Sorry about that ‘doom and gloom’ title, but I dislike job-hunting!!  On the other hand, the upside is it can be a great time to learn about your Self.  In other words, turn this ‘threat’ into an ‘opportunity’ (using Strategic Planning jargon). During the process you will want to do things such as:

• Identify your personal value system.  Once you have done that, do research on potential companies and make sure their value systems match yours.  Some companies are well-known for their strong value systems, such as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Starbucks.  Read up on those companies and you will see what I mean!!  For example, reading might include How Starbucks Saved My Life, The Starbucks Experience, Let My People Go Surfing, or the book on customer experience called Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo. . .  which tangentially discusses employee relations and company values.
• Identify what works for you and what does not.  By this, I mean something beyond your personal value system.  For example, a former student found what we thought was the dream job, only to find they wanted her to work evenings, to wine and dine customers every evening (to the point of encouraging over-imbibing, and even her pregnant supervisor was drinking wine!).  After a short time, she realized what she wanted from a job was just, well, different!
• As part of this, realize whether you are ‘political’ or not, and try to assess the internal politics of the firm, as well as their strength and potential impact on you.  Some people are unaffected by strong organizational politics, while others are more vulnerable to them, which may affect performance.
• Get up to speed on your reading as related to your industry!  You will learn a lot that will help you, regardless of where you land.  I suggest browsing the shelves of Borders and Barnes and Noble, as well as buying a few books from Amazon.  Once you buy from Amazon, they send you e-mails with suggestions of new and/or related titles.
• Invest in yourself, whether it is acquiring new skills, hiring a life or career coach, joining a gym, or any number of ways that will make you feel more positive and more marketable, as well as helping you feel better about yourself.  As a marketer, I can attest to the fact that just when companies should INCREASE their marketing expenditures due to low sales, they often cut back.  The same holds true with us.  This might be the time to spend on you, to commit to growth, and to INVEST!
• If money is a huge issue, try listing what you would like to do, and then rank by cost and value.  Look for high value and low cost, or simply, the best value for your buck!
• List your desires, rather than freaking out.  What do you REALLY want to do in life?  What is your dream?  Is it possible to move toward that in your next job, or by starting your own business? Sure, it is scary, but you don’t have a job to quit, so maybe your opportunity costs are a bit lower than they were!  Now might be the time to dream and take action toward that dream!

By JoNel Mundt, PhD.

Category: Career · Unemployment