Slow but steady wins the job search race

Q. I am unemployed and have been struggling for months to find a job. I have always worked hard and never expected to find myself in this situation. I am discouraged, angry and anxious, and some days I am so discouraged that I don’t know what to do. To be honest, “Begin with Yes” sounds naive and overly simple. That said, I am open and wonder what suggestions do you have for me and others like me?A. Unemployment, especially in this environment, is surely one of those experiences that makes you feel like you’ve been hit in the gut. It not only impacts us individually on so many levels, including financial and emotional, but it also can create incredible stress and tension for those around us.Most people out of work today are there through no fault of their own and this unexpected, undeserved reality evokes all kinds of feelings including anger, resentment, fear and a sense of powerlessness.All of those feelings are legitimate and make perfect sense, but they can also slow us down and make the job search even more difficult than it already is.This is no time for slogans or platitudes and no time for naïve.”Begin with Yes” principles are grounded-in-reality perspectives and they don’t try to sugarcoat or minimize the practical realities, the pain or the feelings that go along with facing those hit-in-the-gut realities.”Begin with Yes” is not a book specifically written about finding a job and it doesn’t offer easy answers or quick solutions to complex problems.It is, however, a book that understands being or feeling stuck or immobilized. And it does have some suggestions and strategies to get you unstuck and to help you keep moving even when you don’t have the energy.It stresses action over attitude, and encourages small – sometimes extremely small – steps that keep you moving forward, no matter how you’re feeling.Here’s something you could try: Ask yourself, “What’s one small thing I can do today to move closer to being employed again?” Steps might include getting some exercise, sending a note to a friend asking them to help you network, signing up for a seminar at a local college or brainstorming job interests that are different than your last job.Begin With Yes Career FestThese small steps are so important because with each step, you’re moving forward. And when you’re moving, you’re no longer stuck. Not being stuck tends to create more energy to keep moving and often your attitude and feelings will begin to shift too.Also remember to reach out to family and friends, consider using social media to stay engaged, don’t be afraid to ask people to help, and most importantly, surround yourself with others who will help keep you focused and hopeful.I surely don’t have all the answers, but I do believe this approach will help.Also, you may have read about the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” at White Mountains Community College in Berlin on Tuesday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.It’s a free event, with complimentary lunch provided. Workshops include: Job Search – Applications, Resumes and Cover Letters, Effective Communication Skills in the Job Search, Networking – It’s Not Who You Know, But Who Knows You, and Social Media Basics for Job Seekers.To register for this event, e-mail Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us or call 603-271-2591. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Through a special arrangement with Manchester-based EZStream and Portsmouth-based Kinney Hill Media Partners, the
entire event will also be streamed live at http://bit.ly/NoBullStream. It’s truly a collaborative project made possible with the help of NHBR, Public Service of New Hampshire, the Department of Economic Development and Logo-Loc.Paul Boynton, president and chief executive of Moore Center Services, Manchester, is also a personal coach, corporate consultant, motivational speaker, host of the television show, “Begin with Yes” and author of the book by the same name. He can be reached at beginwithyes@comcast.net.