Thriving on Uncertainty

Secrets of a three time job seeker by Elisha Kasinskas

Losing your job due to downsizing or budget cuts is tough for anyone.
Having it happen to you 3 times in 4 years can be devastating.

But that’s exactly what happened to me.
I made it through and so can you.

It’s all about just one person – You!

It’s all about how you deal with the situation, what you learn from it, and how you grow.

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Be a Thriver!

My circumstance is probably not that different from other job seekers. In 2002 I was downsized five months into the bankruptcy of a well-known telecom. The job market during that time was less than robust. I had a nine month job search, but landed at another local telecom. After a brief 21 months, my position was again eliminated during a budget cut. After a five-month job search, I took a position with a small local firm as their first marketing director. After just 14 months, budget was again an issue, and I found myself in a job search again for the third time since 2002.

Losing your job is definitely stressful. Many people get overwhelmed by the stresses of losing one and having to find another job. It’s important to manage the stress and keep a positive attitude.

But unlike some, I didn’t merely survive … Like the chameleon I use as moniker, I adapt and thrive!

Business is Business

Businesses need to change to adapt to the changing business marketplace.

I know what happened to me wasn’t personal, it was just business. And rather than dwell on what happened or what might have been, I chose to learn from the experiences, and move on.

Remember, you can’t move forward if you spend your time looking back.

10 steps to work your way back to work

So, what’s my secret to getting through these tough times? Is there some special magic? No, it’s not magic. For me it’s pure hard work – work that I enjoy.

1. Find a process, work it, and follow up. Find what works for you, commit to it, and use it. Do your homework and due diligence when interviewing and networking, and above all else follow up. Your mom taught you to say thank you when someone helped you. At a minimum, follow up with at least a thank you.
2. Think like an athlete. You need endurance and stamina – this stuff takes time! With training you get better, you increase your skills and strength. To quote a colleague of mine, Ron Gordon, “The ‘will to win’ is one thing but the “will to prepare to win” is really the key. Whether looking for a job, building a business, or an athletic competition – it’s all the same. We may not be able to control the outcome but the one thing we have absolute control over is our efforts – and that will eventually control the outcome.”
3. Expect the unexpected. Murphy had it right … if it can possibly happen – it will. You never know what may happen that will have an impact. During my current search, four people died at firms I was interviewing with, impacting my interviewing process. Other unexpected things can happen that aren’t as dramatic as death – an additional decision-maker gets added into the process, positions get put on hold, circumstances change, etc. The point is – be flexible and adaptable.
4. Think of yourself as a business. You are in the business of selling a truly unique product – You! You need to plan a selling strategy, develop your packaging and branding, have salary knowledge, know your ROI, and manage your finances. A firm’s employment decision is a classic strategic sale – high ticket, multiple decision makers and influencers- it takes time to make the decision /execute the process. It’s a complex sale. This is why it’s helpful to network into an organization in multiple ways.
5. Plant the seeds. It’s your responsibility to generate as many job leads, contacts, and opportunities as possible. Like a farmer – you need to spread the seeds, water and tend them so they can grow, and harvest them when they mature.
6. Keep a good attitude. I am fortunate to be a naturally happy person. Be confident in yourself, be positive, and above all else, keep your sense of humor. No one likes a loser. People like to be around positive people. I saw a really interesting saying recently: “Accept your success with humility, and your setbacks with dignity.” In the case of setbacks, use them as a learning experience, adjust, and then move forward.
7. Use the buddy system. Talk to people. Discuss ideas. Get feedback. I learned a lot from my friends and colleagues. They were there for me when I needed counsel and helped me get through some tough times with insight and a positive attitude.
8. Networking is like gift giving – it is better to give than to get. I like to help people; that’s part of who I am. When I meet with people I always have at least one idea, and suggest people they might want to meet. I think that people appreciate this approach. Hopefully in my own little way I help pay it forward. I know this approach has made starting and getting traction in each search a little easier.
9. Keep at it. It takes a while to build momentum. I found that the times when I had several things going on were the times that were best to pour on the steam. Activity (good activity, not just for the sake of activity) begets more activity.
10. Follow your heart. Only you have the power to choose and understand the choices you make. Only you can define what you’re seeking, knowing when something is or is not a fit. Don’t compromise your principles. If you have to take a position for certain reasons, understand those reasons so you know how you got to where you are.

All of these steps will put you on the path to be a thriver, not just a survivor!

That’s my story, and I am sticking to it.

Elisha Kasinskas
Distinctive Chameleon
Creative marketing solutions with powerful results

TimelyInsights is pleased to present this guest article by Elisha Kasinskas.

Elisha is active in the Rochester area and truly a great networker – finding ways to give and help others, knowing that by spreading good seeds, great things will happen. The core of this article was in a message she offered to a local group; she graciously allowed us to reformat it and present it here for our readers.