Editor’s Note: Katherine Burik is the original developer of The Interview Doctor, and still serves as a career coach as part of our Interview Doctor team. She recently experienced an unexpected change in her job status. So now she’s is on the ‘other side of the table.’ What follows is what she calls ‘Random Thoughts on Transition,’ a personal perspective on her own job transition, with some insights that can benefit anyone ‘in transition.’
Random Thoughts on Transition
I am in transition.
There I said it. Two words with immediate power to define. Euphemisms include, “fired”, “terminated”, or “downsized”. “In transition” sounds so much nicer. As if I chose this situation. As if I am making something good out of a bad thing – covering up something potentially embarrassing with a nice, neutral label.
I am not alone in this status. Everyone knows someone between jobs these days. I realize it is ironic for a career/interview coach to be in transition but it happens. It is what we do with this situation that makes the difference.
I admit I feel a tiny bit awkward. I haven’t been out of work at someone else’s choice in years. It was easy to give advice to others but what do I do now? Do I post my status for the world to see on Lindkedin.com? Do I follow my own advice to candidates and tell everyone I know? What do I tell them I want to do? Shouldn’t I have all that worked out by now? After all it has been a month.
Wait a minute. I love this situation! I am thrilled to be “in transition”. I am not so thrilled to be terminated but “in transition” is liberating. I feel free. I have been in transition several times and never enjoyed it so much as I do today. Why is that?
I am a positive person by nature. I always turn lemons into lemonade. I am known for my annoying optimism. People like to work with me because I really believe something good will come from hard work and a real deep-seated confidence.
I work hard in good times and in bad, to be sure that my family’s basic needs are met so that times of transition do not hurt so much. So I can be confident that my family and I will survive. I recall once many years ago being “in transition” with a two-year old daughter and a divorce in progress. I was a bit less exuberant that time. But I learned to prepare so today I can enjoy transitions.
Being positive and confident in transition frees me up to explore what I really want to do. I can enjoy this lovely summer. I can network without desperation. I have fascinating, free-flowing conversations about many topics with people I have known for years and maybe haven’t spoken to in a while. Removing the desperation frees me and takes a burden off my networking friends. Those I speak to will notice that I am calm, confident, and courageous – characteristics that attract people rather than desperation, which repels people.
Ultimately I will land the position I seek. Removing the desperation will make “in transition” more interesting and rewarding.
Like this article? Here are a few others you might find interesting:
“Starting over somewhere in the middle”
“First 3 things to do when laid off”
“Why Build Contacts before you need them”
“So you have been laid off – now what?”
The Interview Doctor can help! Call us today! 800-914-7349. Or email Dan@InterviewDoc.com or Katherine@InterviewDoc.com.