Branden McGuire, a local route delivery driver for a major soft drink bottler, was working more than 50 hours a week at his job when the bottom fell out. His company had posted substantial losses in the previous quarter and they were cutting their workforce. Although Branden wasn’t to blame, he was one of 50 drivers who lost their jobs. “The worst part was that I had no indication of any trouble and wasn’t prepared,” said Branden. So how did he survive this all-too-common situation? “I immediately called all of my friends and family members to let them know that I had lost my job and needed their help to find contacts in my field. I stopped by the library and pulled copies of local newspapers from the last few weeks and wrote down the names of potential employers. I also logged onto several job sites on the Internet. It was amazing how many companies were looking for drivers.” Although it may be difficult to look on the bright side when you are laid off, Branden ended up landing a job that had better hours and wasn’t as physically demanding as his previous job.
The important thing to keep in mind when an unexpected job loss occurs is not to panic. Panic prevents you from thinking clearly and could ultimately lead you down the wrong path. So how do you get on the right road heading in the right direction?
Experts agree that you should take advantage of the opportunity at hand and re-evaluate your life goals and values. Have you always dreamed of a certain job but your life situation prevented you from pursuing it? Do you have any special talents or hobbies that could help you land your dream job? The time to consider all of these opportunities is now!
That’s exactly what happened to Donna Meyer, a former legal secretary at a major Chicago law firm. After losing her high-paying administrative job in her classy downtown office, Donna took the time to re-evaluate her life and decided that she wanted a more rewarding career – one with greater purpose. She applied for a job as a caregiver assisting the elderly. What she lost in salary, she has more than made up for in quality of life benefits. Now that Donna isn’t working downtown, which required a three-hour commute, she can attend her daughter’s school functions. “You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to my old lifestyle. Sure, I had nice clothes and more money to spend, but what I have now money can’t buy. I’m home nearly every night for dinner and I’m available to volunteer at my daughter’s school occasionally. I love working with the elderly and enabling them to continue living independently. The pace of my life is different, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Once you’ve nailed down a general direction for your career, you’ll need to begin putting together a résumé. Stop by your local library to find books that contain step-by-step instructions for building a résumé or check out the variety of Web sites that contain résumé advice, like CareerBuilder.com. Or, there are individuals you can hire that will write a résumé for you. Be prepared, these services can vary greatly in price. It’s also a good idea to write several paragraphs that you can include in your cover letters that will accompany your résumé. If you haven’t looked for a job in a while, things have changed! It is a major no-no to mail out a résumé without an accompanying cover letter. And not just any cover letter. It must be a targeted cover letter that makes a personal connection with the reader.
Michelle Peterson became unemployed when her company filed bankruptcy and was acquired by an out-of-state company. “After 15 years with this company, I felt completely unprepared to begin a search for a new job. I took it slow. I spent about 3 weeks building my résumé and then had everyone I knew critique it. I drafted the body of several cover letters so that when an opportunity arose, I didn't have to start from scratch. I began logging on to online job search sites and learned how to apply for jobs online. I started talking to people I encountered everywhere about their jobs and any possible openings in my field. On a daily basis I had to remind myself that I wasn’t stalking people – I was simply talking to them about their jobs. I bought a great interview outfit so that I was prepared once invitations to interview started coming in and I prepared answers to the most commonly asked interview questions. I also took some time each day to do something I enjoyed. I took walks with friends and never missed a day going to the bus stop with my son. All of these are luxuries I didn’t have when I was employed full time. Perhaps the most important thing I did when I lost my job was to stay fresh in my field by taking on some contract work. Although I haven’t landed a job yet, I am hopeful that my efforts will soon pay off.”
When asked how employees can deal with the feelings of uncertainty that are common after a job loss, one Human Resources director said, “When was the last time you heard one of your former colleagues say that their new job was a complete disaster? The truth is, it usually doesn’t happen. With every new job you land, you become a little more educated about the process. After a few serious interviews, you’ve learned how to research companies to find out how they’ve been performing and their financial outlook. Most importantly, you’ve learned to ask the right questions during an interview to ensure a good fit.”
If it’s your time to start over don’t despair, when one door closes, another almost always opens.
