"Work is an essential part of being alive. Your work is your identity." ~ Kay Stepkin
I had a discussion with an unemployed colleague and asked what the hardest part of her job search has been. She answered, "Losing my identity". I was surprised, as this individual appears to continually take her unemployment in stride and projects a strong persona and overt confidence. I thought maybe she misunderstood what I had asked, so I asked the question in a different way, "What are you finding most difficult about obtaining employment?" The answer was the same, "Losing my identity".
It's possible you have experienced this same feeling. There isn't a time frame on how long it will take to make you feel as if you still have an identity. The good news is this:
- You are the person you were before your job loss.
- You are just jobless.
- You still have the talents, expertise and professionalism you had before your unemployment.
- You are still valuable.
- You are not identity-less!
"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." ~Epictetus.
This philosopher believed that all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. He believed that suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power.
You have the power within to regain your sense of self. You have to get up each morning and be self-disciplined in your search for employment. Each day, commit to:
- Reaching out to 1 contact via phone, email, social networking or connecting one-on-one.
- Send out 5 updated and specifically refined and targeted resumes to job postings that make sense.
- Target 1 company you would like to work for.
- Research the name of the Hiring Manager or Director of Human Resources, and try and locate their email. You can often find these individuals on LinkedIn or even in the company directory on their company website.
- Send a "snail" mail (US Postal) cover letter and resume addressed to the specific person, if you are unable to locate email address.
The minute you allow yourself to do nothing, you will miss a moment that could make a difference in your job search.
GOOD NEWS: Yea! A local job fair is coming up in Murrieta next Tuesday, October 19th from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper Street. You may remember how busy this job fair was at this location last year, so make sure to get in line EARLY! There will be a lot of employers and thousands of job seekers. Dress for success and bring along several copies of your updated resume.
CONGRATULATIONS: To Brenda C. who recently accepted a position with North County Times in Temecula. Brenda found this position on HotJobs.com, but said she found a lot of other leads via
BACTS FACT: "Try and establish a focus for your future before you meet with a recruiter. Your sense of purpose and definition will be noticed." ~ Jan Smith
THAT'S IT: "To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity" ~ Robert Louis Stevenson.
I know it is hard to not have the life you once had. It is not a forever situation, unless you decide that's how it will be. You get to create your identity the way you want it to be. Start with your vision of what job you want and continue the effort to connect with a company or a recruiter who can help you achieve your goal.
It's up to you. You can wander aimlessly or take some control. It's time to wrestle back your identity. You were someone with much promise and talent before you were unemployed. The amazing thing is those same attributes still exist in you!
Good luck on the job search this week.
Jan
Jan M. Smith
Inland Management Group
Human Resource Consulting & Support to the Service Industry
(951) 302-6483
www.inlandmgtgroup.com
www.janmsmith.com
Twitter: @temecula_hr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/#!/InlandManagementGroup
LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/janmsmith
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