YOU DESERVE MORE

Valentine's Day is upon us and to get you in the spirit, I am going to share a story. A story about realizing your worth. After all, this is the month of love. Who better to love than yourself?? WARNING: It's personal, it might be considered uncouth to share so openly. But, I think this message is for anyone who has gone through an experience like mine and didn't know why or didn't know how to interpret or gather strength from an otherwise unpleasant life experience.

Four minutes and sixteen seconds. That's how long it took: 4 minutes and 16 seconds to end my employment over the phone this summer. After 6 years. I'm not sure what prompted me to watch the time. I saw the number as my phone rang and recognized it immediately. My stomach sank, I knew what was coming. It wasn't a surprise. I think those of us who have done this for any period of time can read the signs of a reduction in force easily and we had already been through a few rounds of lay-offs. Tensions were high all throughout the company. I thought I was prepared mentally, emotionally, and professionally. Nobody can be fully prepared, but I was close. And when I heard the words "we thank you for your service" swiftly followed by a dial tone. I finally felt the slap in the face, and what it told me was: I DESERVE MORE.

I don't fault my employer, I don't blame my employer. A reduction in force is not an easy thing to do and I am empathetic to those that have to "do the deed." That cannot be fun. Tough decisions have to be made and "business is business." The difference is - WE are in the human business. 

All those that I had the opportunity to speak to reacted as if I was sick or dying. I greatly appreciate the love and support, the sorrow and empathy, but I wasn't and am not sad. As a matter of fact, I look back on my time with great pride and an overwhelming sense of achievement. I look back with utter joy at the people I had the honor to engage with and meet. I feel gratitude for those that now touch my life beyond just work and have become true friends. It's during times like these that your "tribe" reveals itself. Those conversations of sadness on my behalf were out of genuine love and care. How lucky am I? This is where your reaction(s) own your destiny.This is where you can turn something bad around into something good. Find the value in the experience and find the message.

The message I received and the wisdom I want to take from it is this:

I am more than 4 minutes and 16 seconds and I deserve more. More opportunity to flourish, more support to thrive, and more vision from leadership to change our industry one job at a time. We find great jobs for great people - is there a better job? Are we curing world hunger? No. But in many instances, we are providing the opportunity for someone to feed their families, to provide financial stability, benefits, future opportunities...THIS INDUSTRY IS POWERFUL. WE ALL DESERVE MORE.

 I believe this industry, no matter the technology you put in front of us, no matter the flashy web pages, fancy job apps, intuitive job responses, ATS's, auto emails, robot dialing and the like, this is a HUMAN industry. You must love humans to do it. And each person deserves more time, more consideration, just more. Many of us are going to be challenged with layoffs, firings, position eliminations and the like in our career lifetime. Take it as an opportunity to understand how much MORE you are worth and how an "unfortunate event" can become about so much more, because I think you're amazing. 

By now, those of you who read my articles regularly know I love lists and simplicity. Here are 5 things we should ALWAYS be doing. Do these things and when/if you get the proverbial life "slap" in the face you are as prepared as you can be:

1) Have the conversation - we tend to shy away from expanding our network with competitors due to fear that it will be perceived as disloyal to our current employer. Expanding your network is not disloyal, it's smart. Take the lunch, pick up that call, go to that networking event. An opportunity ignored is an opportunity lost.

2) Always add to your resume - trends in resumes come and go. But one thing never changes; potential employers want to know what you have accomplished in your previous/current roles. Keep tally. I used to keep a DRAFT in my email and as I had successes, I would add to it. Consider it your professional diary.

3) Leave with dignity- never burn a bridge. Emotions and tempers can run high when there are massive organizational changes. Your network is your reputation. How you treat others during good times and bad will determine YOUR future. My saying is "keep your side of the street clean."

4) Own your part - no matter the situation there is always something for you to learn. ALWAYS. Take inventory in your time at your employer and make a plan to do it better next time.

5) Stay positive - that is the hardest part, but you must do it. Separate yourself from the situation and write down all the positive things in your life. This makes all the difference in the world as you navigate through this life event.

I am beyond excited about the path ahead and I plan on DOING MORE. I plan on BEING MORE and GIVING MORE than I was given. For those of you that I haven't had the awesome pleasure of engaging with...watch out - I'm comin' in hot and it's going to be a wild ride! I can't wait to meet you and see how we can change this recruiting world together for the better. One awesome job at a time.

 Do more, be more, live more, and give more. We all deserve it.#youdeservemore

Happy Recruiting, 

LJ