12 Tips to Handle a Job Loss

12 Tips to Handle a Job Loss

The following strategies and guidelines will help develop a healthy and successful approach to handling job loss.

Janet Andrews:Contributing Writer
Strategic Career Coach & Executive Resume Writer
http://www.andrewscs.com/

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOSS

o Know that identity, self-esteem, friendships and financial security all are affected at the same time, especially if there was no warning. Before moving into action, reach out and talk to others about what happened and how you have been affected.

2. START A JOURNAL

o Writing helps let go of emotional baggage, achieve closure and prevents bringing negativity to networking meetings and the interview.

3. DEVELOP A STRONG NETWORK

o Contact friends, families and mentors who care about you and can provide positive feedback and support along the way.
o Let others be involved in encouraging you to attain your goals by letting you share your process and your progress.

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4. CREATE A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE

o Create a look of success by dressing above the position you are interviewing for.
o Express self-confidence by good posture, receptive body language and eye-contact.

5. ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

o Make a conscious effort to focus on the positive side. Could this loss bring a welcome change in your career and create new, unexplored opportunities?
o Visualize yourself in a new job attaining all of your career and financial objectives.

6. PLAN A SELF-MARKETING / NETWORKING STRATEGY

o Utilize all resources to tap the hidden job market including: professional contacts, friends, family, neighbors, alumni associations, group memberships and professional organizations.
o Determine industries and target companies, so that you are in the driver’s seat and can structure a marketing plan to reach those companies.
o Ask for people leads instead of job leads in business when you are networking.
o Pursue all referrals and be sure to thank the referral source.

7. ORGANIZE YOUR TIME

o Establish a daily routine, create “to do” lists and break tasks into manageable chunks.
o Maintain a record of your calls, meetings and interviews to know when to follow-up.

8. MAINTAIN A BALANCE

o Plan enjoyable and fun activities into your schedule.
o Exercise daily and watch the waistline….
o Keep communication open with all family members, allowing feelings to be expressed.

9. DESIGN A SOLID RESUME

o Customize the resume to each position you are applying for.
o Bring out strengths to align with job requirements and highlight achievements and accomplishments.
o Exclude “references upon requests,” yet bring a list of references with you to each interview and only give them out “upon request.”

10. SHARPEN INTERVIEW SKILLS

o Role-play with a partner or Career Coach. Practice responding to open-ended questions such as: What are your strengths? Why should we hire you?
o Work on improving listening skills and maintaining eye contact. Do research on the company before each interview and develop your own set of questions to ask.

11. EXHIBIT ENTHUSIASM

o Approaching companies and contacts with optimism and zeal can put you far ahead of others.
o See your job search as an opportunity for making new networking contacts and learning about other businesses.

12. DEVELOP FLEXIBILITY

o Examine your “transferable skills” and be open to multiple career paths and job possibilities.

Janet Andrews:Contributing Writer
Strategic Career Coach & Executive Resume Writer
http://www.andrewscs.com/