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The upside of unemployment

The founder of First30days.com, Ariane de Bonvoisin, shared some tips for getting through job loss with the New York Daily News that are especially timely. It's not your run of the mill "network, network, network" spiel.

Some interesting ideas include:

-Embracing transition. The next job you take may be a transitional one. Whether it's full or part time, embrace it. Every experience is a valuable one and you never know where it may lead. It's okay to freelance or find part-time work to create cash flow until you find a better position.

-Changing your outlook. Always frame things in the positive, such as, "I'm excited I'm back in the job market because it's given me a chance to go after a job that I love," as opposed to, "I recently lost my job." What you can control during this time of change are the words you use. People who are optimists and have positive beliefs will always get through this change better than others. Do what it takes to keep your outlook strong.

I realize for many people who are feeling the effects of our economic crisis the hardest that this is all easier said than done, but much of what she shares does ring true. It's a combination of hard work, perseverance and mindset that ultimately lead to success even in the worst of times. It's too easy to become jaded and cynical about the market. Yes, it's very rough. I was unemployed for over a year, but I did eventually find work that I love this past winter.

I'd be interested to know what you all think. Is there a way to remain positive in the midst of a job slump? How can you do it?

posted by Kristen on 9/30/2008 11:27 am | COMMENTS (2)
Comments (2)

Very good advice! Have gone through several different job losses, I feel like I've developed a fairly reasonable approach. I always treat each lay-off as an opportunity, and don't allow myself the luxury of a negative thought about my circumstances.

It may be "easier said than done," but it's very much worth the effort. In each and every case, I have learned a lot about myself, and have always landed a much better job.

posted by madkat on 10/ 1/2008 11:46 am

We are facing grave time in our present economy. A lot of companies regardless of the size are cutting thousands of jobs nationwide. Here’s another sad sign of our economic times: The ever declining mail volume added to put pressure on the postal service to reduce the workforce. One of these is the FedEx layoff. The worst of the FedEx layoffs are hitting Memphis, home of Elvis, and this is a case where it really is the Heartbreak Hotel. However, they also know to not be cruel, as employees affected, about 14,000 of them, will receive severance packages and job counseling, which may save them from payday loans for awhile. Other areas are going to be affected as well, but Memphis will be the hardest hit. It's good that they get severance pay, because the affected workers couldn't get payday loans as a result of the FedEx layoffs. personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/04/03/fedex-layoffs-hit-memphis-hardest

posted by JaimeC on 4/ 8/2009 12:40 am

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