"The Great Occupational Hazard" or "Career Transition Survival Tips"

I recently learned that a former colleague of mine had been "let go” by his employer of some five or 10 years. This resonates with me in a big way because I went through an extended period of career transition myself a few years ago, thanks in no small part to the same employer, who shall remain nameless.

“In career transition,” by the way, is a euphemism for being unemployed.

For over two years, as the Great Recession reared its ugly head on America, I floundered between unemployment and underemployment. Fortunately for me and for my family, we had built up some savings and equity on which to fall back and even though my transition period lasted longer than expected – two years longer – we came through without losing anything ... other than our savings and equity, that is, to say nothing of my sense of self worth.

We live in a society where, by and large, you are what you do. Think about this for a moment and I think you will agree. When you make small talk at a cocktail party or some extracurricular function at your kids’ school, what question inevitably comes up?

“So what do you do?”

Our occupations identify our place in society, at least on a perceived or gut level. I know something about Joe the barber, Casey the lawyer and Mary the teacher by their respective titles. And because our society places so much weight on our occupations, people who become unemployed, who suddenly find themselves thrust into transition, may find themselves in a bit of an identity crisis.

If you are what you do, then when you don’t … you aren’t. Right?

Wrong! That’s a categorical lie. Whether you realize it or not, you are way more than a job title. Each of us has many roles in life. I may be a project manager and business communications expert, but I am also a husband, a dad, a neighbor, a motorcyclist, a lector, a friend, a blogger, and so on.

So, you see, whether you are employed or not as you sit there reading this, you are still quite real, quite valid, quite valuable. Do not allow yourself to be convinced otherwise.

Here are a few helpful tips from one who was once struggling in transition. First, get off the computer and in front of people for a little while each day. Technology is a tool, not a destination. Spend 90 percent of your efforts talking to people and 10 percent perusing job boards. Fight off the urge to avoid situations where you may be asked what you do or worse yet, how your job hunt is going. Rather than stay home stewing, just have your answers prepared.

For example, when somebody asks what you do, smile and say, “I am a (insert your profession here), but I am currently between opportunities.” Once the polite laughter subsides, either move on or ask for help finding the next great opportunity. That’s how I found my current job, believe it or not.

When asked how your job hunt is going, always answer, “Unbelievable!” That could mean it’s going unbelievably good or unbelievably bad. Either way, you are probably telling the truth. For those not unemployed, the same tactic works for the question, “How is business?”

Finally, don’t you ever stop believing in yourself. This can literally mean the difference between success and failure. Henry Ford is credited with having said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” Think about it.

euphemism