Struggling with Job Insecurity? Ask Yourself 3 Questions…

According to the CMIE, the pandemic has left 122 million Indians without a job and countless others insecure about their jobs / career. Undoubtedly, this is the hardest challenge to bounce back from.

To lessen the blow is to know that you cannot control this situation, but, you can certainly manage and prepare yourself for coming out stronger.

As a coach, I’ve helped many clients overcome such scenarios. Among others, I ask 3 very important questions.

1.“What are your passions / interests which you’ve left sitting on the back-burner for a long time?”, I asked my client; a mid-40s MNC banker, who grew up in the interiors of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India but spent majority of his life in the UK. Growing up in a family of farmers, a decision was made to send him away (in 90’s) from the hardships of farming in search of a “better life”. 20 years later, he was laid off / fired / sacked.

My question triggered a moment of self-reflection. Despite being away from his family roots, farming was a core part of his identity which he decided to turn into opportunity.

For four years now, he has continued to run a very successful organic farming business in AP.

2. “Which of your current interests can be monetized?”, I asked another client; a mid 50’s Oil & Energy executive, who was struggling with the idea of accepting a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). Not knowing how he would stay productively engaged over next 10 years was making him anxious.

This question made him recall a time ten years ago where he taught photography to a group of students on a pro bono basis. Nature photography had been a passion for over 25 years. Acknowledging his expertise in this space gave him the confidence to monetize that skill. Today, having accepted VRS, he has made the most of the pandemic and offers online photography classes to students and gets sufficiently remunerated.

3.“Who will be the most helpful to you in such a time?”, I asked a third client; in late 30’s pharma manufacturing engineer, who was struggling to find a job in India after being laid off while working in Europe. His cliched response, “Surely, it would be family, friends and colleagues, right?”.

This question, I later explained to him, is inspired by a leading sociology professor, Mark Granovetter’s theory called, The Strength of Weak Ties. I went on to help him understand the potential strength of his acquaintances; he created & spoke to a list of 40 people who would technically be his “feelers” in market. Within four weeks, a head hunter approached him, citing a reference given by the person ( on the list of 40) he had reached out to.

3 Small Questions. 3 Big Realizations. 3 Success Stories.

Interested in having Career Conversation with me?

Register here for a 30-min session - https://bit.ly/33X7YCS