Holidays, Job Search and the Blues

One of the hardest things I have to do when I am working with someone in job search is supporting them through the blues. Especially when the blues is really depression. I work with a counselors and psychologist and if I suspect that someone is dealing with more than the blues I refer them to seek professional help.

The Mayo Clinic cites the following as symptoms of depression:

• Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
• Irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
• Reduced sex drive
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration
• Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren't going right
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
• Crying spells for no apparent reason
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For someone going through transition due to a job loss some of these symptoms are normal and natural... but when these symptoms persist and even grow stronger action is called for. Counseling is one of the most important actions a person can take. Some folks will require medication in addition to counseling and there is nothing wrong with that. I’m amazed the number of folks who will routinely take cold or flu medicine but balk when depression medication is suggested.

Acute and chronic depression is a real disease that people are suffering from. Like the flu, cancer or a broken leg, depression is a medical condition that requires medical / psychological attention.  Psychologist tell us that the holidays are a difficult time for all of us, many people feel depressed during this time of year.  Even Elvis sung about a “Blue Christmas” and bouts of the Blues are understandable especially in our current economy.

From a career standpoint, I teach a “first things first” strategy. If you’re looking for a job you’d better develop a professional resume. Likewise, if you’re suffering from depression you need to deal with that before you’ll be able to do well in a job search. Just in the amount of energy required to conduct a professional job search, a depressed person will lag behind his or her competition. A job search requires a positive attitude; as one colleague says, “A job seeker has to have the enthusiasm of a puppy when the door bell rings!” I don’t know how someone can do that when they do not have the energy get out of bed, little less make 10 phone calls.

My hope is this, if you are feeling down and are demonstrating some or many of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor for a proper depression screening. Seek out a counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist and get the proper treatment to help you get ready for a job search or career change.

Career Changers: Consider Temp to Perm

   Career changing is difficult for those of us who have done the same thing for a long time. Recently, a friend pondered that the reason we don’t like change is because we lose the illusion that we are in control. Things are new and we don’t know our way around. This causes anxiety and stress. Changing jobs, especially careers, is indeed very stressful. Even if we hate what we are doing or have been released from our previous job, making a career change does not make most people’s top ten list of  favorite things to do.

   Put your toe in the water first before you jump into the deep end of the pool. Many companies do this. They hire people on a temporary basis and then evaluate them before offering them a full time position. The same can work for the career changer.

   As a temp, you may realize that you love the work but not the company. This is another plus for the Temp to Perm argument of career changing. You’ll quickly learn the company culture and values. If it is not a fit for you,  you’re building experience while keeping your eyes open for a better opportunity at a better company.

   The difficulty for some people is taking a lower pay as they break into a new career. Starting out as a temp can mitigate this risk. I have found that salary is more important if people don’t like or enjoy their work.  In other words, if people love what they do and who they do it with, their salary is never a problem as long as their basic expenses are covered. By starting out as a temp, the career changer can evaluate their appreciation of the job and get a feeling if they can make the salary  work in their lives.

   Finally as a temp, age, gender or other so-called limitations (excuses for not hiring a qualified candidate) go away. When employers see that your transferable skills are what make you stand out over less experienced candidates, the “limitations’ fall to the wayside. Remember that those conditions are only there because they don’t know the true value you present by looking at a resume. A real person with a positive attitude, who is producing and solving problems leaves little doubt to their ability to aid in the company’s success.

   If your pondering a change in careers think seriously about starting in a temporary job and growing from there. It’s like a long interview where you can prove yourself and evaluate the career and company at the same time. It has worked for many career changers and it can work for you.

Myths, Conventional Wisdom and Other Rationalizations

   In "5 Career Myths Busted" Maria Hanson of LiveCareer discusses five different myths that conventional wisdom teaches, which are absolutely false... unless you make them true by believing them. Human beings create self-fulfilling prophecies by accepting something erroneous because it speaks to our deepest fears. Here are the myths that Maria Hanson addresses:

• Myth #1: I can't get a job without experience.
• Myth #2: All that most workers care about is their salary.
• Myth #3: It's too late to change careers.
• Myth #4: Multitasking is the most efficient way to work.
• Myth #5: Without close supervision, most workers will get away with whatever they can.

   I want to comment about myths one and three. If you find yourself in transition or even just starting out from college Myth #1 is a statement that everyone feels must be true. Someone experiencing difficulty finding a job will state this myth and then say, "It's a real Catch-22" referring to the Joseph Heller novel. If you hear someone say this to you, feel free to hold them accountable by asking the question, "If that is true why isn't there 100% unemployment?" The trouble is if someone is holding on to this myth as a rationalization for not landing a job, what real reason are they missing?  Something that is in their power to change is going unnoticed.

   Myth #3 is a similar kind of rationalization that people use to stay stuck. I'm too old, or it's too late. I've changed careers three times in my life, maybe four depending how you count the career I am in now. Again if this myth is true no mother who raised her children could ever work again outside the home. It may take some additional formal education or training program, but people do it every day. Actually for my clients that are burned out from their most recent job, the prospect of changing careers is an exciting opportunity.

   Here is where attitude comes into the equation. Having a positive, enthusiastic attitude with a certain amount of patience will make all the difference. We all have "transferable skills." These are the skills that are required to be successful in various different careers. Project management is one of these skills sets. I cannot think of an occupation that does not require some level of project management. What is incumbent on the career changer is communicating how the transferable skill is the hard part and the specifics of the new field can be learned quickly.

   Not everyone will buy that argument. People want to believe that their field or industry is unique and I don't blame them: we all want to feel special. The health industry says no to many applicants because, "You don't have any health care industry experience." Yet, with a little learning and taking the time and effort to establish a relationship with people in the field you can move into a new industry. Building and growing relationships are really important. Reaching out to folks asking to meet for an "informational" or courtesy interview is key.

   As people with hiring authority get to know you and what you bring to the table you'll make the connections that will land you a job. This is true for your first job or if you are changing careers.

Have a career plan

   Coaches and bus drivers both employ a plan when they are working. A bus driver might say, "I want to know where I am going so we know where we are when we get there. So, before we start, I look at a map." The Chicago Black Hawks had a goal this year, and Joel Quenneville had a plan on how to accomplish the goal. Some people are planners and others like to fly by the seat of their pants.

   In your career, flying by the seat of your pants is likely not to get you where you need or want to go. I understand that some people have been successful without planning, but let's agree that you and I are not these people. Many more successful people achieve their goals because they plan, write down their plan and revise the plan when unforeseen things happen. So, let's agree that planning is generally a good idea for positive career growth.

   One of my favorite interview questions is, "Where do you see yourself five years down the road?" (Actually this is a great question after you've started the job, too.) The question that isn't normally asked which is far more important, "How are you going to get there?" This involves planning, setting milestones and intermediate goals and accountability.

There are several elements required in a good career plan.

1. State the goal
2. Cite the requirements, (education, experience) to meet the goal
3. Evaluate any shortfalls you have regarding the requirements
4. Detail the steps needed to be taken with target dates
5. Evaluate each step in the plan and review the plan regularly
6. Achieve the goal and celebrate

   Some people need a coach to hold them accountable. Others just tell everyone they know. And some people join an accountability group. We'll talk more at a later date on accountability groups. Each of these methods are set up to help keep you on target to meeting your milestones, intermediate and final goals . When accountability is missing this can be the root of failure.

   Make a plan for yourself. If you're on the job, how are you going to get to the next level in your career? If you are in transition, how are you going to land a job that will move you to your next level? If you need help, hire someone like me to consult with you and walk you through the process... Call me and then see the places you'll go!

(My number is: 630.319.7587)

The Value of Job Clubs

   I am sometimes challenged with job seekers that tell me that they are actively working their job search and when we review their calendar I quickly realize that job clubs are their principle means of job search. Sadly, this is a misuse of a beneficial resource.

   In May, I heard a key note speaker who turns out to be one of the first to utilize the concept of Job Clubs in the USA. Joy Maguire-Dooley is a social worker, author, career transition and networking guru. I also consider Joy to be a friend. The joke between us is that Joy knows everyone; if you need a contact somewhere, Joy has a name and phone number to share with you. There is a saying that goes something like, "With Joy in your life; you'll land a job." Anyway, if Joy didn't invent the concept a job club, she was one of the very first to employ its practice. Joy teaches that a job search requires a WOW factor... this is something that takes practice to develop!

Activity vs. Accomplishment
   It's my belief that many in job transition have received the wrong idea about job clubs and networking. I'll hear folks say that they were networking yesterday and when I dig a little deeper I learn that they went to a job club, A.K.A. networking session. What did they come back with... Hand bills and business cards from the seven others around their table. This is activity without accomplishment, no WOW here. Real networking should be moving the job seeker closer to the goal; in this case getting a job offer. If you come back with only seven hand bills you're not really moving toward an interview and a job offer. Job clubs are the first place to network, not the only place!

Job Clubs are the Practice Arena
   At the beginning of your job search attending one, two or even three job club meetings a week is a great opportunity to practice your networking skills and your job search tools, not to mention your WOW. A job club is a safe and hopefully mutually beneficial environment. Practice your elevator pitch, your success stories, how to listen effectively, how to ask for business cards, how to join a conversation and how to end a conversation and move on to the next person. After you've gotten these tools and skills down, going to more than two job club meetings a week is a misuse of your time. Use that time to meet with those contacts who are working. Use that time to meet with people you've just been introduced to. Use that time to build up new relationships and utilize the skills you've practiced. Use that time to put the WOW into your job search.

Teri Clancy, Joy Maguire-Dooley and Sally Morrison are the founders of CareerPartners3 and the authors of, A Taste for Work... Your Menu for Career Success.