RESPONSES:

I am the Resource Coordinator for a very busy JCC/Resource Center in Oxnard , CA .  We have around 4,000 people a month come through our doors and many of them come into the Resource Center .  I have a bell that we ring when someone comes in and lets us know they have obtained employment.  You would be surprised how many people say it gives them hope and they can't wait until the bell rings for them.  We actually have people/customers who say they are closer to another center however they come here because we have the bell!

It is fun for all of us!  Susan Hartwick-Sauer

I believe you need to keep an unemployed person positive by keeping them active.  By this I mean get them involved in the community volunteering.  This is also a great way to meet employers and obtain resources while you keep your mind off not having a job.  Good places to start are the local Chambers or United Way .  These are places that may get you into employers and networking is still a great way to get to work!

Have a Great Day!
TS MI

Every ending is, at the same time, a new beginning, a new opportunity, a new adventure, a chance to grow and learn, a chance to change more of what I don't like to what I do or to try something new. (And on a religious note, it might be a time to tune in and listen even more carefully to any guidance that comes from within.) These are the attitudes that helped me most when I was laid off myself. The other thing that helped me tremendously was a training consultant who always said we. "If this doesn't work, we will try something else." Suddenly, it was a team effort; I wasn't on my own facing this challenge. Vikki

One Stops and heard counselors talking about how bad it is out there for people to find jobs

Hi Paul,

This above remark is so true, and so negative.  I too have walked into Career Service Center (aka One Stop) and saw unbelievable, unprofessional and uncalled for behavior by employees who worked there. 

Me being who I am decided not to keep my mouth shut and called some of them on the carpet. In a nut shell, things turned around and I am pleased to say operation is more positive with my dealings with them today.

Anyway, back on track in regard to what you want:

1. First and most important is no matter what took place and rather it is fair or not, in the situation that created unemployment; it is vital that the one unemployed continue to believe in them self.

2. Being unemployed is a barrier in life, it is important that the one unemployed find a solution to the problem, as the saying goes; build a bridge to get over it, or dig a tunnel to get through it, end result, do not stand still, make movement, get over the barriers and create a path that fits you and makes you happy.  Be willing to accept change and work for less than what you are worth.  Good to do, in order to get going again.

That is about it, on this subject J

Patti

I must admit, I don't always make time to read your communications. However, every time I do, I remember how inspirational you always are and that time is often a gift we give ourselves. I too get very mired in the fact that it is a jobless recovery - especially for my target populations - teens. You have reminded me that this is not a valid reason to pass this on to our clients! I truly take this to heart - THANK YOU!

Cindy

What a nice way to start a new week! I like your glass is half full approach and look around at all the people who are working and wonder if I would hire some of them or how I would retrain them if I had hired them. Helping people understand list all the benefits of working vs. not working is a good start to motivation. Helping people discover their hot spot - primary interests and related work skills in their life experiences gives folks a positive approach to returning to work. Knowing someone believes in
you goes a long way toward encouragement for someone who is unemployed. Sharing success stories of those who didn't appear to have a chance who made it, also helps put things in perspective. Anyone can get a job if they really want to work. Training  opportunities to boost someone's skills are around and possible without great expense. Everyone wants people to work.  it's good for the economy. Let people know how their going to work  contributes to the greater good. Staying home or walking a picket line
gets old and boring and tiring and is no way to live. Ask Honolulu Bus drivers. They went back to work today after 33 days of unemployment and they are smiling.

Aloha, Joy  HI

Hi Paul,
I have been where the dislocated worker is on two separate occasions, of course different companies. I would say the one concept I held to was to remain as positive as I could while going through the process.  Remain positive. Commitment-I encourage people to
commit to spending time looking for employment, not just one hour here one hour there. Get a hobby or find something you enjoy doing that doesn't cost any money. Go with the Flow, it will work out. Denise, San Bernardino .

I don't know where I heard it....but the quote is "Don't think of yourself as unemployed...but as looking for work!"  I see this as unemployed is can be a negative turn which brings out low self esteem, depression, tension, and a reason to give up.  While looking for work, I see it as being positive, going out to see employers, packaging yourself to present the best you possible.  It also means having a goal in mind and developing a plan of action.  At La Sierra and Iowa GAIN offices, I have a picture of 'Rosie the Rivertor...which states "WE MAKE HISTORY EVERY DAY"  and with the quote on the bottom.   Lulu, Riverside , Ca.

Another great topic.  This is one that I practice with clients almost on a daily basis.

    Most of the time it doesn't seem like I help very much with the words of encouragement I have to offer, until one of those clients calls to tell me that they found a job.  Then they add, "thanks for all your encouragement and positive attitude.  You have really helped me."

    One of the things I focus on (which I learned from you), is to never tell them "you won't find a job at the (high) wage you're expecting."  We may talk about the low wages in this county but I don't discourage them and instead we talk about ways to negotiate a higher wage once they are offered a position.
    Every time they complain or whine, I look for the solution in their plight and offer that.  I also spend a lot of time looking for jobs or referrals I can forward to my clients.  I also call employers when I see a position that may be a good match for one of my clients and ask them (the employer) to keep this persons name in mind when they get ready to interview.  This technique is really helpful when you trust that your client is going to be a success.

Cinthia - Calif.   

Motivating the unemployed can be a little difficult at times however it is not impossible.  It first starts with us as the resource that they have come to seek help from.  We have to have a positive outlook and then we can begin to help them.  One of the first things I do is to let them know that it is not their fault if they were laid off, it is just the times that we live in.  It is a life altering not a life threatening situation, get them to look at some positive aspects of it.  Use your own life experiences if you have been laid off before or unemployed for an extended period of time.  Help them to begin to think outside the box so to speak, look at areas of employment that they may have never thought about before.  Help them look at the skills they have acquired and how they can transform them into another field of employment.  Help them to see that they may need some schooling to move into another career, and show them how to use labor market information so they can see what careers are worth going into.  Build their self-esteem try and keep them from getting down on themselves, find out what their support network is like.  Are family and friends supporting them during this time?  Help them to recognize that they are not going to make the same amount of money they made before starting out.  We have to learn to encourage them in their efforts even if it sounds crazy, let them vent some things and help them to move on.   This is how I try and motivate my clients.

Michael , Ohio

hi Paul......yeah...the "pity parties" or the "bar room" talk can " get you down"...".there are no jobs out there.." ...".it's all politics." in sales they call it overcoming objections......getting rid of the negative energy....convincing clients of the fact that "eighty per cent of all jobs are never advertised"....everybody is going to work...it's just a matter of when......look for the unadvertised openings...friends ,family acquaintances....networking and use of the yellow pages and phone presentation to get referrals or job leads then interviews......remember...you are not looking for a hundred jobs...just one....look everyday. build up momentum...."each "no" brings you closer to "yes".......your friend Len

Thanks for keeping up with your forums, I've read some response to previous topics, but would be specially interested in this one, due to the UI Claimant is my target population.

Ruel

Working with Unemployment Claimants is challenging. I'm sure some of you have a wide range of people to deal with:

• The long-timer who didn't quite make to retirement and pension
• The worker with a "bad-ass" attitude
• The office clerk/administrator who didn't know what hit them
• The supervisor/manager with no degree
• Middle management that earned a wee bit much at an expense of a lay off
• The Labor-minded worker in mail/receiving or warehouse
• The Techie who thinks they know it all
• The out-of-towner who doesn't quite get that they are in a different place and expects things are the same
• The ex-Military now civilian who expects to earn what he was worth in his unit
• The worker who is not quite sure of what they want out of life now
• The Lot-of Fluff worker that boast what they can do, but cannot back it up
• The depressed, "why me" worker that needs more mental therapy than a job at this time
• And let's face it, the not-so-bright workers

The above are naming a few and of course you'll have the "combo" person with 2 or more "traits." I think identifying your client and how they respond to you and your suggestions are key (per Paul's Motivation Seminar: are they Auditory, Visual or "touch/feely" kind of person).

I do talk about my success rate and make them understand that if they follow your instructions, it will guide them to employment. Give them some control as stated before. Give them options and extreme examples: if they just "ball up" in a fetal position and do nothing they will lose more than a job- car, house, family or if they get up and brush of the "lay-off/termination" and stick with a plan, they will get back on their feet and keep their comfort level; promote a "never quit attitude."

Examples of some of your clients that went through it and got jobs. A testimonial of clients or even thank you cards from former clients can be shown of your success and that they can be one too.

Allow the client to think "flexibility" especially if they are rigid in their salary requirements: can they see other hidden benefits like a company car, future promotions/foot in the door, increased pension or extra time off?

Another suggestion is to allow the client to view this opportunity to look at the job market, see what they can do to make themselves more marketable: possibly attend or be eligible to a paid training program. Ask them to avail themselves to other resources for help and that it is "ok" to be in this situation and they are not alone. State that this is temporary and if they want to end it, they should be "job ready" by prepping their resume or be confident in interviewing skills. Ruel

 I believe in encouraging anyone who has lost a job to think in terms of what their skills are, what they like to do and how these will fit into jobs that are available now or could be in the near future.  They need to start thinking in the future, the past is gone and won't be back (don't try and fit into the past, go for the future).  I want them to put themselves into the new position they want and work towards that goal, keeping in mind they still may need to have some adjusting to do.  This concept will also help someone who has been out of work for a long time, they just need to be helped more because they've probably already got themselves tight into the "I have to have a certain job" box.  If they do that they have the whole job market to look into and can fit themselves into the job, not look for the job to fit them.  I've had to look for jobs myself over the years and held to that concept.  It has opened up doors that I would never have thought to open if I had kept myself into a box, you need to open the box and go for it!

Marge