This is an excerpt that I wrote for a nationally published book called, "101 Ways to Recession-proof Your Career". With today's weakened economy, this book offers valuable tips for every job seeker.
Do you ever wonder why some people are climbers and others are not? Why some people seem to have a natural ability to succeed no matter what the economic climate? What is different about these people? What is their magic formula?
It is simple: Climbers know the difference between their identity ("who they are") and their role ("what they are"). And they don't allow their identity and role to overlap.
Climbers are aware that their identity never changes. What does change are the roles they play. At work they are a manager, at home a spouse, and at soccer games a parent. If they have an off day in one role, they don't allow that to manipulate who they are as an individual.
Here is a crash course on how a climber responds to challenges. Mastering the following life lessons will help bridge the gap so that you can successful cross over.
Don't internalize positive and negative events.
Don't define yourself by events that occur in your life. Successes or failures should not dictate who you are as a person.
Learn to accept failure.
The fear of rejections will hold you back form conducting a successful job search campaign. Disappointments are a part of our growth process. In the employment game, you get only two answers: "Yes, there seems to be a fit" Or "Not there doesn't seem be a fit." When you go on interviews, expect both responses.
Be responsive to change.
If you don't embrace change, fear, anger, and frustration, each will impede your job search. Anger might cause you to make quick and rash decisions. Frustration might lad you to give up on your job search just short of a breakthrough. And fear can paralyze you before your job search campaign ever begins.
Work through adversity.
Become your own cheerleader. When it comes down to it, you must be able to pick yourself up.
Accept responsibility.
Take ownership of the part you may have played in losing your job, forgive yourself, and move on.
Be patient.
Finding the right fit takes time. Becoming impatient leaves room for error in judgment. Wait for an opportunity that fits your career objective.
Don't look back; you are not going that way.
Don't get stuck in the "why me?" stage. Focus on the steps you need to move forward. Distinguish between your immediate and long-term goals, and mange a focused employment campaign.
Avoid making unfair comparisons.
Clearly establish your goals and rate your success according to your own personal attitude, goals, and accomplishments.
Be consistent.
Create an aggressive action plan and make a commitment to follow through. In doing so, you position yourself as key player in your future success.
It can be easy to fall into a victimized state after an economic downswing. Realize that nothing can affect your identity unless you relinquish control of who you are. Career success is a
choice
. Choose to be resilient, successful, and most importantly, a climber.
