Never Waste a Good Challenge

February has brought both gifts and challenges. My husband, Mark was laid off from his job at the end of January and is busy updating his resume, doing research on organizations, thinking about what it is exactly he wants to do, getting in touch with his network, building leads and setting goals with a timeline for reaching said goals.

Now, of course, he is married to a career counselor and this helps him stay on track. But I also have to say that he has taken this turn of events as an opportunity for re-evaluation and self-reflection. At the same time, however, he also realizes that the opportunity to totally reinvent himself may not be present at this point in the world's economic situation. We own a home and are parents to 2 wonderful children. Bills come due and job searches are taking record time for many.

I am looking at Mark's process and utilizing it to extrapolate to the advice I would give my clients and the students I assist in career development. It is evident to me that there are times when the world allows us more latitude to explore all options and to day dream and let the universe take us where it might. We are not in one of those times. This is not a time we have the gift of going with the flow.

May I suggest that if you are employed you may want to consider staying where you are for the time being. Instead of jumping ship, use the period to add to your skill set through classes, workshops, professional affiliations, and just plain old trying new projects and roles with your current employer. This will go a long way to enabling you to be ready to fly when the time is right and the economoy turns around. All of this applies, of course, to a job that is not dangerous to your health, safety, or well being in any way at all. Do not allow the hiring crunch to make you subordinate to a bully or to have someone force you to betray your ethics or morals. Have a plan, train yourself, set goals, get a timeline in mind, be flexible, apply for positions that look worthwhile but do not quit until you have something else fully lined up.

In addition, for students graduating, you must keep in mind that you are entering a highly competitive market where individuals with some years of experience are completing for the job you want. You MUST prepare to be competitive: do that internship, prepare the best resume you can (please get help with this from someone in your campus career office), write a professional and clear cover letter, do mock interviews to prepare, make connections, tell everyone you know that you are looking for work in a specific area...come up with a 30-45 second elevator speech (your commercial) that introduces you, says what you bring to the situation and closes with an ask...the thing you need. Please don't just say I need a job doing anything. Being specific will allow those you meet to offer guided and specific assistance. In short, do whatever you can to make it easier for your network to help you, ask them in a professional way for their help and know what you need.

Do not wait until 2 weeks before (or after) you graduate to visit with Career Services. The staff there is a link to the world of work. They are connected to where you want to be. They have the leads you need. If they know you, they can connect you. However, do not expect placement. Anyone that brags about outrageous placement numbers is purely playing a numbers game. They do not really care where they place you, just that you are in some sort of job. To them, placment numbers are a marketing tool.

I would suggest that you would be better served to work with a career counselor/coach who truly cares about your career goals and helping you get there through bridge jobs, graduate school or internships that are a fit for you personally. This process takes more time and more work, both on the part of the individual seeking work and the career counselor/coach.

So, you must be willing to do the work and spend the time. It is your life and worth the investment and self reflection. We are all in this together and no matter how it may feel at times, you are not alone.

Be brave, take the first steps, keep moving. Tomorrow will be here before we know it.