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 Dear
Clients, Friends, and Colleagues,
No one likes to think or talk about it,
but it's an increasing reality for many: the prospect of unemployment.
The well-prepared executive not only
promotes herself upward in her organization, he also protects himself
and prepares for potential layoffs and periods of unemployment.
This is what I call 360-degree career
planning and it's essential in today's times.
It is
also why, in this newsletter, I have outlined tips for protecting your
career before, during, and after a period of unemployment. Take a few
minutes to not only read through these tips, but to commit to putting
in motion 1-2 of the tips that best fit your current situation.
This way, you can continue to turn your potential into power with the
confidence of knowing you won't be blindsided by unemployment if it does
come knocking at your door. You'll also find in this month's Success Tip
a few strategies for making a memorable impression at networking events.
Let's get started!
Your Partner in Success,
Charmaine McClarie
President, McClarie Group
p.s. Check-out new developments at
McClarie Group as
well. Watch a video clip of one of my popular keynotes,
Being Seen and Heard as a Leader
or read a few of my thoughts on
"Finding
Satisfaction in Your Current Job"
from the most recent ExecuNet
article.
360 Degree Career Planning:
Managing Periods Before, During and After Unemployment
Keeping it short and sweet, hopefully just like your period of unemployment.
Before a Layoff:
Prepare for the Potential Reality
Always know
unemployment could happen to you and plan accordingly:
-
Seek and Document
Career-Enhancers.
Look at each
opportunity, project, and/or assignment you are currently facing as a
resume enhancer. In other words, ask the ‘WIFM’ (what in it for me?)
question. Track and review your accomplishments in these projects on a
regular basis. For example, create a shortcut on your desktop to a word
document that you update at the end of every week that highlights the
results you are achieving for your organization. Results here is
the key word, too. Instead of just documenting your efforts, frame your
accomplishments in terms of the impact your work is having on the
organization. Finally, every six months, without fail, update
your resume to reflect the results you've been achieving.
-
Build your Network.
Now is the time to get involved in your professional association to
establish key relationships that you may need to rely on later. Also
consider creating a board of advisers that you
can meet with once a quarter, both during and after the layoff.
-
Have a 100-day plan
and renew it regularly. The notion of a 100-day plan was originally
designed for CEOs starting out in a new position, but it's a highly
effective way for executives at all levels to ensure their ongoing
success. To read more about creating a 100-day plan, revisit our
January newsletter on recession-proofing your career.
-
Set up an
unemployment savings account. Even if it’s scary, explore the
financial implications of your being unemployed. Six months is the
average time it’s taking now, and sometimes twelve in this tight market.
Planning a budget will help you feel in control of your financial
situation. Fearing and not actually knowing the financial impact is
usually more stressful than the reality itself.
-
Build and nurture
online social networks. Now is the time to grow your online profiles
on networks such as LinkedIn, not when you need a job.
-
Finally, make time for pastimes.
Many people who fear losing their jobs run themselves into the ground by
overworking themselves, which takes a toll on their health and
productivity. Have a creative outlet and make time for it.
During a Period
of Unemployment:
Leverage your 'Down Time'
When
unemployment does happen, be prepared:
-
Give yourself space.
Take some time out to grieve. It’s okay to take a week off. During this
time, begin creating the right space for yourself to move forward. Surround
yourself with positive people and don't take anything personally,
particularly if you don’t receive the response you expect from friends,
associates or companies. Continue your creative outlet unfailingly and
do something for you everyday. Exercise, read, meditate, massage,
or take a day trip on the weekend. Tap into free resources (e.g. your
local Workforce Connections Office) that may provide classes and
workshops to help you get back on your working feet.
-
Focus. After
you've grieved, grab the reigns and focus on moving forward. Have a
daily schedule and stick to it. Now is the time to get real clarity
about what you really want to do and how you want your life to look.
Don't abandon your 100 day plan. Instead, renew it for your new context,
and update it every 30 days. Create a system to track your job-seeking
actions and results as well, so you can see for yourself which
activities and avenues are dead-ends and time-eaters and which are
door-openers and possibility-generators.
-
Don't confuse
activity with productivity. Many newly unemployed people busy
themselves with activity, but not actions that actually move them much
closer to a new job. You can polish your resume and flag contacts in
your database until you are blue in the face, but what you really need
to be doing is sending out your resume and actually reconnecting with
those contacts.
-
Reach out. Ask
for help. Connect, connect, connect. Network, network, network. Conduct
informational interviews. Be smart in how you spend your time. Complete
internet activity at night so you can use the days to connect and
network in person or by phone.
-
Consider yourself a brand. Market,
package and position yourself as you would a product. Clearly understand
your positioning statement, value proposition and your points of
differentiation from your competitors.
-
Be ready to
impress. Have two formal and two professional casual outfits ready
at a moments notice for an interview. This is not the time to let yourself
go.
After:
Starting Strong in Your New Role
Once you've got a new
job, you've still got the job of managing the transition:
-
Let people know about
your
transition. Follow-up with your network and supporters. Let them
know where you landed. Send thank you notes, always, to those who helped
you get to where you are now.
-
Establish a
communication plan with your manager for the first 90 days.
-
Prepare a new 100
day plan of action. Check your progress regularly and renew it
every 100 days.
-
Focus and perform.
Eyes are on you in your new job so now is the time to do what you do
best.
Our
thanks go to Karen James and Kirsten McGregor
for their contributions
to this article.
To hire
Charmaine for executive coaching, workshops or keynote speaking, contact us
at: (323) 224-6820.
Speaking of Success Tip
#8:
Working a Networking Event or Business Party
When it comes to
networking etiquette, the greatest taboo in my mind is not pitching yourself
effectively. To avoid becoming one more forgotten name in a Rolodex of and
to make a lasting impression, make sure to do the following at your next
networking event:
-
Speak in
headlines that get and keep the attention of the people you network
with.
-
Have
interesting things to say that indirectly pitch your value and
accomplishments.
-
Embody your
message in your clothes, posture and the way your carry yourself.
-
Speak about
the value you add (or added) at your company—not your title—when
networking. Give your title last.
Don’t forget to follow-up with your new
contacts with a note or email.
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