fortunate. Figure out what you like to do, whether it’s visiting with seniors, feeding the homeless, or reading to kids in the hospital. There is always a need for volunteers in the community.
No one knows how long it will be before things get better and there is a lot that is out of our control when it comes to the current economic situation, but hopefully, you will find ways to pass through this time that will leave you better off in the long run, both in your career and personally. Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” I hope I have shown you ways you can find yours and take advantage of it.
November 25th, 2008
