What to do for your career whilst you are at home

What to do for your career whilst you are at home

By Sue Ellson BBus MIML MAHRI CDAA ASA MPC WV FIGT

When people suddenly lose their job, for whatever reason, retrenchment, redundancy, dismissal etc, I have found that there is a natural tendency to do one of three things:

• decide to take a relaxed break for a while and take time to 'wind up' again
• fall into an emotional heap and remain there for an indefinite period of time
• get some professional advice and take action immediately (with an outplacement or career development professional)

As you can imagine, I recommend the third option - particularly as I am a career development professional!

I would now like to outline a few things you can do right now considering you may currently be at home and in transition for an indefinite period of time. Please bear in mind that this is general information and not necessarily specifically related to your personal situation.

1. Identify what you can control Allow yourself to acknowledge what is happening and understand what is within your control and what is not within your control. Sure, you could sit on the couch and start emotional comfort food eating, but I can guarantee you that it won't make you feel any better in the long run. Rediscover the art of preparing your own food with as many fresh ingredients as possible, try and maintain a reasonable sleep routine and make sure you do at least 10 minutes of concentrated exercise every day (I recommend dancing - with no shoes!).
2. Spend some time re-evaluating your lifestyle options You may have been in a job you didn't like or in a job you really did like. Think about what you can consider in the future. At the time of writing this article, our collective future has suddenly become very uncertain. That is okay. As a society and as individual communities, I am confident that we will find a healthy way forward, if we can genuinely look out for one another as well as ourselves. From a practical perspective, I still believe that there will be more casual, freelance and contract jobs in the future (hence the reason I wrote the Gigsters book), people will reconsider what is really important to them (perhaps more family or leisure time rather than chasing the dollar so often) and that the sharing economy will grow (and perhaps we will invite one another to share our time and our assets - for example, spend more time with other people in real life and share our cars, boats, caravans etc rather than buying our own). I would like to think that we will be more mindful of our environment, recycle more often and develop more strategies for the long term sustainability of our fragile earth.
3. Spend some time re-evaluating your career options Have you been in a career that matches your strengths (natural and learned), values and context? Have you prepared a list of all of your skills, knowledge and networks that you can tap into? Have you identified what expertise and experience you have that could be transferred into a different area if the present demand changes in the future? Have you catalogued all of your Experience and Achievements on your LinkedIn Profile? Have you looked at jobs that are outside your current radar? A lot of people, when asked, can only list X number of jobs but with the help of a Career Development Practitioner, you may be able to identify many more. Identify your strengths with the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. Identify your values (not necessarily what you have always done or what your friends and family expect of you) with the Life Values Inventory Tool or learn more about different occupations and develop a Career Profile using a Career Exploration Tool. Completing these tasks will give you clarity about your next steps. You may reflect on both good and bad experiences you have had in the past related to either tasks you did or did not like and people you did or did not like. It is important to focus on the 'real' reasons for your views. A bad boss does not mean that a career option has passed. A good boss does not mean a career option is guaranteed. One task may or may not be available any more. One situation should never cloud your judgement over the long term. For example, I was sacked when I was pregnant and it took me six and a half years to 'recover' and not be angry every time the topic was raised in conversation or I thought about it. I had to learn how to move on and I certainly wish I had done it immediately - but I am not going to beat myself up for how long it did take either.
4. Spend some time completing household tasks Do not wait a day, a week or a month. Start today! There are plenty of things you can do. You can collect all of your personal documentation in one place for identification and government application purposes. You can create a list of all of your login passwords for every account you have (I recommend an Excel Spreadsheet with password protection but do not include your bank account password). This process will also help you identify everywhere you spend money and allow you some time to contact providers and either pause, cancel or update your service details (for example, it may be a good time to cancel that gym membership you don't use). You can look at re-financing credit card debt so the repayments are more affordable (and lock in your reduced spending habits). You can spring clean your house. You can de-clutter (still consider how items can be re-used or recycled rather than put in the rubbish). Completing these tasks will clear your mind and allow it to start processing your options and help you identify what is really important to you. Passing on obsolete items allows you to bring in fresh thoughts and ideas. Don't forget to do your dishes every day!
5. Update your resume and LinkedIn Profile When the market turns around, you need to have an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendly resume and a LinkedIn Profile that is FULLY completed and ready to use. The early bird catches the worm! Don't rely on the old resume you updated three years ago. Add in all of your current experience - remember that if you 'don't tell, you can't sell.' Machines and people are not mind readers (at least not yet). Use keywords as much as possible so that the machines can find you. A LinkedIn Profile needs to look good before you start reaching out to people.
6. Build your network on LinkedIn Once you are clear about some of your options in the future, you need to start reaching out to people online and connecting to them. Don't overdo it or the LinkedIn algorithm will detect that you are contacting too many people and please, do NOT be overly aggressive with this process. For example, Hi First Name, I am currently building my network of fellow XYZ people on LinkedIn in ABC location and I would like to invite you to join me here on LinkedIn. Cheers, Sue. You can find these fellow professionals by either using the Search button on the top of your LinkedIn screen or an Advanced Google Search with your keywords in the top box (including location name) and then fill in linkedin.com in the site or domain box.
7. Create or update your own Google Account Now I know you may be thinking there is no way I want to have a Google Account - but if you want to stand out against other candidates, you need to go next level with your career approach. For your Google account, you can either use your existing Gmail email address or your own email address and start it at https://accounts.google.com and then go to https://aboutme.google.com and fill in the various sections, but particularly the Sites section (click the plus in the pink circle). Before you fill in this section, spend as much time as you can Googling yourself and add every link you can find about yourself online to your own spreadsheet (Date found, link, details). If it is good quality content (for example a story about you published in a reputable newspaper), then you can also copy and paste the link at https://archive.org/web so that it can remain online 'forever.' You can then add this archive link in another column of your spreadsheet. Once you have sorted your spreadsheet into three sections (Links, Other Profiles, Contributor To), you can add the links to the Site Section in your Google Account. Don't forget to include the links to your social media profiles and while you are at it, delete any photos you do not want a future employer to see, even if you have maximum privacy settings turned on. You may also like to create a free Google Business Account and a free Google Website.
8. Create or update your own website You can create a free WordPress website online at https://wordpress.com and have it called something like https://sueellson.wordpress.com - you do not need to buy your own domain name or pay anything to get this started and it is a good 'practice' website location. You can then have either a one page introduction website or a several page website with About, Services, Projects, Reviews, Contact pages. Make sure you get written permission to use any photos or content and do not reveal commercially sensitive information. If you want to go next level and have something like I have at https://sueellson.com please make sure you read this before you speak to a website designer and this to understand how much you should pay for a website and this before you upgrade or redesign your website. If you buy your own domain name, make sure you also purchase Domain Name Privacy to avoid spammers. Whilst you are at it, you could even start creating a website for your partner or children! Decision makers will Google you before accepting you into a job, so make sure that your story has been 'told' and is ready for them to 'find.'
9. Go next level with supporting past and future possible employers You can start with the 'easy' option of following their Company Profile on LinkedIn so that you are more likely to appear in their recruitment searches. But you can also support them in other ways. Do you have any photos of their premises on your phone? Have you had direct experience of their products or services? Now that you have a Google Account, consider looking them up on Google and writing them an informative Google Review. For example, I am a former banker and if I wanted to work for my former bank again, I could write a review on Google that explains when I first became a customer and how I have found their banking products and service over the years (again, use keywords!). You may also like to Follow, Subscribe or Review them on other online social media - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube etc so that you can keep up to date with what they are doing. Create your own Employer Target List and take action!
10. Set up Job Alerts The most obvious include LinkedIn, Seek and Indeed here in Australia so that you can be 'first to apply' when jobs do come in. Remember that YOU MUST TAILOR every application for the job you are applying for - do not waste your time or the decision maker's time by just sending in what you already have on file.
11. Consider Gig, Online, App based tasks but only if they allow you to build your network and introduce you to more people in the future. Doing tasks where you get $20 and there is no ongoing chance of another task unless you are subscribed to the service is NOT a way to get your foot in the door and be sustainable (you are more likely to end up being a slave!). If you are just starting out in a new field, these task based activities could be good as 'practice tasks' and for you to have partly paid experience, but please, do not consider them to be a long term solution right now. This market will mature and good quality talent will eventually be paid what they are worth, but it is still a young industry and in my view, there is some exploitation here. I would therefore recommend that you register with quality providers, like Weploy and go through the online recruitment process so you are good to go when the market turns (and so you know how online application processes work and are ready when more companies do this in the future).
12. Upskill your offering There has never been a better time to complete free and low cost online learning! LinkedIn Learning has a variety of free courses (and others accessible through your local library membership) and then there are multiple other places to source quality training like MOOCs. Please review the trainer, the institution/organisation and the course content before making a financial commitment if you are paying for a course. Once completed, add all of these completed courses to either the Courses and/or Education section of your LinkedIn Profile with as much information about your subjects and topics as possible. Add relevant ones to your Resume too, especially if you are considering a career change. Now might be the time to complete some courses that allow you to have a 'taste-test' of different occupations and gain some micro-credentials in other areas. These could serve as an introduction to a more comprehensive qualification and be recognised as prior learning. You may also like to develop some of your 'soft skills' (personal skills). One of the best courses I ever completed was on developing assertiveness skills and it has helped me in multiple different roles. People who are thinking about a possible business idea may like to do a short course on entrepreneurship or problem solving.
13. Buddy up with an Accountability Partner The steps above may take a few days or a few months, so it is necessary for you to stay focused and on track and make sure that you take the necessary steps to get all of this done. Create a virtual relationship with a trusted friend, colleague or career development practitioner and check in at least weekly for up to an hour to see what you have done (and give yourself a pat on the back) and what you will do going forward. This can ensure you stay motivated and on track so that you are both skill ready and application ready when opportunities become available.
14. Seek professional help with this process You may need a variety of support to get through this phase. Some emotional support to deal with any sense of grief or loss. Some practical routines to make life feel normal again. Some discussion and helpful processing so you know what to do next. Some encouragement that you will be okay (again, remember that one of the best ways to manage your concerns is to take action). Whilst you may be based at home now, you can still contact people in a variety of ways and you can definitely ask for help. Make sure it is focused on outcomes and doesn't keep you in a state of worry (well-meaning friends can sometimes make inappropriate comments). Being unemployed is NOT like being on holiday. There is no present or future certainty. However, in time, most people find a way forward. It is up to you to decide whether you want to be ready for the best opportunity or just hoping for any opportunity. Some of the people you could reach out to include Career Development Practitioners, professional mentors, coaches, Employee Assistance Program professionals, psychologists (I recommend John McCann who is available online), counsellors, social workers, financial counsellors, members of your professional association, former bosses who may be retired or semi-retired etc. Some of these can also be added as connections on LinkedIn.
15. Consider publishing content about your area of expertise either as Articles here on LinkedIn, on your website or for other content providers, podcasts, books, ebooks etc. Having a record of your knowledge and experience can be very helpful for a future employer or business to verify your credentials. Showcasing your knowledge enables you to aim for better gigs. Make sure you also Search Engine Optimise your Article and if you either curate good quality articles or share your own, make sure you do these tips and tricks to help the Post go viral.
16. Watch your spending very carefully As a former banker and as a gigster, I have learnt what is worth spending money on and what isn't. Sure, I have made a few financial mistakes (most recently related to a small Bitcoin investment), but I have treated every experience as an opportunity to learn. When your work situation has changed, there will be all sorts of people and enterprises offering you 'solutions' and you need to assess each of these options with your head, not just your broken heart. Dip your toe in the water and see what is available free first! Source low cost, low risk and short term options - do not pay up front for 12 months with no guarantee and no commitment after a payment is made. Pay with progress. If you purchase the first component of something and you don't do your homework, don't pay for the second component. Be committed to making any money you spend directly related to a supported outcome that you take. Be cautious!

In my personal view, from 2020 onwards, the world is going to be different. If you do not harness technology right now, you are going to miss opportunities going forward. You need to use technology to attract aligned gigs and be ready for work, possibly at short notice, for indefinite periods of time. I predict that the number of full time and long term jobs is likely to decrease.

If you are highly capable at using technology to attract aligned gigs, I believe you have a personal responsibility to share that skillset with other people who are less capable (hence why I have written this article). I believe you also need to be willing to share opportunities with other people so that we do not dissolve into a society of haves and have nots. This could mean that two people work part time instead of one person working full time. This is NOT a bad thing because it gives both people some economic security and both people the opportunity to enjoy leisure, provided they don't think that leisure is a first class international airline ticket and a seven star hotel stay!

Apart from developing digital competency, people really need to improve their financial competency - their ability to budget and manage their money far more effectively. Increasing work hours often means increasing outsourcing and when outsourced service providers are exploited, I feel very uncomfortable and I do not believe this option is sustainable, for either person in the situation.

In the beginning of my career, the responsibility for career development rested with my employer and they helped me navigate my future within their organisation. Now, it is up to me to manage my career and for you to manage your career, whether you are part of an organisation or out on your own.

If you can complete a task, it doesn't mean you know how to get a job or how to manage your career - so you are going to need to learn these skills if you want to maintain an income, enjoy the work that you are doing and be paid what you are worth.

In difficult times, it is easy to undersell yourself. In the immediate short term, the rate of pay for some products and services will potentially decrease. That does not mean you should reduce your value. But when the market rebounds, you need to remember to capitalise on all of your strengths and find the best choices for your strengths, values and context and still be fair and reasonable to your fellow citizens.

There is so much joy to be had helping one another on the journey of life. So please, start taking action today. Find joy in every task you complete whilst you are at home and relax during your moments of rest. Explore what it means to be human and see the beauty and delight in what we do have. Most people reading this have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate. Here in Australia, there are numerous government and community initiatives that are designed to keep us safe and secure. Our civic responsibility is to abide by responsible suggestions and laws and maintain friendly and supportive social contact in a time of physical distance.

Some jobs that I believe may be increasing in the short term include:

a) retail - grocery supply and delivery

b) real estate / relocation - as people reconsider their housing options and possibly living more remotely with a more online connected workforce

c) emergency services - police and security

d) psychology, counselling, career development - to prepare next steps

e) local community and volunteer support - for people restricted from travelling

f) emergency housing - for people who need to move quickly

g) welfare support - care packages, in-home care etc

h) phone support - call centre and remote workers to cope with increased demand

i) IT and technical support - sourcing and supplying connected computers, laptops, video conferencing, online collaboration setup, remote workforce management

j) relationship support for partners, step-families, separated families etc

k) local government projects - for stimulating local economies and communities

l) online training to upskill people into new areas of demand

m) personal concierge services - to sort out documents, accumulated tasks, reorganising

n) creative solutions advisers - helping people adapt their business models to new workplace and customer demands

SPECIAL BONUS - Access to Sue Ellson's four books

You may already know that I am the author of 'Gigsters - Any Age or Ability Employees, Experts and Entrepreneurs.' This book was a finalist in the Australian Career Book Awards 2019 and it is a book that is designed to help you use technology to attract aligned gigs.

I am well aware that at the time of writing this article that there are a lot of people who are adjusting to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

I am therefore offering free access to all four of my books via ResearchGate.

To access a full digital copy of my books, simply click on the book title links on my ResearchGate profile at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sue_Ellson and then click the blue button on the top right hand side of the screen “Download full-text PDF.” You should not need to create a ResearchGate Profile. If you have any issues, please let me know!

Alternatively, if you would like to support my work, you can purchase my books for AUD9.99 or AUD7.99 at https://120ways.com

If you mention this Article, I am also happy to offer an additional 30 minutes of my time for the professional services listed at https://sueellson.com/services

Other related articles by Sue Ellson

How to choose your next job or career

Multiple job search strategies that will work

Can unemployment be good for you?

Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers under 30 years of age

Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers between 30 and 50 years of age

Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers over 50 years of age

How to feel connected online and avoid loneliness

Tips for finding remote work or working from home jobs

I trust you have found this LinkedIn Article helpful. I welcome your thoughts and other suggestions in the comments below.

See my other LinkedIn Articles here

Keyword Hashtags

#remotework #wfh #workfromhome #gigsters #aftercovid19 #aftercoronavirus #futureofwork

First Published: 23 March 2020

Last Update: 29 March 2020

--

If you believe this article is helpful, please:

1) Like it right now - and add a personal comment or question

2) Share it as an update on LinkedIn

3) Bookmark this page so you can come back to it later!

__________________________________________________________________________

Sue Ellson BBus, MIML, MAHRI, CDAA, MPC, ASA, WV, FIGT is a Remote Global Independent LinkedIn Specialist, Business and Careers Consultant, Trainer and Author.

More information at https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/sueellson and https://sueellson.com