Yes, I know...it's a lousy economy and jobs are scarce. But they do exist. I'm frequently hearing people complain about the way they are being treated at work, yet these same people don't even have an updated resume nor have they done much to expand their network. No one else will be able to help you if you aren't willing to help yourself. Here are some tips on how to get out of victim mode so that you can move your life forward:
Ignore the negative noise - No doubt you are hanging out with other people in victim mode who are telling you how bad things are out there. They may also be telling you that you'll never find work in this economy. If this were true, the husband of a colleague of mine would not have been offered a top job, which has taken him across the country. Or my clients wouldn't be asking me to help them find qualified candidates.
Do something...anything - Set a goal for yourself to do one thing this week. That may be connecting with a former colleague or joining an association where there will be opportunities to meet people who can help you find a better opportunity. If you do one thing a week, by the end of a month you will have moved four things forward.
Update your resume - There's something very empowering about updating your resume. Maybe it's because it gives you a chance to remind yourself of all of your accomplishments.
Take a trip - If you live in an area that is depressed, take a trip to another part of the country where there appears to be more job opportunities. Check out the area and see if it's a place that might work well for your personal situation.
Give yourself permission to fail - My mentor Alan Weiss says that if you aren't failing, you are not trying. Send out some resumes, make some calls, go on some interviews. So what if you don't get the job? At least you will have tried.
Get outside help - People at all different points in their careers get stuck. Even those who haven't gotten out of the gate yet. Contact your alumni association to see what services may be available. Look up some non-profit organizations in your area to see if there is assistance for people in transition. Contact a Job Search Mentor, who can help guide you as you move through this transition. Just do something.
There are about three good months of job searching left before the long days of summer arrive and hiring managers check out of the workplace. Make the most of this time. Victim land may be a nice place to visit, but it certainly isn't a place where you want to live all year round.
Roberta
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