Monday, November 10, 2008

Advice from a Pro Manager on lay offs

This is valuable advice from Armando Estrada

Losing ones' job through company shut down, down sizing, re-location, etc. can be one of life's most horrible nightmares. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare even though it is one of life's most unpleasant episodes. I've been through this episode 5 times. Here's my advice to those who are experiencing a job loss:

Before embarking on a job search plan of action there are several items to be considered immediately upon losing your job: are you getting a severance package?: will your benefits be continued with the severance package?: is your employer providing any assistance in resume writing, placement services, job loss counseling and guidance in applying for State Unemployment or Disability benefits? This is vital for you to know before doing anything.

After losing your job you are going to be going through a dark period of depression, worry, anger, self doubt and lack of confidence even though what has just occurred was not your fault in any way shape or form. So before starting a job search you have got to get all of the aforementioned negatives out of your system. You really need a positive mentor to help you and guide you past this before proceeding to finding the job paths that are there for you. Believe me there are always job paths, career paths open but in a depressed state of mind you won't even see them.

In finding not just a job but the "right Job", you have to break away from what everybody else is doing. No one knows you better than yourself, therefore no one can market or sell you to an employer better than yourself. You are going to hear from the "recruiting experts" that you must prepare a resume that has all the "key words", proper set up and lay out, etc. Well let me tell you that you will hear all kinds of different advice from the "recruiting experts". There are several major problems, 1.) The recruiters can not hire you. 2.) Employers need the best possible "workers", not the best resume writers.

Before writing your resume thoroughly complete an employment application form. The employment application form contains everything that you must provide to an employer before being considered to be hired. It will also greatly assist you in writing your resume. Besides marketing your resume through Monster, Career Builders, Cal Jobs, etc. You have to be creative and do what the other job seekers are not doing and that is to go directly to the employers. Doing this implements networking and other strategic actions that unfortunately I haven't written yet.

The key elements in finding another job is first - not to forget how you got the job you have now - do it again! Also utilize every job finding resource available to you, I.e., One Stop Centers, Cal Jobs, Recruiters, Friends, Family, Your present employers assistance, etc.

Most importantly, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Do not ever give up because you will never lose if you don't give up.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dr Adele Scheele, author of Skills for Success and an internationally known career strategist has some thoughts on
Getting laid off.

On her website this week she suggests:
"Getting laid off can be a great opportunity to pursue your fantasy career. But before you dive in to that acting class, cooking school, or graduate program in medieval literature, you need to do some soul-searching and some practical research too. Take a hard look at why you want this fantasy career, what it will take to attain it, and how you will feel once you have it.
Remember that finding a challenging job or career requires drive, time, and perseverance. The following are some avenues to explore (simultaneously) BEFORE you make your choice:

Get an internship in that field – a perch to watch what other people do, and to make some friends who might mentor you “mailroom syndrome.”

Ask alumni association for the names of people from your school who are in the field of your interest. Contact them, and mine them for information.

Research companies where you might want to work and ask anyone you know if they know anyone who works there.

Before you embark on a new career, you must get as much information as possible. You want to avoid investing in a career that turns out to be something other than what you expected or fantasized about. After your exploratory research, if you conclude that your fantasy career is a realistic career for you, all of the research you have done will make you move up faster."

If you would like to work with Dr. Scheele, you can do so by contacting us at DeDominic & Associates.