The job loss compass: losing your job doesn't have to mean losing your way

T+D, Feb, 2003 by Deb Koen

This article is the final in a two-part series on managing your training career. Last month's Development column suggested ways to revitalize a career that has lost its pizzazz.

Are you out of work involuntarily? A merger, a plant closing, corporate restructuring, or the sluggish economy may have sent you, like many strong performers, on a quest for new employment. If you feel lost, take heart. These four compass points can help direct your journey.

North: It's all about attitude.

Your journey starts and ends with attitude, which is greatly within your control. To work through the emotional aftermath of job loss and maintain a positive attitude, follow the "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" dictum.

See no evil. Visualize positively. Many self-defeating behaviors originate from destructive images. If you see yourself flubbing an interview, catch yourself. As soon as you realize that your visualization is turning negative, take a deep breath and intentionally replace the negative image with a positive one.

For example, rather than picturing yourself fumbling for words, imagine that you're relaxed and eloquent and the interviewer is leaning forward to catch every engaging word. The same visualization techniques that have propelled athletes to new performance records can benefit your job search.

Hear no evil. Surround yourself with supportive people who can offer encouraging words. A support network of family, friends, and colleagues can give you objective perspectives, reduce feelings of isolation, and help boost your morale.

Speak no evil. Guard against self-deprecating internal conversations that deplete confidence. Allowed to continue unchecked, such negativism will seep into telephone conversations and interviews, jeopardizing job offers. Replace can'ts and shouldn'ts with a mental dictionary of affirming phrases that will reinforce your self-confidence.

South: Get focused.

It's not unusual to feel out of control on the emotional roller coaster of job loss. But try to appreciate the flip side: the freedom of unemployment. The hurried pace of work leaves little time for self-inquiry. View this temporary interruption as a gift of reflection. Take the time to identify your mission, reassess your life goals and set new priorities, and research preferred employers or explore entrepreneurship.

Displaced employees report that the sudden absence of a routine presents one of the most difficult adjustments. The little rituals that used to make up the daily schedule are gone. The alarm, the commute, meetings, assignments--all vanished. As simple and inconsequential as those may have seemed, their absence can create a disturbing void.

Consider setting up a daily search schedule and establishing a worksite. If your employer offers an outplacement program, use it. If not, resist isolation by adopting a carrel at a local college or public library. Having an office outside of your home for your job search will increase your productivity and provide human interaction.

In addition, reward yourself with the little rituals you can count on--for instance, reading the paper with a cup of coffee every morning or enjoying a weekly movie on Friday night. When it seems as if everything around you is in flux, build in your own sources of reassuring stability.

East: Polish your presentation.

Communication can make or break your job search. Every written document, from a resume to a thank-you note, reflects who you are. Every exchange, from an informal networking conversation to a structured interview, displays your professional demeanor.

Feeling confident is the first step in presenting the best of who you are, but putting your talents into words can be a struggle. Create a list of traits that you think are the most important to highlight with potential employers. Record your accomplishments also, including anything you've done particularly well, are proud of, or were recognized for. As you find employment opportunities that interest you, consider your potential employer's perspective. In written correspondence and interviews, frame your strengths in the context of the employer's needs.

It's a challenge to fill the awkward space of introductions, respond to questions about your job loss, and answer open-ended inquiries about yourself. To maintain your composure and impress your audience, create a 30- to 60-second response to each of those inquiries that's genuine and demonstrates who you are.

Don't even think about making a networking call or showing up for an interview until you've captured your key messages and practiced your delivery. When you like what you hear and feel satisfied that you can honestly and concisely describe yourself in a way that reflects your uniqueness, you're ready.

West: Make development a priority

Unemployment isn't an excuse to ignore personal and professional development goals. In fact, unencumbered by job demands, you have the freedom to recommit to your priorities for learning and growth. Ask yourself, "If I could participate in a learning experience in any setting on any topic, what would it be?"