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About
a year ago, I moved cross-country to join a startup company. The
salary, stock options, free gym membership, beer (!), and paid
parking reeled me in. For a while, it seemed too good to be true.
Turns out it was. Nine months later, I lost my job.
I won't
go into some sob story about how stunned and unprepared I was when
it happened. I'm aware that my situation isn't unique. There are
tons of us out there whose benefits packages were stripped from
them like a soldier's badge of honor. Together we share the burden
of having to take the bus in lieu of a parking spot, forking out
$175 for a gym membership and paying $6.50 for a six-pack. Not to
mention the cost of physical and emotional distress.
So what
can you do when you're kicked out on the street with nothing more
than a lousy severance package? Getting revenge is probably not
the answer, but getting a better job is.
Here
are a few things you can do to turn misfortune into an opportunity:
1. Don't
beat yourself up. Whatever happened wasn't your fault. Budgets get
slashed all the time, especially with startups. Be glad you're out
of a bad situation and move on to bigger and better things.
2. Get
the book Knock 'Em Dead, by Martin Yate. It's the most comprehensive
advice you can get other than listening to your mother. Once you
read it and apply the methods, you're well on your way to becoming
a job hunting superstar.
3. Go
to job fairs. Yes, they're like tradeshows. Yes, they suck. But
they're the best way to get your foot in the door to tons of companies
at one time. Have no desire to work for any of them? Then BS and
get some interviewing experience. It never hurts, especially if
it has been awhile.
4. Go
to your interviews and try as hard as you can. If you don't do well
the first time, that just means you'll do better the second or third
time. Practice makes perfect.
5. Treat
yourself. This can be tricky if you're trying to live off unemployment,
so you'll have to get a little creative with your budget. Try something
as simple as going to a cafe and sipping a latte while you read
the employment section of the paper. Whatever you do, make it productive
and a moment to savor. That brings up my next point.
6. Savor
your time off. Work at finding another job, but relish the fact
you're not actually working. When else will you be so lucky to have
a month or two off?
7. Take
things one day at a time. Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming.
Instead, make small attainable goals like getting out of bed before
noon or calling at least five companies a day.
8. Don't
get discouraged. You'll find a better job. It may take some time,
or maybe no time at all.
After
my experience with unemployment, I believe that everything happens
for a reason. The boss who let me go just got fired. And that's
the sweetest revenge of all.
Copyright
© 2001 Jenni Simpson. All Rights Reserved.
Jenni is a writer living in Seattle. She's in no way affiliated
with the book Knock 'Em Dead, but she's pretty convinced it helped
her get a better job just three weeks after being unemployed.
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