Laid Off: Charting Your Course - Navigating the Job Hunt

This is part 2 of a two-part article.

When you are unexpectedly laid off, it's normal to experience a wide range of emotions, including shame, sadness, anger, fear, depression, feelings of inadequacy, and uncertainty about the future. Allow yourself to acknowledge and feel these emotions. Consider losing a job as similar to the end of a relationship. Use these feelings to motivate you in your job search. Remember, you are good enough

Job hunting is a full-time job.  As with any undertaking, there is a first step.  The first step in a job search is to analyze the skills you developed from both paid and non-paying jobs. These skills may include those you picked up from just being around your family.  Perhaps you are the middle child who has learned to negotiate life between older and younger siblings.  Negotiating is a skill. 

Secondly, find out which industries would closely match your skills.  Skills are transferable between industries, not just companies.  Then target those companies in the industries where your skills can be applied. 

Thirdly, remember that you are the product.  Some might call it networking.  I believe that people are inherently good and willing to help if asked.  So ask.  Ask if they know of job openings.  Ask if they know of someone who might be in the know. Just ask.  If you can afford it, attend luncheons where industry leaders meet.  The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) conference attracts human resources professionals from various sectors. For introverts, networking may feel daunting; in that case, try inviting someone for coffee or lunch instead of attending large gatherings.  Consider submitting your resume to recruitment companies. They typically work with companies that need temporary staff to do a particular job.  Their fees are usually paid by the companies that work with recruitment agencies. 

Fourth, explore consulting roles outside of the traditional employer-employee relationships. While consulting may not offer the same level of job security, it provides greater flexibility in managing your time or choosing your clients.  Keep in mind, consulting is not for everyone.  It requires that, in addition to doing the job for which you are contracted, you must also be on the lookout for new contracting jobs.  In other words, you have to continually be networking.  However, if done well, a temporary contract job can become a permanent full-time position. 

Fifth, as with any full-time job, it is necessary to have time off.  Give yourself a break.  Some of my best ideas come when I do nothing but relax and let my mind wander.

Grace Donaldson, with over 30 years of experience in the human resources industry, is one of three partners of Allied Human Resources, a staffing and recruitment company in Guam. She may be contacted via email at grace.donaldson@alliedhrguam.com.