As volatile as the business environment is today, as career professionals, we always have to be prepared for the unexpected. Sometimes, the unexpected can result in your unemployment. Unfortunately, in this day and age, this is all too common. While your initial reaction is probably one of disappointment, concern, or even shock, approaching the uncomfortable situation with a plan and a positive attitude can be the difference between being out of work for a short period of time versus a long one. Allow yourself 24 hours to feel mad, sorry for yourself and concerned, but after that, it is back to your new full-time job: finding a new job.
The key to finding your next job is all in your approach. You must treat your job search like it is a full-time job in itself, because it is. Here are a few key activities to implement in an effort to have this “full-time job search” mentality.
MAINTAIN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE It is very easy to sleep an extra hour or stay in your pajamas all day when you find yourself unemployed. This is absolutely the wrong approach to finding a new job. The key is to try to maintain a sense of normalcy to something that may feel abnormal. It is very important to maintain your normal daily routine so that you continue to stay focused and energized toward your job search. What does this mean? This means getting up in the morning at the same time you normally do. Put on your familiar business casual clothes (or even a suit if you feel like doing so). Eat an energizing breakfast, and then start up your computer to begin your day. If you have a home office, then use it as your new office. If not, set up your new “office” on your dining room table, away from other distractions like the kitchen or television. Your new “office hours” should also mirror your old ones. If they were from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour lunch, force yourself to maintain those same working hours you had in the past. Maintaining a daily routine like this will not only bring you closer to your next job but will also keep you mentally focused throughout the whole process.
SET DAILY AND WEEKLY GOALS As you begin your “new job,” it is important to set daily and weekly goals for yourself. You want to make sure you have a sense of accomplishment each and every day on your job search. This will keep you moving forward in a positive direction. Whether it be the number of jobs you apply to on any given day, the number of individuals you reach out to in your personal and professional network, or the number of companies you research in a week, write down these goals on a piece of paper and make sure you check them off each time you accomplish one. Setting goals toward anything you do in life brings you that much closer to success, even in a job search.
HOW BIG IS YOUR NETWORK? One effective way to identify new job opportunities is by reconnecting with your network. However, do you know how big your network really is? No one really does until they actually take time to think about it and write it out in front of them. One activity I coach individuals on is to take time to truly identify how big their networks really are. How do you do this? Create an Excel spreadsheet or take out a pad of paper and begin to write down the names of the people you know. Make sure to go beyond your closest network and start to think outside the box. Write down those names of everyone you know, whether they are your personal friends, professional colleagues, family friends, and even individuals you went to college and high school with. Anyone who would recognize and remember your name is an individual who truly makes up part of your network. Sometimes, it is truly eye-opening for some people to see how large their networks really are.
Next, craft a quick email consisting of two to three paragraphs, detailing your current situation, what you’re skills and abilities are and what you are looking for in your next job. Take this email and send it to everyone in your network individually. You will want to personalize each of these emails to the person you are sending it to so that it comes across as genuine and not canned. Include a copy of your resume in your email as well so they have it as reference. It is also important to put your “network’s network” to work as well. What do I mean by this? End your email by writing something similar to, “Please feel free to pass along my email and resume to those within your network as well.” Lastly, do not feel the need to reach out to everyone in your network in a single day. This exercise, while effective, is time-consuming. So, take into consideration the advice I provided earlier about setting goals. Set a goal to send five to ten emails a day to your network. This way, you feel accomplished each day and your emails are carefully crafted and well thought out.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS It will be important for you to track your progress every step of the way. You never want to receive a phone call from a human resources executive asking you about a job you applied to that you don’t remember applying to. Create an Excel spreadsheet of all the jobs you apply to and include the company name, job title, any job identification number, the date you applied and a section for notes to include any special information you want to remember about that company, job, and personal connection. You will also want to create a similar spreadsheet for the networking conversations you end up having. It will be important to remember the names and conversations you have so you can refer back in the future.
RE-EDUCATE YOURSELF Another great use of your time during this transition period is to “re-educate” yourself. Think about any additional certifications, licenses or professional education classes that you can invest your time and effort into. This will only prove to make you more marketable in the eyes of your future employer and add to your overall skills and abilities. Although it may seem daunting and scary at first, being unemployed does not have to last very long if your approach is spot-on. Armed with a positive attitude and a daily routine, your next job is right around the corner.
CRAIG W. PETRUS joined the Hough Graduate School of Business in June of 2009. As Director, Craig is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Graduate Business Career Services and ensuring the delivery of quality career development programming and services to students within the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida.