Last year, many people have experienced an unexpected job layoff. We see the layoffs in the news, and on LinkedIn. When I speak with unemployed professionals, many avoid talking about their experience to others. It is painful. The person may feel embarrassment and shame. However, having a support system is one of the most important things any laid off professional can do to get back on their feet.
A layoff can be a traumatic event for many professionals. However, they say that the trauma of any event can be minimized by doing one simple thing. Talking to other people can help to turn trauma into a stressful event, rather than a life-changing trauma. Feeling as if you are not alone in your experience makes all the difference.
If you know someone who is currently unemployed, reach out to them. Check in to see how they are. But, do not begin by asking how their job search is going. Ask how their week is going. Ask how their family is doing. Ask about the person, rather than the job search.
Then, do not offer advice unless the person very specifically asks for advice. If the person shares that their job search is hard, it does not mean they are asking you for advice. They may simply want to share their experience. They may want to be heard.
Very often, friends with good intensions offer unneeded and unwanted advice to job seekers. The advice giver may provide advice on careers they have never had, or industries they know nothing about. This unwanted advice may upset the job seeker, and it may discourage them from opening up again. This will create more distance, and increased loneliness.
Job searching can be tough, and it does take a lot of work. To find a job, a job seeker must treat their search as if it is a full-time job. But, even when they do, the job seeker may not immediately find a job. And, this may have nothing to do with how hard they are applying themselves.
The current job market is very unstable. Many companies are only hiring for critical roles. They are dragging out the interview process for many months. They are downgrading titles and pay. There are jobs posted where thousands of candidates are applying. That’s right. One job seeker may need to beat out 3,000 candidates or more to land a single job offer.
We very often assume that our job search experience is the same one experienced by others. However, a job search is highly influenced by the job market at the moment in time when the search is happening. A hard job market means a hard job search.
Criticizing only hurts the job seeker. If you want to help, be a cheerleader. Check in and withhold judgement. This support is the cure to job search loneliness, and will help the professional to find a job faster.
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
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