What’s going on with your job search? So often people find themselves in what I call a “flat spin” during career transition, especially if your job ending was unexpected.
The “flat spin” is a combination of busy work, emotions, and not making the progress toward the job you want. Are you doing what you think you should, what others tell you do and worrying about nothing, or everything? Are there distractions that appear all around you?
If you are spending hours online, and you are riding an emotional roller coaster feeling great, happy and self assured, in the morning and by noon or the next day, you are concerned, worried, frustrated or feel ready to cry – heads up – you may be in a “flat spin” or headed for one.
A few weeks ago I attended an event for high school students who were exploring careers. I love to attend these events and learn about the careers students are interested in and what there are thinking. I learn so much from high school students.
This event was different. For the first time at one of these events I had several students share stories and concerns about their parents who were out of work.
The students that shared concerns about unemployed parents were bright and focused. Each knew where they were going and what they wanted to do after high school. They also knew why they were interested in the careers they were exploring that day.
So why did they stop and talk to me? They talked to me out of concern for someone they loved and were worried about and wanted to help. The stories had a common theme. Each student saw something was wrong, and knew their parent needed to do something different but did not know what to do or how to help. Warning others often see your “flat spin” before you do.
If you are in a “flat spin” or just a little stuck, here are several questions to ask and things you may want to do different.
Where is your workspace?
Is it the kitchen table, living room in front of the TV? Do you have a decent chair and work surface? Do you have space just for your job search? If working at home is not for you go to a local café, sandwich shop, a local library or career center. Many of these places have free or paid WiFi, and you can make calls from your car so you don’t bother others.
Do you have a budget?
A change in income can add stress and sometimes so much stress that you may find it hard to focus on the project at hand. Update your budget. If you have 35% or 50% less income reflect that in your budget. Then talk to your family about the new budget. You might be surprised just how much help your family can be and how much fat is in your budget that you can trim to lessen the stress.
Are you working on the right things?
Are you investing your time and energy in the job search activities that will deliver an “ROI” (Return on Investment)? Do you spend all day surfing the web and applying to online postings? Are you emailing out a résumé that has misspellings or does not represent you in the best light? If your search is in a “flat spin” you may need some help to get it on track. Don’t pull away and continue to work alone. Your family members want you to succeed will encourage you, but are rarely have the best advice. Attend a workshop, tele-seminar, read a book. Invest some time, energy and resources and work on the “right things”. Doing a job search alone is much harder than it needs to be. Often just a little help gain focus, speed up your search and help you land the job your want fast and with less stress.
Do you have a question? I can help. Sign up and join us on the next Q & A call or post your question or what is working for you!
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