It Is Ok That You Are Out Of Work |
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Most people are embarrassed if they are unemployed. They feel like they failed and are ashamed to talk about their current status. Or, they are back to work after a long stretch of not working, but are worried it might not last. Thus, their fears prevent them from performing as well as they could. Bad things happen to the best of us. Maybe you had a job you loved and were let go. Maybe you knew your employment was going to end, or maybe it was a surprise. Maybe you are not sure who you are these days anymore because your previous job defined you. Maybe you wish things would just go back to the way they were. Maybe you hope the uncertainty will end already. The biggest fear my clients have is how do they talk about what happened in a positive way. Especially, when they are not feeling very positive about their situation. They worry they will be judged and no one will listen to their story. You don't have to dread the question: "Why have you been unemployed for so long?" Rather expect it, embrace it, and have an answer ready that makes both you and the interviewer, (Or anyone you are networking with), feel good about themselves. You can't change what people will ask you. You can change how you react to it. It's not what happened that defines you or decreases your chances of securing a new position. Rather, it's your words and how you convey your words, that make the biggest impact. So, How Do You Talk About Why You Are Unemployed In A Powerful And Impactful Way? Follow These 3 Steps Below. 1. Stick With The Facts Rather than get into he said/she said, gossip, blame, anger, or any other emotion you are feeling, just state what happened. You were let go. Your company reorganized. You got a new boss or division head that cut your department. Your position was given to someone else or outsourced. Your job was eliminated. Yes, there were consequences to your life as a result of that elimination, but how you feel about what happened is irrelevant. You are still able to do your job and do it well. Does it hurt to lose a position? Yes. Does everyone need to know how hurt you are? No. There are people outside of your work life who can help you through your hurt feelings. A person you are interviewing or networking with is not one of them. 2. Talk About What You Have Been Doing Since You Were Let Go Have you taken classes to update your skills? Talk about them. Have you been volunteering? Bring this up. Have you been job searching? Talk about your search, how you organize your day, contact list, interviews, follow-up. You've been busy; not sitting around. Just because you aren't being paid to work, doesn't mean you haven't been working. Your full time job has been looking for a new job. This means something, so be proud, and do not be ashamed of your efforts. 3. Discuss How You Are A Better Person Or Employee Because Of What Has Happened To You You are no longer the same person you were before being let go. You may feel at times that you are worse off, but the truth is you are better. You have strength because you are dealing with a situation that you once believed you would not be able to handle. You have courage because you get up every day and you keep looking. You have persistence because you keep following up with the same people over and over again. You have humility because you've had to ask for help. You have empathy because you know what it's like to be in this situation. You have a different perspective because you know now that work is a piece of your life and not the whole pie. When you return to work, and YOU WILL RETURN TO WORK, you will be grateful for your job and be happy to be there; things you may not have felt before.
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Comments
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Posted by: Elvira O
This is a very helpful article. It defines how should I feel and how should I see myself after being out of my job. It lifts my spirit and creates a positive value of my present situation (#3). Thank you so much for sharing this!
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Posted by: Samson W
I completely agree with Cheryl that this article nails it on the head. It gives suggestions as to how each of us who have been out of work for a period of time should answer, if and when we are asked the question. It also says that we should feel better that we accomplished something from our last job.
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Posted by: Michael T
Great article!One must think differently about what he/she has been doing since a layoff. The methodology of a job search and the networking may lend themselves quite well in a new position. In some fields, traveling might be considered gaining insight and cultural relevance. Perhaps staying home and developing a business plan or starting a small business will be viewed as highly desirable, you just don't know what a good HR professional will pick up on. If the recruiter is well educated and has any sense of the economic realities they will be able to vet a good candidate by the use of their time even if it wasn't spent at a cubical for a corporation.-Mike
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Posted by: Cheryl Lineman
This aritcle nails it on the head. It helped with one of my concerns - how to make a positive out of a negative.
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Posted by: L Mason
I really appreciate the thoughtful advice given in this article. You really touched on the emotions that one goes through after losing a job and shared how to change your mindset to stay positive and hopeful on the mood elevator. Thank you for this advice it was really helpful.
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Posted by: Tom
Helpful and good advice.
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Posted by: dorothea
I enjoyed reading and taking down the information on #3. I have gone to a number of counselors and they have not given me this information also my resume did not show all my pluses.I am redoing my resume and I am optimistic. Thank you for #3.
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Posted by: Thais H. A
It definitely cheered me up.....!! Keep looking, once you at least expect it, it will come!
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Posted by: Dr. S.
This is the first and only article applicable to the longer term employment seekers. Various reasons are offered for professionals having lost previous positions hence being in the market but one. What are your thoughts relevant to people who resigned, left an executive position due to unethical behavior of the employer and black listed as a result. We all are aware of words and innuendos offered to the potential new employers during the background employment investigation process terminating and rescinding the conditional offer of employment. How would one recover from the situation. The laws are in place, true, however, the resources needed to litigate, we may agree, prevent such routs that prove exhaustive without merit anyway.
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Posted by: Connie G
This touches upon every emotion I have felt and continue to feel. It is an excellent article and I know I will be keeping it close by to renew my inner self during my search for a new position. Thank you!
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Posted by: Curtis C
Since being laid off I have twinged when anyone asked about my current work situation. Now, with a job interview on Thursday, I'm better prepared to respond in a positive manner to the questions. This information was excellent and very helpful. Thank you.
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Posted by: Helene S
Very informative and helpful.Validates thee thought of those of us presently in this situation.Thank you.
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Posted by: Shari Dorff
This is excellent! Everything is true. The growth and learnings from going through this experience is positive and you do learn and grow. A very unexpected 'perk' from being let go or laid off that bring value to you as a person and you as an employee. A real asset that you can not get without the real life trauma of experience!
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Posted by: Obeida López García
Es verdad, se siente mal al decir que se esta desempleado, pero si se buscan alternativas dentro de la búsqueda cotidiana como por ejemplo ,formación ,así sea como autodidacta, la búsqueda es menos pesada, no se pierde la ilusión, se continua pensando que uno es el mejor,y que en cualquier espacio del mundo habrá algún trabajo para tí.Es esperar el momento preciso.
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Posted by: Bambang N
Discuss How you are a Better Person or Employee Because Of Happened to you.You are no longer the same person you were before being let go. You may feel at times that you are worse off, but the truth is you are better. You have strength because you are dealing with a situation that you once believed you would not be able to handle. You have courage because you get up every day and you keep looking. You have persistence because you keep following up with the same people over and over again. You have humility because you've had to ask for help. You have empathy because you know what it's like to be in this situation. You have a different perspective because you know now that work is a piece of your life and not the whole pie. When you return to work, and YOU WILL RETURN TO WORK, you will be grateful for your job and be happy to be there; things you may not have felt before.
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Posted by: Wanda
Great article!! It is so true and it inspired me. I will be more confident to follow up with the same people over and over. Thank you!!
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Posted by: Doris S
This is a very good article. Very helpful. My job will be ending soon and this advice will be of great benefit.Thank you
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Posted by: lauren h
thank you for these 3 steps...i have been out of work for a year and a half..its all of those feelings and more..after reading this i have a new tool to take in the interview room with me....when i get an interview...i am almost 50 and i feel that i am in competition with all people looking for a job.... so thank you for those positive words and ways to handle the i got let go situation.
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Posted by: Douglas S
I recently closed my consulting business in California and relocated to Colorado. I can't seem to get anyone to respond to my resume and yet I get positive feedback about it. While working as a consultant most of the employers promised the possibility of a permanent position but when the project was done, so was I. I didn't mind the termination but I did mind the lies. What I saw from the outside were employees doing the job of three or more positions and being treated very badly by management. I really think employers are taking advantage of the poor economy.
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Posted by: Fred P
Good, straight-shooting article.
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Posted by: salvacion de Vera
i admit i have a certain trepadation, and a persistent worry that it was difficult for me to stop thinking about but i feel better and confident now and have a persistence. thank you so much its been very helpful.
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Posted by: helen j
Very helpful. sometimes I am really hard on myself and have all these emotions and feelings that was described. Thank You as I feel much better knowing that I'm not alone in feeling that way.
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Posted by: Dave G
Good article! I was out of work for 5 weeks and jumped into a job that I ended up hating. I was working with alot of ungrateful people who backstabbing you whenever they got a chance just to make themselves look good. I didn't like it and voiced my opinion. I was laid-off within 2 weeks because I didn't fit in. I've now been unemployed for 8 months and take it one day at a time. I review a bunch of website jobsites daily and have a good resume. I've been on a ton of interviews and I know that there is a job out there for me. I keep a positive attitude and make a gratitude list everyday day. Life is good day although I'm not employed.
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Posted by: Sorin R.
This is a very encouraging article and I hope all unemployed read it. I must admit, however, that the vast majority of interviewers and hiring managers are not that supporting and are looking for points to deny you from the position rather than to hire you and the question "why were you out of work (for so long) ?" is one of their over-used tools.
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Posted by: Jeannine M. B
Thank you for this article. I have been out of work sine June 2011. I feel terrible about my situation. My last 4 positions did not go well, and I am fearful regarding my resume, which appears like I am a hopper. Thanks for these tips.
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Posted by: pinky p
I love this article! It gave me perspective on how I have been feeling about the job search and returning back to work. I feel like a valuable person and not worthless. I now see what it takes to be a better person and what its takes to get the job. Thank you!
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Posted by: Debra M
I've been out of work for about 3.5 months now, having had a well-paying professional position which was newly created CUT after only 5 months. It was a true sucker punch. But I can honestly say that the budget cut had nothing to do with me personally; the person who made that decision was simply moving decimal points, and had no idea who was on the other end of the cuts. I didn't come to that neutral place right away, it took many weeks of working through the anger and "unfairness" of it. This article is dead on correct, in that it addresses the sense of failure and shame that come with having a job cut. It's also true that the interviewer does not want to hear a blow-by-blow account of what happened. They want to know why you are looking, and that you are able to pick yourself up and move forward without carrying the emotional baggage of the situation with you into their company. If you can take the "personal" out of the situation, and focus on all the good things to come with a new opportunity; your resilience will impress them, and so will your positive attitude. They want winners and strong people on their team; not a person who wallows in coulda/woulda/shoulda. I'm not re-employed yet, but I'm well on my way in the interview process of a dream job. I'm also working part time through the holidays in the industry of my potential new job. I'm very hopeful and know the value I bring to the table. Some company (hopefully the one I'm interviewing with) will be very fortunate to have me on their team, and vice versa, and I feel very certain and secure in that. You have to believe in yourself to make others believe in you. "Fake it till you make it"! This is my second job to be cut in the last 4 years in our miserable economy. You have to just get up and keep trying every day. Believe that it will get better. Believe and envision yourself employed and successful, and it will happen. In the mean time, take comfort in your friends and family, check your ego, and get recentered. I'm not a pollyanna person all the time, but the power of positive thinking is very real. Good Luck out there!
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Posted by: David R
To the downtrodden; the article above may not be enough to lighten your "employment depression", however, we must make every effort to find ways to make ourselves happy(make a list of what makes us cheerful; a list of our best skills; a list of things you- can -do- even- if -you -don't -care -about -doing- but- I -can- handle -it....Keep that list somewhere where you can read it everyday to pick up your spirit. Why? You may actually dream of your dream job by subconsciously tYing the above ideas together into a true You. And when those sort-of opportunities appear around you(Opportunties are everywhere;one tends to become blinded by the Depression), you DO have the DETERMINATION there to Grab them("Get off my tracks!This locomotive is Now movin'") Another important thing, and I learnedd this from volunteering with political campaigns:Greet everyone with a handshake and a bubbly "How are You? I am so pleased to meet you!" (Fake it even if you are in the pit of despair. People respond with a big smile (always) and may say "Well,aren't you cheerful. I like that!" Every cell in your body warms up; WHY? You were just brushed with cheerfulness...and keep doing that,, and before you know it , you become genuinely Happy. Try it;honestly. I applied for a miserable Joe-job , but my faked Cheerfulness attracted the attention of a Key player in the company. They came over, and took me away to another interviewer and said" You deserve better than this!" And guess what? You deserve nothing but the Best, too. Honestly.
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Posted by: Christopher G
This article really hits home. I have been unemployed for over 2 months now. During this down time, I went to the library every day and studied, it became my full time job. Well the end result was worth it. I ended up passing my boards, I am now a licensed Registered Nurse. When I was working I never had time to study, it was always work and then family, never me time. My position being eliminated was the kick in the pants I needed to move on from a decent paying dead end job..
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Posted by: shane k
these are all valid points , unfortunately the interviewer may not be sympathetic or empathize with this. i find most interviewers only care about why YOU were the one to be let go or if out of work for awhile what is the reason why YOU have not been able to get more work and tend to make there minds up then and there that your a bad risk and not worth the chance.
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Posted by: Amelia Manongdo
These 3 steps to handle unemployment is very encouraging, helpful and enlightening. I am recently out of work and I believe that this article will help me to handle my current situation better especially now that I am actively looking for a job. I know I am now more prepared and confident to handle my coming job interviews just in case the interviewers asked me this matter. Thank you very much for the article.
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