| It seems that there's always been a stigma attached | | | | look—I want to be honest with you. I'm feeling a |
| to being unemployed, and even in this economy, when | | | | little down because of this very tough job market. I'm |
| so many people are without a job for a lengthy | | | | about to go into some important job interviews, so I |
| stretch, it still causes candidates to be uncomfortable | | | | want to be strong about who I am and what I have to |
| and nervous about telling people that they're | | | | offer. I was wondering if you could take a moment |
| unemployed. They don't quite know how to handle | | | | to talk to me about how you experienced me and |
| the situation in the job search or in the interview. | | | | how you would describe me to others. Maybe it |
| It's very important that you keep in mind that | | | | would help me describe myself and remind me of the |
| unemployment is a temporary state. Just because | | | | successes I've had in the past. Anything I can do for |
| you're unemployed, that does NOT define you. The | | | | you to return this favor, I would be happy to do." |
| only difference between being unemployed and | | | | Sometimes, hearing someone who loved you in the |
| employed is ONE offer letter…or one phone call, one | | | | past talk to you again about what you did for them, |
| contact, or one interview. That's all. | | | | about how you secured XYZ contract or how you |
| So tomorrow when you get that job offer, will you be | | | | solved ABC problem or how you communicated |
| any different than you are today? No. | | | | with so-and-so in such a way that it did ______ for |
| Sometimes we have to remind ourselves who we | | | | the company—or how they'd love to hire you if they |
| are. So I want you to go back and look through your | | | | had a spot or how they'd love to recommend |
| resume and think about your documented | | | | you—is enough to give you the strength of character |
| successes. If you don't have them documented | | | | and feeling of confidence so that when you talk on the |
| there, they should be. (This might also be an excellent | | | | phone to a potential employer, it will project in your |
| time to compile your brag book, if you haven't already.) | | | | voice. And when you meet in person, it will project |
| I also want you to think about calling people you've | | | | from your heart. And I want you to have that. |
| worked with in the past. You know who your great | | | | Just because you're unemployed right now, doesn't |
| supporters are—the manager you had in '95, or the | | | | mean it's forever. It's temporary. And it's no |
| person who tried to get you to come over to his | | | | indication about what kind of a tremendous employee |
| company in 2000, or the gal who wrote your great | | | | you are—and will be to the company who takes |
| review in 2003. Call those people and say, "Hey, | | | | advantage of the opportunity and hires you. |