If you have recently lost your job here are some things you need to consider:
Understand the Stress of Job Loss and Job Search
Four stages of stress you may encounter
Stage 1 - Shock, Denial, Isolation
Stage 2 - Anger and Guilt
Stage 3 - Frustration and Depression
Stage 4 - Acceptance and Hope
Best remedy: Join a faith based weekly support group (see support groups list on this site or join our nationwide weekly online job search support groups)
Realize that in 2009 the average length of time it takes to find a job is 8 weeks per $10,000 in income. So a $40,000 per year job may take 32 weeks. Prepare yourself financially and develop a job search action plan to implement.
File for unemployment as soon as possible. www.fluidnow.com, 1-800-204-2418
Don't dwell on the job you have lost, instead focus on what you have left to offer!
- 10% of people know exactly what they want to do in their next job.
- 30% don't have a clue.
- 60% have a general idea based on the type of work they have done in the past.
- Know where you stand.
If you know what you want to do, develop your job search plan and treat job search like it's your business, and go for it!
If you don't have a clue what you want to do, examine your strengths and how you can manage those into the job you want. You may need to take an assessment to point you in a general direction and you should probably seek some coaching, counseling or group support to help you find your way. Talk with people who do what you think you may want to do.
If you have a general idea, start networking with anyone you feel comfortable calling, because you have a 70% chance of finding your next job through someone who knows you. You only have a 7% chance of finding work through answering internet job board listings.
Develop your 30 second "core-mmercial" or elevator speech so that the people you talk with know exactly what type of work you are looking for. If you can't tell them specifically what you are looking for, they can't refer you to the people who could hire you!
Develop a target list of 40 companies based on the type of organization you want to work for, where they are located geographically, and based on the size of company you want to work for. Show this target list to your network so they can introduce you to people who work in those companies.
Develop your resume and tailor each one to the job you are applying for. Generic resumes get lost in the shuffle. Companies aren't looking for a jack of all trades (jobs) - they are looking for a master of one. Have your resumes critiqued by others (preferably in a support group). Practice interviewing (preferably in a support group). Learn how to "job" network (preferably in a support group).
Know that companies hire in three ways;
1. The applicant pool (300 resumes on average for every job posted on the internet)
Result - high competition, low chance of getting selected for an interview. 5% to 10% of people find work this way.
2. The created position where they create a position for you based on the unique skills and talents you bring to the employer. Result - very little competition, great job because it's designed based on your strengths, but only 5% of people find work this way.
3. The known candidate where someone knows the hiring manager and the hiring manager recommends them for the position. Result - low competition, 80% of jobs are filled this way (reguardless of if they are advertised or not). That's why consistent job networking is the most productive job search strategy!
Develop a job search action plan and spend an average of 35 hours per week in the most productive job search activities. Allow time for exercise, quite time, time for family, and time for your job search support group. Your job search support group will help you learn job search techniques, help keep your spirits up, refer you to job openings, and hold you accountable (in a supportive way) for staying on track in your search.
Top 10 Reasons for Long Periods of Unemployment
1. They don't put enough time or effort into job hunting.
2. They waste time using unproductive job search strategies.
3. They aren't sure what type of work they are looking for.
4. They only pursue announced job openings and use no proactive strategies.
5. They have no systematic approach to job search.
6. They don't have a target list of prospective employers, or the target list is too small.
7. They have no way of measuring their progress.
8. They don't know that job search is a numbers game, or they underestimate the numbers of contacts needed before they find work.
9. They waste time being side tracked by non job search activities.
10. They try to go through job search alone or without any support.
Above all - NEVER lose hope!
Unemployment is a temporary thing.
Pray everyday like your next job depends on God, but work everyday like your next job depends on you!
Know that God will provide for those who trust him and who have faith greater than their fears. Don't allow FEAR to get you stuck in your job search. When fear knocks at your door, let faith get up to answer, and you will find that no one is there.
Join a faith based support group and help yourself by helping others through this challenging time!
And don't be surprised if things don't turn out like you planned. This short story explains what I mean (author unknown):
Not The Way You Planned
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.
They were discussing their hopes and dreams when
the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a great
treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver
and precious gems. I could be decorated with an
intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'
Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a
mighty ship. I will take Kings and Queens across the
waters and sail to the corners of the world. People
will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
Hull.'
Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be
the tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People
will see me on top of the hill, look up to my branches,
and think of the heavens and God and how close to
them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all
time and people will always remember me.'
After a few years of praying that their dreams would
come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.
When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks
like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the
wood to a carpenter, and he began cutting it down. The
tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would
make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like
a strong tree. I will be able to sell it to the shipyard.'
The second tree was happy because he knew he was on
his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree
was frightened because he knew that if they cut him
down his dreams would not come true. One of the men
said,'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll
take this one,' and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was
made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in
a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he
had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing
boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying
Kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone
in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave
birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box
that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he
could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would
have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from
the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep.
While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and
the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men
safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said
'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew
that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree.
It was carried through the streets as the
people mocked the man who was carrying it.
When they came to a stop, the man was nailed
to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top
of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to
realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top
of the hill and be as close to God as was possible,
because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem
to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for
you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Your job search may not turn out as planned, but just know that His ways are always the best.
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