Today, I heard of 3 friends losing their jobs. Having myself been layed off 3 times in the last crash (2001), I can offer some useful advise:
1. Don't dispair, don't blame yourself, and don't think that you are contagious. One of the hardest things to accept when you lose your job is that it really was not your fault. Too many other factors combined to cause this issue.
2. Put your resume together and revise it once a week. Don't fix it any more often than that or you'll go crazy.
3. Do 1 job-hunting activity per day. For example, Monday is resume fixing day. Spend 3 hours fixing your resume, sending it to friends for review, etc. Tuesday is Monster.com and LinkedIn day, spend 3 hours on those, searching and saving jobs. Wednesday is apply online day. Thursday is go-to-networking events day (have at least one event per week where you have to get dressed and look like a human being. If you can't afford the admission price, email the organizer and explain that you have just lost your job and whether they can offer a discounted admission rate - most people will). Find something useful to do on Friday.
4. Find a job, some job. Between stints of tech-based employment, I worked at Crate and Barrel. Sure, I didn't use my degree, but I earned enough to make rent AND I got a great kitchen in the process. It'll keep you sane and get you out of the house, talking to people. Just don't forget to keep looking for a real job.
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There are many good things that happen in this world and I want to write at least some of those that happen to me down for posterity sake. I hope you enjoy reading them. And add a comment or two.
3 comments:
Great advice!! Especially the part about only doing one job-related thing per day. Otherwise it just consumes your whole existence. Plus, it makes the whole thing more depressing than it already is.
Great advice! Especially only doing one job-search related thing/day. Otherwise it just consumes your whole existence. In an unhealthy and counter-productive way.
Being out of work is depressing, no question abot it. However, the last time I was without a job I managed to clean the house of clutter, wash the windows (breaking one in the process), cook and do other chores I never had time for before. So, being out of work for a short period of time may just be what the doctor ordered.
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