It can be quite scary looking for a new job, particularly if it’s a long time since you last looked for one. So let’s get you thinking about the tasks you need to do and why and then over the next 5 days get you started.

 Let’s start with how you are feeling right now?

 Action: Take 5 minutes to make a note of how you are feeling

 You may have used words describing your concern over the future, but also, whilst perhaps a bit concerned and unsure, you may be excited, even optimistic for the future.

 Many of us are in jobs that we don’t really like – we find them boring, we have a boss who creates too many problems, we don’t feel we are paid enough for what we do. So, particularly if you have got a reasonable redundancy pay out this may give you the impetus to do something you actually want to do.

 We can’t ignore our feelings and of course it’s ok to feel disappointed, concerned etc.

 But to be successful in our job search, we also need to set these feelings to one side. If not these feelings will keep popping up as we apply for jobs and at interview, and that’s not helpful.

 So aim to concentrate on the positive. List 3 things that you are grateful for that you can remind yourself of when things appear difficult.

 Action: List 3 things you are grateful for

 1

 2

 3

 Want to continue … Sign up for your complimentary programme at www.howtogetajobinarecession.com

The past couple of weeks have been very busy.

Rather naively I thought I would send a book to an editor, they would sort it all out and it would come back finished and ready for the printing phase. I hadn’t realised the scope for confusion when you work at a distance, and also my personality has me always looking for ways to improve on things and coming up with mini rewrites which have all taken time,

We’re getting there now and we should be at the final edit this week, I’m hopiing in the next couple of days, but I guess there might be one final set of changes after that.

It really is exciting, but there is so much to do.  Alongside the book I have also created an associated web site and need to get a plan to contact the press.  You can read more about the book here:

 Redundancy used to mean large payouts and enough money to keep you going for a couple of months while you looked for another job and a wodge of money to pay off the mortgage, use for a great holiday etc. In the current recession people are generally taking longer to get a job, at the same time redundancy payments are dropping.

Until I read a recent article in the Telegraph, I’d forgotten that Marks and Spencer had reduced the level of redundancy payments to staff.  We need to remember that just because people have received large payouts in the past, these are often not included in terms and conditions of employment so I don’t think we can expect this in the future.

You can read The Telegraph article here. 

So many people want to find out just how you get a job in a recession, and that’s why I’m writing my book.

I’m now regulalrly being asked to talk on the radio about this On Wednesday I was on 3 Counties Radio talking to Jonathan Vernon Smith and you can listen tothe show via this link.  Not sure for how long, but if you fast forward to about 20 miutes you will find me.

4: Think about how you will spend your day

Read more

I was on City Talk Radio this morning, talking about how the recession can have a personal impact on people. I talked on two areas.  What to do if you lose your job, and also the sorts of things you can do to keep your job, to help ensure you aren”t the first one to be made redundant.

These are available for download on the City Talk web site:

http://www.citytalk.fm/Article.asp?id=552594

and you can download them from here:

How to keep your job | If you lose your job

The current economic climate means that, if you are faced with redundancies in your organisation, providing employees with outplacement support is vital, says Denise Taylor. 

Outplacement is the process by which a company meets a duty of care to its employees facing redundancy. It helps people to come to terms with the shock of losing their job, to focus on what they want to do next and get them interview ready so they can get a new job, and maintain levels of self confidence through the inevitable rejection they are likely to face. 

Some people need to take the time to understand themselves, and to use this as an opportunity to consider career options. Other people may need to take time to talk through their feelings. Ongoing support and motivation is vital in helping people to find a new job, offering people just help with rewriting a CV is insufficient. There is a need to consider options, plan a strategy and get ready to present themselves well through all aspects of the application process.

This article has been published on the HR zone web site and you can access it here.