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I Am Unemployed ... Now What Do I Do?

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Preface..........................................................xiiiIntroduction.....................................................xvHow to Use This Book.............................................xixUnderstanding Your Situation.....................................1Overview: Getting Organized......................................2Step 1 Assess Your Situation.....................................4Step 2 Assess Yourself...........................................12Self-Assessment Forms............................................16Step 3 Assess Your Market........................................30Step 4 Assess Your Network.......................................38Developing Your Strategy.........................................49Overview: Creating Your Job-search strategy......................50Step 1 Develop Your Strategy.....................................52Step 2 Plan for the Plan.........................................64Step 3 Develop Your Plan.........................................74Step 4 Final Review of Your Plan.................................92Executing Your Plan..............................................101Overview: Making It Happen.......................................102Step 1 Making Contact............................................104Step 2 Power Networking..........................................114Step 3 Researching Companies.....................................124Step 4 Selecting the Right Company...............................136Mastering the Interview..........................................145Overview: Successful Interviewing Techniques.....................146Step 1 Understand Interview Mechanics............................148Step 2 Learn Your Interviewer....................................160Step 4 Ace the Interview.........................................172Improving Your Strategy..........................................185Overview: Adjusting Your Strategy................................186Step 1 Assess Plan Results.......................................188Step 2 Review Personal Information...............................192Step 3 Make Plan Adjustments.....................................200Step 4 Re-Execute the Plan.......................................208Succeeding at Your New Job.......................................213Overview: Succeeding at Your New Job.............................214Step 1 Confirm Expectations......................................216Step 2 Develop an Internal Network...............................226Step 3 Learn the Culture.........................................232Step 4 Learn the Rules of Success................................236Congratulations!.................................................245References.......................................................247About the Author.................................................249Index............................................................251

Chapter One

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. —George Santayana

Involving Family

The first assessment that must be made is how your family is feeling about your current situation. It is important that they understand and work with you to accomplish your goal. You must involve the entire family in all aspects of your pursuit even if it is only by providing them status updates regarding your progress. It will be both uncomfortable and embarrassing for your family members to find things out from other sources. I gave these instructions to one of my corporate executive clients. To his surprise, he received a number of job leads from family members. Your family is your team and consists of your strongest allies. Use them.

Action Steps for You:

1. Hold a family meeting to inform all family members of your status.

2. Solicit your family's ideas on things that can be done.

3. Solicit your family's help and support as you proceed with your plans.

4. Schedule regular meetings designed to keep your family informed.

5. Record all additional family ideas in the space below.

Additional Action Steps for You to Consider:

1. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Step 1 Assess Your Situation Task 2: Examine Your Finances

A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life. —Suze Orman

Reviewing Your Finances

Based on your current situation, how long can you meet your short-term obligations without a steady income? It is important that you assess your current financial position. You must be able to determine the amount of time (based on your current financial position) that you can manage without a steady inflow of cash. You need to determine if you have the ability to meet your short-term obligations. A successful job search can sometimes take up to eighteen months.

Action Steps for You:

1. Prioritize your financial obligations by listing the most critical items first.

2. Determine how much is needed for rent or mortgage payments.

3. Create a detailed budget of your necessities (groceries, utilities, etc.).

4. Create a detailed budget for non–credit card obligations.

5. Create a detailed budget for credit card payments.

6. Determine the amount needed for monthly obligations based on the above.

7. Determine the number of months you can handle these obligations.

Additional Action Steps for You to Consider:

1. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Step 1 Assess Your Situation Task 3: Your Home

You leave home to seek your fortune and, when you get it, you go home and share it with your family. —Anita Baker

Keeping Your Home

One of the scariest aspects of being unemployed is the fear of losing your home. Make sure you understand what you need to do to keep this from happening. This is extremely important to both you and your family. Inform your lender of your situation if things get tight. They may be able to adjust your...