Let’s Be Practical by Susan Vagnoni Murphy

I realize I have been talking a lot about the mental process of dealing with a job search which I believe is a huge part of the process.  Today, however, I want to talk about the practical side.  Tip #4:  be proactive. For me that means trying my best to anticipate what might be needed in the best and worst case scenarios.  

Here has been part of my preparation:

• A couple days after my job loss I attended a networking event (which was good) but I had no business cards to hand out (which was bad, and hurt a little).  I went to an office supply store and bought business card paper and went home to create my own cards.  It was what I could afford, and I have the skills to do a nice layout.  It has my name, photo, contact info and few of my top skills listed.  Now I will be prepared for the networking conference I am attending tomorrow and won’t feel so much like a fish out of water.

•  I applied for a job in a company where the CEO had written a couple of books. I went to the library to find and read them to be prepared should an interview come up.

• I was lucky enough to have an old friend who teaches students at the University of Minnesota and one of his lessons is on a good resume.  We sat down and did a thorough run through of the new resume I prepared and he gave me a lot of great ideas.  You may not have someone with those skills in your network, but you do have a lot of friends and colleagues who could lend you a hand crafting the best resume. Tom was one of four people I had review mine.

• I am taking advantage of the State’s job search workshops and skills building opportunities.  I recently went to see where I was on my computer skills (that was a confidence builder!) and I am doing online and in person trainings to try to up my talents.

These are just some of the many, many ways I am not only working toward getting that new job, but also keeping myself occupied – which  is a whole other blog to come.

Positive thoughts to all you job seekers, Susan

Acknowledging the Loss - Tip #3 by Susan Vagnoni Murphy

Once I got pass the shock of having lost a job that really meant something to me, it seems I felt the need for a stiff upper lip and an “okay I can move past this” attitude.  Nothing wrong with that…unless you know what an emotional creature I am.  (I think it comes from my Italian side, but maybe it’s just my membership in the human race). 

I was reminded today by a very wise executive coach and kind friend to take time to grieve what has been lost and what is not going to happen.  When I heard that I actually let out an audible sigh of relief.  I was being given the permission to feel the sadness I have. And I cried.

Now I am not saying this is an open ticket to wallow on the proverbial “pity-pot”. I have been doing as many of the "get moving tasks" as I can. I have had some great conversations with friends helping me define my skills, polished the resume, networked, sent applications, and am taking workshops and trainings to gain some new knowledge.

I also have tried not to isolate myself - which is a defense mechanism I go to. I tend to feel like the Debbie Downer people will run from if I share too much about my job situation. (Note: save the heart-wrenching stuff for the closest of friends and family. They love you so they will put up with more.)

Each of us handles job lost in our own personal way.  I just want you to know I feel your loss, and it is okay for you to feel it too.  We will get past our grieving process, but it is important we don’t skip over it.

Warmly, Susan

Timing is Everything by Susan Vagnoni Murphy

 (Written July 24, 2015)

If you’re lucky enough to lose your job in the same month as your next birthday consider the bright side; you will most likely get a lot of social media offers for free meals and drinks from the restaurants you used to be able to afford. 

Tip 2: Take advantage of every free offer, unused gift card and free event available to you at the time of your job loss. 

Having had enough challenging life experience to always live frugally my sons and I are well acquainted with discount programs, member discounts, and mega coupon use to try to get the best for our bucks. It brings a little tear of pride to my eye as a see one of the boys pull out the reusable bag or refillable cup just to get the 5 cents off or the larger size for less. At this junction in your job search time it is best to make the most of all these type of resources you have.

For instance, we actually got to see a much needed movie by finding 4 Fandango gift cards between the 3 of us that all had some money left on them.  With a little snuck-in-snacks we got a break from the summer heat of our apartment and a mental break from our lives for virtually nothing. We even got points on our movie membership card toward some unknown bonus in the future. For those of you like me who are “of a certain age”, use that AARP connection to its fullest. I saw another free movie on them. Thanks AARP!

Take a scan through your Facebook or other social media accounts and search for online coupons after your daily job search work is winding down. It is part of the self-care you really owe yourself to keep on an even keel and not upset the family by building up too much stress. You are all in this together.

See at the interviews! Susan