The outplacement firm

I've been taking time to do things like spend more time with the boys and complete some house projects, which I have. Halloween is behind us and Thanksgiving in front, but where my head has been of late is in my job search.

This has been a really interesting time. Getting laid off is a bit like dying, to be over-dramatic. I have gone over to the "other side" and I feel a bit like a ghost to those I've worked with, like I don't exist any more. Any time I reach out to those still at the company, I feel a bit like I'm reaching out from the grave. That said, this period is proving to be enlightening. Perhaps that is another truthful analogy. Guess I will find out one day.

I have been working with an outplacement firm to organize my job search and it's been a good experience. This organization formalizes the job search process and gives us job seekers a structure to work from. I think a good number of job seekers would want to get right to work, applying to X number of jobs a week and if you know what you want to do, that would be reasonable. But for me, I am stepping back and assessing who I am and what I want/need...and I've got a workbook to help.

The company has created a template with definite milestones to meet and has many concrete examples for those of us lacking inspiration. For example, everyone has heard that most jobs come from networking. Yet, how do you really network? It's intimidating and I feel awkward and self-serving, not to mention exceptionally inferior. I know that in a lot of respects, I just have to get over it and think that this all part of a cycle. Someone will help me, I will help someone later. But there is also the matter of what to talk about. As part of the program you, the job seeker, have to put a marketing plan together, which means clearly defining what you want, who your target market is, and what you bring. This also serves as a handy document to build a discussion around when networking. If that's not enough, there is even a sample dialogue to help guide conversation.

I really like how this intimidating process is broken down into do-able steps with concrete deliverables. When I can't handle the idea of looking at more job postings I don't fit, I will work on something like a target list or a position statement. Then I've got something handy to in moments of panic or even mild insecurity. The plan is once I've got this down in writing, I will keep a ready copies around should I be ambushed one day by a recruiter. I am creating a security blanket.

While I say that all the above stuff is important, my counselor is keeping me on track for job applications. My tendency is to want to apply for only those jobs I love. But what she is saying is that while it is important to prioritize, I need to keep in mind that there is some negotiation that can happen and it's essential to be getting interviews, period. In all likelihood, I won't be getting the first job I interview for. Getting interviews is simply another part of the process. You have to practice and be sharp so you don't blow it when it really matters and it's very easy to fall out of practice quickly one you are out of the work environment. I have to remember that I can't talk to recruiters and hiring managers the way I would talk to family.

In addition to the counselor who helps me stay on track, there are webinars on aspects of the job search and even extends into entrepreneurship, and there are a set of online courses I can view pertaining to many aspects of business. Right now, I am working through Marketing and other Business curricula.

I have a time limit on how long I can use the resources, so even though I have milestones to meet, I am also working through all the online resources first as I will not need their help to actually apply to jobs. 

All these skills seem so basic. I can't believe this was never formalized in my education. Because of this experience, I am a believer that basic project management should be on our homeschool curriculum.