Gotta Do Whatcha Gotta Do

Ok, so while I was cleaning toilets this week at work (yes, you read that right), I came up with this weeks blog entry. Supposedly the recession is over, yet people are STILL having trouble finding decent jobs. Notice I say "decent". When I mean "decent", I mean jobs that will pay the bills, give them benefits, and maybe leave a little bit after to take the kids to Wallyworld. We talk about people having a Plan A, Plan B, etc, but what happens when those plans aren't working and you lose unemployment benefits?

So let's go back to why I am cleaning toilets. A while back a buddy of mine quoted Caddyshack..."the world needs ditch diggers". I was pretty offended by that, because I was very good at QA Testing, and I have been trying very hard to find an opportunity in my field. But what he meant was..."You gotta do whatcha gotta do". That is exactly what I am doing now. Last season I was lucky enough to land a contract position doing clean up for Superstorm Sandy at Spruce Run Rec Area. Part of our job was maintaining the grounds, which includes cleaning the restrooms. Not the most glamorous position, but it pays. This season I have been invited back as a crew chief for another 6 month contract. Once again, I will be cleaning toilets. Interestingly enough, this is not the first time I have taken a job that required me to clean bathrooms. The money is still the same color.

While speaking to several people at different networking meetings, I noticed this philosophy rings true in many ears. People have taken jobs at Shop Rite, Lowes, and Home Depot to make ends meet. These were all successful white collar professionals who have been screwed by the recession and crappy economy. But instead of rolling over into the fetal position with their thumbs in their mouths, they are being proactive and doing something. It may not be glamorous, but it pays.

Keep in mind that the food on your table doesn't taste any better or worse depending on the job that paid for it. The bill collectors don't give a crap where the money comes from. So you may have to put away the pride for awhile and get a job you are thrilled about, but in the end you will feel better that you did.

Good luck with your job search!!!

First Things First

Ok, so you found out you were just fired, laid off, whatever. Doesn't matter, you are now unemployed. First thing is to take a deep breath. The world did not just end. DO NOT PANIC!!!!

I have had several friends, who found themselves in transition, ask me about what to do when they first find themselves unemployed. As a contractor, you tend to see things cycle through every time a contract ends. So here are a few things I would recommend starting off with to get you on the right path:

1) Go out to dinner. I know you just lost your job, so you may be wondering why I recommend spending money. Simply to get your mind off of the issue. You can show the family too that this won't be as stressful a situation as they think.  Part of dealing with transition is also dealing with the stress. Go out and have fun!

2) Budget. Yes, now that you just spent money on a dinner, I am telling you to pinch pennies. Look over your bills and see where you can save money. Get rid of the costly satellite tv bill and buy a ROKU and get Netflix. After the initial cost of the ROKU, I was saving $80/month. Instead of simply making going to the grocery store, make a list and look over the circulars for deals. For items you use a lot of, buy in bulk.

3) Unemployment. I highly recommend putting in your claim the first week day you are not working. Get the ball rolling right away. Even if you are not sure if you will receive them, put in for them anyhow. Keep in mind, you may be able to extend those benefits with a p/t job.

4) Networking. This is not a time for pride. Write PRIDE on a notecard and stick it in your closet. This is a time to let everyone know you are looking for a job...friends, family, neighbors, etc. You never know who may know of a job that is right for you. Also, get business cards to hand out. Vista Print is a cheap online store for developing business cards.

One thing you should not do is blast your resume around. Take the time to have someone evaluate it and give you some constructive feedback. If you haven't been in transition for some time, the game has changed quite a bit. If you don't take the time to find out the rules, you may be doing a great disservice to yourself. There are a lot of networking groups out there that offer free resume classes. DO NOT PAY SOMEONE!!

This should get you started. Good luck on your job search!!!

Disclaimer

How many times have you heard a disclaimer on a drug commercial? Drugs will cause side effects from headaches, to acne, to a slight case of death. You have to understand what you are getting yourself into beforehand. As an Orientation Instructor for the Professional Services Group I always made sure to give the class a disclaimer. Obviously my students did not have to worry about hair loss from taking the class, although some may have gotten to the point in their job search where they were pulling out their own hair. As an instructor, you have to realize that each job search is different because their individual needs are different. A CFO may have a different job search strategy then an auto mechanic, but they may use similar tools. It was the understanding of these differences that lead to the disclaimer.  

Disclaimer

 In this blog you will gain insight and advice on how to deal with being in transition. This will include not only how to find a new job, but also how to deal with the financial difficulties and personal issues that you may face. Most of this information is based on advice I have gotten and my own personal experiences. I realize that everyone has different needs and will go not through the same things I have. The goal of this blog is to share my experiences with everyone in hopes that it helps people transition smoother. All I ask is that you take in all the advice, chew it a little, and then decide whether you want to swallow it or not.

I highly recommend that you gain as much insight as possible. There are many blogs and networking groups out there that can provide you with incredible information on being in transition. Knowledge is power! So keep an open mind and decide what will work for you. Good luck!!!