Be Ready IF You Lose Your Job

I got a call from an old friend yesterday. It was good to hear from him – we caught up on all the old news, chatted a bit about some people we both know, and told each other the same lies we’ve been telling for years.

Then he got around to telling me why he was calling. I hear what he told me all the time – it’s a very common story. It happens to lots of people all the time, and I’ve become somewhat immune to it by now. But that didn’t make it any less painful and confusing for my friend – it was up front and very personal to him.

He had just lost his job – a job he had had for 26 years. “Oh my gosh – I don’t know what to do – I didn’t see this coming – I don’t know what to do – I knew we were having some problems, but I thought my job was safe – I don’t know what to do – …I don’t know what to do.”

You probably get my message here. My friend is a real sharp guy – but he doesn’t have a clue what to do now. He’s got a great education and a lot of real impressive experience – but he doesn’t have a clue what to do now. HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

He’ll be fine – eventually. He’ll pout and feel sorry for himself and get angry…and then he’ll finally get to a place where he can start thinking about what to do next. He and I will talk, and I’ll help him write his resume, and he’ll find a new job – eventually.

So, here’s the point. Don’t get caught like my friend. I’m not saying that you should worry every day about losing your job. But I am saying that, if you never consider the possibility of losing your job – you’re being awfully naïve and you’re just kidding yourself. This is 2011, and nobody’s job is totally safe. It’s called the “godfather syndrome” – not personal, just business. But you’re still dead, or at least your job is.

Keep your head up and your eyes open. And, every couple of years, take a good look around. And, on a regular basis, ask yourself what you would do if you lost your job. And I don’t mean just as a casual question with no real answer. I mean – actually think about the specific steps you’d take if you lost your job.

Be prepared. You won’t be sorry.