Support for the Unemployed or soon to be Unemployed

24 October 2009 537 views One Comment

This recession has led many to question the job they are doing, or in many case were doing. Most of those who have jobs are afraid that they will lose them if they don’t “step up”. Those who are not working have asked more than once, “What could I have done differently to keep my job”. In either case, the real question is “How can I do a better job (Then, Now, or In the Future)”.

Most people look at the quantity and quality of their work first. Did I stay busy enough? Did I work enough hours? Did I do enough? Was what I did good enough? The list goes on and on. In most cases, the answer to all of these is surprisingly YES. Most of the people who are unemployed right now are good, hard workers. Most the people who will be laid off in the next few months will also be good, hard workers. The quantity and/or quality of a person’s work has little to do with their employment status in this market. Less than 10% of the unemployed people in the US right now are unemployed because of the unsatisfactory performance of the person. With a few exceptions, most lost their jobs because of factors outside of their control. However, this is not a crutch allowing you to fail comfortably.

Some people still have jobs. After the last layoff is delivered, there will be some people who are still working at the jobs they had two years ago. Why they didn’t get laid off is wrapped up in a number of factors. A select few (about 10%) kept their jobs because they worked themselves to the bone and did it perfectly, with a smile on their face the whole time. Most kept their jobs simply because they happened to be working in a more productive business unit. Again, with a few exceptions most kept their jobs because of factors outside of their control. Again, this is not a crutch to get out of self improvement.

Again 10% kept their jobs because of superior performance. Another 10% lost their job because of inferior performance. You are neither. If you are reading this blog, you are not the lazy type that can’t do their job. You are a self motivated person eager to get back to work. On the other hand, you are capable of taking a few minutes to focus on self improvement by reading a blog, so you’re not the type who breathes to work either.

What can the 80% of us that remains do while the market shapes and defines are destiny? We can let our light die in desperation and down time. Or we can fight. We can stand with our heads held high and move forward. Take today to do something productive. Read a book that teaches you more about the industry. Attend a networking event. Apply for at least one job. Mentor a less experienced worker. Be mentored by a more experienced worker. Or if you’re brave, reverse that.

Get up, Get out, and Move forward. If you keep moving forward with your job hunt, at some point in time you will be successful. If you keep helping other people, even when you feel like you need help most of all, eventually you will get the help you need. Whether you are unemployed or fearful of losing your job, this time will pass. Just keep moving forward.

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