Here is a really good video that covers a host of topics - but, you should watch the first half as follow-up to the Transition Step 1: Get Over It!

Step 2 - Committment

You now have a new full-time job.  No.  It's NOT the one you want.  And, the pay is on a deferred basis - meaning you get paid once you land a new job.

And, NO.  We're not kidding.  A successful job search requires that you work at it just like you would a regular job.

You may need to take a few days at the beginning of the process to go through the mourning process.  Or, you might need a brief (notice we said "BRIEF") vacation.  But, don't let that become your regular routine.

DAILY ROUTINE

This may sound crazy.  But, you should, as much as possible, maintain a normal daily WORK routine.  You should:

• rise every week day so that you can put in a normal work day (8-5) at your new Job
• dress for work - while you don't need to put on a suit and tie, you should at least not lounge around your house in your PJ's
• be at your "work location" the same time every day prepared to do your new job - you should identify a place where you can work.
• plan to spend a set time each week on certain "job" related activities - like identifying prospective employers and jobs and setting up "networking" contacts.

You're Now a Salesperson

Whether or not you've ever worked in sales, you're now a SALESPERSON!  And, your product is YOU!  And, establishing a routine is just meant to ensure that you devote the time and energy necessary to market yourself.  You have to prepare a marketing plan and the GREAT marketing materials you will need.

Step 3 - Communicate Your Situation

If you're like most people, you really don't want to face your family, neighbors and friends.  You don't know how to tell people what just happened to you.  You likely figure that, no matter how you explain your situation, people will assume that your situation was a result of something you did - or, didn't do.

This is another situation where TOUGH LOVE is necessary.

Get Over It!  There's NO REASON TO BE EMBARASSED!

In short, GET OVER IT! Swallow your pride and tell everyone you know!  Don't worry about what they think. Unless they've been on another planet for the past six months, everyone in the United States knows that there are currently over 5 million people who have lost their jobs in the past few months - through no fault of theirs!

The economy continues to lose jobs each month. So, there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON for you to be embarrassed about your situation.

We hear that hardly anyone in the U.S. doesn't know at least one person - maybe a friend or neighbor or family member - who has lost a job due to the economy. So, the reaction from most people is that they want to help!

Step 4 - Communicate with your Family

Once you get past YOUR "issue" about telling everyone about your situation, there is another group of people you need to work with - your relatives.  This could be your spouse or parents or in-laws.

You need to make sure they understand that YOU actually WANT people to know about your situation and that you are NOT embarrassed.  Additionally, they need to know that you are perfectly fine with them telling their friends about your situation - and, as a matter of fact, WANT them to spread the word.

Control or at least Guide their Message

In order for your relatives to actually HELP, they really need to know what to tell people.   They need to know what type of work you have been doing and the type of work you are seeking.

To validate this, you should ask your relatives what they think you do (or, have been doing) for a living.  See how close that comes to what you've actually been doing.

If you've been working for a company (especially a large one) you will likely find out that they really don't understand what you've been doing.  So, you should consider what is the best way to explain what you've been doing and what you WANT to do.  You might want to give them a copy of your resume.

BUT make sure they understand that they should not just hand out copies of your resume to everyone they meet.

Why do I need their help!?!?!

It's actually fairly simple.  The MAJORITY OF NEW JOBS ARE NOT ADVERTISED and you need every possible advantage in finding the jobs that are NOT advertised!

There is one very good reason to let your friends and family know about your situation.  Estimates are that more than 60% of all jobs filled in the U.S. are NEVER, let me repeat that, NEVER advertised. They are filled because a candidate networked their way into the position.

We'll talk about Networking elsewhere.