Day 21 - What Do I Do?

SEARCH PROJECT
I started going through my outplacement tutorial beginning with constructing a Search Project. The first step is for me to Survey My Professional Environment. I flip through the chapter and it makes sense ... now time for the questions. First thought - "What current major trends are affecting my industry and field? What might the future trends be?" I sit here knowing I have lots opinions, at least I did when I was employed. All of a sudden, I am blank. I have no idea... ahh... take a deep breadth.. I panic - have I lost my mojo already? I start my deep breathing techniques, I deliver my mantra " you are smart you know this." Then I do what every woman would - go get a snack and a diet coke.

I come back to the task and now my ideas are flowing. I see the need for flexible HR professionals that have a wide skill set - jack of all trades. I see that manufacturing is down and those companies hiring are service organizations. I see the future trends will be to change the rules of a modern workforce that is more agile fueled with contingent workers, project based employees - woo hoo - it is coming to me. At the end of the exercise, I am able to identify that I am indeed marketable but need to bone up on a few things. I will be signing up for some on line courses.

Next exercise, "Determining My Professional Objective - what do I want to be when I grow up." I decide I want to work, enjoy my personal life, exercise, shop, vacation, go to lunch, volunteer... I basically want to be unemployed and get paid for it.. Hmmm is this realistic? Nah. I adjust my desires now I have a reasonable Professional Objective.

Part of a search project is to come up with a strategic communication plan. To open this process, I must develop an elevator speech about who I am and what I bring to the table. The first thing that comes to my mind is "HI - let's put all this small talk and sh_t aside, I am looking for a job with a competitive salary and you are looking for someone who won't screw things up. Let's work together."

Of course, the previous elevator speech is not going to work so I change words of a canned speech provided to us to reflect my uniqueness - NOT! I just revise the prefabbed paragraph and it works perfectly.

NETWORKING

As I mentioned previously, finding a position is a numbers game. Basically you need to talk to so many people each day just to up your chances that something will stick. Today, I spoke with 3 people in the HR field. I am not sure who sounded more miserable me or them... Working folks seemed overwhelmed. Even the ads in the paper sound burnt out. I read the requirements and companies are asking for everything and the kitchen sink. The companies want 70% travel (who wants that), no relocation and an uninspiring salary. The trend definitely is looking as if companies have us unemployed by the you know what..

Realization - When you go through an emotional block, chocolate and salty treats do help get the ideas flowing. Realization 2 - Now that I am going through these exercises, I realize that I need to be better prepared for networking and interviewing. I have a lot of holes in my information and the way I sell myself. Just goes to show you ... plumbers have the worst pipes. I am glad I put my pride aside and am following the outplacement advice. Good use of time so far.