DAY SEVEN...
Melinda Blake
Co-Founder | Mediator | Solving Workplace Challenges for Growth & Compliance | Executive Recruitment | Mental Health Advocacy
It is officially the 7-day mark since I have not had a job. Day 7 of the redundancy experience during the global pandemic which has impacted every single person and business in one way or another around the globe.
Since I published my last article on Monday on LinkedIn on this topic, I have been overwhelmed with the response. This propels me into article 2 today.
Firstly, I would like to thank every single person who has taken the time to phone me, text me, or direct message me. Thank you to everyone who read the article, commented on it and shared it. Being catapulted out of a job is not a terribly illuminating experience – no matter how positive a person is. The show of support, acknowledgement and camaraderie has made every day easier. And some days truly beautiful.
Overall, as the days pass, I am experiencing a feeling of calm through not having certain work pressures. My joblessness experience has coincided with my teenage boys being away from home, it being their allocated school holiday week with their father. This has really provided me with no excuse but to face my new reality, process what has happened and begin to move forward.
Time is all I have had. To reflect whilst dealing with the ‘waves’ of the transition and whilst, like many of us at this time, not having the luxury of seeing children, friends or family in the flesh.
Despite the elimination of all the upcoming work and personal events I had been looking forward to, I am coming to terms with not only their postponement, but their cancellation. It strikes me that through this bizarre time when many structures we rely on to motivate us, are essentially jettisoned, we all have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves through the discomfort and uncertainty that goes with that. I certainly have been adjusting to this whilst assessing the future and attempting to strengthen my mindset.
With the elimination of work tasks, and the gradual restructure of daily routines, I have begun to wonder if I have been fortunate enough to be built for a time like this. Being isolated, eating relatively healthily on a budget, being devoid of the prospect of interstate or international holiday travel, needing to consider diversifying income streams, connecting with the world from afar, and facing my inner demons with minimal distractions. I have wondered if for me personally, perhaps that is what 7 years of single parenting has actually prepared me for!?
Despite the ‘waves’ of disappointment, fear and anxiety an experience like redundancy brings, I have chosen to see every day as a time for galvanisation. For renewal of energy. A time to process what has happened. To be grateful for the experiences I have been fortunate enough to walk through. A time to renew the energy I have invested in my work life and to begin to redirect that energy.
I would like to report back in around some of the points I had previously raised:
· Centrelink have been back in contact and the backdated process has begun
· Utilities companies are being extremely reasonable
· Discussions with my real estate agent are ongoing. At this stage, the line is that rent must still be paid for the duration. Thankfully this is a manageable scenario in my case.
· Redundancy plan – much more solid and continuously evolving
· LinkedIn – overwhelming response to my update from last week. This has culminated in direct messages and calls regarding job opportunities and a strong referral trend. Between Monday and Wednesday this week I have been fortunate enough to have had 7 separate conversations around prospective job opportunities with a few more are pending before the weeks' end.
· One more recommendation added to my LinkedIn profile and another 2 have been requested and are promised and pending
· Resume completed and utilised online
One of the National developments I am encouraged by is the Federal Government’s new direction in supporting businesses to afford their existing workforce through this time. I applaud leaders who are using this and other ways to sustain their valuable people until things improve. I have seen great Leaders tabling the idea of a reduced hours scenarios or the use of holiday leave. Some employers have been floating the option of a temporary relinquishment of commissions and potentially foregoing bonuses. It seems many creative plans have been hatched until ramping back up. It is incredible to see examples of strategic management through this time. It certainly has me believing that perhaps this is not the time for transactional, cost-out leadership – adding to the employment line and overall global impact, but a time for organisations to support and work with their best assets– their people. In particular I have been following Mark Bouris who has some compelling insights here for leaders and around the stimulus packages themselves. https://www.podcastoneaustralia.com.au/podcasts/the-mentor-with-mark-bouris
We are most certainly in a time where Leaders are encountering a daily shifting landscape. Historically, at least for the past 25 years, Leaders have been making hay with shining sun. Today’s Leaders have not had to come up against the types of all-pervading challenges they now face. Everyone is learning. I personally am so inspired by organisations who are aligning with their people, their core vision and their culture framework outlined in Mission and Vision statements. I believe this is a time for Leaders to truly lead. To be authentically visionary, to create security, to encourage their teams, to draw out the passion people have for their business and to collaborate closely with their people to create ingenious solutions both through this and in the aftermath.
I thought it might be good to share my humble advice through my findings of the past 7 days:
1. Become aware when you find yourself talking to someone negative. Or having a negative day. Granted it is a difficult time for absolutely everyone at the moment. Just be sure to tune into the energy and intent of any communication. This is a time to be selfishly protective around the negative. That is not to say I do not want to be personally supportive. I will always be here for anyone truly feeling hopeless and needing an ear. Everyone is entitled to a little bit of struggle right now. Being aware of when you can and cannot deal with certain energy is really important.
2. Swiftly identify when you are being pitched a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. I am finding some well-meaning organisations absolutely heat seek those who they determine may be in vulnerable or ‘open’ scenarios. I have had everything from offshore investors to Bitcoin to Multilevel Marketing approaches. I have nothing against entrepreneurialism. But right now, the primary goal is to gain proper employment with feasible earnings. My tip - you can build a parallel scheme later if you want to whilst you are re-establishing your actual career.
3. Try to limit your news consumption – it will add to the emotional toll. Yesterday I watched zero news and I went to bed in such a good state of mind. I was in my personal news network and the story was ‘You are safe in your own home, you have eaten well (actually ‘too’ well!), you have had some outstanding conversations today, you are healthy and everything is going to be alright’.
4. Don’t look at yourself currently as a useless commodity. This seems to be a sort of self-flagellation that can creep in without any assistance. As a result of being ‘cast out’ of your job and your company. Ironically whilst in the current landscape, recounting scenes from ‘Castaway’! However, I have found I need to be aware of this sentiment being added to. Right now, on average, 85% of active job roles have either been put on hold or withdrawn. Give or take and industry dependent of course. There are HR Agencies out there at the moment truly struggling. Some operators, out of fear, are clutching. The shift that is outside of their control has in some cases led to reactive behaviour and just an exacerbation perhaps of existing operation style. Using this time to increase the pool of talent to mobilise when circumstances shift is a common approach. It is a great direction to take – in theory. However, it really becomes clear – as a candidate - the stark difference between being treated like a commodity and conversely, a human being by extraordinary operators. I would advise to entertain only conversations where consultants have spent time with you to earnestly peel back the layers and establish a connection with you which brings them closer to your actual professional visions and core values. If a consultant has not taken the time to know you, your values and your desired cultural alignment - especially in these changed times – that should be an almighty red flag. The reality is my recent experience as a Job Seeker is to identify quickly if anyone is wasting my time.
5. Male or female – do not let pride or ego win. There are very real stressors associated with redundancy. Despite your best efforts to proactively source a new position and remain positive, there might be times you are overwhelmed. Reaching out to talk to a friend, a supportive family member or engage a support line is NOT a weakness, it is a strength.
Some brilliant organisations who are there to help you:
Lifeline – 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/
BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
If you or anyone you know is experiencing Domestic Violence: Safe Steps - Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service 1800 015 188 https://www.safesteps.org.au/
6. Avoid pestering. Perhaps don’t keep going back to your contacts and asking, ‘Do you have a job yet’. People are really preoccupied at this time. Their worlds are as upside down and inside out as yours despite being employed or running their own business. Try taking a breath. Try trusting that everything will work out, and instead of badgering, explore another avenue. Be inventive and tap into your creative. Keep in contact with those you have already reached out to, but perhaps think to ask them ‘How are you managing’ or ‘Are you making any inroads’, ‘Is there anything I can do to assist you’?
7. If you can afford it, seek out a career coach. This can be a time to really get serious about directing your next move. To find a certified coach, go to Career Development Association of Australia – CDAA https://www.cdaa.org.au/. The Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) is Australia’s cross-sectoral community of career development practitioners, with members in every state and territory and across all sectors of the profession. The CDAA is a member of the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA). CICA is the National Peak Body for the Career Industry in Australia. Its establishment in 2000 was a world first and it continues to be a leader in the field. It is a focal point for government and other stakeholders concerned for and interested in promoting quality career development services in Australia. https://cica.org.au/
8. An excellent alternative to a career coach is an amazing book my mother gave to my brothers and I when I was 18. This book has sold over 10 million copies in 28 countries www.parachutebook.com. Astoundingly the author Richard Bolles initially self-published the book on December 1, 1970, and it has been commercially published annually since November 1972 with the most recent 2020 edition available now. What an incredible resource. Thanks to this book, I have known since I was 18 that 60-70% of available jobs are in the hidden job market. NOT visible on Seek or other job boards. Thanks to this book, I have never ever really conducted a ‘traditional’ job search and 80% of interviews I have attended across my working life have resulted in success.
9. Think about upskilling. This could also be the perfect time to shift directions in your career. There are so many resources. Try: www.myskills.gov.au And be sure to check in with the National register of Vocational Education and Training - www.training.gov.au and the National Regulator for Vocational Education and Training www.asqa.gov.au for certified course acquisition.
10. Be careful what you are consuming for your headspace. In my most recent role, I had the opportunity to work with an incredible team with growth mindsets and true emotional intelligence. We often discussed and shared around resources that inspired us. The following form part of my personal favourite mind growth diets and have really been useful through this time:
TED talks - https://www.ted.com/talks
Ophrah’s Supersoul Conversations - https://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/introducing-oprahs-supersoul-conversations-podcast-video_1
Podcasts – What you will Learn - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-you-will-learn/id1125635053
YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHAn0EZ3XHY The science of constructing an indestructible self. “I can deal with whatever life put in front of me. I’ll always find a way no matter what happens. Alex Lickerman, Author
Leadersin https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClVZtV78_iTMRJpz29yowng with one of my favourites being Simon Sinek : https://youtu.be/sfavW8r0kM0
Book - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (25 years in publication and I still return to its pages because it ignores pop psychology and focuses on timeless values of fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity) - https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits.html
And for comedic relief : The Graham Norton Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4PziMH5MvvsmqM0VCZTy-g?reload=9
My ultimate theory around ingesting a diet filled with thought leadership, positivity, storytelling, and even humour is, you will not only feel better, but if your head is right, you will encounter interviews with the right energy and have give yourself more opportunity for success.
11. Try to go for as many walks as possible. And for me also bike rides. It is one of the things we actually can proactively do at this time as one of the approved ‘leaving the house’ activities. Any physical exercise is proven to be detoxing.
12. Remind yourself, insecurity is borne from lack of control. I try to talk to myself about the things I can control:
1. My attitude
2. My choices on how I will utilise this time
3. My ability to believe in the future and remain consistent while it emerges.
4. My ability to maximise this time. I am in control of channelling energy away from overthinking, worrying and stressing about things I cannot change.
Overall, I have realised, this is the perfect time for me to embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity. I literally have everything at my fingertips in this digital age to empower me. Endless information, resources and networks. I have the time to be presented with and move towards new and exciting opportunities. I have time. To reflect. To heal. To brainstorm. To evolve. Effectively, I have the opportunity to ultimately move towards futureproofing myself in what will be a new world.
To be absolutely transparent, there is a true dichotomy between the freedom from work responsibilities and the waves of fear unemployment can bring. This is exacerbated by the very real fight against occasional waves of helplessness and loneliness social distancing can generate.
However, this is a time to become strong, lateral thinking, and essentially visionary. To be grateful for the blessings even through the storm. To recognise there is always new life, new opportunities and when hindsight comes – a reason for it all.
Career Coaching | Outplacement Support | Certified Advanced Resume Writer | Interview Coaching | Job Search/Networking Strategy - I empower people with the self-direction, skills & confidence to land their preferred job
4 年Melinda, thank you for sharing your experiences of redundancy with such honesty and courage. I’m sure that with your obvious skills, emotional intelligence and resilience you will find your next opportunity in the not too distant future. Wishing you all the best
Risk & Compliance, Loss Prevention, Audit
4 年Excellent pieces of advice for many people that are in the same situation
Helping people develop Careers that they love by reminding them how AMAZING they are! | Aspiring Author | LHH Win4Youth Well-being Ambassador 2022-2023, Triathlete & Mentor #corporatematchmaker #lituphumans #liftothersup
4 年Some really great insights here Melinda Tyro #kudos ????? I love your willingness to be so authentic and transparent! I’m not surprised you’ve received so many messages and potential job oops, you deserve it. Good luck and stay safe #loveyourwork #resilience
Some truly inspiring words and advice here Melinda. And kudos for your courage to put your heart and soul ‘out there’ as you have here. Personally, I love what you describe about: “trusting that everything will work out - taking a breath”. On the couple of occasions that I found myself looking for a new role, I was so worked up and trying too hard to “control” my own destiny....just push harder was my erroneous mindset. Looking back, I wished I had relaxed and enjoyed the down time/sabbatical a little and simply trusted that it was all going to work out....and of course, it did. Keep these posts coming - fantastic advice!
Regional Sales Manager at PageUp - Multiple Global Lead Sales Recipient
4 年Thanks for such an well written, authentic and insight article. You’re right there is benefit in everything and your outlook is an inspiration. I have no doubt you will find exactly the right thing :)