Looking Back on Losing a Job?
Some people are ready for a disaster from Mother Nature. There are survival kits and first aid kits nearby with flashlights, water, a radio, and maybe some personal items you want to make sure are safe. People who do not prepare for these things quickly realize the downfalls of not being prepared. So, why aren’t more people proactive toward the possibility of unexpected job loss?
It is emotional when a job gets eliminated or the company you work for goes under. It can take several days to snap out of the shock. Then you start writing or updating your résumé and start spending time surfing the job boards. After a few weeks go by, the nervousness starts to set in and then maybe the panic stage arrives.
With hindsight being 20/20, you start to look back and ask what you could or should have done different to prepare for this work and possible lifestyle disaster. You feel you should have been proactive stocking your job search survival kit, just like you stock water and lights in your natural disaster kit.
Here are a few ideas for a job transition kit:
A dynamic resume that is job targeted, and has been carefully proofed.
A list of your closest allies (family and friends) to let them know you’re looking for a job.
Up-to-date contact information of your professional network.
Poise and assertiveness to let casual acquaintances and strangers know you are looking for work.
Join professional organizations / associations.
Stay in contact with your alumni group, if you have one.
Don’t wait for the job to go dark before you think about the key things that will help you endure an unexpected job change. Keep critical tools and contact information updated for the unexpected.
- read more about job search.