Build Your Network…and Your Knowledge

You may feel tossed on the street after a layoff, but getting on your feet quickly after you dust yourself off is a good idea. Instead of concentrating on the painful aspects of your new condition, start making connections, and update your knowledge while you’re at it. Here are a few ways to get started:

LEVERAGE YOUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: In the Washington, D.C. area there are myriads of professional organizations, local and national, that offer networking happy hours, brown bag lunches and other low-cost events. Attend every free or low-cost business networking event you can. Also, almost every group has a job board, so check them out. If you do not have any memberships now, it’s a good time to establish at least one. Some groups are free or low-cost to join, especially those that are D.C. based rather than national. One active networking resource I recommend is the Washington Network Group. The dues are $90, but they offer a lot for it.

CHECK OUT LINKEDIN GROUPS: For instance, Washington DC Connections is a business networking group started just this spring by an enterprising local financial advisor, Andrew Meringoff. It already has almost 6,000 members from a wide range of professional fields and now has subgroups for more focused networking. After launching with three very successful breakfast networking events at La Madeleine restaurants in Maryland and Virginia, plans are underway for much more, including happy hours and educational events. So far, the only cost has been for the food you buy.

BUILD YOUR SKILLS: Learn and meet people at the same time. Sheila, a reader of this blog suggested Toastmasters as a way to mingle with people who are still employed. Great idea. Also, check out MeetUp groups that focus on areas that will expand your professional knowledge. Take a course or start work on a certification that will enhance your resume.

BUDDY UP: Find a job hunt buddy, preferably someone in a field related to yours who is not a direct competitor for the same jobs. Review each other’s resumes and check in with each other regularly. Send each other occasional leads or ideas. Stay connected.

For some tips on how to network, see this short video by Patricia A. Frame, management consultant, speaker and author, of Strategies for Human Resources.

After the Networking Event—What’s Next?

When networking, you will likely meet people who are looking for jobs like yourself, some just laid off and others who have been on the market for months or longer. You will encounter others who are well connected in the DC business community, sales persons or business owners looking to gain a customer, and career coaches and recruiters. Any of these individuals could turn out to be good connections for you to make.

Each time I attend a networking opportunity, I leave with several business cards and connections that could lead either to freelance, contract or permanent work, or new friends, or even guest bloggers. These are just quick meetings, nothing definite, but bearing potential. So, what’s next?

Without follow-up, all these networking connections are just noise. It’s up to you to make the music. On the same or next day after a networking event, you should:

• Make sure the notes* you jotted on the business cards you collected are meaningful, while you can still remember enough about the people and what they said. I recommend that for later reference you also date the cards and add the name of the event or organization.
• Sort your cards (and your memories) into: A. those with true long-term potential; B. those with peripheral common interests; and C. those who are probably not going to be part of your immediate circle.
• Start contacting your A group first. Invite them to join your online network (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) or set up a time to meet over coffee.
• Write short greetings to your B group, and if you are so inclined, to your C group. After all, this latter group may have connections to other people you’d like to know.

Now you have begun the networking process—and it definitely doesn’t end here.

*See the October 20 post.

Networking Is a Door Opener

If you are a regular reader of One Tomato at a Time, you may have noticed a gap between posts this past week. I’m not quitting the blog, and I haven’t been ill or lazy. I actually found some work that pays, and it has consumed my days and some of my evenings.

For part of the week, I’m on contract with an organization to cover marketing and communications while the director is on maternity leave. This means commuting two days a week and working at home part of another day. The remaining time is now devoted to writing, proofreading and editing marketing materials for a large D.C. client as well as making courtesy phone calls to members on behalf of a healthcare association.

My week is now diverse, I’m working with interesting people and stimulating topics, and I am using the best of my skills to do fulfilling work. I’m not back to where I was before I was laid off almost six months ago, and I still need to find a permanent, full-time position, but this is certainly an improvement.

What led to two weeks of interviews, meetings, a temporary job and freelance assignments?

Networking. Networking. Networking.

Attending professional and networking events, meeting and connecting with new people, staying in touch with friends and past associates, participating in email list groups, checking in periodically with a contract placement agency—all of these actions have been keys to opening up opportunities for me. They can be for you too.

See these other relevant posts:
To Temp or Not to Temp—That Is Sometimes the Question
Thoughtful Persistence Can Lead to Temp or Contract Work
Put on a Smile and Get out the Door

Networking—Compassion or Competition?

Fellow jobless people you meet through networking can become part of your community of connections or they can be competitors. The distinction is really up to you. However, choosing the compassionate route can have short- and long-term rewards.

Even those who may be competing for the same jobs hold some promise as connections, because if they find a job before you do, they are suddenly on the inside track again and able to help you more. The wider you cast your net, the more options you give yourself. If you shut off those who might “take jobs away” from you, you also shut off the potential leads and support they can offer.

Just as with not burning bridges with past employers (see the last post), being open minded in your networking could lead to a job opportunity you never imagined existed.

The keys to success in networking with other jobseekers are sharing and caring. You can:

• Share interesting articles, papers or news items with your connections.
• Add them to your online network on LinkedIn or other social media.
• Offer support by listening.
• Notify them about new networking opportunities.
• Invite them to join you to hear an interesting speaker.
• Ask them to come along to a professional meeting, exposition or other event.
• Introduce your contacts to others in your network.
• Send links to resources on job hunting or their profession.
• Check in periodically to see how they are doing.
• Get together one-to-one over coffee.

Signs of the Season, Networking Opportunities Are Everywhere

Trees are starting to show their fall colors, and networking opportunities are abundant in the DC area. Organized groups, from professional associations to local meet-ups and interest groups, are hosting gatherings at a wide range of venues. If you are looking for a job, this is prime time for making connections. Summer is over. Everyone is back in action.

Here are a couple of affordable, very active groups that sponsor area networking opportunities jobseekers should check out.

Washington Network Group—WNG is a membership group, but you don’t have to join to attend. Over time it will make sense to join so you can participate in networking at the nominal member rate of $20. Food is included at these evening events, and there is a cash bar. The group holds events specifically for professionals in government affairs, business, communications, technology and international fields, but they also hold events that bring them all together. Go to http://www.washingtonnetworkgroup.com/ for more information. WNG also offers an extensive online list of organizations for further networking.

Washington DC Connections—This is a group spawned on LinkedIn last April that has mushroomed into a network of more than 11,000 DC area professionals. It has 13 special interest subgroups as well. There are no membership dues, and events cost $20. Since it is part of LinkedIn, there is also an active online community, where members often post information for jobseekers. Go to the group’s LinkedIn pages for more details.

The general wisdom for jobseekers is that you won’t find a job sitting at home. So take advantage of all the opportunities around you to get out to meet new people, connect with those you’ve met before, and potentially open a niche for yourself that leads to a new job.

Playing Your Job Hunt Cards Wisely—The Most and Least Successful Strategies

In a September 2009 interview published in “Bottom Line Personal,” Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the seminal job hunter’s guide What Color Is Your Parachute? ranked today’s most and least successful job hunting strategies. His latest assessments are worth noting:

The Least Successful Strategies:

Mailing out unsolicited resumes/submitting or posting resumes online. Odds: 7%
(My note: Not your best use of time, and certainly not a good first line strategy.)

Responding to ads in professional or trade journals. Odds: 7% (Many require relocation.)
(My note: By the time you see the ads, they could be outdated.)

Responding to ads on Internet jobs sites. Odds: 10%

Responding to ads in the local newspapers. Odds: 5% - 24% (Most jobs listed are lower wage positions.)
(My note: If your local paper is like mine, there are so few ads, it’s not worth even looking at them. Even a recent “Mega Jobs” section in a major city paper was only six pages.)

Working with a private employment agency. Odds: 5% - 28% (Your odds increase if you are looking for an administrative position)

The Most Successful Strategies:

Networking for job leads. Odds: 33%
(My note: See earlier One Tomato at a Time posts on networking.)

Knocking on doors unannounced at employers of interest. Odds: 47%
(My note: This is a strategy that might surprise you!)

Calling companies of interest that are listed in the local Yellow Pages. Odds: 69%
(My note: Even more surprising!)

Partnering with other job hunters. Odds: 70%
(My note: Great idea, and it goes hand in hand with networking.)

Taking inventory of yourself then targeting the employers where you ought to be working. Odds: 86%
(My note: Yes. Yes. Yes. See an earlier post on this topic.)

There is no one strategy alone that will get you a job. You need to explore all the appropriate channels for your career path. I believe that networking, including partnering with other job hunters, is an important key to success, along with making sure your campaign is well targeted.

Resources:

Check out Bolles’ latest book The Job Hunter’s Survival Guide: How to Find Hope and Rewarding Work, Even When “There Are No Jobs. (His website: http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/)

General link to Bottom Line, a subscription based service.

Making a Networking Event Worth Your While

Networking is more than meeting people, elevator speeches and a stack of business cards. It’s about building relationships.

At a “networking” event, such as those given by the groups mentioned in my Oct. 19 posting or by a professional organization in your field, you will shake hands with many people, exchange short conversations and trade business cards.

Here are a few tips for making attending such an event more successful and meaningful:

• If the name badges are “do-it-yourself” stickers, write your name neatly and large for easy recognition.
• Attach your name badge on your right side so when you shake hands, those you are meeting can easily read it.
• Arrive early before the full crowd has assembled. It’s a good chance to have fuller conversations when the room is quieter.
• Hold back on the drinks, even if there is an open bar or drink specials. A tipsy networker is not a pretty picture.
• If there is food, have yours early on so you can greet people without a mouthful.
• Practice name recall by making introductions. The more you use a name, the better you remember it and the stronger the connection will be.
• Do not make the mistake of discounting the value of fellow jobseekers, who may prove to be your best advocates and scouts. These linkages can prove to be mutually beneficial and long-lasting.
• Do not ask for jobs, but rather listen to what people talk about, what their concerns are and what they are looking for.
• Make notes on the backs of business cards you gather to help you remember specifics about the people who gave them to you. Jot down their interests, goals, specialties or other notable facts.

Armed with a handful of cards, what do you do now? I will address that in my next post. Also, see these earlier posts on networking.

Pinching Pennies & Spending Effectively After a Layoff

Face it, one of your first worries after a layoff, or any job loss, is money. In this economic environment we are all watching what we spend, but when there are no more paychecks or unemployment benefits are all you have to live on, spending decisions are critical.

Your main goal is to find a new job as quickly as possible, but to make sure your money covers your needs and expenses, your spending choices need to be strategic. Consider first what you absolutely have to spend on for your job hunt—things like Internet access, cell phone bills, business cards, transportation and a few office supplies. If you need professional help with your resume or job hunting techniques to get you started, especially if you have been out of the job market for a while, seek recommendations from friends and price out your options. Put your money where you will gain what you really need.

Networking is a necessity. Not every penny you spend will bring you actionable results, but every connection can lead to another. There are plenty of low cost networking options, where $10-30 will get you in the door if you register ahead.

Consolidate your events or meetings to economize on travel costs and time. If you have to drive to networking events, try carpooling with a friend or job hunting buddy, trading off on who drives each time. If you are going into the city for a meeting or an interview, take public transportation and make it a day. Set up additional informational interviews in the same area. Meet someone for lunch and maybe someone else for coffee.

Print your own business cards or use one of the low cost or free online business card printers. Printing you own will allow you to customize your cards to specific scenarios, which is helpful if you are looking at more than one career path.

Stretching your job hunting budget is possible if you make wise decisions.

Business Casual for Networking—What Exactly Does That Mean?

You’re getting ready to attend a networking event. It’s time to make a positive first impression on prospective employers and others who may lead you to one. The announced dress code is “business casual.” What the heck does that mean?

For one thing, it may depend on your city or area whether business casual really means dressy but not cocktail party wear or it means a nice pair of khaki’s and a clean dress shirt with no tie. A career advisor told a group session I attended that Washington, D.C. is a conservative city, so wear a nice business suit (with a tie, for men) or dress (and heels). But there are times when that is not necessarily true and a dressy shirt with nice slacks for either gender would be just fine.

You want to be noticed, but in a positive way, and you want to be remembered not for your clothes, but for who you are and what you say. For sure, however, business casual in a networking environment is not jeans, tank tops, short skirts or other revealing clothing. And, you definitely don’t want to make your appearance wearing flip flops.

Here are some sites with tips on business casual attire that may be helpful. http://www.ehow.com/how_49_dress-business-casual.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_business_casual_attire_for_women
http://www.career.vt.edu/Jobsearc/BusCasual.htm

Personally, if I am not sure about an event, my approach is to arrive slightly overdressed rather than too casual.

Why Should I Help You? Part 3

Networking is not just about you
by Linda Franklin, guest blogger

Not everyone can reply to every message all the time, but a little courtesy goes a long way toward helping maintain a bridge or build a connection that can lead to something down the line. But for those who see themselves in the scenarios described in Why Should I Help You?—Part 2; Lessons from real life, remember:

Networking is not about building your count on LinkedIn. Networking isn’t just about you; it’s about building and strengthening your relationships with others and keeping that two-way communication going. You never know with whom you will work or who may be a referral or reference for you, or—ultimately—your hiring manager.

So, the next time someone agrees to provide you with a referral, offers to meet for coffee or look over your resume, take a few minutes and make sure you thank them. Better still, ask them how you can help them. After all, your high priority (to get a job) may not be their priority; they’re taking some valuable time to help you, so in the grand scheme of things, you’re incurring a debt you need to recognize. Those who do follow up stand out—and, you never know, one day the person you thank may be in a position to recommend you for a job.
________________________________

Thank you, Linda Franklin, for your good advice this week. And, to all my U.S. readers, have a great Labor Day weekend, and to everyone else, I wish you beautiful days. One Tomato at a Time will be back in action next Tuesday.

Why Should I Help You? Part 1

Reaching out to others
by Linda Franklin, guest blogger

Last year I became another statistic filing for unemployment. My story was not unlike many others: With a company for 7 years, I thought I would be there for my career. When my notice came, I went through the usual shock and disappointment (“WHAT?!?!?”).

And then came the “What do I do now?” I began reaching out to everyone I knew and began meeting new business contacts at professional networking functions. LinkedIn became my new best friend.

While networking I quickly realized an important lesson: those who had themselves been laid off or experienced similar job ups and downs were the ones most likely to lend a helping hand. They understood the pain and frustration of the job search, and they regularly went that extra step to get my resume in front of the right person.

It was easy then for me to decide that, once I was employed again, I would make sure to reach out to help others in my network going through a layoff/job search. Not just by getting their business cards, but learning more about their background, experiences and their goals so that I could refer them to others or job postings that would be a good match.

_____________________________________

Linda Franklin, who has survived the bruises of 2 layoffs, is happy to be working again as Marketing Manager of WiseChoice.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lfranklin99
http://www.twitter.com/LindaFrank123
http://us.mc518.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Linda.Frank123@yahoo.com

Climbing Out of Winter’s Job Search Black Hole

Has your job search come to a screeching halt? If suddenly you find yourself in a winter black hole—a void with no new and interesting job listings, no responses to applications, no help from your connections, and a sinking feeling inside—it’s time to step back and assess what’s going on.

Sometimes nature takes control of our destiny. If you live on the east coast, say anywhere from Raleigh to New York, then you know how this winter’s cold, snowy onslaught has affected businesses and the government. The federal government in Washington, DC shut down for nearly a week because of two storms that dropped 3 feet of snow. Networking events were canceled. No one could get anywhere because of ice-bound, clogged streets and a public transit system that couldn’t operate for days. Just about everything got put on hold. Most other parts of the country have been hit by winter’s wrath too. Hey, that’s life…and it doesn’t last forever.

Take heart. Soon winter will stop its assault on your job search progress. Employers and recruiters will be back in full action, posting jobs, interviewing, networking and hiring.

Photo and text © 2010 Cynthia C. Rosso

Capturing a Federal Job—Tips from an Expert

On Monday, Karol Taylor, a career adviser with more than 28 years of federal service, told a standing-room-only crowd at 40Plus of Greater Washington that the federal government is likely to lose more than 60% of its aging workforce by 2019. The government is poised to hire about 273,000 mission-critical workers by 2013.

How do you apply for one of those jobs? Taylor offered many practical tips, including:

• Check out the Partnership for Public Service 2009 Report. It shows the projected number of employees to be hired and by which agencies.
• Federal jobs must be posted for at least three days but not necessarily on USA Jobs. So, be sure to check all the agencies that interest you, not just USA Jobs.
• It takes on average 12 to 15 hours to complete a federal job application.
• Follow directions exactly, or you are wasting your time.
• Before you apply to a job, read these tips offered by USA Jobs.
• Even with the federal government, networking is important. However, you need to get your resume on the desk of the hiring managers and have informational interviews before a job is even posted.
• Be sure to put the same key words in your resume that are used to describe the job and qualification requirements. You need to include them only once. Taylor emphasized that if you do not meet 80% of the qualifications, you should not apply.
• Your goal is to earn at least 95 rating points for your application package. Everything in your resume and application can potentially earn you points.
• Maybe it’s been a while since you were in college, maybe not, but in your application you should list your relevant upper level undergraduate and graduate courses because they earn you points. Also list all the webinars, online courses, seminars, workshops, and other training that relate in some way to the job for which you are applying. Internships and volunteer activities and skills are also relevant to include.
• As with any resume or application, numbers count, so quantify everything you can, using real or approximate data, percentages, frequency rates (daily, weekly, etc.), people (supervised, etc.).
• The two-page standard for resumes doesn’t apply to government applications. They can be 3-5 pages and should cover as much relevant detail as you can supply.
• Remember that what you write will be read initially by human resources personnel, not subject matter experts.
• After applying, wait three weeks before making contact by phone or email with the hiring official to check on your status and how well you scored. Wait another three weeks before calling or writing again.
• The hiring process takes 6 months on average, so don’t hold your breath. Keep looking, networking and applying.

Back in the Job Market After a Long Time?

If you were laid off from a job you’d had for many years, as many people have been, you probably had a rude awakening when you realized that job hunting had changed dramatically since your last foray into it. Here’s what you found:

• Newspaper listings were nearly extinct.
• Online listings were overwhelming.
• Jobs were scarcer and more competitive than ever.
• New security measures blocked the possibility of knocking on company doors.
• Your old chronological resume was out of touch with today’s requirements.
• Job fairs drew thousands of hopefuls who stood in lines for hours.
• Networking had become the way to find jobs.
• Online networking (LinkedIn, FaceBook, etc.) had become mainstream.

It probably seemed daunting. The question is what did you do about it?

Many people turn to helpful organizations such as 40Plus, a Washington D.C. support group for the older, experienced jobseeker. 40Plus provides free weekly speaker sessions on job hunting topics and a set of courses for those who pay, followed by ongoing peer support. Others turned to their alma maters or professional associations for advice. Career coaches, a fairly new cadre of professional advisors, offer one-to-one as well as group support. These are good places to start your reentry process.

With predictions of a better jobs outlook this year, being ready is paramount if you are going to be successful. Reaching out to learn how the new job market works lays the foundation for your new personal campaign.

Making 2010 All That 2009 Wasn’t for Jobseekers

As a jobseeker, this is a good time to take what you learned in 2009 and fine tune it to create a new future for yourself in 2010.

2009 was certainly a year of lessons. We learned not to take anything for granted, not our jobs, our assets or ourselves. We learned that we had to set new goals, meet new people, gain new skills, and find a new job or even a new career path. Many of us learned how to live on less and developed new survival skills we never knew we’d need.

If you were new to the job market or re-entering after a long time, you were introduced to networking, even speed networking, and you probably delivered your first “elevator speech.” Did you even have one before?

Social media—from FaceBook to LinkedIn, Plaxo, Bing, Twitter and blogs—more than likely took root in your career plan. These newer communication tools connected you with the wider professional arena in your field of expertise or interest.

2009 gave us new tools for taking 2010 by the horns, seizing the reigns of what we can control—ourselves. Now it’s time to use all that learning, improve upon it, and make 2010 all that 2009 wasn’t.

Marketing Yourself—Getting Started Again

Layoffs happen—these days a lot of layoffs happen. So, it’s wise to prepare. I wish I had seen it coming. Rather than being blind-sided by an unexpected layoff that put me suddenly on the street without a job, I should have planned ahead.

If you have already been laid off, it’s okay to give yourself a short recovery time—no more than a few days—but then you need to get to work on your marketing plan. In my case, I took no time off and began contacting everyone I knew the next morning.

A marketing pro myself, I see the job hunt as a campaign. I am marketing myself, which requires strategy rather than a hit or miss approach. For instance, blasting hundreds of employers with resumes is probably a waste of time and effort. Targeting specific employers and networking in their realm is likely to be more productive.

The job market today is a totally new game. Everything about it has changed, from resumes to networking to the hiring process. In upcoming posts, I will be sharing what I have learned from friends, former colleagues, jobseeker support groups, HR professionals, a life coach, employers, articles, workshops and my own experiences.

Put on a Smile and Get out the Door

After too many days in a row in the house at the computer and phone, searching for and applying for jobs, it’s so easy to distance yourself from the real world. It’s time to get out the door and go to places and events where you can make connections, meet recruiters and hiring managers, and add to your knowledge. There are tons of ways to do this in the D.C. area (see my posting on building your network for some).

If you haven’t ventured into the networking arena, it’s time to start, because it’s a crucial part of finding a job. Here are a few tips:

1. Print some professional-looking business cards that include enough information about you to spur interest in staying in touch with you. They should include contact information at the least, but it’s also good to put your own URL or blog address, Twitter name and LinkedIn profile address.

2. Practice a confident handshake and your elevator speech. Be prepared to look people in the eye and tell them quickly, in a noisy environment, who you are and what you are looking for.

3. Pick clothes that will impress, shave off the “I’m not going anywhere today” stubble or fix up your hair, and put on a smile. Check your image, head to toe, in a mirror before you leave the house.

4. Follow up. This is probably the most important part of networking—what you do after the event. Invite them to link with you on social networks and share information, tips and ideas with them. Then, stay in touch periodically.

That Important Fleeting Moment: Your elevator speech

Have you been in a professional networking situation and participated in a round robin, only to realize—after you’ve given a brief, dull “here’s who I am and what I do” statement and others have taken the floor with a flourish—that you missed out on something?

Once you passed on the baton, your moment in the spotlight was over and gone. What happened, and how can you make sure this misstep doesn’t occur again?

First, be clear to yourself who you are and where you want to be going. As a jobseeker this is vital anyway, so now you need to articulate it in a value statement—the statement usually referred to as your elevator speech because it’s short and to the point.

Brainstorm key words that especially apply to you. Your statement needs to sound natural, not like a canned speech using generic terms. Write out several versions and test them aloud to yourself. How do the words roll off your tongue? Can you state your case in 30 seconds? Edit and rewrite until you have something that works for you.

Second, get some practice. You have a fleeting moment to let people know that you are knowledgeable in your field, experienced, passionate and goal oriented. These are not words that will slip off your tongue at a moment’s notice in a coherent, impelling fashion. So, unless you are one of the extremely rare birds who can speak eloquently off the cuff, practice with family or friends before you try it in a professional setting.

Next, go to a networking event and give it a go. Remember, you don’t want it to sound like you memorized it, and each time you speak to a new person, the one you just spoke to may overhear you, so mix up the words. This is not the time to sound like a parrot. Stay calm and keep talking, but keep it short. Blather on and people will stop listening.

The more you network, the more you will become comfortable sharing your value statement, and the more people will listen...and remember you.

The “Gifts” of 2009

As the holidays approach, the out-of-work jobseeker could easily fall into a gloomy cloud in the midst of the festivities. If you see yourself sinking into this mood, stop now and look back on the gifts, small or large, that you have received and given in the past year. “Gifts?” you ask. “Is she crazy?”

Well, maybe, but I know that since my own layoff I have learned a lot and met many great people I probably never would have known. For one thing, I became an active social media participant and a blogger, now with more than 80 blog entries posted. My professional community grew because I participated in LinkedIn groups and local organizations, attended countless networking events, and tweeted. This year, through webinars, seminars and workshops, I expanded my knowledge on such topics as web analytics and search-engine optimization. I volunteered my expertise as a judge in a professional awards program and as a career advisor. To bring in some cash, I began freelancing as a writer, editor and marketing pro and spent the last four months filling in part-time for someone out on parental leave, learning a whole new field for me—international development—and gaining new friends.

Sure, I’ve had my moments of fear for the future, but learning, growing and sharing have lifted me so that I can look ahead with hope rather than back with regrets.

My suggestion to you is to make your own list of “gifts” during 2009. Everyone’s list will be different, but, unless you have totally isolated yourself, you are likely to be surprised by all that you have gained this year, even if you lost your job. The gifts can be prizes as small as a hug or a phone call or as large as learning a new skill. They can be family-based or in your wider professional community.

Special Note: During the holidays, I will post two more entries on this blog before launching head first into 2010. You’ll find these on December 22 and December 29.

Turning Anger into Positive Energy after Job Loss

When you leave a job, especially under unhappy circumstances such as a layoff or separation, it is wise to leave with as much style as you can muster—staying calm and professional. And, to stay that way, no matter how angry you are. Throwing epithets or trashing your former employer will only do you harm.

In a town like DC where a lot of people know a lot of people, word can get around. You may tell people what happened to you in “confidence,” but in another context your tale of woes may just be another bit in their memory bank, and it may be reaching the ears of possible future employers or coworkers. It might even reach your previous boss, which could hurt your chances if he or she is called by your next potential employer for a reference. Additionally, people shy away from complainers. If you are networking, you’ll do better if you park your personal issues at home.

However, I’m not suggesting that you ignore how you feel or suppress your initial anger. What I am suggesting is that you deal with it to get over it, so you can start on a positive path towards finding new employment. If you deal with your anger in constructive ways, whether it’s writing in a personal journal (not a blog), talking it out privately at home or with a professional counselor, or taking it out in exercise, you are taking charge of it rather than letting it consume you and infect what you do and say.

Employers are looking for upbeat attitudes, and burning bridges has never been the route to success. Working through your feelings will help you find the positive energy you need to move on.