When looking for a job, you must keep up with industry trends and stay sharp. As part of my routine, I read relevant articles and paid attention to LinkedIn group discussions. In addition, I continued being an active part of Toastmasters International. Although Toastmasters may not be the solution for everyone, it kept my writing and communication skills honed and kept my confidence up with a very supportive group. It also got me out of the house. For me, it was like a play date for adults. The satisfaction level of participating in activities with a group of people with similar goals was very motivating. Additionally, I kept a journal containing all the lessons I learned during the job search process. That journal became the basis of this book. It’s important to balance your job search with professional development. Make sure you read books, websites, and keep your network productive. It all leads to the same place, and the invested time may be the differentiating factor when it comes to preparation, knowledge, and relevant skills.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

What does an unemployed individual have to offer as a mentor?
Plenty! In fact, I picked up more people to mentor along the way
than I would have ever expected. It is always flattering to be asked. My
time-management skills were challenged, forcing me to be creative in how
often we met, but I am convinced that leading discussions and helping
others kept me sharp and on my game. It also allowed me to question
myself about whether I was being productive in my own efforts to grow
and develop.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

Mentors are like that blanket you couldn’t give up as a kid. If you
don’t have to stop the relationship, then don’t. Mentors provide
the objective point of view we all need. If your mentor is with your old
company, unless policy dictates it, there is no reason to stop the conversations.
One of my mentors hit me between the eyes with some feedback
as I was looking into options to get back into my former company when
she said, “Tone down the outside interests.” She meant that my “paid
hobby” of speaking and training on the side could easily be seen as a
priority conflict. Although I saw the strength of these interests as making
me a stronger professional, my mentor’s easily digestible comment put a
potential blind spot into context. Someone who may not know me well
might easily shy away from wanting to hire me due to a perceived priority
conflict. I was able to work on my filtering of this information in networking
and job interviews by not leading with it. I formulated a more
reserved message that came across stronger because it was clear how those
side interests had become an investment in my own growth that would
help me succeed in the new role. I am ever so thankful for the mentors,
both formal and informal, who stayed with me through this process.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

You are bound to run into other unemployed people. In fact, a close
friend of mine was looking for a job at the same time. I could have
said we were competing for openings, but in reality we simply shared best
practices, gave each other advice, and maintained the special “unemployment
bond” that brought us even closer. When we both landed jobs within
a couple weeks of each other, the success was only sweeter. My two
months of unemployment was full of mistakes and lessons learned. I felt a
need to share this information with anyone I thought could benefit from
it. I considered this invested time, while always testing my theories and
getting feedback on my trials and tribulations for the future. A job may
not be right for you but if someone else comes to mind, pay it forward.

In these desperate times, it sounds counterintuitive, but it’s important
to share your expertise and knowledge and expect nothing in return.
Whether you are in a one-on-one session, talking with career centers,
or speaking with professional/networking groups, you should willingly
participate. You obviously don’t want to come across as a know-it-all, but
you will gain credibility and value naturally when people see your selfless
behavior and leadership skills. When you do things because it’s the right
thing to do, not because you need a job, the job ends up finding you. It
may take some time, but your patience and generosity will pay dividends
for you over time.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

Don’t feel sorry for yourself. First, you don’t have time and second,
it is your choice as to how you will resolve this situation. You can
choose to feel down in the dumps, or you can go after the new challenge
with gusto. It’s okay to feel excited about the unknown test that is staring
you in the face. You should enjoy the ride—because at this point, it’s the
only ride you’re on. It may seem masochistic to relish this type of situation,
but I realized how important maintaining the right attitude was to
my success in this endeavor. Enjoy the rollercoaster ride of emotions as
doors open and shut all around you. In Dr. Richard Carlson’s book Don’t
Sweat the Small Stuff he notes, “Don’t let the highs be too high and the
lows be too low.” Stay balanced with your approach, and you will win the
game.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby

You can’t hide from the facts. Yes, you’ve lost your job, but you didn’t
lose your identity. You might feel the need to hold back on information,
but being open, and even vulnerable, isn’t a bad trait when people
are trying to help. If you have kids, the age of the children will dictate
how much filtering is needed in your messaging to them. My kids were
twelve, fourteen, and sixteen years old when I had to tell them about the
job loss. My wife and I were straightforward and simple with our approach.
I said that I lost my job due to budget cuts, but had the utmost
confidence that I would land a job as soon as I could. I emphasized that
my job was to find a job and that each day was a work day.

We found that that matter of fact approach reduced the burden that
children sometimes feel they have to carry. Holding back because of embarrassment
or other reasons will only cause more mental anguish as you
try to bottle up. Make the effort to be more open with the information.
You’ll find a very large population of people who have been through it,
who know someone who has gone through it, or are simply there to help.
The support comes when people start to know your story.

Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):

• Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
• Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
• Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
• The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
• From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
• The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood

See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com.  Book and eBook purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com

MP3 Downloads of “From Fear to Success:  A Practical Public-speaking Guide” are available at Apple iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic, Nokia, Xbox Music, Spotify, Omnifone, Google Music Store, Rdio, Muve Music, Bloom.fm, Slacker Radio, MediaNet, 7digital, 24-7, Rumblefish, and Shazam “From Fear to Success” MP3 on CD Baby