I am a do-it-yourself kind of guy. I want to figure out how to do, make, and fix things. I want to learn how things work. I’m not the most handy guy around, but I do like understanding what’s going on, so I can maintain or improve things.
When I broke my ankle I thought it was a sprain. After two weeks I gave in and went to an urgent care clinic to get it checked out. Turns out my sprain, which I was optimistic that I’d recover from without paying for, was a break… severe enough to have to have surgery. That conclusion came through three different clinic visits (because I kept getting referred to the next guy), and cost $600.
Without a doubt, the only thing for me to do is to lie on a table and have a surgeon cut me open and put screws in my bones. Like these videos (they are kind of nasty). That surgery happens in a few hours.
This is not a do-it-yourself situation.
When I lost my job, I was pretty sure that I could do it (find my next job) on my own. And you know what? I DID!
Oh wait… actually, I didn’t.
I spent months doing the wrong things, spending my time in bad places, with marketing material (think: resume) that was worse than average (average is already pretty bad)… wondering what was wrong with me, and getting more and more depressed.
I NEEDED REAL, PROFESSIONAL HELP.
But I was too proud, and cost-conscience to look for it. I was also confused as to how to make sure the person I found to help me was really qualified, and the right person for me.
So, I did it on my own. And failed miserably.
My job search would have been shorter, more focused, and more hopeful with the right help.
Don’t get me wrong… I feel guided to have started the path of conceptualizing JibberJobber. It was eleven years ago this year, and while it’s been hard, it’s also been an amazing journey.
But, I don’t recommend the path I took to anyone. Entrepreneurship, sure, but I’d do it differently. And when I talk to people who want to do it, I share my advice.
Back to job seekers, though, I’ll tell you, do all that you can do, and do the right things, but if there’s any chance you can get professional help, DO IT. That might come from an alumni career center, or a job club, or, there are hundreds of trained, certified qualified professionals that can help you.
No, they are not cheap, but they also are in business to get you back to work. On the flip side, some are more affordable than others.
Do yourself a favor… if you are at that point of frustration, and you’ve done what you know you can, but aren’t sure what to do next, start to look for professional help. The three groups I’ve been involved with over the years are The National Resume Writers’ Association, Career Directors International, and Career Thought Leaders. Each of those sites have a link to find professionals.
Once you do your research, and are ready to reach out, make sure you ask the professionals the right questions. <– read that post!