Take the Bridge over Troubled Waters to Survive the Coronavirus
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 4:01 am
These are drastic times where many of us shift from talk of careers to strategising how to find and keep jobs - regular work that supports us and our families.
Beyond the immediate emergency, even when our societies emerge from the crisis, the working world will take time to recover and may never be the same again. In times of high unemployment, power swings to employers and many employees will lose confidence, especially older workers whose jobs may permanently disappear.
I started life as a career specialist when it was a dreadful time to look for work. Unemployment was shocking and there were few good jobs around. Since then, I’ve worked with thousands of clients and have a fair idea of which behaviours, attitudes and skills help individuals to survive.
This situation is too serious for a list of tips. Instead, here are critical career/job survival elements for you to consider, depending on whether you fit into one of two scenarios.
Scenario A: You still have a job
1. Stay put even if you don't like your job
Hunker down for the immediate future. I can’t believe I’m actually china mobile phone number resource recommending that you put up with a job you don’t like but such is the state of the world.
Of course, staying put is bleeding obvious, as the Brits would say but let’s examine how you can improve your happiness and change your mindset:
Business operations have likely changed. Meet with your boss to nut out what you need to do to help. You are more likely to enjoy tasks that you have some control over.
Rather than a vague statement of discontent, identify negatives precisely. Whether it’s workmates who are too noisy or meetings that go on and on, it’s easier to solve a concrete problem.
Smarten up your work environment. Get rid of clutter, make it more attractive and add some personal touches so that you enjoy being there.
Stay in the moment. Close down Facebook and avoid YouTube. Focus on the tasks at hand and you’ll be surprised how much faster time goes.
It is possible to revive your relationship with your workplace. Take the first step and then the next. And then the one after that.
Beyond the immediate emergency, even when our societies emerge from the crisis, the working world will take time to recover and may never be the same again. In times of high unemployment, power swings to employers and many employees will lose confidence, especially older workers whose jobs may permanently disappear.
I started life as a career specialist when it was a dreadful time to look for work. Unemployment was shocking and there were few good jobs around. Since then, I’ve worked with thousands of clients and have a fair idea of which behaviours, attitudes and skills help individuals to survive.
This situation is too serious for a list of tips. Instead, here are critical career/job survival elements for you to consider, depending on whether you fit into one of two scenarios.
Scenario A: You still have a job
1. Stay put even if you don't like your job
Hunker down for the immediate future. I can’t believe I’m actually china mobile phone number resource recommending that you put up with a job you don’t like but such is the state of the world.
Of course, staying put is bleeding obvious, as the Brits would say but let’s examine how you can improve your happiness and change your mindset:
Business operations have likely changed. Meet with your boss to nut out what you need to do to help. You are more likely to enjoy tasks that you have some control over.
Rather than a vague statement of discontent, identify negatives precisely. Whether it’s workmates who are too noisy or meetings that go on and on, it’s easier to solve a concrete problem.
Smarten up your work environment. Get rid of clutter, make it more attractive and add some personal touches so that you enjoy being there.
Stay in the moment. Close down Facebook and avoid YouTube. Focus on the tasks at hand and you’ll be surprised how much faster time goes.
It is possible to revive your relationship with your workplace. Take the first step and then the next. And then the one after that.