If you’ve read the career e-book, you will have the tools and strategies necessary to make your
career dreams come true. It will take a lot of work on your part and research too. However, it
can offer you a way to plan your switch in a smooth manner, even if that switch comes suddenly
in the form of a pink slip. So, do you know what you would do if you suddenly became a layoff
casualty? Would you be able to implement the seven-day career plan effectively? Obviously, it
takes more than seven days to prepare, but once you are forced to go up to bat, that’s when
you can be glad you had some idea of how to hit a homerun, instead of striking out.
Day 1
Let’s assume that day one is the day that you are actually walking out of your previous
employer’s company into your new life. It doesn’t matter if that change came about because you
planned it that way or because you got a pink slip. The moment you realize that you are about
to head out the door of your old company is the day the clock starts ticking on your seven-day
plan.
You get home and now you know what to do. You take out your career survival kit and make
sure that is as up-to-date as it possibly can be. You take out your career plan with the two
choices for careers you had entertained in the past, and you make a decision to either go for
one of these or stick with the work you currently do. You update your research and make sure it
is still valid. You will have a clear idea of which of your skills are marketable, if you kept your
career plan in shape, and which need to be upgraded.
Day 2
Since you were aware that many people face the prospects of having two or three career paths
in their lifetime, you are not caught completely off-guard. You might have a side business that
can be expanded already in place. You might have a part-time job that has been offering you
some needed training skills. Now, you can ask for more hours. You might even be in school.
Seek out internships or employment opportunities there, even if they are temporary. The only
things that can derail your plans now are finances, so you start to see if you’re in good shape.
You have a set period of time before your lack of employment might affect your credit. Use that
time to refinance high interest loans, take out credit lines for future use, and re-organize yourfinances. Seek to reduce your expenses and find ways to increase your income – any income
for now. Make sure to apply for unemployment compensation as soon as possible.
Day 3
Having gotten your finances and plan in place, now you want to start to network immediately.
Continue to attend the professional organizations you joined. Be sure to carry cards with a
contact number that they can reach you. You need to come clean to anyone that you are in the
market for a job or looking to switch into a new career. Now is the time to get returns on any
favors you may have made during the time leading up to your layoff.
You will be calling to make appointments with all of the local agencies and recruiters that you
investigated earlier. You should have a clear idea of who to call and how to network at this
point. If not, the chances of you making a successful career change in seven days is practically
zero.
You should be sending out resumes and cover letters to employers that are looking for your
skills. One of the first places that might be hiring is your previous company’s competitor. If you
want to stay in the same type of position, it doesn’t hurt to know who they are and contact them
when you are laid off. Just make sure you did not sign any non-compete agreements or you
won’t be able to be hired.
Day 4
After you have made your phone calls and set up appointments to meet with people you know
face-to-face, then you should investigate the online resources. If you haven’t posted your hiring
information online, now is the time to do so. As long as you are not currently employed, the
Internet can be a wonderful marketing tool for someone looking for a job.
If you are not looking for a job, but seeking to expand a business concept, then you will be
working towards expanding your customer base and seeking out new business. You will want to
use all the resources at your disposal, both online and offline. Look at what has made you
money in the past and just do more of the same to increase your income, for now. You can get
more creative after the financial crisis is over
career dreams come true. It will take a lot of work on your part and research too. However, it
can offer you a way to plan your switch in a smooth manner, even if that switch comes suddenly
in the form of a pink slip. So, do you know what you would do if you suddenly became a layoff
casualty? Would you be able to implement the seven-day career plan effectively? Obviously, it
takes more than seven days to prepare, but once you are forced to go up to bat, that’s when
you can be glad you had some idea of how to hit a homerun, instead of striking out.
Day 1
Let’s assume that day one is the day that you are actually walking out of your previous
employer’s company into your new life. It doesn’t matter if that change came about because you
planned it that way or because you got a pink slip. The moment you realize that you are about
to head out the door of your old company is the day the clock starts ticking on your seven-day
plan.
You get home and now you know what to do. You take out your career survival kit and make
sure that is as up-to-date as it possibly can be. You take out your career plan with the two
choices for careers you had entertained in the past, and you make a decision to either go for
one of these or stick with the work you currently do. You update your research and make sure it
is still valid. You will have a clear idea of which of your skills are marketable, if you kept your
career plan in shape, and which need to be upgraded.
Day 2
Since you were aware that many people face the prospects of having two or three career paths
in their lifetime, you are not caught completely off-guard. You might have a side business that
can be expanded already in place. You might have a part-time job that has been offering you
some needed training skills. Now, you can ask for more hours. You might even be in school.
Seek out internships or employment opportunities there, even if they are temporary. The only
things that can derail your plans now are finances, so you start to see if you’re in good shape.
You have a set period of time before your lack of employment might affect your credit. Use that
time to refinance high interest loans, take out credit lines for future use, and re-organize yourfinances. Seek to reduce your expenses and find ways to increase your income – any income
for now. Make sure to apply for unemployment compensation as soon as possible.
Day 3
Having gotten your finances and plan in place, now you want to start to network immediately.
Continue to attend the professional organizations you joined. Be sure to carry cards with a
contact number that they can reach you. You need to come clean to anyone that you are in the
market for a job or looking to switch into a new career. Now is the time to get returns on any
favors you may have made during the time leading up to your layoff.
You will be calling to make appointments with all of the local agencies and recruiters that you
investigated earlier. You should have a clear idea of who to call and how to network at this
point. If not, the chances of you making a successful career change in seven days is practically
zero.
You should be sending out resumes and cover letters to employers that are looking for your
skills. One of the first places that might be hiring is your previous company’s competitor. If you
want to stay in the same type of position, it doesn’t hurt to know who they are and contact them
when you are laid off. Just make sure you did not sign any non-compete agreements or you
won’t be able to be hired.
Day 4
After you have made your phone calls and set up appointments to meet with people you know
face-to-face, then you should investigate the online resources. If you haven’t posted your hiring
information online, now is the time to do so. As long as you are not currently employed, the
Internet can be a wonderful marketing tool for someone looking for a job.
If you are not looking for a job, but seeking to expand a business concept, then you will be
working towards expanding your customer base and seeking out new business. You will want to
use all the resources at your disposal, both online and offline. Look at what has made you
money in the past and just do more of the same to increase your income, for now. You can get
more creative after the financial crisis is over
Day5
As you continue to network and establish a bigger circle of contacts, you will start receiving
feedback on your chances at employment. The feedback can be very subtle, so you have to be
on your toes to not miss it. If after calling various people, no one wants to return your calls, then
you know you have a problem. It could be you’ve suffered a loss of reputation, your skills aren’t
marketable, or everyone is in the market for a job and you are one of many contacting that
person. Don’t take it personally. If you have established some good contacts throughout your
years of association with other professionals, you will eventually get a response from someone
who can help. Remember that it is often a matter of timing as to whether an opportunity comes
your way or not. Use the feedback to modify your goals, your presentation, and your public
image.
Day 6
As you network and seek openings, remember to keep your skills up-to-date and your
professional image as polished as possible. If that means that you take work on a volunteer
basis to get you more skills, then that is something that can keep you busy and your spirits up
too. Just always seek to make sure that any free work you do is done with the intention of
helping your career goals in the future. Don’t succumb to using your free time for work that isn’t
going to contribute to your goals in the end. You have to be somewhat single-minded on placing
your feet firmly on a path that is not only satisfying to you personally, but that also can be
lucrative.
Take advantage of any free seminars or job placement services offered to people who are
unemployed. Spend your time seeking out professionals in the area you are targeting so that
you can network with them. Don’t just focus on making them your stepping-stone to
employment, also show your interest in the career path they are in. This is far more attractive
than a person who appears desperate to get a job.
As you continue to network and establish a bigger circle of contacts, you will start receiving
feedback on your chances at employment. The feedback can be very subtle, so you have to be
on your toes to not miss it. If after calling various people, no one wants to return your calls, then
you know you have a problem. It could be you’ve suffered a loss of reputation, your skills aren’t
marketable, or everyone is in the market for a job and you are one of many contacting that
person. Don’t take it personally. If you have established some good contacts throughout your
years of association with other professionals, you will eventually get a response from someone
who can help. Remember that it is often a matter of timing as to whether an opportunity comes
your way or not. Use the feedback to modify your goals, your presentation, and your public
image.
Day 6
As you network and seek openings, remember to keep your skills up-to-date and your
professional image as polished as possible. If that means that you take work on a volunteer
basis to get you more skills, then that is something that can keep you busy and your spirits up
too. Just always seek to make sure that any free work you do is done with the intention of
helping your career goals in the future. Don’t succumb to using your free time for work that isn’t
going to contribute to your goals in the end. You have to be somewhat single-minded on placing
your feet firmly on a path that is not only satisfying to you personally, but that also can be
lucrative.
Take advantage of any free seminars or job placement services offered to people who are
unemployed. Spend your time seeking out professionals in the area you are targeting so that
you can network with them. Don’t just focus on making them your stepping-stone to
employment, also show your interest in the career path they are in. This is far more attractive
than a person who appears desperate to get a job.
Day 7
If you’ve followed all the steps outlined, you will be getting closer to your target day-by-day. It
may take seven days, it may take 30 days. It can even take years, if continuing education is involved. The key is to be able to weather a downturn in finances by having several options available to you. This makes you less desperate to take the first offer that comes along and gives you time to make a career change that is meaningful and lasting. The process can be reviewed every week and re-established, using the same formula. As they
