1. Build a support team.
Surround yourself with those who believe in you. “This will strengthen your self-esteem and reinforce your confidence,” Mary Mendenhall Core said. “I have friends who follow up if they haven’t heard from me. It’s a great feeling to know these friends are there, and that they care.”
2. Help others.
Use career transition time to support a nonprofit you are passionate about. “Finding a way to give back will help you feel good about making a difference, and will give you an opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about the community,” Mendenhall Core said.
3. Stay connected.
LinkedIn is a great online resource to keep connected with others on a professional level, and can even be used to find job leads, Mendenhall Core said. She also recommends networking the old-fashioned way. “Try to add something to your business card to make you stand out from others. In short, ‘brand’ yourself in a good way,” she said.
4. Make time for yourself.
Job searching shouldn’t consume all your time. “When I first lost my job, I was on a mission and forgot I needed ‘me’ time,” Mendenhall Core said. She started exercising regularly and discovered it was OK to have fun. “Try to maintain a positive attitude “” it’s key to maintaining a healthy emotional state,” she said.
5. Be thankful.
There is life after losing a job. “Look around at what you still have,” Mendenhall Core says. “Be aware of what good each day has. Change has a way of pushing us into something better, even though it might not seem like it at the time.”
June 18, 2010
source: desmoinesregister.com