| Usually the first thing that hit the mind of the | | | | unfair), if you announce to the world that you live |
| retrenched is "why me?" Rightful question asked. | | | | with it, move on and accept that you are MAKING |
| Why not the neighbour or colleague in the next door | | | | THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE, I |
| box? When you have done your best, performed | | | | guarantee you that people around you will admire |
| perfectly year on year, why does it happen? My | | | | you for being strong, stead-fast and for believing in |
| advice. Don't bother pursuing to get that question | | | | yourself. It sends a strong signal that even in the |
| answered. It happened. Live with it! | | | | worst of times - and losing ones perhaps only |
| Seeking answers might reveal conflicting information, | | | | revenue source is one of those - you maintain |
| e.g. individual managers may have different reasons if | | | | posture and self-confidence. This will shine through - |
| any all, for letting you go. Or worse, you might not | | | | also in your communication with head-hunters, |
| like hearing the real truth. I suggest you accept it | | | | recruiters, executive search companies (or whatever |
| with grace and move on. Don't forget that even in | | | | they are called). Remember, there is no shame in |
| darkness there is light. Being retrenched allows you - | | | | losing your job. Don't bow your head. Be open, |
| possibly - to pursue what you may have long dreamt | | | | honest and sincere and people will appreciate you and |
| about. Starting your own business? Being your own | | | | HELP you. Don't forget, you need help. Take anything |
| boss? Turn your hobby into your life/career or seek | | | | sensible that is extended or offered to you with |
| employment in an industry foreign but perhaps | | | | appreciation. You'll never know what may just be |
| attractive to you. You could as well merely choose | | | | your turning point. |
| to move to the stiffest competitor of your | | | | Nobody wants to help an angry man. There is a |
| ex-employer and make it your life long strategy to | | | | great Gruk on that: |
| "beat the living daylights out of your ex-employer". | | | | Giving in is no defeat. |
| From a business point of view of course!! There may | | | | Passing on is no retreat. |
| be some gratification in that. Should you choose to | | | | Selves are made to rise above. |
| do so, make well sure that this will not conflict with | | | | You shall live in what you love. |
| your employment contract. | | | | - Piet Hein |
| Life is about change. Being retrenched is an | | | | Or |
| opportunity for change! Take the opportunity. | | | | "If you are going through hell, keep going." |
| Perhaps this is the vehicle to allow you to finally do | | | | - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) |
| what you have always dreamt about but never | | | | If you can, don't ever slam a door shot. If you are |
| dared pursuing? | | | | retrenched - you are the one who lost and usually |
| When one door shuts, usually a new and better one | | | | your ex employer will go a bit beyond what may be |
| opens. My network it telling me that time and again. | | | | otherwise reasonable, to help you. If they do, |
| When I wrote this little piece I was 14 days into my | | | | appreciate that. Thank them and keep contact. One |
| unemployment era and really beginning to see this. | | | | day in the future you could very well end up working |
| If you choose to stay angry and bitter, you gain | | | | with ex colleagues/bosses in a different profession. If |
| nothing. You become intolerable to live with - doesn't | | | | you slam the door when you leave, you shut future |
| matter much if you are single of course - and friends | | | | possibilities. Let me give you an example; |
| and family around you begin to distance themselves. | | | | 6 years ago I sent my resume to a recruiter. I never |
| You are then into the beginning of an evil spiral. Do | | | | heard anything from them until 3 weeks ago when |
| you think any new employer, or angel organization | | | | they asked for an interview for a very exciting |
| you want to finance your new start up, will bet on a | | | | regional director's position in Asia Pacific. I did not |
| bitter and angry man or woman? I don't. | | | | know the company, industry etc. but the details they |
| Bitter and angry unemployed people become so out | | | | shared allowed me to do some research. I did and |
| of self-pity. "It is so cruel"; "they are all morons and | | | | found out that the CIO of that company today is |
| don't see my qualities"; "they are so unfair"; "I hate | | | | my boss from 6 years ago. I'm pretty pleased that I |
| them all". Do you think you gain anything - support, | | | | have not slammed any doors and that I have always |
| friends, help from strangers etc. by keeping that low | | | | tried to keep a professional, diplomatic and |
| level of spirit? That negative aura? | | | | non-political demeanour. |
| If you accept with grace (difficult I know if it's really | | | | I wish that you shall receive what wish for in life! |