How to Handle Change and Uncertainty Like a Pro

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control
over what you don’t.”  — Steve Maraboli

Dear Audie,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. The past 6 weeks have tested each of us in different ways, and I hope you are doing as well as can be expected considering your circumstances.

This month’s newsletter addresses how to handle change and uncertainty like a pro. I’ll be providing tips/reminders for those of you (1) currently or anticipating being in the job market; (2) still adjusting to working from home and taking on added responsibilities due to shelter-in-place directives.

Enjoy reading this newsletter! I welcome your feedback as well as input and suggestions on what you’d like to see that will be of value to you. Please email me at [email protected]. 

Stay safe and healthy! We’re in this together. We’ll get through this together. 

Warm regards,

P.S. I invite you to share my newsletter with anyone you feel could benefit from receiving valuable content and insights each month. 

P.P.S. To learn more about Your Call To Action and how I help my clients go from being frustrated, burned out, stuck in a toxic environment or worried about being downsized, to feeling excited, valued and re-energized at work (and in their life) again, take a look around my website.

Handling Change and Uncertainty Like a Pro!

We’ve all gone through changes in our lives — some by our own choosing and others, not so much. How we look at the situation and the way we respond can make all the difference in the world.  From the perspective of seeking a new job, focus on the positive, envision what you want the end result to be, and take action on things you have control over.

If you've been downsized, while it's important to grieve the loss of a job (and possibly your identity) and the safety net of your income, it’s important to not take up residence there for too long. Seek out professional help from a career transition coach and/or therapist who have the credentials and proven experience to help guide and support you through this. I encourage you to take positive action, even if it’s one (small) step forward at a time.  

Following are tips that will help you weather this storm and come out on top: 

Tips for those of you currently in job transition (for the past 2 or more months)

By now, I hope you are clear about what you’re looking to do next and the right environment that will set you up for success, you have an updated, strong and “forward facing” resume and enhanced LinkedIn profile, you are well versed in your messaging and answering common questions you’ll be asked, and are consistently applying effective job search strategies that will ensure you stand out (in a good way!) from other candidates. If are, great! 

If not, I encourage you to look at the information under the Awesome Resources section below and take action. 

Tips/Reminders:

• Stay visible and active in your search! Your job is finding a new position. Even if it means dialing back the number of hours each day to preserve your sanity, help with family responsibilities, enjoy guilt-free downtime to re-energize and fill your soul, do yourself a favor and continue focusing on productive activities every weekday that will help move the needle forward in your search.
• While the hiring process may have slowed down or placed on hold for a period of time in some industries, many companies are hiring, and they are hiring senior level executives at income levels at or above their previous compensation for similar or better roles! 
• Think outside the box!  Consider seeking out short-term, part-time consulting projects that will keep you productive, engaged and earning money, while still leaving plenty of time for you to conduct an effective and active job search. The project could lead to their creating a full-time position for you.
• Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. Minimize conversations with  others who are “Debbie Downers” or “Negative Neds”. All the more reason to work with an experienced executive career transition coach who has walked in your shoes, can relate to what you’re going through and how to change your situation for the better, and can guide, support and coach you with proven search strategies geared for executives seeking employment in today’s hiring climate.
• Be sensitive to what others may be going through as a result of the pandemic. We all are experiencing change and uncertainty. A little empathy goes a long way.  

Tips for those of you who are new or soon-to-be in job transition 

The saying “If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?” is never more true than when you begin your job search. It’s important to gain clarity into what you want to do next and the type of company/environment you thrive in. If you don’t have a clear picture, I encourage you to download and complete this free resource. 

Once you’re clear on what you want to do next (if you’re unsure, a good career transition coach can help you), you’ll then be able to work on your messaging, branding, and begin executing an effective job search strategy. 

Tips/Reminders:

• Narrow your job search to 1 or 2 different paths. You’ll be able to stay focused, and, as a result, you’ll gain more traction and land a new position quicker.
• If you’re a mid- to senior-level executive (the market I serve), take control over your search by leveraging and expanding your network, proactively reaching out to company executives at targeted companies, and establishing relationships with executive headhunters in your industry. Limit looking for positions online to no more than 10-15% of your time — anything more is generally a waste of your time and energy.
• Being downsized takes a hit to one’s confidence and self-esteem. If you’ve been downsized due to corporate restructurings or M&A, new leadership or business downturns like we’re experiencing with COVID-19, please know that it usually has nothing to do with you and your performance. Your skills, abilities and the value you offer a company is no different today than before you were downsized. Internalize this as it’ll help you move forward with your head held high.
• Friends and family can offer tremendous support, but it’s not always the ‘right’ support you’ll need to successfully land a new position in today’s climate. It’s competitive out there. Why not partner with someone who can guide and coach you with an effective and proven success path, support you through the ups and downs and the twists and turns that inevitably occur throughout the interview and job search process?
• Read the tips/reminders listed in the first section. They also apply to new/soon-to-be executive job seekers! 

Tips for those of you who are employed and (still) adjusting to working from home

Here are some tips to making working from home less stressful and more productive: 

• If you haven't done so already, set up your office in a separate room where you can close the door, be free from distractions and where you have good wireless connectivity. This not only applies to your laptop, but also cellphone reception. 
• Be sure to take frequent short breaks to stretch and move about throughout the day. Take a lunch break away from your desk! Take a walk, eat lunch in the kitchen, etc.
• Try to minimize the number of Zoom meetings you and your team have each day. Video conferencing is much more draining (physically and mentally) than holding similar meetings in person.
• If you’re also juggling family responsibilities while sheltering-in-place, be flexible and try to help out as much as you can. Perhaps you can finish some of your work at night after your kids are in bed or wake up early to get some work done.
• Many of my clients are surprised at how much they are enjoying interacting with their family throughout the work day or tackling 'someday' projects! Sheltering-in-place offers so many positives, so take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity and enjoy! What a gift!

If you're trying to gain clarity into what you want to do next and the right company environment you’ll thrive in, download and complete this free resource. 

If you’re a motivated mid- to senior-level executive (or know of any) looking to kick-start or put your job search in high gear, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation and see how I can be of help.  Click here to schedule a complimentary 40 minute Strategy Session.

If you are a mid- to senior-level executive and motivated to find your next opportunity (or know someone who is), I'd love to speak with you to better understand your situation, what you're looking to do, and see how I can be of help. Book your complimentary 40-minute Strategy Session here.

Prior to launching Your Call To Action in 2015, Audie spent over 30 years in technology sales and sales leadership roles working with C-Level and other key stakeholders at Fortune 1000 companies utilizing a consultative and value-based approach to addressing her clients' needs.

Due to the evolving nature of the technology industry, it was common to change companies due to M&A, new leadership coming in and bringing their own team, corporate restructurings, or as a way to advance one's career. Audie became very proficient — and successful — in landing multiple offers each time, and was frequently complimented on how she stood out (in a good way!) from other candidates throughout the interview process.

She leverages her business acumen, consultative and value-based approach to sales, and professional coach training (ICF Certified) in working with clients and delivering her proven methodology, strategies and tips for successfully landing a new position (after all, one needs to sell oneself, right?).

Audie is intuitive, nurturing, and compassionate yet firm—all of the qualities you should want in a coach. She is your accountability partner with a focus on helping you get real results ... and you’ll also have fun along the way!

Want to learn more? Click here to book a Complimentary Strategy Session.