Lost Your Job? Yahoo!!!! You Can Start Again!
You may be astonished to realize that retrenchment may occur
more than once during the life of the modern day worker. In
fact, career advisors report that we could expect to be made
redundant up to three times during our working life.
As common as retrenchment is, when it happens, no one likes it.
Whatever range of emotions initially emerge - fear, anger,
resentment, retaliation, humiliation, disappointment - we should
recognise as being quite normal. How we respond and deal with
the situation will influence our entire financial future and how
quickly we move through these negative emotions.
This article will assist those people who may wonder how to deal
with retrenchment. These ten keys will help you move on quickly
and re-establish yourself in a productive working environment.
1. Don't take it personally. Redundancy is rarely, if
ever, personal. Don't let it affect your self-confidence and
morale. In most cases retrenchments occur as a result of
changing economic situations, mergers or acquisitions which are
typically outside most people's span of control.
2. Retrenchment is not an end, but rather a beginning.
Even though we may not expect it, throughout various stages of
our lives doors close and others open. When one door closes and
it is a shock, we may not immediately see other doors opening.
3. Take advantage of outplacement support. If you
company provides outplacement support - make full use of it. If
no outplacement support has been provided ask if the company
could provide assistance with a registered outplacement firm.
Research has shown that job seekers with the assistance of a
qualified outplacement consultant have better strike rate in job
interviews.
4. Sort out your finances. Discuss with your partner or
spouse your financial position and make adjustments where
necessary. Few people realize that this transition may be a gift
to help you change directions. Poor financial planning may
propel you into a less than favorable job and close down
opportunities to explore what you really would like to be doing.
5. Be realistic about time. Expect things to take a
while. The more senior your previous job, the longer it will
take to find something else at the same level. If you change
careers to start your own business it will take time for you to
achieve the same feelings of effectiveness. Be patient when
making a new transition and go easy on yourself by not expecting
too much, too soon.
6. Forget the 'labels'. Recruitment consultants are
rarely concerned with the fact you were retrenched. They are
more interested in how you respond when the chips are down and
what you did about and how quickly you took control of your
situation. It's not what happens in life that distinguishes us,
but rather what we do about it. Very likely the person
interviewing you for your next job has been retrenched themself
at some stage!
7. Explore options. Talk to a specialist career advisor
or business coach. This may just be the chance to propel you in
a new direction. With assistance you may uncover skills and
pathways you may not have previously had the time, inclination
or confidence to embrace.
8. Get some exercise. There is limited appeal in sitting
around the house in your pajamas until lunchtime. Get up early
and get some exercise. The endorphins will keep your mind
energetic and creative and assist you through the transition.
9. Volunteer your time to a worthwhile cause that interests
you. This will help keep your self esteem high and provide
activities that may help you explore new avenues, or maintain
your current skills. At the very least it will keep you busy and
stop your brain turning into "TV-mush".
10. Feed your spirit. Finding exhilarating testimonies of
people who succeed against all odds. If you are not an avid
reader, then now is the time to start and ensure you are keeping
your mind positively challenged with the heroes of our time. It
will help keep things in perspective.
(c) Kim Beardsmore