To my newly (or soon to be) emancipated friends

When I was let go from my last employer, my former company had just days earlier announced that it was merging with a much larger competitor. I was assured that the staff reduction decision had nothing to do with the merger, and I do believe that. But if this is true, then it is logical to assume that more staff cuts are to come; mergers always lead to cost-efficiency considerations, and in a business service industry, cost-efficiency is closely tied to head-count.

Plus, my company's CEO assured nervous investors that drastic cost cutting would commence before year end.

So, a number of my former colleagues (and dear friends) are nervous about their future. I am nervous for them as well. So to you, my friends, a few brief tips that I hope will help (I've become a bit of an expert, and am actively looking to re-career as an employment specialist):


1) Job Loss has been proven to be one of the more stressful events in a person's life, ranking with Death and Divorce. So, the emotions you feel are valid, and normal.

1a) The coping mechanisms that you may have used in other stressful events of your life can be used to help you deal with the emotions of a job loss as well.

2) You will be competing with thousands of other job seekers. It is very competitive, and recruiters / HR managers are receiving hundreds of resumes for every posting, most of which are no where near qualified.

2a) Most job seekers are going about their job search the wrong way. You can do better.

3) You will check out the job boards (CareerBuilder, HotJobs, Monster, etc.). We all do. But please understand: 70% of all job openings that are filled, are never posted. So, if you only use job boards, not only are you missing out on 70% of all positions, you are also competing with thousands of job seekers for the same 30%.

3a) I've talked with recruiters who are saying that they are no longer posting positions, because it's so overwhelming. They are filling positions through referrals.

3b) Note that recruiters do have positions to fill!

4) You have to get out and meet people, shake their hands, ask them questions, and share what you are looking for (which requires you to know what you are looking for). It's scary, and it's hard, but it's necessary, and it gets easier as you do it more. And, it works.

Does your church offer a Job Seekers Network? Join, now! Call anyone you used to work with who are now or have been seeking, meet them for coffee, and ask them what they are doing. Are there women's networking groups available? Check out the AARP, which nowadays takes anyone over 40, and talk with them about resources and opportunities for mature workers -- you don't necessarily have to join. And get active with your local American Marketing Association and/or Market Research Association chapters (or similar industry affiliated group).

5) Definitely check out the state Economic Security offices (or whatever they would be called in MN). Arizona offers wonderful free workshops on resume writing and interviewing skills. I have to believe that MN does as well, and maybe more.

5a) Learn to use online resources to your advantage. Find FREE classes for LinkedIn (there are a lot of fee-based classes, but it's not rocket science and you should be able to find appropriate training for free). Go to the main library and talk to a librarian, who will be happy to discuss what services the library offers that you can't get on the Web.

5b) But DO NOT restrict your job search activities sitting at your table on your laptop at home! You have to get out and meet people.

6) You have to take care of yourself and your families first, so if you are given the "it's not you, it's me" speech, take the next several days to get yourself in order, do some planning, get your communication pieces drafted, etc. After a while, though, your job search routine will begin to settle. I would encourage you, then, to think about what you love to do, and go volunteer to do so. Do you like kids? Working with the homeless? Animal adoption? Cancer or heart or lupus or some other disease? Maybe you volunteer at your kids' school.

Not only is volunteering good for the soul, but it gets you out of your house, and active. You can learn new skills, which become resume points. And, do a good job, use it to network within the organization, and they will fight on your behalf, calling potential employers, sending recommendations, etc. At least, that has been my experience, and all of my current and best opportunities are directly related to volunteering.


Being let go is tough. I remember I felt like I was punched in the gut, even though I sniffed something in the air about a week before I got the call. But pray, stay close to God and your loved ones, and you will get through this.

And I can honestly say that even though I have not had a paycheck since March, this has been one of the best, and one of the most fun years of my life. I'm doing things I never considered doing, I've broken through some of my comfort zone, I've met dozens of wonderful people, and they ALL want to help.

Maybe you won't need this advice. But consider this: the days of life-long employment with a single employer is over. The average tenure with an employer is 3-4 years, which means that if not this year, then most likely within the next three years, you will be looking for your next position (voluntarily or not). Set yourself up for success now, and keep at it.

But above all, while (or when) you are employed, do the best job you can and make as much profit for your employer as you can. Chances are, your boss will be looking for his/her next job right along side you very soon. It's a small world. Never burn bridges.

Good luck!