re-launch you: liftoff after layoff - updated

Re-Launch You:Liftoff After Layoff

Catherine MorganCareer Transition and Entrepreneur Coach

Point A to Point B Transitions Inc.

You are not alone

• Congratulations for getting here today

• Tales from the front

Some people feel relief

• I always ask if congratulations or condolencesare in order

– But you might feel guilty if you do feel relieved

What we will cover today

1. Reframing Transition

2. The New Normal

3. The Rollercoaster

4. How to Have an Easier Transition

Reframing Transition

Transition as a time to evaluate

• I encourage you to think of this as a time to evaluate:

– What did you like?

– What would you change?

– What have you always wanted to try?

– What is on your life list that you have been meaning to do?

You might say…

• My life sucks

I might say…

• Probably only some parts of your life suck

Exercise: Wheel of Life

(not my creation but very helpful)

Career Health

SpiritualityFinances

Creativity

Family

Relationships

Social life

Transition as a time of opportunity

• This could be a time to:

– Get back on track

– Find work that fits around your life

– Find work that is more aligned with your values

What I call transition

“The squishy rich primordial stew of infinite possibility” ~ Catherine Morgan

Photo credit: Maryanne Natarajan

The New Normal

The world of work has changed

• We are all self-employed

• We must take responsibility for our own training

• We must maintain our network

What is your right next choice?

• What is your overhead like?

• What obligations do you have coming up?

• What is your financial situation?

Has your job paradigm shifted?

• Will corporate rehire for your position?

– Or will it typically be outsourced going forward?

New possibility – job portfolio

• Some of you will look for traditional full-time work

• Some people either by choice or necessity will opt to have a “job portfolio”

– Several part-time jobs

– Primary job and a side project

– Freelance work

– Freelance work and their own business

If you want to freelance

• Do you pitch your own projects?

• Go through another company?

Self-assessment

• What have you always wanted to do?

– If you don’t know, check out Do More Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier

• Thinking about starting a business?

– Read The Entrepreneur EquationBy Carol Roth

Tying it all together

• Want to thrive in the new world of work?

– Read Body of WorkBy Pamela Slim

Exercise: Likes and Dislikes

What I liked about my prior job(s) What I would change in my next job

Connecting to your values

• Not all of us are money motivated

– But there is nothing wrong if you are

• Did your work leave you feeling hollow?

– I helped Deloitte make a lot of money but…

• Have you been walking around thinking,“Is this all there is?”

• What do you want your legacy to be?

The benefits of being clear

• There are huge benefits to being clear on exactly what you are looking for

– You can use it as a lens through which you can evaluate opportunities

• But leave the door open for something that might be even better

The Rollercoaster

There are emotional ups and downs

• You will have good days and bad days

– I told one client that I would be more worried if she wasn’t depressed sometimes

• But you also may feel guilty about enjoying your time off

Not unlike the Five Stages of Grief

• The Kübler-Ross model, commonly known as The Five Stages of Grief

– Denial

– Anger

– Bargaining

– Depression

– Acceptance

How to stay out of the dips

• Do something every day to move your job search forward

– It can be something very small or a few very small actions

– The trick is to feel like you are making progress

Volunteer, shadow, or intern

• To learn new skills

• To have stories to tell in interviews

• To explore different possibilities and next steps

Go on informational interviews

• To find out what doing that job might be like

• To build your network

Start a blog

• To establish yourself as an expert or thought leader

• To keep yourself relevant

• To get Google juice and LinkedIn credit

– Google and LinkedIn are the new background checks

Stay scheduled

• Spending too much time in your own head is not good

• Work expands to the amount of time allotted

• If you keep things in your schedule you will get more done (Trust me on this!)

– Remember that old saying, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.”

Consider teaching for free

• Teaching is a great way to:

– Establish yourself as an expert

– Keep your skills sharp

– Build connections

Play catch up

• Catch up on the things you have wanted to do but didn’t have the time

– Learn a new business skill

– Paint a room

– Organize your garage, basement, office, or closet

– Learn to cook

– Start eating healthily

– Begin (or continue) exercising regularly

Fill the well

• Take an art course

• Learn a language

• Go on a road trip

Small things, big differences

• Sometimes small things can make you happy and feel abundant

– Julia Cameron and fresh fruit from The Artist’s Way

BUT keep looking for a job

• Projects can distract

– They make you feel like you are doing something

• Is looking for a job a full-time job?

How to Have an Easier Transition

For an easier time with your search

• Get a buddy

• Join some groups (like this one)

• Hire a coach

Useful tools and techniques

• Ensure your browser has spell check enabled –this is a must!

• Become a connector

– I keep hearing that 85% of jobs don’t get posted

– But you can’t ignore online postings

• Check out Indeed.com (a consolidator job site)

My best advice for job search

• Don’t do your own resume

– It’s impossible to strike the right tone and balance

• Don’t let your spouse or partner coach you

– Even if they are an expert

• Accountability is king

– Make sure you are accountable to someone (or preferably several people)

My best advice on how to thrive

• Evaluate all of your options

• Make the most of this time

– Use it to catch up on all the things you have been meaning to do

• Reconnect with friends and family

• Help someone else

• Be extra kind to yourself

– Transition is stressful and exhausting

Questions?

Catherine Morgan

Career Transition and Entrepreneur Coach

Point A to Point B Transitions Inc.

877.672.5333

Catherine@PointAtoPointBTransitions.com

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/pointatopointb

Twitter @PointA_PointB