Working alone can be very lonely sometimes. Ask any one who has had to do it. Oh, you already know what it is like if you are unemployed and seeking a new job, don't you.
It doesn't have to be lonely. As a matter of fact, you are probably hurting your chances of finding work by going at it solo.
But help is out there. Today, more than ever, there are job clubs and networking groups popping up all over. They can be found in One-Stop Centers, churches, alumni offices/college campuses, even coffee shops. Look and ye shall find.
Liz Lynch wrote a piece the other day on the powerful impact of group support. How the Company You Keep Can Fuel or Foil Your Success.
She cites a Wall Street Journal article that discussed group training for marathons, a fad in the 1980's that is making a successful come-back. The article said that those marathoners who trained in a group did better. Not really a surprise.
Liz Lynch continues in her article to explain how a less than positive group can zap your energy and motivation. Again, no surprise. It is however, a reminder that we need to chose carefully and constantly evaluate that group behavior on our success and motivation.
Liz encourages her readers to ask themselves these questions about the company they keep:
Are they:
- Taking responsibility for their actions or waiting for circumstances
or people around them to change? - Talking about the future or whining on and on about the "injustices"
of the past? - Looking for the opportunities ahead or wanting things to go back the
way they were? - Taking steps to reinvent themselves knowing the world is more
competitive now or hoping for a rising tide to lift their boat? - Learning new skills that will make them more marketable or
convinced that years on the job are all that should matter?
It is probably unrealistic for a job seeker to find the support and encouragement they need solely from a spouse or partner. Remember, they are frightened, more so than you. They don't have control of the situation, only you do. These are stressful times for families. Communication is critical. Take control of your search and communicate regularly with those you love so that they know what you are doing. You are not asking for permission, you are explaining your actions.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
