Redundancy
  

One of the most difficult things about looking for a job when you don’t have a job is the stigma that being out of work is somehow your fault. You may even view yourself as a “loser”— no matter what your skills or your former position! You may think, “Well, if I’m so great, why doesn’t anyone want to hire me?’ This is an absolutely natural reaction and feeling.

People just handle it in different ways. For example, some people withdraw from their friends and family. Although a certain period of “mourning” is natural, it can be extremely counter­productive if it goes on too long. Other people just grit their teeth, get dressed, and hit the streets with their resume in hand. I would guess that most people fall somewhere in between. They’re motivated for a variety of reasons to find a new position. but they may have their down days.

This is when it is especially critical to increase your visibil­ity through an effective network, especially through people who are your advocates. These three areas—visibility, network­ing, and a support group—are often inextricably intertwined. Although it can be excruciatingly difficult to motivate yourself and get out there to do a job search, the alternative of not working is far less appealing! Most jobs aren’t going to find you. How can employers know that you are available for a position? Part of it will be luck, but more of it is letting enough people know that you’re looking so that they automatically think of you.

You may want to join a professional temporary organization, which provides short-term positions to professionals. Temping promises to become a booming area as the contin­gent, project-based environment evolves. Many organizations will need highly skilled people for a specified period of time contrary to their former practice of employing a long-term workforce. Here is an excellent means of developing new skill and increasing your visibility and subsequently your network of possible employers—not to mention keeping a paycheck coming in! Although a temporary position may be somewhat unsettling as a choice of work environment, it may increasing become the norm, so it could be advantageous to develop this kind of flexibility.

Another effective way of maintaining or developing contacts is to join or participate in professional associations These can be fun as well as advantageous to your job search Not only will you be able to meet and network with others in the areas you would like to be employed, but you may develop a cadre of people who can promote your visibility to others. as well as give you leads on possible positions. In addition, at this time of stress, it can be a good idea to forget about some your problems for a while and just have a little fun. Here's where your support network can be of enormous help. When you’re having one of your bad days and don’t want to go and network, your supporters can usually pump you up enough to get moving.

In many cities, professional organizations, international chambers of commerce, and various other groups frequently hold purely social activities— pub nights, barbecues, and other informal gatherings—in addition to professional speaking engagements and formal programs. It may lower your stress level to be at a less formal gathering. A lot of people who are between jobs feel enormously self conscious about not being in a professional environment at that moment, which is natural. In various networking situations, you may want to develop a 'script' about your current status when asked the inevitable question about what you do, which may be perceived as a reflection of your entire identity.

Some people I know feel incredibly uncomfortable in these situations. I tell them, “Just extrapolate what you’re doing. No one really cares.” But they reply, “Well, I know and I care!” A lot of your success will be in how you present yourself. Obviously it is a painful experience. But you will get another job! In the meantime, you may have to temporarily “create” a new identity for yourself. If you do not have a job, you may want to take classes to retool. Now, you can say that you have taken this opportunity to go back to school,” which you’ve been wanting to do for years, instead of being “just unem­ployed.”

The chances are good that people will be far more interested in what you’re studying and the discussion will take off from there. If you take a temporary assignment, your posi­tion is that you have decided to stretch yourself in a new area. or function, or industry to develop your marketable skills. If you are at home with your children, then this becomes the first opportunity you have had to spend quality time with your kids. You have now created a well-thought-out identity in response to the unfortunate situation of losing our job.

People - especially those who may lead you to a job - are far more impressed with a confident (even if only on the outside), well-directed person than with someone who is just drifting, waiting for the next job to drop out of the sky.

Although it is very unsettling not to be working — and many of us have been there—it doesn’t mean that you can t be spending that time effectively. The worst thing, although some­times the easiest, is to withdraw from the situation. But it is critical to call on your existing or new network to get you out doing what you need to do! Increase your visibility by attending professional seminars. Go to your local college and take a class on something you really need or really want to do. Join some new organizations. It’s the law of averages: The more people you know—and who know that you’re looking for a position— the better your chances will be of finding that new position!

Don’t forget, increasing numbers of people have lost their jobs at one point in their careers. These people are undoubtedly going to be far more understanding of your situation, and their support should significantly reduce your feelings of discomfort Anyone who has gone through a downsizing may be far more apt to help you out as well. I think that this can really make an uncomfortable situation far more productive.