In a world that has evolved into an instantaneously accessible force, gaining speed by the second, people are getting used to that. With the flip of a switch, a click of a mouse we can tap into anything and everything…right now, this instant. We live in the immediacy.
So why is it, if we have the access, the ability and the availability, we can’t find a job? With all the stages on which we can communicate today and with the wealth of information at our fingertips, what’s taking so long?
The world is running on overload. It’s time to shut the glut.
Right now, we have too much of everything; we became so accustomed to a rich lifestyle, it became too plentiful and life got out of control and we got carried away. Too much of a good thing. We have too much information (TMI Syndrome) and have trouble making decisions, there are too many channels on way too many platforms with an abundance of devices on which to choose to watch or listen to all of them. We are suffering from too many financial institutions that had entirely too much money with too much freedom with which to choose how to spend it – we have too many choices of absolutely everything under the sun and no checks and balances or brakes to know when or how to stop. The citizenry has run amok.
We had too many overstaffed companies and now we are paying that price with too many people looking for work along with food, shelter, financial assistance and basic survival needs. So if we had too much then, why do we have none of it now? Was it a simple reversal of fortune? Can prosperity just appear and then disappear that quickly? Did we get used to it for so long and not realize the retreat until all was lost? Were we complacent? I think a few imbeciles got caught in the act thus ruining it for the rest; because the cost was so vast, the penalty to us was that much greater.
Reflections on one year of unemployment; for me, Friday will be that milestone. Hardly seems possible. But there is much hope for the future.
We are on the brink of a leveling off period where things will be flat for awhile and little movement will be seen one way or another. Kind of like an earthquake, right? The world has experienced a shakedown of such enormous magnitude, you’d think once it stops, we can rebuild as fast as it fell. Not quite. You see, the world has so drastically changed in those 2-3 years of tremors, the groundwork has changed and I don’t see it possible to put everything back exactly as we once had. And we shouldn’t as that’s how we came to fall in the first place. We must inventory how this change has affected our lifestyle; was any of this change good? Can we learn from others’ mistakes to make a better world? Maybe it would be best to look at all the corporate death and destruction before we start new. It seems we’re in a hurry to return to the past, but is that beneficial?
The idea behind rebuilding should focus on improvement, not necessarily duplication for the sake of replacing. Before companies start rehiring and for businesses to grow, one must change the building codes and determine what is truly needed in the workplace to avoid this from happening again. I don’t want to be placed in a false sense of security once I get rehired. To help alleviate this situation, keep all your networks up and running communicating several times a year to make sure you keep in-tune and fine-tuned within your sector to ensure that we remain connected in case you should be left in the cold once again. Companies should rebuild with modified policies and procedures to empower a healthier and stronger atmosphere and culture to enable its employees and customers a thriving place in which to create and develop a better bottom line.
Figuratively, a New Year has always been a vehicle to start with a clean slate; well, easier said than done as always. This year let us start by reviewing our past by listing what has worked and what hasn’t while we’ve been unemployed. Did the resume/cover letter keep you from interviews? Did you not excel at phone interviews? Did you have powerful face-to-face interviews but something was missing to keep you from the offer? Going to networking mixers but not engaging with the right people? Take some time to repair the job-search and tweak the tools a bit. If you find yourself going after what you left and can’t seem to get it going, there is a reason…everything you’ve tried to date doesn’t exist anymore or we’ve been outsmarted by someone else’s’ network.. What are we missing that others have found? This is a good time to rally support of your network by being honest and asking them what they think is happening for you and in what ways can you bring it to the next level.
If you are saying you’re doing enough in your job-search and can’t fit another thing in, it’s time to drop or put on hold some of these things and try new outlets to improve your options and opportunities. Go to City Council meetings – find out what’s going on in your community and get involved. Don’t get political, get interested in your neighborhood; this can result in tapping an uncovered resource. Have kids in school? Go to some meetings and ask if you can assist on committees and find out who’s who and meet other folks able to pass your value on to others. Poll your network and see what organizations they belong to and ask to join them at their next meeting. If you have business associations that you want to tap into, call the local chapter and inquire.
All it really takes is some quality, creative and forward-thinking to build on ideas to make them happen. Based on where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished, think ahead now and apply all this. You are experienced, you are accomplished, you are STILL worthy of employment. Brainstorm, take notes, follow-up and follow-through and keep doing it every day. I feel a change in the air…
As Always, Thanks For Surfing My Wave!
Why Just Look For A Job? Create One!™
TheUnemployMENTOR – email@theunemploymentor.com
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m very scared and depressed i sometimes cry at night about
being not able to pay my bills when my unemployment runs out.
i feel like I’ve tried anything and have failed.
ive have seek help but its not doing any good im still out of work.
i sometimes wonder if my my lfe will ever get better again.
i get tried of hearing am not the only one but that doesnt make me feel any better.
i just dont want to be homeless.
Hi James!
Your life will get better again. Reach out to others, working or not, to help you through this. Think of us as a community of helpful and supportive people who want to make your life better by communicating your feelings just like you’ve done here…good job! Go to your States’ EDD for educational support. Funds are available if you want to go back to school to brush up your skills or try something new. Network and talk to people. Find out where your local job support workshops are meeting in your area and go. It will get better.
Warmest Wishes-
TheUnemployMENTOR