A Career Practioner's Perspective: My Personal Experience with Unemployment

MY UNEMPLOYMENT STORY:

I had never been unemployed from the time I could actually work legally. I got my first real job when I was 15 as a courtesy clerk in a grocery store. I worked steadily through my 20s, 30s and half way through my 40s without any disruption in my employment. I went back to college several times, changed my profession three times and never worried about finding a job or making a livable wage. I took a job working overseas and when I came back to the U.S. in 2006, the reality of unemployment hit me smack in the face. For the first time- I was unsure about my direction and future prospects.

I applied for dozens of jobs. Some of them were completely inappropriate for my skills and education, but I was desperate.


GRACE IN THE FACE OF DESPERATION:
I luckily found a part time adjunct teaching job after 3 months of searching to restore some of my confidence and keep me somewhat afloat. I luckily had friends and family that would let me couch surf until I landed a full time job and could save some cash to afford an apartment. So many do not have the graces I had/have. I count my blessings everyday!

When I first started my job search, I lacked focus, organization and any defined strategy. Chaos was my strategy. I was confused and at times inconsolable due to my frantic efforts with no result. I never had had to work so hard in order to find employment!

At one point I was called to interview for a job I had no recollection of applying for. I knew I had to get it together and treat my job search, like I would conduct my self in a real life job!

Ironically I had always been an extremely organized and efficient record keeper. I had been shaken out of my comfortable world of gainful employment and been thrown into unfamiliar seas with a chance of drowning.

I knew I had to develop an efficient strategy and put my game face on in order to restore some sense of order and sanity back into my life.

After six months I had become organized. I had files and I had a system.

PHASE ONE: Chaos!

PHASE TWO: What do I want? What are my skills? What are my goals?

• I had done some soul searching and thought seriously about my future: what I wanted, where I saw myself in 5 years, what kind of organization I wanted to work for and would allow me the room to grow professionally; what my real skills, strengths, natural abilities were. Through this process I clarified my goals; my job search became focused and my skills as a job seeker improved greatly

PHASE THREE: Strategy?

• I developed multiple resumes: I had been both an educator and a program director and wanted a job that allowed opportunity to do both.



• I wrote and adapted versions of resumes and cover letters to address specific job postings I wanted to be considered for.

• I created a log, rank and file system.

PHASE FOUR: Tactical Refinements

• I methodically narrowed my searches to the type of work for which I had marketable skills in and also had a true desire to work in. I left alone work where I had some experience and skill in, but no real solid desire or foundation in.



• I became more efficient by creating files for each of the documents that I was often asked to submit: official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a list of references, copies of diplomas and certificates, supplemental applications, etc...



• I kept files on all the jobs I applied to and organized them by date and institution.



• I kept a log with dates, job titles, application submissions, deadlines, phone and e-mail contacts, etc...



• I began to talk to everyone I knew about leads, my desires, skills and background.
  

FOOTNOTE ;~)

I became a better writer. I became more patient. I became more determined. I was humbled, but calm. I became more organized and efficient. My guerrilla job search had become a sort of meditation.

THE RESULT:

After 9 months I landed a full time job. It wasn't exactly what I wanted but would lead me in the right direction. It was a management job with teaching possibilities at a small private school. I also continued to work part time as an instructor at night and with both jobs, was able to save enough money to get my own place again. I continued my guerrilla job search and eventually after a year I found the job I truly wanted: managing a campus wide program at a community college.

Through this long (almost 2 years) process I learned invaluable lessons that have had a lasting effect and it has informed my vocation with insider knowledge and true empathy for those I serve.

Reflections on a Tough Year!

The Summer is just about over and the busy school year and college campus life is about to begin anew! I have always enjoyed the Autumn season. As an educator Fall marks the beginning and renewal of goals and ambitions for students and for the campus community of administrators, student support staff and the faculty members that teach them.

Although I am looking forward to a fresh start in Fall 2009, I think that it is important to reflect back on the past year to develop some goals and strategies for the 2009-2010 school year.

The recession has taken its toll in numerous ways; first and foremost, on our pocket books and our psyche's. As an administrator of the Career Center on campus, I have had the opportunity to meet with and provide advice and support to many laid off workers and worried students in the past year. It has been an honor to serve those individuals and a challenge. It has required both critical analysis and flexibility to consider a variety of approaches to seeking employment and planning their education. Innovation and backboned perserverance are essential as funding twindles and the job market becomes ever more competitive.

The repeated observation is that there are no guarantees, but having an exemplary resume, cover letter, solid interview/communication skills and a focused plan of action is imperative. This has always been true, but is especially poignant in light of the new economic landscape. A person can arm themselves with skills and knowledge; volunteer, work or internship experience, have a solid resume, and still find themselves unemployed.

Furthermore, the services that students and the bulging ranks of unemployed need in this economic climate often extend outside the boundaries of our comfortable offices and the list of regular services we provide. People need assistance connecting with agencies to assist them with housing, funding their education, providing daycare for their children, proper food intake and nutrition, dealing with legal issues, and the list goes on....

In this fast paced age of information and rapid (rabid) communication, accurate information is at a premium. Our silos of services and knowledge bases and our tendency to disconnect from things that 'don't concern us' no longer apply if our intention is to provide the best for our students and the public we serve.

Mis-information is rampant. Furthermore, information overload can make our clients' (who have been concentrating on their own silos) ineffectively run in all directions. If we want to be effective service providers, we have to educate ourselves about students and job seekers' needs and find resources that we can refer them to. We also have to coach and mentor them to develop good research skills, problem solving skills, and skills to help them utilize their time in an efficient and productive way when looking for employment.

In many cases a displaced worker's situation can be compounded by depression, anxiety, loss and grief issues, self concept and confidence issues. Having some information on free counseling resources can help them deal with some of these emotional issues while they begin to plan a future course of action. I have a list of services available in my local community that can address a variety of issues. United Way puts out a comprehensive list and you can also purchase a community social services reference guide at a nominal fee.

As a Practitioner-I have learned to do my daily homework- in this ever changing economic climate; career practitioners will need to be observant and also do their research to see what methods and theories are being applied currently. I conduct research on a weekly basis. I read articles (popular and scholarly), participate in professional webinars, subscribe to professional career journals (and read them :), read blogs, talk to other practitioners about what they're doing and OBSERVE. When I say observe, I mean I observe and listen to the individuals I serve on a daily basis. Based on this I can learn a lot about the various approaches they take to Career Exploration, academic planning and Job Search process and surmise their needs more effectively.

I also try to be flexible and willing to try new approaches to writing cover letters and combination resumes and conducting strategic job searches. Keeping open when you are working with students/displaced workers over time can be a dynamic experience. You can work as a mentor and coach to keep them actively working towards their goals and also learn a lot in the process. It can inspire them and will also inspire you to keep going and try new approaches.

As painful as the act of self discovery, improvement and change is; it is also transformative and new knowledge and skills are laid down through this strenuous process.

We still have one quarter left in 2009, but the first 3 quarters have been difficult for most of us. If we weren't among the newly unemployed, we were worried about the possibility of losing our jobs, our dwindling retirements due the banking meltdown; or the increasing costs for food, transportation, health insurance, housing, childcare, etc...

It is important to remember that we ALL are experiencing this time together and we can learn a great deal from each other. We can also support each other, and most important be civil and kind to one another. It sounds like an obvious approach, but when you are in the trenches, its easy to forget to think about anything else, but your own survival.

My goals for the new upcoming school year are to continue to look at students and job seekers holistically and to keep my mind and eyes open beyond the silo of services that the SCCC Career Center provides.