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 Positive
Attitude Can Help Turn Job Loss Into An Opportunity
AUBURN, April 26---Job
loss can happen to almost anyone at anytime. The better prepared you
are, the better your position to cope with the loss and continue
with your life.
There is no question
that the longer time span you have between learning about the loss
of your job and actually losing it, the better braced you can be,
says Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, a community workforce development
specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
"Although history
has shown that most people find other positions quickly after losing
their job, being prepared helps reduce the amount of time required
to find another job by letting you concentrate on the opportunity
you have just been given," says Robinson.
Your degree of
preparedness is dependent on several components including attitude,
age, educational attainment, longevity with the company or
organization, mobility and financial condition.
Staying objective and
positive is crucial to turning a job loss into an opportunity. When
changing jobs involuntarily, keep in mind that corporate decisions
often have nothing to do with you as a worker or as a person. In
today's world of mergers, corporate takeovers and the trend toward a
flat supervisory structure, most decisions to downsize or to
restructure are often based on company earnings and product lines
and orders.
Keep your objectivity.
Investigate corporate decisions to separate employees. Understanding
the reason for suddenly being laid off helps you keep your
perspective, Robinson says. You may need recommendations from former
coworkers, colleagues and supervisors. Remembering good things about
the previous job and the good times with friends from work will help
maintain much needed positive relationships. Maintaining a positive
attitude also helps keep you motivated as you look for another
position.
Regardless of how old
you are, age can work in your favor, Robinson adds. Workers under 40
tend to be in a position to negotiate a transfer to another division
or site more easily. Young workers often have less experience and
are more "affordable" to other companies and can easily
get a similar job or position in a competitive company.
Workers over 40 tend to
be in a better position to negotiate a better severance package,
which may include better insurance and/or an early retirement. The
experience level of workers over 40 also tends to be broader and
longer. If early retirement is possible, workers over 40 may have
the luxury of exploring career options never possible before, such
as starting their own company or landing a senior position in
another company.
The length of service to
a company and the quality of work also can help when negotiating
severance packages, says Robinson. Employees who have proven
themselves to be loyal and flexible and have grown with the company
tend to be more marketable.
Having technical or
college training is an advantage when job loss occurs, just as being
good at a technical skill makes a worker more valuable. The job
market trend is toward high-end technology related jobs with high
pay and low-end service jobs with low pay.
Being able to move to
locations rich in appropriate employment is always a plus to
anyone's career. Being mobile depends on other factors, such as
spouse's career and number and ages of dependents. If you are able
to move with your job, companies will often allow good workers to
relocate to another plant or location. If job loss has already
occurred or is inevitable, then moving to a new location with a new
job is an opportunity to begin fresh with a new company, leaving
hurt feelings behind.
Job loss can have
financially devastating effects. According to financial advisers,
having at least enough fluid savings to cover living expenses for
six months is essential. The ability to pay for all living expenses
for a minimum of six months will allow you to mount a job search for
a suitable position. More importantly, Robinson says, being able to
meet financial obligations will prevent you from having to dip into
retirement funds, which can create multiple and long-lasting
problems apart from the job loss.
SOURCE: Dr. Jacquelyn
Robinson, Extension Community Workforce Development Specialist,
Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-5353
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