Danger

Danger! Will Robinson Danger!*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Space

One of the most critical moments or events in transition periods occur within the first two weeks starting any new job.

The longer the transition period, the worse this critical moment could or will be. The major manifestations of this occurrence are the new employee being overwhelmed, exhausted and more by the challenge of the day-to-day, indeed, hour to hour necessities of working again. This scenario occurs regardless of the position; C level or below; well compensated or not.

The major problem or concern is that with a long transition period, we can lose that "work ethic" or drive that we normally have, often it is caused by one or more of the issues addressed below. Sometimes, just because of the extended time of being at alleged rest. That drive that we sell before the new opportunity was secured was often masked by the indignities that we felt during transition. Once we've faced the decision to accept another assignment, all those emotions of our inadequacies that have been repressed or ignored during transition could and often do resurface and possibly overwhelm the new positive feelings that we should feel immediately after the elation of accepting that new job.

We must be sure to keep our social skills sharp. A great way to accomplish this is to do volunteer work with others in transition at a local church career ministry or in a job network group. During our transition time it is also imperative that we keep an accurate calendar, set realistic goals for phone and face-to-face contacts, as well as, establish viable and positive social routines. I regularly recommend that all my candidates get out amongst other adults daily, even if only for an hour. That social interaction must re-infuse us with a sense of purpose. It must be a positive experience not a pity party.

Below, I have listed five concrete ways to ensure that we will avoid or at least resist being overwhelmed and exhausted when first starting a new opportunity. These activities must take place during transition to enable us to enjoy, prosper, and grow in our new opportunity. Each of the below in inextricably tied to the other, but I have listed them as separate items to make them more apparent to the reader.

Among those activities are the following:

1. Rust: We can and must stay fresh by our daily activities or by auditing or attending classes, professional events and keeping up-to-date reading professional journals of websites.
2. Lack of motivation: The argument that finding a new job is more important than staying current with our marketplace is invalid and dangerous to our getting that next job.
3. Isolation: We cannot allow ourselves to fall into the trap of being isolated from other talented adults and the positive social interaction that is necessary to keep and foster social and professional contact.
4. Embarrassment: The tendency that we all develop as a protective mechanism during transition of being embarrassed but disillusioned after a long period of transition is not only negative destructive. As I said to a client just yesterday, it is no longer a black mark being in transition considering that between 12 and 17 million people are in that position today.
5. Identity: Finally, in many cases that overwhelming feeling of worthlessness that occurs when a Bread winner no longer is quote bringing in the money" must be acknowledged, discussed and dismissed. You have been the “bread winner” before and will be again. Transition does not mean unemployable, just a period of change. You really did not “lose” your job, indeed, you know where it is; you just don’t have it anymore. In fact, you never owned it before, the former company just loaned it to you. As we said above volunteer 2-3 hours per week to help others and the identity will reappear. The lingering question will always be do I still have value? Have I been labeled by the Scarlett letter T. (Transitionee)

None of the above; are really valid excuses that allow us the luxury of rust or deterioration of our skills. More importantly, as candidates, we must recognize this easiest to combat of all the pitfalls of transition. It is incumbent upon us to confront them with positive actions during transition that will allow us to overcome and combat the rusting of skills, the lack of motivation, the isolation, the embarrassment, and the overwhelming fear we are somehow tainted negatively by an extended period of transition.

Transition must be treated as an opportunity to grow, to refine our skills and to excel at our profession. It can be, indeed, must be a time of re-dedication, exploration and reinforcement of our skills set learned because of the job search, not in spite of it. Yes, I do caution my clients about attendance at too many "networking" meetings or spending too much time spent on the web. But I never discourage attendance at professional groups etc. Indeed, the best way to predict what you will be like after hire is to do new creative work, attend professional meetings, take on additional professional assignments to showcase your work and embark on your search with a vigor that proves there is still “fire in your belly.”

As we say often, transition is a time of exploration but it is also a time for the hiring authorities to judge not just what you did; but more importantly what you will do. Your engagement, not lack of engagement in your professional organizations shows your dedication personally and professionally to the job, market, and client base that you will serve in the future.

Hopefully, this short diatribe will spark you to that additional level of enthusiasm during your transition search that will allow you to bypass the normal deflation that happens after you start a new job.

PS. On this site we also have discussed buyer's remorse which occurs about three months into a new job, both of these situations can be ameliorated by how you conduct your transition.

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Bruce Dreyfus
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bsdreyfus@gmail.com
404-348-0429

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