3 Steps to Reinventing Yourself to Survive (and Thrive) through the Recession
As anyone who’s lost a job in the last year can attest to, it’s a tough market out there. The days of switching employers to boost one’s income, or for career-building, are a distant memory for now. In fact, it seems as though entire industries are practically fading from sight. (Can you say mortgage broker and car salesman?) Even staffing firms are being hit hard – after all, too many applicants and too few jobs is not a recipe for resounding success.
So what are we to do if we’ve lost our job or our industry is disappearing in front of our eyes? Here are three steps to keep in mind as you tackle that space between where you are and what comes next.
Step 1. The first thing to remember, most definitely, is do not panic. No matter what our situation in life, panic only distracts us from opportunities and solutions.
Step 2. Don’t delay! This is not the atmosphere to take a much-needed break between jobs, no matter how successful or connect you are or how much savings you might have tucked away in your mattress. Immediately reach out and let everyone in your circles – both professional and personal – know that you’re looking for a new opportunity. And stay open minded! This is a time to say yes to a job you might not have even considered a year ago. Remember though, once you’re in a company, you can dazzle them and create great opportunities based on your creativity, ingenuity and leadership skills. But you can’t do that if you’re out of work.
Step 3. Finally, the most important thing you can do is be open. Be open to help. Be open to ideas. And be open to your own unique brilliance! That might sound crazy – but a changing job market is nothing if not an opportunity to rethink things. “What was it you wanted to do with your life,” is a great question to start out with. The answers to that may very well create their own inspiring solutions.
I’m grateful that I can use myself as an example for this article. After three decades in the staffing industry, leading me to own two successful staffing firms, this economy has created some big challenges. When I asked myself what my core values were and the things I always hoped to accomplish, the answer was easy. I most enjoyed helping people to find great candidates for great jobs, and finding great positions for amazing candidates. And so, I went for yet another certification to add to my repertoire, and I added both Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC) to the skills I’m able to share with my clients.
Job coaching has become so important that I formed a new business just to offer those services and help people to redirect their careers in order to survive (and even to reach out for goals they had hidden or forgotten long ago) – in short, to see the opportunities all around them and to stand out in the crowd and be noticed.
Directing your job search efforts right now means SO much more than having a great resume! It means having phenomenal interview skills, poise under duress, and an elevator pitch that will knock someone’s socks off! But even more than these skills, it means remaining flexible, resourceful and hopeful. You are a unique set of character traits, skills, knowledge and experience. Those things will absolutely create great opportunities and a redirected, vibrant career, no matter what the stock market may say.
Catherine Palmiere, CEIC, CPBA, CPCC, CPC, CTS, CSS and all-around Great Staffing Partner!
President of Adam Personnel, Inc.
(212) 557-9150