Learning
the Lessons of Unemployment
Elaine
Beyer-In Transition-Laid off May, 2009
After
I sent out over 150 applications I realized that getting up
every day to send applications was my job, at least, until
I didn't have to do it anymore. There are plenty of jobs,
parts of jobs, and projects that consist of just this sort
of plodding and daily attentiveness, not to mention going
back to school to finish a degree. In other words, I had not
forgotten how to work.
Repeated
hope, followed by dejection, is a natural rhythm of unemployment.
I've been training myself to let go after I send in a resume
or, if I am fortunate to interview, after I send a thank you
note to the employer. Getting excited about the next possibility
keeps me in forward motion and gives me a reason to continue.
Letting go makes it easier to move on.
One
unexpected unemployment benefit has been getting to know people
in job search support groups. I hope I'm becoming a more compassionate
person by listening to their stories and imagining what their
lives are like without a job. Sometimes I've been able to
help by providing a contact, suggestions for resume revisions,
or a cup of coffee. It feels good to be understood by others
in the same position and to know I can be of use.
My
lessons include the opportunity to become more engaged with
LinkedIn, to connect with companies of interest, and to investigate
industries that might be good places to work. I've also become
more adept at navigating various city and suburban streets.
Unemployment
has been a time to learn what life is like apart from work.
I don't think my neighbors or cats have complained that I'm
around more hours of the day. I discovered I could make small
contributions to my space by painting a wall or just noticing
the comings and goings in our street. It has also been a time
to relearn gratitude for the relative ease and safety of my
life; for the natural world, and for friends.
My
job search at times has become an exercise in meaninglessness.
I'm trying to become more purposeful about my daily experiences
in order to have something to remember about these months
and about what's out there when I go back to work.
Back to the library
Reproduction
of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed
consent of Human Resource Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular
speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource
Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration
and Human Development.
Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com
952 854 6040
