Why is rebounding from job loss important to your career success?
Q: I lost my job about nine months ago and worked part time while continuing to search for employment. So, last month my part-time employer had to make changes, and my job was affected. I have had two layoffs in a year for me, and I wonder how to convince a new employer to hire me. Will these layoffs look like something is wrong with me?
A: Job changes can happen to anyone, and during an unpredictable business market, it can compound the uncertainty of job security. I recently heard about a job candidate who was out of work because he left his employer for a new position with a start-up company. The only surprise was the partnership with the new company did not work out as planned. So, he is now back in the job market and will need to come up with an answer when asked about his last two companies.
Handling a job layoff and deciding to leave an employer for a new adventure are all part of managing your career. Layoffs happen as well as bad career decisions. As time passes, your self-esteem may take a hit, as well as your confidence. A job loss can be a turning point or a stumbling block.
The key is how well you rebound with two forces in play, one is based on the type of job search techniques you use, and the other is your mindset.
Job search skills are essential to develop and keep current, even though you may not be actively job hunting, such as keeping your networking activities healthy, updating your resume accomplishments, and participating in industry associations.
Your question about convincing employers is a good example of wanting to make an employer believe your skills and work experience are real. When you talk about the employer’s needs and relate them to your experience, there is a natural sense of credibility that takes place.
When a person is anxious about finding their next job, wondering if they will ever be hired again, it can lead to
Stay mentally, physically, and emotionally engaged by taking online classes, volunteering, exercising, and getting enough rest to show that you are staying active and not at home waiting for a job to appear.
feelings of desperation. Desperation does not come off as confidence in a job interview. Instead, you could unknowingly oversell or undersell your abilities.
Do your best to block internalizing your job loss. Experiencing two job losses in less than a year may have zero to do with your skills. When you internalize a failure of some sort, it often impacts how you answer and ask questions.
Stay mentally, physically, and emotionally engaged by taking online classes, volunteering, exercising, and getting enough rest to show that you are staying active and not at home waiting for a job to appear.
Kimberly Thompson, M.Ed. is a national board-certified counselor and career coach. Send questions to kim@careerrescue.com or visit her blog at http://blog.chron.com/ careerrescue/ .