First Two Steps to New Employment

During the past week I have had job search discussions with three different people who live on my street. We have always said hello to each other as I pass by their homes on my daily dog walk. Our conversations, though, never covered any “meaty topics,” if you know what I mean.

This week, however, each one shared with me that they had been job hunting longer than expected and were getting discouraged. Oh my gosh, I thought, all this time I had no idea these neighbors were experiencing the anxiety that always accompanies a job search. I wanted to hug them!!  Instead, I inquired about their experience so far and realized that each one had been working on their job project ALL ALONE! They looked on the internet to check out current resume formats, then went to job boards and recruiters and waited for responses! No wonder they were discouraged. Even the best planned and most well-networked searches get discouraging.

I know you have all heard this before, but I can’t stress to you enough the importance of a couple basic actions to take when you begin your job search adventure. You have heard them both before, but the thought sometimes gets lost in the swirling storm of anxiety, personal questioning and even numbness that accompany any job loss….even when you quit your job voluntarily without lining up a new one. You deserve to feel better. These will help.

• Apply for unemployment. Many of us are reluctant to apply for benefits, I know. But this is one benefit to which you and your employers have been contributing for your entire working life. It is there for you when you need it. Applying right away may result in you being able to better finance your job search, as well as take off some of the financial pressure we all feel. If you are declined benefits, make sure you understand why. Then you can put the issue behind you and move ahead.

• Find a job search group and join it! If you can’t find one, start one. Everyone needs to have other people around them who are having similar experiences and reactions to job search. Job search groups are available in every community. You can call your union, church, synagogue, or temple and see if they sponsor a group. Or try the local library, or Employment Development Office. Meeting regularly with other job hunters gives you a chance to ask questions that may sound embarrassingly simple to you. But, at a job group meeting you’ll discover that every other person there ahead of you has asked the same questions. Don’t put this off! Seriously, it’s important! 

Once these two items are taken care of, then start working on the rest of the process. But follow the two simple steps above first. Websites like OurExperienceCounts.com, contain loads of current job search information such as webinars, blogs, forums and news articles on topics crucial to career plan success. And that’s usually free to people who sign up! Don’t make your job search harder than it needs to be. Use all the resources you can find and share them with your colleagues. You’ll soon realize there are an astounding number of people out there who want to be part of the solution. And you’ll be one too!

Categories: Ask Cher (HR Executive), Getting Started, Job Search Help, Networking