Getting your player ready...
Dear J.T. & DALE: My employer is dealing with a major lawsuit. It’s costing the company millions of dollars, and the stress is so bad that one-third (no exaggeration!) of the staff is on stress-related leave. I feel the strain, but I don’t think it’s fair that all of these people are doing this. Meanwhile, those still here just keep getting more work. I’m looking for a new job, but the company’s reputation is so bad that people won’t hire me. What should I do? – Jake
DALE: First, let’s think about stress. What is stress but imagination gone over to the dark side? You need to give your mind something better to ponder. Being Catholic, I have some spiritual options, and I hope you do, too. However, here in the office, I often pick up one of the books by Paramahansa Yogananda. I’d suggest “Living Fearlessly” ($6.50 on Amazon). Buy several copies to pass around at the office. Here’s one line: “Meet everybody and every circumstance on the battlefield of life with the courage of a hero and the smile of a conqueror.” Don’t you love that “smile of a conqueror” bit? That can be you. I believe the reason no one wants to hire you is that you smell of desperation and angst. As you search, try smiling like a conqueror; let everyone know that you are better than your corporation’s woes, and that you have plenty of fresh life experience to bring to a new job.
J.T.: It may take more than smiling. Ask anyone who was at Enron, and they can tell you how guilt by association worked against them.
DALE: If you search for them, you’ll find managers who understand that there are good employees caught up in bad companies. I’ll bet there are competitors eager to cherry-pick talent from your company, Jake.
J.T.: It’s true that Enron employees eventually were able to move on, and you will, too. Start by kicking up your networking. Having people who can vouch for your work and character can overcome any negative associations. Meanwhile, check with recruiters and headhunters for options. And consider starting your own business, or doing freelance work. It can be a great way to free yourself from the handcuffs of traditional employment, like the ones holding you back right now.
DALE: Remember that stress will always be lurking, at every job. Your mind will seek it out, like your tongue seeks out a sore on your lip. Take this chance to train your mind, not by telling it “Don’t worry” – that’s useless – but by learning to guide it to productive thinking.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I got laid off from a small company of eight people. I was the only one let go. The owner said it was a financial necessity, but why just me? I think she wanted to fire me but didn’t want to say it. How should I explain this in interviews? – Ashley
DALE: Do NOT explain. Take your boss at her word.
J.T.: Yes; if she wanted to fire you, she would have. Perhaps she was being nice by framing it as a layoff, but reducing the staff by one person could be all she needed to get the company on track.
DALE: The one-person layoff was a 12-percent reduction in staff. However, given your suspicions, you may have an important learning opportunity. I’d suggest that you send her an email thanking her for your time there and thanking her in advance for telling anyone who asks that you were laid off for financial reasons. Then ask if you could talk with her about how you could do better at future employers. Why bother? Because getting let go once is easily explained. Twice or more becomes troublesome.
J.T.: True, but don’t overthink this. Focus on moving forward. It’s important that you look for work right away.
– Workplace consultant and career coach J.T. O’Donnell has coached, trained and mentored employees and managers on a wide variety of career-related subjects since 1994. Her book, “CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to A Satisfying Career” is available at JTODonnell.com. Management guru Dale Dauten has written six books and is an authority on innovation in the workplace. His latest book, “Great Employees Only: How Gifted Bossess Hire & Dehire Their Way to Success” is available at Dauten.com. copyright 2013 King Features.
