Assets

The feeling, as I recall so well when it happened to me for the first time, is one of being alone.

You have already, or are about to move away from the companionship of your colleagues, some of whom have become friends, and in the process lose that sense of security that until now you had taken for granted.
The stark reality is dawning, if it hasn't already done so, that the regular supply of money that has been winging its way to you on a regular basis is about to stop. This realisation sometimes brings about an angry reaction often bordering on panic. Do not be afraid. Whatever your feelings are at this point they can serve as a motivating force and set you on a path of pro-active thought and activity. .

Shock can be as great a motivator at a time like this as panic, and if you feel one or the other of these emotions or both, you are not to worry. Do not be embarrassed; any emotion that gets the thought processes going is not to be discouraged. .

Not for you the sitting down with your head in your hands in abject despair. You may be angry, panic stricken, or experiencing feelings and emotions that you do not recognise in yourself. No matter; whatever you are feeling, you need to be determined to do something about your situation. .

People react in different ways at the prospect or the realisation of being forced to leave a job, often depending on how long they have occupied the position.

The first step must be acceptance of your unemployed status in a positive, optimistic way.

You may be naturally of such a disposition; well and good if you are. On the other hand you may be unable to prevent yourself from withdrawing from life and being reduced to a quivering wreck. .

Do not be over critical of yourself if you do. You are suffering a reaction to what you perceive to be a shocking, end of the world as you know it, why did this happen to me, situation. It may turn out to be. You may be on the threshold of a disaster of immeasurable magnitude. .

Make note of the following statement and give it some thought: you need to have an air of calm and confidence when you start talking to prospective employers. .

Don't worry about it just yet; just give the matter some thought.

The point is this: if you feel you are a failure - and there is simply no reason or justification for thinking you are - you deserve the satisfaction of knowing you did all you could to reverse the situation. You need to be comfortable in the knowledge that: .

You explored every avenue, devoted all your time and attention to the problem, delved into your psyche and harvested every last grain of creative thought to find a way out of your predicament.

Certain painful tasks have to be addressed. The ritualistic signing on the dole, yes call it the dole, we are not going to enter into self delusion here or at any point in the job seeking process. Terms like temporarily under privileged in the area of career development are for the advocates of political correctness. .

You are unemployed and on the dole.

Do not consider for a moment not signing on the dole. Some years ago I decided not to, having convinced myself that it was not the country's fault that I was out of work, it was mine. A lofty laudable sentiment? Don't you believe it. I simply would not admit to myself that I was unemployed. .

Unemployed because of my own stupidity and bloody mindedness, but unemployed just the same. .

Sort out your benefits and start to ask questions. Job Centres have a wealth of information on the subject of employment and whilst they are not the most exciting places to visit, beneath the surface are some understanding individuals who can, and will, help you. .

Make yourself known to them NOW.

You do not have to make a spectacle of yourself.

You do not need to enter the building walking on your hands or riding a unicycle.

Simply ask for the name of the person you are talking to and commit their name to memory. Use their first name every time you talk to them and make sure you talk to them as often as you can. You are not just another member of the sheep fraternity. It will not take long to get that person's full attention, and with it, their cooperation. The most beautiful sound in the world is the sound of someone calling you by your own name. Sound enthusiastic; they will soon recognise just how different and special you are. .

You are on a reconnaissance mission, gathering information to help you assess your resources. Ask about job clubs, free postage and help with typing, composition of letters and CVs. See what's on offer. Be seen to be interested. .

People help those who are seen to be helping themselves.

Ask around your friends to see if anyone has a personal computer, or access to one, and whether they would help out with a bit of typing if you are stuck. .

Make a note in your asset register. Take an interest in what your friends and acquaintances do for a living - someone may know of a company planning to open a branch in a few month's time near where you live. Build your grapevine. Think of how many relatives you have and where they live, write to them, ask them to send you cuttings from their local newspapers. .

Do not hide yourself away. You are unemployed. IT IS NOT a communicable disease.

Get out into the community and talk to people. Lay the foundations of your asset bank. People, and your contact with them, are potentially the most valuable. The knack is knowing how to use your assets. Don't overlook time as an important factor. You have a finite amount. Use it economically. .

Your Asset Register

1) A smallish, A5 size A to Z index book is ideal. .

2) Make careful notes under the appropriate headings of what service is likely to be of value to you.

3) Computing facilities under C, Transport into town under T, and so on. .

Make note of who amongst your friends and acquaintances go where and at what times of day. Some might even lend you their cars to run around in while they are at work. .

Free telephone calls are sometimes available at Job Centres or Job Clubs. These are a potential source of assistance that should be fully exploited. .

Do not be afraid to ask; people can only say no and would rather say yes. I have even used my old office as a base when job hunting. All I did was ring up my old employer to ask; he was too dumb struck to refuse. However, he did get a bit uptight when I had my former secretary working practically full time doing a mailshot of my CV, with a covering letter on the company letterhead. .

Note names of "Centres of Influence" in a separate book.

These are people who may or may not have the power of hire and fire but whose views are taken into account when an appointment is made. They are also people who may be of use as a source of information. A small A to Z index book will do fine. .

Gather your family around you. This is a good time to unite if you are not united already. Calculate the amount of money coming in and where economies can be made. Work out what you need to go about your job searching activities each day. .

Do members of your family drive into town each morning and return each evening? .

Do any of your friends? Note carefully who drives where and when. .

Don't be shy. Say "I'm on a resource conservation campaign at the moment. You won't mind if I ride into town with you from time to time will you, I won't get in your way". They may be struck dumb by your question. Tough. Assume their lack of ability to come up with an objection as an answer in the affirmative.

If they don't categorically say NO - assume they mean YES.

If they are family and mind, TOUGH. If they are friends and mind then DOUBLE TOUGH. Examine your criteria and definition of who you class as a friend and review same as a matter of priority. .

Most people will not mind, so do not assume the worst.

Most people like to help as opposed to feeling helpless. They like the comfortable feeling, especially if it doesn't cost anything and they do not have to put themselves out to do it. Ask yourself how you would react to such a request. After all, you're a well balanced, reasonable individual, aren't you? Aren't you? .

Think through the day's events each evening. Start now, right at the beginning of your quest. From now on you will adopt a policy of effectively managing: .

your resources your time whatever you can lay your hands on that might prove useful.

From now on you will.

• Plan your activities
• Action those activities to your plan
• Measure the effectiveness of those activities

Each evening you will assess.

• How much was achievement
• How much was a waste of time
• How many plus points you have scored today

YOU WILL BE ASSISTED IN THIS TASK BY THE "DAILY SQUIRM"