Fighting back with craftiness

There is really nothing worse than having your boss come into your office, shut the door and sit down with: “It’s not good news.” Its heart rending to be sure but I have been given a gift, time. Time to make arrangements, time to wrap up and time to find another job within the organization. Two leads but like anything time will likely run out before they materialize.

What the time also gives is the ability to reopen the lines of communication that I have been personally neglecting throughout these two years. We are in a world where resume’s are sometimes for other people and a handshake, smile and good conversation are the requirements. You must be liked, you cannot be a bastard and you have to be someone they want to come work with every single day.

For me it’s heartening as person after person (and one just poked in as I am writing) comes by to say how much I will be missed. Gratifying sure, but collect the email list before you go of your colleagues. Don’t walk out the door and lose contact. These are the people you will be talking to a lot over the next month. Who do they know? Will they write a recommendation on LinkedIn for you? Can they make a call or two on your behalf. Do they need a caddy next Saturday?

It also gives you time to develop a plan of your own. For me its 3 pronged:

1. Establish an electronic marketing plan quickly for myself.

This includes:

• Updated Twitter Account;
• Blog updates and musings,
• Google profile,
• Visual Resume,
• Updated Linkedin Profile
• Updated Facebook Profile

2. Review my existing resume, recognize my strengths and do a rewrite to reflect them.

I have talents.  We all do. I do believe the key is to identify those talents and rediscover them.  For me its working with people, social media and photography.  Those talents are reinvigorated, rediscovered and releveraged.  Managing a group here is fine enough.  Control of a large budget, helping to shape positive outcomes for my clients is a worthy cause.  However, my joy here came from working with the RBI kids and developing the programs to make it a great experience for all involved.

Although I have hopes to continue that, I am also aware that the time may have come for me to move on and find a new passion.  I will marvel at the spectacle of the All Star Game from afar, experience a sense of real loss, but will thank the universe for the amazing chance to have had a place in it.

That said, I am now looking at my strengths, look at my own experiences and try to inventory the new me.  The re-invented me.  The new and improved Drew Selman. Brighter and shinier than before.

3. Get excited

Reinvigorate your passion.  Easy to say, hard to do especially if you are mourning your loss.  Look, I am 42 years olf and this will be my 3rd reduction in force.  Amazingly, two have been from big 4 accounting firms.  I wonder when I will learn.  But, redevelop your goals.  Take stock.  Make your to-do list.  Rebuild and reorganize.  Anytime I have been thrown a stopper, I have re-evaluated and found a new way around the problem.   Surprise, surprise, the solution was often much better than the easy way ’round.  What I’m saying?  Don’t fear roadblocks, there is often a much better way to solve the issue.

4. Don’t Despair

Finally, don’t despair.  Cry.  Sure.  Be upset.  But try not to despair.  Make your lists, take on this new job.  Network your brains out.  Write.  Run.  Eat well.  Find the sleep you have been missing.  Call the EAP if your company gave you one.  Don’t be afraid to talk to your friends.  Hug.  Laugh.   Be angry, be sad.  But never despair.  Despair will rob you of your ability to do anything at all.  Will you suffer?  Sure and that is only natural.  Cry over missed opportunity?  Yes, of course.  Worry about insurance?  Sure, but know that COBRA is there and that the stimulus bill should dramatically lower your rates.  You can also do something as simple as call BC/BS and find a fairly good, decently costed insurance plan for your and your family.  Hey!  You did check to see if your spouse had access didn’t you?  This is a change of condition and so opt-ins for most plans apply.  You will worry about money too.  Use your severance wisely.  Make sure you are paid off for your vacation. Role your 401K into an individual retirement account.   But don’t despair.

This is your life.  Your career.  Down but not out.  Down but not defeated and since I cannot help myself: “Never give up.  Never surrender.”

Hang in their guys.  “Something always comes from nothing.  Know what I mean.”  Comment or Twitter me if you want to talk.  More details on my actions as we go.  I will also through some useful links into the stream as I go.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter by hitting the button at the top of this article.