Prepare for job loss (Tips)
New administration, bad economy, or perhaps you just hate your job. Regardless of the reason, job loss is always a possibility that appears like a pimple before picture day. You need to ensure that the impact to you is minimal and you are prepared for it. Here are a few tips to prepare you for when The Grim Employment Reaper comes to harvest your job.
Mind your head AND surroundings — Ever walked in to a door or low hanging object? Why did you do that? That seems like a pretty silly thing to do. Chances are you either weren’t minding your surrounding or you were in the dark. Always be keeping check of your workplace especially if it is listed on the stock market. Management isn’t there to keep you calm, only the people who have a significant financial stake in the company.
Slush fund — Even dictators who ruled with an iron fist and felt totally secure in their seat of power had an extra fund for when they leave or are forcibly “retired” by the mob that deposed them. No, this is not recommendation to get an offshore bank account nor start embezzling money like a corrupt Prince, rather start a fund to help pad your fall. 3 months at minimum to cover all expenses plus allow you some extra funds to relax, obviously the more months your prepare for the better it is for you.
Prepare to get Scrooged — Whether your prefer Ebeneezer or McDuck as your example you will need to prepare to change your spending habits and be more like them financially speaking. Don’t be tipping or buying things beyond your means (especially if you are just trying to keep up with the Dinklebergs) as the chances are whoever you are trying to impress is probably as equally in debt. Stop donating money to charity (you are probably going to become the charity anyways) instead volunteer your newly freed up time as that will help put some fluff on your resume. Most importantly don’t gamble your money away whether its the slot machine or the stocks machine, it rarely comes back as a profitable venture. You need to pinch every nickel so hard it becomes a dime.
Dude, wheres my resume? — Archaeologists dig up the bones of ancient dead creatures all the time, it shouldn’t be that hard for you to find your resume. If you have LinkedIn and kept it up to date, just copy and paste that in to a neat resume form, there works all done. If you can’t find it for whatever reason or it is not up to date then in the words of Mr. T. “I pity the fool who don’t have his resume”. Maybe he didn’t say that I don’t really know but the point is make one.
Be a Socialite — This might seem a little counterproductive but perhaps its time you hit up those social events be it networking, casual, or even fashion shows. You have no idea who will be there and it gives you a chance to connect with people outside of your circle. Socializing and looking for a job is like modern dating in which you follow the unwritten rule of never stating your true intentions (which is something I hate but that is a RANT for another day). Don’t waste time by telling everybody about yourself but rather listen to them and figure out if perhaps they have some connection you might find useful later. Don’t spend all day telling a graphic designer about the stock market projection skills you have, chances are they don’t care. Do listen to the funds manager talking about his company moving in to a bigger office, collect his card, and ask if you can perhaps talk more during the week so you can learn more. Also keep contact with fallback contacts like the grocery store owner who is looking for a temporary produce manager. Its not your skill set, but at least your paid to stock that ridiculous-yellow-curved-fruit you normally laugh at while passing by.
Listen for the sirens — Back in the 1950’s nuclear bombs being dropped on American cities was a strong possibility. The main lesson taught at the time was to hide under your desk when the sirens went off and wait while the explosion Etch-A-Sketched your city away. Now it might not be a nuclear attack, but hearing that you are losing your job could be your own personal nuclear attack. Some people may choose to simply hide under their paperwork and think it won’t happen while others will accept this fate and know that their isn’t any turning back. The quicker you accept the fact you are going to lose your job will help accelerate your process for getting back in the workforce.
