Singing The Job Hunting Blues

Y ou created the resume.           done differently, how we could     You composed the cover          have prevented our situation, and  letter. You bought the         so on.                             suit to dress for success. You                                          applied for various job openings      The feelings of leaving or losing  and now you wait. You wait for       a job when nothing better is on    the phone to ring inviting you to     the immediate horizon are          interview. You wait to learn of      described in the Kübler-Ross       job leads. Waiting…it’s a hard       Model on Death and Dying.          place to be in a job search.         Kübler-Ross identified the five                                          stages as denial, anger,           The in-between time in a job          bargaining, depression, and        search can be a lonely, isolating     acceptance (not necessarily in     time. Suddenly, it seems like        order). Likewise, not having      everyone is working except you.       income, loss of benefits, and      The job search can make you feel      losing a sense of belonging and    benched, out of the game and more     security are part of the grief     of a spectator rather than a          process…so is waiting.             player. It’s easy to get the                                            job-hunting blues…that place of       While you are in this place, you   being in limbo.                      might feel the sense of the cup                                          as half full. It’s an important   Often, our mindset can be our         time for self-care. The dark      enemy or ally. It’s a matter of       skies will eventually clear, but   perspective. The negative            taking care of you, reaching out   mindset can start to gnaw at us       to others and accepting an         with belittling comments. We can     outreached hand can make the       start to second-guess ourselves       journey less agonizing.           with questions regarding our                                             performance, what we could have       Here are some tips to help you     deal the job-hunting blues:           be a good time to try yoga, lift                                         weights, walk, bike, play with     • Read - Reading for                  your children, etc. Exercise is   pleasure, relaxation,                 good for the heart and the mind.   escape…either way, it’s a good        You might also enjoy the benefits  time to let your mind be engaged.     of dropping some weight and        Research companies or                firming up. The extra energy can  educational opportunities. Make      be a boost to your job search and  a trip to the library. Consider       a healthier body can help you be   reading to your children as well.     more confident for future                                                interviews.                        • Reflect - The question                                                 is, what’s next? Take time to        • Network - You’re not the         ponder the question. This time       only one looking for work. You    in your life can provide insight      don’t have to be alone with the    into your strengths, values and       process of a job search. Meet a   what you contribute to the            friend for coffee. Attend a job   workplace. Maybe it’s time to        transition support group. Call    retool, return to school,             the Workforce Development Center.  relocate or explore a career           Contact a temporary employment    change. Take time to be with the     agency or outplacement             issues and uneasiness rather than     specialist. Learn more about      avoid them. Write down your          support opportunities and options  observations. Take time to           in your area.                      deepen the learning as you                                               prepare to forward your action.       • Volunteer - There are                                                  opportunities all around. What    • Exercise - It’s just what           do you enjoy? How could you       you might not feel like doing,        contribute? Whether you sort      but it is beneficial. This could     food at a food shelf, visit a      nursing home, or mow the lawn for     Volunteering can be a form of      an elderly neighbor, volunteering     networking as well.                for a few hours can make a                                               difference for you and them.          Barbara Wulf MS, GCDF, CPCC       About the Author: Barbara Wulf is a certified career/life coach and speaker who helps individuals redesign their career paths by supporting and inspiring them to stretch, seek, and achieve life/work success. Barbara holds a master's degree in counseling, is a global career development facilitator, is certified by The Coaches Training Institute and is an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN. Barbara offers career assessments along with resume/cover letter writing and interviewing strategies for impact. Sign up for her monthly e-zine, OWN IT, WORK IT, LIVE IT at http://www.beckoncall-coach.com. Published At: www.Isnare.com