Recession Depression: Beating the Blues When You Have No Green

Being a career coach who works with individuals and teams, I’m hearing a lot of grumbling about the state of the job market and economy. The overwhelming majority of the clients I work with are dealing with feelings of depression–about their job prospects, job security, layoffs (their own, their friends and/or their staffs’) and their finances.

The current market has spared few people, so it can all be a bit overwhelming. But, there are ways to deal with the market’s wicked ways.

6 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW TO BEAT RECESSION DEPRESSION Beating Recession Depression

Only the impact is personal - Being laid off, having to lay off hard-working employees or consoling a laid off family member, and the financial and other blows that result are personal. But, the intention or motivation behind the layoff is not. To deal with the feelings of rejection and betrayal and loss, you must understand that, in most cases, you were not selected to be laid off because of anything you did or because of who you are; most layoffs occur because you happen to be in a job position or role that is tied to a lost account, a lowered budget or a non-revenue-producing department.
Your resume is not you - If you are applying for jobs and not getting responses, don’t give up and don’t doubt yourself or your qualifications. There are any number of reasons you may not receive a reply, and none of them has anything to do with you being “worthless” or “unemployable”. Common reasons your resume submissions go unanswered include poorly formatted resumes, applying for the wrong jobs and employers delaying hiring decisions–all of which is easily fixed.
Mission Possible - All is not lost, you still have the capacity to find new business or a new job. It is simply going to take a bit longer and require better management of existing assets (your energy, your finances, your current clients or employer, your connections). Winning is two parts preparation and one part perspiration. Don’t waste time or energy focusing on what’s lost; focus on what’s still out there and how you’ll go about getting it.
The writing’s not always on the wall - Don’t stress out if the job postings for your market and career field shrink. That’s happening all over, and is not necessarily indicative of a lack of opportunities. There is always a hidden job market, a whole sphere of jobs that are not posted on any job boards or in any newspaper. These jobs are only available through conversations with professional contacts, friends and family, business owners and entrepreneurs, clients and a bit of intuition about where the market or the business is going next.
Go on tour - Most of us have dreamed of becoming rockstars. Here’s your chance! Your resume is your new album. Your business cards and portfolio are your promotional materials. Get out there and network. You can be your own “street team”, spreading the word about what you offer and what you want to do.
It’s an opportunity, not an end - The truth is, it hurts to be laid off. It’s scary to wonder where your next mortgage or rental payment is coming from. It’s disheartening to have to participate in unemployment programs. But, you can refuse to succumb. Look at your lay off or other financial setback as an opportunity to make changes in your life and career. Get your finances in order (check your credit, save money, go easy on the credit cards, scale back your shopping). Test out a new career (Read “Time to Cast a Broader Net”). Go back to school. Do whatever you can to emerge victorious at the end of this downturn.