I recently was "unhired" by my former employer. Unhired is a softer term than "fired" but it means the same. With no warning and an immediate departure, I found myself at home enjoying the provisions of a severance package but curious about the next steps.
Like most recently unhired people, I went through a range of emotions--shock, anger, grief, rebellion, self-reliant indignation, and so forth. Yet, after a few weeks I found myself wondering what day it was. For me, everyday was Saturday.
That's not a bad thing. It's great to be able to cut the grass before it gets too hot or swim on sunny days. However, there was still a problem. Not only did I not have a job, but I wasn't making progress toward getting a job. Something had to change.
Now, I know that it is impossible to force an employer to give me a job; I can't even force them to look at my resume! All I can do is apply, check back, and wait. That routine leads to a sense of frustration!
I decided that the only person who could hire me was me! So, I applied for the job and got it... I'd be real worried if I didn't get that job! I hired me to do some things the other me wasn't doing. In effect, I fired the "waiting for my ship to come in" me and hired the "go kill something and drag it home" me.
That led me to a new routine... a routine I'd advise any job seeker to consider. Here's the plan:
1. Get up! I started by setting my clock to force myself to get up at the same time every morning. This put my mind in the "going to work" mode.
2. Get going! I'm one of those guys who needs a cup of coffee and a shower to get my brain functioning. In addition, I exercise every other morning. So, even though I have no specific appointments, I still go through the routine--coffee, exercise, shower--to get my mind moving toward doing something creative.
3. Get busy! Whether it is writing articles, updating my web site, or looking through the online job listings, I make it my point to get about accomplishing a task. The afternoon break is deserved only after I have accomplished something that day.
4. Get creative! Your next employment might not look like your last one--and that might be a good thing! Too many people limit their futures by the boundaries of their pasts. In my situation, I have discovered my future might be a myriad of adjunct teaching responsibilities, speaking engagements, freelance writing, and entrepreneurial activities. That's a lot different than my corner office overlooking downtown! The cool thing is that my new experience puts me in the driver's seat!
5. Get out! You, your spouse, your family, and your pets deserve to venture outside the privacy fence and into the world beyond. All work and no play makes everyone miserable. So make it a part of your routine to exercise some spontaneity. People who lock themselves into their rooms often suffer symptoms of depression and other problems.
6. Get determined! Waiting for someone else to rescue you from your perilous state is stressful. Take charge and use your creative energies to begin marketing your talents to the most likely customers. Who knows, you might discover that your new employer actually is staring you in the mirror!
Being laid-off, fired, unhired, released, or negatively employed is traumatic. The key to survival often is a person's motivation to turn a negative into a positive. Chances are your future will be brighter than you imagine!
Dr. Terry Hadaway is a well-known expert in adult education, a freelance writer, and a university professor. His articles, books, and conferences are insightful, yet humorous. For more information, visit http://www.thinkingboxmedia.com.
Perhaps you saw it coming. The fall in company stock... Read More
If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More
You're just getting over the shock of having become unemployed.... Read More
Getting along with your co-workers is critical to yourhappiness and... Read More
Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use... Read More
It has been over twenty five years since I started... Read More
When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More
Sometimes, when going on job interviews, you might end up... Read More
Do you dislike making decisions and avoid the challenge whenever... Read More
Are you thinking about a career change? Many people do... Read More
How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More
Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More
Recent surveys suggest that, given the chance, about four out... Read More
Is Kenexa recruiting for Microsoft or just mining for data?I... Read More
As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More
Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More
I have to admit that I'm starting to slow down... Read More
Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More
Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with... Read More
Momentum as defined by Webster's is: strength or force gained... Read More
Growing up on a Delaware farm was a wonderful and... Read More
I've heard it said?in fact, it might well have been... Read More
It is hard to be a stay at home mom.... Read More
Practicing Empathy A vital part of your networking skills is... Read More
Two weeks ago, I received a newsy email from a... Read More
Continuing professional development (CPD) is promoted by the CIPD to... Read More
While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to... Read More
When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound... Read More
Hank Bochenski's story proves it is never too late to... Read More
When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More
Writing a good resume cover letter is something you should... Read More
If you use your voice to get attention, you use... Read More
It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your... Read More
If you haven't looked for a job recently, there are... Read More
Wonder Woman makes it looks so easy. She gets up... Read More
There is no easy way to define exactly what editors,... Read More
Psychological Testing has become rampant across industries, more so in... Read More
"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More
Good things seem to come in bunches, especially in a... Read More
America may be the Land of Opportunity, but this is... Read More
Believe it: three obstacles will hold you back from your... Read More
There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More
You are one of the fortunate few who have not... Read More
This career article will give you some great tips on... Read More
Employers and recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for every position... Read More
Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you... Read More
What? Want ads are where job announcements are, not information!Wait!... Read More
Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More
Continuing professional development (CPD) is promoted by the CIPD to... Read More
Everything in nature has been endowed with what it needs... Read More
In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More
You are just about to leave university You are just... Read More
Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More
You can learn a lot about how to do something... Read More
These days most people accept that jobs are not for... Read More
I recently was "unhired" by my former employer. Unhired is... Read More
1: Keep It ShortConsidering that initially HR personnel only spend... Read More
A resume is normally the first contact point between an... Read More
Have you ever been to a networking event that was... Read More
Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a... Read More
Dubai is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of... Read More
Your resume is your sales letter. It may not get... Read More
The right certification trainingTrainings vary a lot when it comes... Read More
Never a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression, or... Read More
Maybe "buck" is better referred to as the Boss' Challenge.... Read More
What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |