Keeping the rust off the tools

    The unexpected happens, you have been let go.  We are not going to talk about why this happened but instead, we are going to take ownership of what happens after. We cannot change the past but we can take charge of how we go forward. 

 After a well-deserved day of mourning and the shock has warn off. We ask ourselves what's next? Here are five suggestions on how to stay sharp and determined after becoming unemployed. 

• Dust off the resume and polish it up. 

        Review and update your resume with your latest skills and responsibilities. You should tailor it for each job you apply to by using keywords from the job posting, highlighting your relevant skills and achievements, and using numbers to quantify your impact. You should also use a professional font, appropriate margins and spacing, and active language and action verbs to make your resume clear and concise. Finally, you should proofread your resume carefully and save it as a PDF file unless otherwise instructed by the employer.

• Do not panic apply

     Panic applying is not a good strategy for finding a new job after being laid off. It can hurt your chances of getting hired, damage your reputation and network, and harm your mental health and well-being. Instead of panic applying, you should focus on quality over quantity, be selective and respectful, take care of yourself, and seek support during your job search. By doing so, you can increase your chances of finding a job that suits your needs and goals.

• Keep your tools sharp

    Give yourself a set window each day say two hours, where you practice your technical skills and continue using the toolset you are familiar with. This I think is one of the most important things you can do during this unsettling time. We need to keep the rust off and the best way to do this is practice. This is also a great time to explore and try a new toolset, framework, or language, that you have had some interest in. After a few weeks of exploring and practicing with a new tool, you might need to update your resume again. 

• Core concepts

    Now is a great time to review the core concepts, methodologies, and principles used in your particular area of expertise. Reviewing the basics might seem trivual to some but I always find it refreshing. I often find that I forget about a principle and if it was not for my "refresher" on the core concepts I wouldn't know it at all. 

Example: The Object Oriented programming design principles: SOLID. 

SRP - Single Responsibility Principle.

OCP - Open/Closed Principle.

LSP - Liskov Substitution Principle. 

ISP - Interface Segregation Principle.

DIP - Dependency Inversion Principle.

• Human network

    The human network in my opinion is more powerful than blindly applying for jobs on a website. Don't get me wrong I have been hired by applying through a website with no connection to this business before. This process definitely took longer and I got lucky. The human network or connection is asking friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, and community members about openings they may know of at their place of employment. Asking the human network for a review of your resume and cover letter is a great way to get perspective and adjust and adapt to the job you are applying for. Often times there is an employee referral program at companies and your human network connection will be rewarded when you are hired. Talking with your connection before applying to the open position at the company is highly encouraged. Ask about company culture, work-life balance, overtime, and benefits. Reflect on what you have heard and ask yourself does this align with my values and what am I willing to give up, and gain by being employed at this place of business. 

   Being unemployed is temporary if you want it to be. How temporary depends on the market and you. In my experience, the world will throw you another curve ball when you are already down. I expect it to. We need to remember you as a person have value and useful skills. You can bring positive perspective and value to your next place of employment. If we practice the five suggestions I have outlined above and take ownership of the situation we should be re-employed sooner rather than later. Good luck and stay positive.