IT ADDS UP TO BE A PLUS!
Recently lost a job? Does your situation feel like a plus or a minus?
This is not meant to be insulting but rather to focus attention on the task at hand, which is to find new employment. In a similar gloom and doom period a few years ago, the authors of this article helped many with that task. We assisted through workshops and one-on-one counselling sessions seeking to have individuals face the question seriously and move to the ‘plus’ side of the equation.
Job search strategies and tips are not usually helpful to those who are convinced their job loss was unfair or that everyone is in the same boat and the situation hopeless. The challenge is to not wait for things to get better, but to strive for that ONE job that will suit you, either in the short-term or for the rest of your working life.
Becoming re-employed depends in large measure on the impression you make on people who are in a position to offer employment. You may meet such people, or those who can recommend you, in a variety of situations, which is why you must always be ready to talk pluses. Yes, finding a job today is difficult but don’t be spooked by forecasts and predictions of big picture economics. Your picture is finding that one employer who needs you and your pluses.
Pluses such as personality, skills, honesty, work ethic, ability to do right things right and solve problems. Those are qualities needed in all work places; many that may surprise you as a place to work. Look beyond the usual to the more unlikely places for employment.
When you lose a job the onus is on you; a rotten feeling, I’ve been there. One of my employers closed shop because people were turned off our products by a rumour that the company was the next to go out of business! There is a lot of that talk around these days.
Don’t let this apply to you. If people who are in a position to hire or recommend you for employment think you are mentally ‘out of business’ with a chip on your shoulder, they may understand, but be unable to see through this to your positive attributes. What they must see is how well you would fit into a work place.
People hire for serious reasons. They seek people who are genuine about working at what they do and are convincing in their desire to do it well. They seek true sincerity. So, is your situation, a plus or a minus? It will look more like a plus if you can accept the fact that, while you can not change the past, the future is yours to make of it what you will.
Your qualifications, work experience, education, training and references are the pluses that get you an interview. Then you need to be seen as a solution to an employer’s problem. Regret the past, but be eager to put your talents to work in the future. Show desire to deal with new challenges in a new workplace. Don’t judge potential workplaces against your last one. Never rule out any job until you learn as much as you can about what type of work it offers.
Of course, it’s not easy and there is a lot of competition. But who would you prefer to hire; those who are future-oriented or those who continue to negatively dwell on the past? As well as you did in the old job, you want to do the same or better in the next one. Let people see that. Knock on doors if you have to; not to ‘sell’ something you are not, but rather to enable others to hire you for whom you are.
Life works better for those who consistently make a positive impression. Some employers dislike posting jobs in hard times for fear of being swamped with applications and hard-luck stories about previous employers. Instead they will often ask friends and associates to refer people they see as positive, competent and good candidates for employment. How will you be perceived?
Be positive with family, friends, associates and all you meet by making it clear that you are looking forward to new challenges and opportunities and plan to soon excel in a new position. Who knows, you might one day help someone else to be a ‘plus’ person.
R. Peter Soderquest |
