Quote from: StephanieC on December 30, 2008, 10:04:01 PM
I was off for nearly a full 12 months after being in the business for decades.
My suggestion: minimize use of charge cards, separate "must have" from "nice to have". Prioritize expenses, striving to keep the pattern of the kids' lifes unchanged. Network. Treat job-hunting like a job. And realize that the sun will rise each day. Maintaining some regular pattern will help your mental health.
Good luck!
I have to fully endorse the advice from StephanieC here. Unfortunately due to the market and the time of year, you have to expect that the chances of walking into a new job tomorrow are not going to be as good as they were a couple of years ago.
BUT as Steph says "Treat job-hunting like a job" as it IS going to be your new job for a while.
My tips for today?MONEY ~ Think of your money as a tank of water and the money is running out all the time...do anything you can NOW to reduce the flow, don't leave it until later as you won't get it back.....Do what you can to top it up....Move saving for better rates, small side jobs for cash, E-Bay that stuff you didn't have time to shift before...etc..
NETWORKING ~ OK so everyone is hitting the paper-ad's, the Web-ad's, the agency-ads.....But you still have all those people you used to work with and freinds...Someone will be working or getting a new job..Get the inside lowdown of the next vacancy before it is advertised...Stay in touch with your old boss(s)...If they get a job and liked you then you have a foot in the door, if not you still want a reference from them...
TRAINING ~ Any training you didn't have time to do before that will give you an edge?...OK if it's expensive you probably can't afford it, but there's bound to be something that isn't..Check for training support programs in your area..or just make sure you keep aware of whats happening in your business sector on the web so you have some ammunition for those interviews.
YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Ever had something that you found might make a little money on the side...Is there any way of turning it into a business?...This is a good time to look at those other opportunities of making money that you never bothered with because of a full time job...OK a specific project may not make enough cash, but what if you were able to run a portfolio of 2 or more at the same time?...Just be careful of cash flow and outlay (try to get paid before you spend)...
YOUR OWN BUSINESS CARD? ~ OK this may not seem appropriate to some, but you really don't know when you will come across that lead for the next job. Get yourself a business card...500 will only cost you around $10 and it's so much better than scratching around for a scrap of paper and a pen (in europe there is a net company that does 500 cards for around £5 called "Vistaprint")...
SO...THE BAD NEWS IS...YOU ARE WORKING TONIGHT ..."What instead of that party?"...No....
At the party....Don't be shy, a lot of people get together for the new year, let people know you are looking for that new opportunity..there may be a few leads already waiting for you.
And finally....DON'T PANIC ~ Once you have things under control you will be able to go to those interviews with confidence....If you are too desperate for the job you will come across like you are hiding something, and can effectively talk yourself out of it...
So after all that I'm still gonna wish you all......
A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR !...you know you will beat this!
Chrissty
PS...So how did I get my current job? ...Welll....Went on a job hunting seminar where I met somone also looking who was having a party, got invited to the party, talked to someone at the party and handed out a business card, 2 months later got a call about starting a new business, 2 more months and the business kicked off, currently 2 years in....
