I was laid off five weeks ago today. While I feel my job search has been productive, I am still unemployed. Desperation has not set in yet, and I am optimistic that something will come along soon.
In the meantime, here are some five lessons I learned over the past five weeks that could prove handy to others:
1- Make sure your CV or resume is up to date if you work for a small company or startup. The economy, while robust for many years, can turn quickly for smaller entities and layoffs might occur at any time.
2- Explaining your work accomplishments in a few sentences is challenging; the more experienced you are. It’s taken me a year to grasp how to “sell” my experience in the right way.
3- Many startups are looking for talented people to help build their businesses. The cloud seems to be a prominent feature of many young companies. While they provide exciting opportunities and fun work environments, they don’t seem able to pay the same salary that large, established companies can offer. If you have a family, a car and a mortgage, a startup may not be the best place to be for you. Job stability can also be a factor.
4- It takes a few interviews to get into a groove. It is vital to research the company beforehand and download sample questions from websites specialized in job hunting. Be prepared for possible curveballs.
5- Take time for yourself and enjoy some time off (if you are receiving employment insurance benefits). Staying mentally sharp is key as well as being physically healthy. I go to the gym every to 2 days, search for jobs each day and do household chores. A balanced approach is vital.
That’s it for now. Back to the search tomorrow.