Blog Post: Lost My Job, Who do I Tell? Everyone!

I'm sitting here in Washington DC, reading the cover story in today's edition of the Washington Post about a recently laid off worker who was so afraid to tell anyone other than his immediate family that he lost his job, that he told no one. Guess what happened? No one helped him with his job search. No one knew that this talented, dedicated worker was in need of his next job. So no one was able to offer ideas, suggestions and most important, help him connect to other people and opportunities that could possibly lead to his next job. He thought he would be looked down upon, that people would actually no longer want to have their kids play with his kids. He thought that he would not be respected. In reality - just the opposite happened when he finally did decide he no longer wanted to pretend to "look like he still going to work ever day." He got involved in networking groups in his community and they are connecting him with other people who are all working together to find each other their next job. Even if "networking groups", which have popped up in most communities throughout the country, are not for you, then reach out to whoever you are comfortable telling that you need a job now. There is no shame, at all, in being truthful and letting everyone, everywhere know you lost your job and you need a job. I have had people from all parts of the country, in all professions, from entry level to senior executives, contact me in the past 12 months. They all share the same anxiety level, fear of financial disaster and loss of professional identity. As a career transition coach, the best advice I have is "tell everyone". There is no shame in losing your job as a result of "business decisions", "restructuring due to internal financial decisions" etc. Being honest, and telling everyone you know, in all aspects of your life will result in your next job. Tell former colleagues, bosses, your neighbors, professional association members, people in your place of workshop, alumni groups, community organizations, parents of your kids friends, everyone. This not only keeps you honest and truthful, it opens the door for people to help you find your next job, land your next job and then be able to help them, if and when they lose their job.