Loss of Daily Routines and Purposeful Activities Everyday

Beyond the loss of income, losing a job also comes with other major losses, some of which may be even more difficult to face:

• Loss of professional identity • Loss of self-confidence • Loss of daily routines and purposeful activities everyday • Loss of your work family • Loss of security (finances/income/professional growth)

IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER/JOB CHANGE, IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE! CHANGING JOBS IS A BIG MOVE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO COVER ALL OF THE BASES.

 It is normal to have some concerns about a career/job change because we become comfortable in the current position we are in and change can be a little overwhelming for everyone involved.  Know that your family will go through an adjustment period so have sitters and other people on standby to help everyone get used to the new schedule.  Keep your thoughts focused on the future and have a good attitude about the decision you have made.

IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE YOU ARE NEWLY ENTERING THE WORKFORCE, IT IS NORMAL TO FEEL NERVOUS! YOU ARE MAKING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS IN YOUR LIFE AND IT IS IPORTANT TO BE PREPARED.

 It is normal to feel apprehensive about entering the workforce, it is a new environment for you.  Get your family on board with your decision to enter the world of work, it is important to have their support! Moving Forward: Where Do I Go From Here? P a g e | 2 EKCEP Job Club Topics © 2015, Eastern Kentucky C.E.P., Inc.

 Find what you are interested in because a happy employee is one that will keep their job and move up the rungs easier than someone who is miserable. PART II: Steps To Help You Move Forward No Matter What Stage You Are In and How Job Clubs Can Help.

1. Take Care of Yourself: Create time for daily exercise, eat healthy, and don’t give up your hobbies or recreational activities you find enjoyable. Schedule time each week to focus on YOU. Avoid the tendency to isolate, it will only make you feel worse. Spend time with close friends who will support you and help keep you moving and to hold you accountable for goals you have put in place.

2. Get Out of the House and Be Around People: People lead people to jobs. This is the most effective way to get hired or to make a career change. The vast majority of job openings are never advertised; and they’re filled by word of mouth.

3. Attend Weekly Job Clubs: Seek support, expert career advice, and take advantage of networking opportunities. Make Job Clubs a weekly part of your job-searching routine and schedule time for individual meetings with your career advisor. Schedule coffee breaks with other jobseekers to support one another through the job-hunting process. Form a “buddy” system to keep each other in the loop of new opportunities.

4. Stick To a Routine: Keep motivated by doing the following:

 Set your alarm. Get up at your regular time, don’t get used to sleeping in. If employed, get to work and still give it 100% of your time until you transition out.

 Prepare daily “To-Do” lists of activities you need to accomplish and DO them! This will help you be organized in thoughts and actions.

 Take a shower, clean up like you normally would if going to work. Don’t get used to those PJ’s! Your first impression is everything! Those of you employed know the reason and importance of following the dress code.

 Go to the gym. Exercise helps clear the mind and helps build confidence. Plus you never know who you may meet there, a future employer????

 Take time to just relax and breathe. Looking for a job, transitioning or entering the workforce is stressful so RELAX every now again and regain your thoughts.

5. Volunteer in Your Community: Community Service will help keep employment skills fresh or develop new skills to add to your resume. This can also help you expand your local network of people. You will soon learn it’s all about building relationships. As you look for a new job, your network can provide you much needed feedback, advice, and support.

6. Register with Local Staffing Agencies: They hire temporary workers for a wide variety of companies. Temporary staffing agencies are one of the easiest ways to help you get your foot in the door with a company and are becoming the norm for hiring practices for larger companies and corporations.

7. Seek Out Professional Development Opportunities: Upgrade your skills during times of unemployment. Area libraries, local community colleges, and massive open online courseware (MOOC) like ALISON and COURSERA offer free or low-cost skills training. Spend time at your local Adult Education Center preparing for the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).These are all great ways to continually show your growth as an employee. And of course we here at your local WIOA have a lot of in- house opportunities to grow professionally.

8. Get offline: Don’t rely solely on job boards and help-wanted ads for job searching. Job boards are less than 5% effective if they are the sole means of one’s job search.

9. Positively Reflect: Losing a job isn’t easy, however, it may be easier to accept if you can find the lesson in your loss. What can you learn from the experience? As bad as it may have been, what skills or experience did you get with your job over the years? Can you list them? Take time to reflect on what the loss has given you, and start to figure out your next move. Take this time to breathe and find clarity and understanding as you make your next move toward the next chapter of your life. If employed know that everything you do every day is preparing for the next step in your career so learn all that you can while at that job. Those of you entering the workforce, reflect on all of the positive aspects employment will add to your life and the life of your family.

10. Don’t Beat yourself Up: It’s important to avoid putting yourself down. Now is the time that you need your self-confidence more than ever. Start challenging every negative thought that crosses your mind. Don’t try to shoulder the stress of job loss, a career change or the stress of entering the world of work alone. Let go of that pride and share what you’re going through with people you love and trust. Ask for the support that you really need. Keep your family in the loop, they want to help you get through this with love and support and so do WE!

Part III: A couple of things for you to do to get you going!

Discussion Questions:

• Would anyone like to share their feelings after your job loss?

• Who helped you go through that loss? How did they keep your spirits high?

• Besides the income, what are reasons for looking for another job?

• Name one routine can you incorporate next week to help get you moving in a positive direction?

• What are some Job Club steps to move forward? Can you name some?

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