Ken’s job search is stalled, and he knows it. He’s also experiencing an important epiphany: the launch of this search was all wrong, and it’s time for a new approach.
At the beginning, during the first several weeks after his company closed and his job was gone, Ken was in a sort of stupor. He knew that things had been going sour for some time–he’d even tried to offer some suggestions from his perspective out in the field when he knew they were losing traction–but he was still feeling a little blind-sided. Reality can bite.
Looking back, he knows that he really needed to take a more strategic approach to his job search, but in the midst of the stupor, he just started trying to do what he’d done many years before: go through the ads, see what was out there, and dash off some quick updates to his old resume. Now, he’s not beating himself up about it, but he knows that he wants to explore a surgical strike to re-employment. Ken? Are you listening? You need a plan, Man.
Your plan–Our Plan–is to begin by quiet consideration. Ken, you need to have a calm, cool look at your strengths and focus on what sort of man you’ve become from the knowledge, skills and abilities that you’ve gained through your education, training, work and life experiences.
Now, don’t give me that look. I know what you’re thinking: “Dr Mell, that sounds like some serious heavy lifting.” Well, here’s where you must start, My Friend, and no, it isn’t easy necessarily, but it’s absolutely worth it. You need to sit and focus on who you are at your very core and consider your strengths.
You’re better equipped than ever to do this. You’re older and wiser and have a deeper, richer perspective than you did when you went through What Color is Your Parachute? as a 20-something. You’re going to make better choices and get the most out of this significant transformational period in your life if you’ll do the heavy lifting that’s required. I promise you. I’ve seen it happen SO many times. I know it works.
Trust me,
Dr Mell
