Finding A New Job - Lessons Learned
Lessons that I Learned that Changed the Way I Work Today
A year and a half ago I left my middle management public section position. After a nine-month job search, I was successful and was hired by a new employer. The nine-month experience changed my understanding of the job market and employment. As a result of this experience my new employer has a better manager who thinks more positively and acts more constructively in the work place.
Below are the three main lessons that I learned that changed the way I work today.
Lesson One - Appreciate What You Have – How Bad Is it, actually?
Though I would never wish unemployment on anyone, only through a mid-career job search process can one appreciate common workplace woes pale in comparison to unemployment concerns. I learned, and would advise anyone, before leaving a current employer talk to those that have gone through unemployment so that you can attempt to develop an objective sense of perspective.
Though we read about the exodus of workers from the workplace, career succession challenges and the high demand for qualified employees, the reality is that the process of career transition is time consuming and mentally challenging. Employment counsellors advise to be prepared to spend “at least one month in the search for every ten-thousand dollars salary”. This didn’t ring true to me until about month three. I did receive some employment offers during the first months of the search - but only after six months did suitable interviews, follow-up and offers emerge.
When unemployed, simple comments from friends and family about how “tough their jobs are” very quickly became mental lightening bolts when considering lack of income, lack of gainful employment and lack of life-career balance. When facing perceived workplace challenges, I now better understand the balance of the known woes versus the unknown of career transition.
Being re-employed I now have an awakened sensibility and sense of perspective about perceived ills in the workplace. A denied vacation day is of very little consequence when considering the alternate choice of a nine-month job search.
Lesson Two - The Flip Side of the Job Search Coin
Last month, for the first time with my new employer, I recruited for new employees. I screened resumes, scheduled interviews, conducted reference checks and liaised with Human Resources. In the past such processes would take weeks of time without any second thought. This time though, with a keen understanding of the flip side of the coin, I expedited the process and provided feedback to applicants. I recognized that weeks of process time quickly become intolerable silences of perceived neglect.
During interviews I empathized with the applicants and shared their sense of anguish. On more than one occasion when an applicants went “off the rails” in responding to questions, interviews were not shortened and halted, but the interview process evolved into one of coaching for future interviews. Making the time to provide timely feedback and constructive guidance is imperative. I know that leaving an interview thinking that you have done well, and then not hearing anything for weeks, is rough.
I have learned to never let a blind networking letter sit on the desk or leave a networking phone message unreturned. Those with jobs who have never been unemployed do not realize the importance of a networking contact until they too “hit the pavement.” It is not about giving someone a job, but rather touching base and pointing people in the right direction.
In the past month I received two networking letters and a phone call from people seeking new job opportunities. In the past these letters and the call would be a low priority. Now they do not languish in the in basket. Both the letters and calls received responses by week’s end.
Lesson Three - Make the Time to Help
Employment, like unemployment, is not just about you but it is also about family and friends. Some of the kindness and most meaningful acts that took place in my nine months were thoughtful cards of support and kind words. One good friend insisted on taking me out to lunch every 2 weeks. My bi-weekly lunch was something I looked forward to and appreciated. I regularly did coffee at Cosy’s Cafe, our local family restaurant, and got to know a circle of regulars. Though I rarely visited previously, the kindness and thoughtfulness of the regulars while I was unemployed was a real pick-up. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit Cosy’s now that I am employed again, I always buy coffee for the regulars and am now lunching with a friend in transition on a regular basis.
During the nine-month job search I learned many things about the job market, family, friends, countless strangers who responded to my networking calls and myself. Most importantly, I learned about the importance of lending a helping hand.
Through the aforementioned three lessons learned, I hope that I have given those of us who have been unemployed a mental reminder. More importantly, hopefully the lessons will provide to those who have not experienced unemployment something to think about when receiving a networking letter, conducting an interview, when office woes become frustrating or when complaining about how just how tough the job is.
A year and a half ago I left my middle management public section position. After a nine-month job search, I was successful and was hired by a new employer. The nine-month experience changed my understanding of the job market and employment. As a result of this experience my new employer has a better manager who thinks more positively and acts more constructively in the work place.
Below are the three main lessons that I learned that changed the way I work today.
Lesson One - Appreciate What You Have – How Bad Is it, actually?
Though I would never wish unemployment on anyone, only through a mid-career job search process can one appreciate common workplace woes pale in comparison to unemployment concerns. I learned, and would advise anyone, before leaving a current employer talk to those that have gone through unemployment so that you can attempt to develop an objective sense of perspective.
Though we read about the exodus of workers from the workplace, career succession challenges and the high demand for qualified employees, the reality is that the process of career transition is time consuming and mentally challenging. Employment counsellors advise to be prepared to spend “at least one month in the search for every ten-thousand dollars salary”. This didn’t ring true to me until about month three. I did receive some employment offers during the first months of the search - but only after six months did suitable interviews, follow-up and offers emerge.
When unemployed, simple comments from friends and family about how “tough their jobs are” very quickly became mental lightening bolts when considering lack of income, lack of gainful employment and lack of life-career balance. When facing perceived workplace challenges, I now better understand the balance of the known woes versus the unknown of career transition.
Being re-employed I now have an awakened sensibility and sense of perspective about perceived ills in the workplace. A denied vacation day is of very little consequence when considering the alternate choice of a nine-month job search.
Lesson Two - The Flip Side of the Job Search Coin
Last month, for the first time with my new employer, I recruited for new employees. I screened resumes, scheduled interviews, conducted reference checks and liaised with Human Resources. In the past such processes would take weeks of time without any second thought. This time though, with a keen understanding of the flip side of the coin, I expedited the process and provided feedback to applicants. I recognized that weeks of process time quickly become intolerable silences of perceived neglect.
During interviews I empathized with the applicants and shared their sense of anguish. On more than one occasion when an applicants went “off the rails” in responding to questions, interviews were not shortened and halted, but the interview process evolved into one of coaching for future interviews. Making the time to provide timely feedback and constructive guidance is imperative. I know that leaving an interview thinking that you have done well, and then not hearing anything for weeks, is rough.
I have learned to never let a blind networking letter sit on the desk or leave a networking phone message unreturned. Those with jobs who have never been unemployed do not realize the importance of a networking contact until they too “hit the pavement.” It is not about giving someone a job, but rather touching base and pointing people in the right direction.
In the past month I received two networking letters and a phone call from people seeking new job opportunities. In the past these letters and the call would be a low priority. Now they do not languish in the in basket. Both the letters and calls received responses by week’s end.
Lesson Three - Make the Time to Help
Employment, like unemployment, is not just about you but it is also about family and friends. Some of the kindness and most meaningful acts that took place in my nine months were thoughtful cards of support and kind words. One good friend insisted on taking me out to lunch every 2 weeks. My bi-weekly lunch was something I looked forward to and appreciated. I regularly did coffee at Cosy’s Cafe, our local family restaurant, and got to know a circle of regulars. Though I rarely visited previously, the kindness and thoughtfulness of the regulars while I was unemployed was a real pick-up. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit Cosy’s now that I am employed again, I always buy coffee for the regulars and am now lunching with a friend in transition on a regular basis.
During the nine-month job search I learned many things about the job market, family, friends, countless strangers who responded to my networking calls and myself. Most importantly, I learned about the importance of lending a helping hand.
Through the aforementioned three lessons learned, I hope that I have given those of us who have been unemployed a mental reminder. More importantly, hopefully the lessons will provide to those who have not experienced unemployment something to think about when receiving a networking letter, conducting an interview, when office woes become frustrating or when complaining about how just how tough the job is.
posted by Pete at 12:04 AM
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