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Flexibility in a Fragile Job Market

I don’t know, but tough times call for a tough, flexible attitude. There isn’t time for self-pity or feeling like a victim. I encourage you to find the emotional support you need to keep you from spiraling down. These are trying times, but remember, this is not All About YOU, it's about the economy, the global economy. Take charge of yourself. You can’t change the economy, but you can change your attitude and take control of you.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Self-Preservation - Walk, read, go to the library, go to the park, go to the Workforce Centers, go fishing, plant a garden (seeds are cheap), go to church, call a friend, go to a work support group...just go. Refuse to get stuck, rigid, breakable and fragile. That sense of desperation will not fuel your ongoing job search and if you get an interview, you will be flat and not very employable in that "state of mind."

Work Smart, not just Hard - Make sure you are working your job search in the most efficient way. I encourage all of you to "think outside the box." Write an IMPACT Letter not merely a flat, boring Cover Letter. Add interest, appeal and a "hook" to your letter, be genuine and enrolling.

Informal Networking - In the meantime, you might take a temporary job, a job at a coffee shop, work retail, or volunteer. When you are around customers, there is a chance to talk with people you don’t know and expand your circle of contacts. These kinds of jobs expand your casual networking and can lead to an information/referral meeting to expand your work and training options.

Your Sense of Humor - Laughter can lower your blood pressure and kick in natural endorphins. You need several laughs a day and most of us don’t get that.

Retrain or Diversify - Be realistic. Are your skills “cutting edge?” Are you in a saturated field? Has your job been outsourced? Is it time to get reinvested? Learn how you can transfer your skills or expand your skills with an informational conversation.

Remember Gumby? I once heard someone say, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not get bent out of shape!" Be Gumby-like!