As an outplacement services professional, sometimes I am called upon by an employer to be on-site in order to offer career transition services within minutes of an employee discharge. Sometimes the conversation goes very well. Sometimes the conversation doesn’t go at all if the departing employee doesn’t wish to meet on-site. Sometimes, I sit in total silence with an individual until they are ready to talk. I don’t mind. I have been that person. I know exactly what it feels like to lose a job.
On one occasion a few years ago, I recall that a woman asked me to accompany her to the restroom so she could cry in privacy. I remember grabbing a box of Kleenex and off we went for the next little while. There are many ways that people learn they no longer have a job, be it in person or by phone, email or text. To date, I have not yet met anyone who has been notified of termination via a tweet. Perhaps you have.
One of my clients who recently lost his job and I were talking about words and how words can help us get from Point A to Point B. And how words can provide comfort, hope, reassurance, and encouragement. And how words can also hurt and sting and bite. He wondered how to connect the dots from being a person “in transition” to a person who is employed again. We spoke of these three words: acceptance, awareness and action.
Acceptance
Sooner or later, you realize that “it is what it is.” While my client and I aren’t particularly enamored with that expression, it somehow captures the essence of transition. And what it is may not be something that we particularly like, desire, want or prefer – starting over is simply the reality of a job loss situation. And the realization and acceptance that what was is behind us and what will be is waiting somewhere up ahead.
Awareness
The other day at a networking event, I met a job seeker who wanted to throw together a new résumé and see what’s out there. He informed me that he was going to use a résumé template so he wouldn’t have to spend any money. Hearing this, I offered:
1. So, do you have a target goal or some options in mind?
2. What about your brand?
3. Are you good to go on your skill set?
His answer to all three questions: I don’t know what you are talking about. I just want a basic résumé. If you are looking for a job in today’s competitive market, I would encourage you to figure out what your brand is and does before you whip up that new résumé whether it is free or for a fee. The value of figuring out your brand and its value before you go to market will serve you well in the long run.
Action
Set yourself up to succeed by establishing routine office hours while you are in career transition. Discipline yourself. Focus. Stay on task. Do something each day on your work days to support your commitment to finding new employment. Track your progress. Respect your new job (finding a job) and the accountabilities that come with it. When you were gainfully employed, you may have had a performance evaluation. While you are in limbo, (between jobs), how about evaluating your own performance? Monitor your own progress. Measure what you are doing well and evaluate what needs some work. If the strategy you are employing isn’t working, how about changing your strategy just like you would if you were completing a project for your employer and something wasn’t working?
My client seemed relieved that we had tackled a conversation about acceptance, awareness and action as a part of the career transition process. Next time, I think he wants to talk about another “A” word – attitude. I can’t wait.
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