Getting Through Tough Job Hunting Times

Stress of Job Loss Know it’s coming

o Make planso Save upo Pay off debtso Tighten upo Get a jump on job search

Never saw it comingo Caught off guardo No plano Financial crisiso What if just bought something big

Fairness Followed the rules

o Educationo Job

Personal Fears Too old Too young Inexperienced Wrong experience Wrong education Dated education/experience Problem background Never get hired again Can’t do it No jobs out there No one is hiring No one wants me Can’t compete anymore Job skill loss Making mistakes Paralysis by analysis

Symptoms Worry all the time Can’t sleep through night Dread getting started in the morning Dread getting started in the afternoon Avoid getting started at all Hurting relationships

Effects of Unemployment Anger Depression Low Self-Esteem Lost Friendships Social Isolation Inability to accept Rejection

Lose trust in professionals Inability to accept help Can’t afford the job search Poor appearance Money worries No fun Bad debts Physical illness Emotional illness

Desperation Lying and cheating and stealing Taking a bad job Wasting time on looking for bad fit Anger & hostility Overuse of alcohol Return to former drug use

Thoughts I can’t do it Is it me? Honest, you still think you can do it, but you

think no one else does

I Want My Life to be Normal For most of you it will be normal again Some of you will adjust to a new normal For most of you, normal again is as close as the

next interview and a job offer How do we get there?

Is it You or the Way You are Going About Your Job Hunt?

Most of my experience, it is not you Most of the time it is not your resume Most of the time it is not your cover letter It might be the way you are going about your

job hunt Learning curve going on here

The Three Main Reasons Why People Remain Unemployed

Lack of Proper Job Hunting Fundamentals Element of Choice

o Voluntaryo Involuntary

Long, nasty job hunt

Fundamentals

Four Main Reasons Why People Remain Unemployed

o 90% Cannot answer problem interview questions

o 85% Do not generate enough productive job seeking activity

o 80% Can’t identify and describe their skills and communicate them to employers

o 40% Give off a poor personal appearance/negative first impression

In the Meantime Follow-up Practice how you want to be on your new job Don’t major in the minors Get out of bed Don’t wait too long Journaling Do not watch the evening news - no politics Hang out with positive people Read positive things Mind your own business Go to church/synagogue Forgive Networking groups Communicate with people on job hunting

forums Send an email to an expert Call an expert Training

o Does not interfere with job hunt Tell those closest to you, I will get through this Tell those closest to you, we will get through

this and be better people for it Exercise/Dance/Hobby Take a walk at sunset Talk positive Keep going Find a friend who will listen

o Healthy relationship Talk with your pastor Talk with a mental health counselor It’s okay to dream beyond this You will smile again Help someone Volunteer

o Does not interfere with job hunt Don’t let them get to you Make a list of what you do have Everything will be okay You will get through this

One Day at a Time, One Thing at a Time, One Step at a Time

If you really need help Call the crisis hotline Talk with you pastor/rabbi Talk with a mental health professional

o Make sure they encourage you to keep going

If really unable to function – talk with your doctor