1-21-11 What do you say to an older person who loses their job?
I feel very bad for this lady, but I certainly understand. Here's what she wrote and how I responded. If you wish to respond, post your comments.
8 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I definitely feel her pain (and the thousands of other people's pain as well) - it's a tough situation to be in. And your response was definitely correct; you really do have to just keep getting yourself out there, be assertive and persistent. My question is though - as a new dabbler to the concept of libertarianism - how can we reconcile the necessity of collecting unemployment, using Federal loan program (fafsa), etc with our minimal goverment philosophy? I fortunatly am not in the situation myself but I definitely wonder what I'd do. I really don't have the cash to just pay for additional college, for example. I'd need loans -preferably low interest loans.
Oh my goodness – please tell her she’s not alone, and things are always changing.
Even being older, there is still hope! Reach out to everyone you know – even people you haven’t talked to in years. Parents you saw at school, former co-workers, people from church, old friends – they all have networking abilities and can help you land a job. You never know who is in need of a new employee at work, and just letting everyone know that you are looking for a job will get the ball rolling. Send out as many emails as you can so people are aware.
Take advantage of everything Michigan Works has to offer. Take the free classes and get to know your rep there. I had a woman who was very caring & understanding and helped me a lot. Talk about the “no worker left behind act”. Look at the list (jobs in demand that qualify) & see if there’s anything she is interested in.
I think the most important thing to remember is that this is not the end of the world, even though it’s pretty hard at times when you are out of a job to remember that. And it does not mold you as a person – if anything, it helps you grow and become stronger.
If she would like help with her resume, I’d be happy to send her my materials via email. A lot of good pointers in today’s resume-writing world.
I totally agree with your response to her, also. Gotta keep moving forward every day, & stick to a routine as best you can.
All the comments above are true. The other BIG thing to remember or work on in many cases, is your attitude and approach to job searching and you're place and who you are in the world in general.
If you approach job searching with your tail between your legs...feeling like you're too old...feeling defeated in general, that is going to felt by everyone, including a prospective boss.
If you understand that you come to the job table and to your approach to life in general with a great positive attitude, knowing that you have wisdom and experience to offer and that you are deserving of a good job and that an employer would be lucky and rewarded by having you on their staff, your approach will be confident and well recieved. But don't be cocky!
From my experience, people hire people largly based on personality and someone who will fit well in their office environement. There neeeds to be chemistry along w/ job qualifications. If you interview wonderfully, are relaxed and confident and have chemistry w/ your interviewer along w/ most of the required qualifications, then you're probably a shoe in. I've been on the interviewer end and know how it works.
As in life in general, it's all in the attitude. If you feel too old, you'll appear too old. If you feel defeated, you'll appear defeated. Even if you think you're covering it up. You're not.
Work on YOU and things will fall into place. Feeling down during the initial period of job loss, or any loss is very normal and needs to be allowed. But eventually, you need to stand tall, work on your issues to get yourself in to a better place mentally and emotionally and physically, and then step out and go for it.
Good luck to you and anyone in those shoes. You can do it. Be patient and look for the positive in each day. It's there.
My husband was forced into retirement when GM started downsizing. He worked there for 33 years, and couldn't see moving away from the area, just to keep working. So he took his retirement and felt like he was just wasting his time. He started looking for a new job. He went back to school. He did finally find work, but felt like he wasn't doing the job well, and so he quit before they had the chance to fire him.
He's back in school again, and he's looking for work again, and sending out resumes. I think he'll do okay, and when the time is right for him to work again, he'll find work with no problem.
It doesn't hurt that he's REALLY good looking, too.
Sorry Rich. Really miss you on the air. MMQ was and still is an idiot.
8 comments:
I definitely feel her pain (and the thousands of other people's pain as well) - it's a tough situation to be in. And your response was definitely correct; you really do have to just keep getting yourself out there, be assertive and persistent.
My question is though - as a new dabbler to the concept of libertarianism - how can we reconcile the necessity of collecting unemployment, using Federal loan program (fafsa), etc with our minimal goverment philosophy? I fortunatly am not in the situation myself but I definitely wonder what I'd do. I really don't have the cash to just pay for additional college, for example. I'd need loans -preferably low interest loans.
Oh my goodness – please tell her she’s not alone, and things are always changing.
Even being older, there is still hope! Reach out to everyone you know – even people you haven’t talked to in years. Parents you saw at school, former co-workers, people from church, old friends – they all have networking abilities and can help you land a job. You never know who is in need of a new employee at work, and just letting everyone know that you are looking for a job will get the ball rolling. Send out as many emails as you can so people are aware.
Take advantage of everything Michigan Works has to offer. Take the free classes and get to know your rep there. I had a woman who was very caring & understanding and helped me a lot. Talk about the “no worker left behind act”. Look at the list (jobs in demand that qualify) & see if there’s anything she is interested in.
I think the most important thing to remember is that this is not the end of the world, even though it’s pretty hard at times when you are out of a job to remember that. And it does not mold you as a person – if anything, it helps you grow and become stronger.
If she would like help with her resume, I’d be happy to send her my materials via email. A lot of good pointers in today’s resume-writing world.
I totally agree with your response to her, also. Gotta keep moving forward every day, & stick to a routine as best you can.
All the comments above are true. The other BIG thing to remember or work on in many cases, is your attitude and approach to job searching and you're place and who you are in the world in general.
If you approach job searching with your tail between your legs...feeling like you're too old...feeling defeated in general, that is going to felt by everyone, including a prospective boss.
If you understand that you come to the job table and to your approach to life in general with a great positive attitude, knowing that you have wisdom and experience to offer and that you are deserving of a good job and that an employer would be lucky and rewarded by having you on their staff, your approach will be confident and well recieved. But don't be cocky!
From my experience, people hire people largly based on personality and someone who will fit well in their office environement. There neeeds to be chemistry along w/ job qualifications. If you interview wonderfully, are relaxed and confident and have chemistry w/ your interviewer along w/ most of the required qualifications, then you're probably a shoe in. I've been on the interviewer end and know how it works.
As in life in general, it's all in the attitude. If you feel too old, you'll appear too old. If you feel defeated, you'll appear defeated. Even if you think you're covering it up. You're not.
Work on YOU and things will fall into place. Feeling down during the initial period of job loss, or any loss is very normal and needs to be allowed. But eventually, you need to stand tall, work on your issues to get yourself in to a better place mentally and emotionally and physically, and then step out and go for it.
Good luck to you and anyone in those shoes. You can do it. Be patient and look for the positive in each day. It's there.
Life is full of surprises. :)
A word of wisdom:
"I am not where I was, I am not where I am going, but I am on my way"
RICH WHAT THEY DID TO YOU IS SUCH CRAP WATCH DEB WILL BE NEXT THE POOR THING MISS YOU A LOT ON THE AIR MAX KERNER GRAND BLANC MICH A LITTLE TICKED
rich i would just like to serve them there just nuts max kerner grand blanc mich court officer
RICH HOW CAN THEY TAKE SUCH A GOOD AIR PERSON AND TELL THEM TO HIT THE DOOR SUCH CRAP MAX KERNER GB
My husband was forced into retirement when GM started downsizing. He worked there for 33 years, and couldn't see moving away from the area, just to keep working. So he took his retirement and felt like he was just wasting his time. He started looking for a new job. He went back to school. He did finally find work, but felt like he wasn't doing the job well, and so he quit before they had the chance to fire him.
He's back in school again, and he's looking for work again, and sending out resumes. I think he'll do okay, and when the time is right for him to work again, he'll find work with no problem.
It doesn't hurt that he's REALLY good looking, too.
Sorry Rich. Really miss you on the air. MMQ was and still is an idiot.
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