Have a Career Question? She's Got the Answer

Hello, neighbors!

I'm Christy Suerth, a Lake Zurich resident and certified career coach. My passion is to help people land better jobs faster. My secret sauce? I have 20 years of experience in human resources and employment. This means I've reviewed thousands of resumes, interviewed hundreds of people and worked with hiring managers and know how they think.

Ask Christy, The Career Coach is a new weekly column for the Lake Zurich Patch dedicated to answering your questions about job searching.  Send your questions on resumes, networking, interviewing, branding, job search sites, LinkedIn and more. My promise? I'll provide you with current information to help you in this challenging job market.  

Because this is my inaugural column, I'll pose the first question: "I have just been laid off.  What are the first things I should do?"

1. Buckle up for a ride on the emotional roller coaster. No two people experience job loss in the same way, but there are patterns. Initially, you might be stunned, hurt or angry. Some people are actually relieved. These feelings may last or may change based on how your search is going. In any event, if you are depressed more than two weeks, seek professional help.
2. Lean on your friends. During the first weeks, find one or two close friends and share your feelings. It's good medicine. Limit your grousing to only those people. With everyone else, try to convey optimism for the future.  Remember, each person you meet may have a job lead for you. Demonstrate positivity and a professional attitude, and they will recommend you confidently. 
3. Get moving. You now have time for an exercise program. Get your heart rate up at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes. You will lower your stress level, improve your mental clarity, increase your energy and have a more positive attitude.
4. Get your financial house in order. File for unemployment as soon as possible. In Illinois, you can collect unemployment while you are receiving severance payments. Carefully review your income, expenses and savings to prepare a budget for your time of unemployment.
5. Build structure into your life. During unemployment, you will need a plan for each day to be productive and land as soon as possible. This means getting up early, dressing for success, keeping an eight-hour workday, taking breaks and scheduling your day wisely. You might feel like taking time off, but it' a highly competitive job market and requires discipline, focus and perseverance. If you can do it, you will be rewarded!

I look forward to hearing from you. Post your questions for me on the Lake Zurich Patch website or send them to me at AskCoachChristy@gmail.com. Just register for free on the site and post a comment.