Self Help

I was laid off.

In order to be clear about the optimal path forward for you it is really important to understand what might be the key problem/challenge facing you. If you have not already done so, answer the following questions:

Do you need to get another job immediately? No/Yes
1. If yes – Why?
2. Money – Yes
3. Morale – Is it better to make the right next step or simply to take a step?
4. Other?
How do you feel about being laid off?
1. Matter of fact
2. Surprised
3. Disappointed
4. Scared
5. Reconciled
6. Happy
Could you have done anything about losing your job, or if you resigned, was there anything else you could have done to have improved the situation?
Are you mentally ‘ready’ to start another job?
What reason were you given/do you give for you losing or leaving your job?
1. Economic situation?
2. Company specific situation e.g) loss of business.
3. Reasons specific to your performance?
If you were laid off for reasons attributed to your performance, do you think there is any justification in the reason given?
1. If yes, do you think you could improve the areas cited?

SPARKIN COACHING If you feel the above questions are helpful but you are unsure of ‘what’s next’ or uncertain about what the ‘optimal’ next step is or you are unclear ‘how to manifest’ a chosen direction but want to move forward go to:

What We Do/Our Process

I am employed and feeling vulnerable.

I am Currently Employed But Feel Extremely Vulnerable. What Can I Do To Reduce These Feelings? In order to be clear about the optimal path forward for you it is really important to understand what might be the key problem/challenge facing you. If you have not already done so, answer the following questions:

Is the way you are feeling particular to you or is it shared by others in your department, your agency/company, the industry or possibly because of broader macroeconomic realities? The point is, are these feelings more about your personal circumstance or the ‘bigger picture?’
1. Personal Circumstance (skip to 2)
2. Bigger Picture (skip to 6)
What are the main reasons you are feeling vulnerable?
1. I do not get on well with my boss. (skip to 3)
2. I do not get on well with my client and/or my client’s business is tanking. (skip to 4)
3. I know ‘they’ are looking to make reductions/further reductions here. (skip to 5)
4. The department I work in is considered large and likely to receive cuts/further cuts. (skip to 5)
5. I was the last in and would be the first out. (skip to 5)
6. I am a big ticket item. ‘They’ need to save money! (skip to 5)
Think about this. Why specifically don't you or don't you ‘think’ you get on with your boss? Perhaps you do. (Can you get some perspective from people that see you interact with your boss) and if you don’t what’s the reason? Is it something you can do something about? (skip to 6)
Not ‘getting on’ with your client is one issue but their business ‘tanking’ may explain the former issue and will certainly affect it. Again, be clear as to what factors are causing the stresses in the relationship. And most important, at a time when many of us are seeking clear direction to protect and grow business, think how you can be proactive in helping your client and this will if nothing else be appreciated. (skip to 6)
Quite possibly ‘cuts’ may occur but you need to focus on your own ‘game plan.’ You may wish to do the following:
1. With your client - Enhance the relationship by going ‘over and above’ what is expected of you and try to anticipate problems and provide solutions/ new ways for your clients to optimize their business. If the client is happy with you or is increasing its spending, this will certainly help your cause.
2. With the agency – Most businesses are ‘challenged’ and can carry no ‘extra baggage.’ Help the agency directly in terms of proactively being known to suggest ideas to make or save money and/or help morale/team build, so essential in the current climate.
3. With you – Prepare options for yourself. Know what else is ‘out there.’ Have a clear sense of your capabilities/conduct your own brand audit. What we do/Your typical coaching questions
Just turn on the news (or better - do not) and you have very compelling reasons to feel vulnerable! That said, the reality is some industries are performing better and some departments better than others. The truth is that there is genuinely a shortage of talent even now. The challenge for companies is still to retain their performers who keep clients. So, your best strategy is to control what you can control, which is:
1. Your focus - Focus your effort and willingness to do all you can to take initiative to help your clients and company prosper. As much as possible, make yourself invaluable.
2. Your knowledge - Seek to develop it and to become an expert in some aspect of it. This makes you more valuable internally and more marketable externally.
3. Your options – Whilst you should be loyal to your employer, if market conditions become dire your employer would be prepared to lay you off. So, be aware of your career options and proactively start managing your brand. See SPARKIN COACHING.

What We Do/Our Process

I am out of work.

I am Currently Out of Work. What Should I Do to Give Myself Every Chance to Quickly Get the Next Job? In order to be clear about the optimal path forward for you it is really important to understand what might be the key problem/challenge facing you. If you have not already done so, answer the following questions:

1. How long is it since you have been ‘in’ a job? This is a key question as the longer you have been out of work the more pertinent the questions that follow.
Let’s be clear about everything you’ve done so far to get ‘that’ job. What have you done and what appears to work and what in your opinion doesn’t? Audit these things. (There will inevitably be areas you haven’t had a chance to think about or don’t know)
Sounds like a crazy question, particularly if you like many are worrying financially, but are you ready for the next challenge?
1. Emotionally? It’s really important to project a positive outlook.
2. Do you know specifically what you want? Yes (skip to 6), “sort of” (skip to 5), No (skip to 4)
You have no idea what you want to do. You have had previous work, so think about the questions in 5 below. You need to begin ‘working out’/‘constructing’ what might be a good job for you. The way to do this is to draw on your past work (and non-work) experiences and think about which skills you enjoy (and are proficient) in using. Once you have a list of skills, this will eliminate some jobs and ‘direct you’ to others. Do this and CONTACT SPARKIN and, skip to 7.
“Sort of.” The good new is that you have some sense as to what worked for you either in your job or the environment you worked in, possibly you have a sense of both. Clarify i) and ii) below and then skip to.
1. What aspects of your past work did you enjoy?
2. What type of environment do you want to work in?
It is great that you know what you want and you have a specific objective/brief. More important, if you have a goal that excites you, you will be more able to sustain the inevitable frustrations of the search for that new job opportunity. Now, make sure, do you have the following, then skip to 7.
1. A specific benefit to offer. (Clarify/develop one/CONTACT SPARKIN COACHING)
2. An identified target audience. A target list of prospective employers. i)above will drive ii)
3. A resume that is not simply a chronological account of everything you have done? It should be a selective rendition of that experience. If you can distill your thoughts in writing, this will make them easier to succinctly articulate.
Area of greatest opportunity. - If you have a clear or better sense of what job you want next, read the press of that industry. See which companies are doing very well and very badly. Both present fertile opportunity. One is probably looking for extra talent whilst the other is looking for new ideas.
How to be inspiring? It is important for you to be interesting to potential contacts that can help you and potential employers that can hire you. During your job search, ensure that you give yourself rewards/breaks to do unrelated activities.
To get a job requires sending out resumes and making phone calls/sending emails, which lead to meetings. Which then lead to more meetings and even job offers. Your ultimate goal is ‘the’ job but remember the intermediate steps are crucial ‘mini’ successes. See them as such and you will maintain a positive mindset and have the endurance to succeed.

What We Do/Our Process

I dislike my job.

What exactly do you do? (Write this down) Let’s be clear about what the job is and what it entails.
Do you dislike all aspects of your job or only some of them? Yes/All (skip to 8) Some (skip to 3) (Be honest and clear about which aspects work and which do not)
So you dislike some aspects of your job whilst others are more frustrations amplified by feelings about the things you truly dislike? (It’s easy to generalise and this might ‘cloud’ your perspective on what is otherwise a good work situation)
What aspect/s of your job do you dislike?
1. Skills you use or do not.
2. People you work with or do not.
3. Organisational aspects.
4. Client/s.
What specifically do you dislike?
Can you do anything about improving things?
1. Reskill.
2. Team support.
3. HR involvement.
4. Involvement of your boss.
Do you believe the part of your job/environment that is not working for you can be changed through discussion or organisational support?
Have you tried to change things? Have you talked to your boss, HR or someone you can confide in? Yes (skip to 11), No/Talk to your boss, HR or someone you can confide in. (skip to 9)
Are there aspects of your job that you enjoy? Yes. What are they? (skip to 10) No (skip to 11)
Are you certain it is your job that you hate and not other factors at work?
Are you facing particular pressures in other areas of your life? Yes/No
How long have you felt this way?
Does your boss or HR or people that have influence know how you feel?
If it really is your job you hate, can you/would you pursue a different job in the same organization?

What We Do/Our Process

I am bored. I need a new challenge.

Why are you bored?
1. Not learning anything new.
2. The people.
3. The accounts.
4. The environment.
5. The culture.
6. You realize it is the wrong type of job.
How long have you felt this way?
Have you spoken with anyone internally, about the way you feel? Yes (go to 6), No (Speak with your boss, HR or someone that you can confide in/skip to 4).
What have you done internally to resolve the way you feel?
What was the point/reason that ultimately made you seek outside sources of help?
If you have spoken with someone, what have they done to help you alleviate your boredom or what have they advised you to do about it?
Are you bored with all aspects of your current role or certain parts?
If it is certain aspects of your current role, can you minimize them?
If it is not certain aspects of your role (it feels like it is everything), perhaps it is factors unrelated to your job that are causing you to feel bored?
1. Managerial. - You are not being allowed to hone your skills or get a range of experiences in your chosen specialty, or perhaps there just is not the scope to give you the variety you need.
2. Organizational constraints. - As an example, a risk averse culture might well reward tenure rather than ability.
If it is not managerial factors or organizational constraints that cause you to feel bored, it might be that you have learnt all you can where you are, that is you’ve gone as far as you can with the role in the current organization. Does your role simply bore you or do you think it could be exciting in a different setting.

What We Do/Our Process

I hate the business I am in.

What makes you say this? Are you unhappy with everything or something in particular? Everything (go to 2), Something in particular (skip to 4)
How long have you felt this way?
How long have you felt this strongly about the business you are in? When did unhappiness or discontentedness become true dislike for the business?
If you can identify specific parts of the business that frustrate you, have you tried actively to improve your situation? Have you attempted to adjust your current role/do something about the particular part of your work that makes you so unhappy whilst emphasizing aspects that you enjoy?
Do others understand/sympathize with the way that you feel or is it just you?
If others feel the same way, do these peers work in the same role/department of the company? Yes (skip to 7) No (skip to 9)
Do you know why your peers hate their jobs?
Do you know of anyone that hated their job but after taking some action subsequently felt better about matters? If so, have you talked with them?
Might it be the company that you and your colleagues are unhappy with and not necessarily the industry? If others feel the same way as you but work in different parts of the business, might the issue be broader or company-wide?

What We Do/Our Process

I want more money.

So, you think you deserve more money than you are currently paid. Why?
When did you last have a review and/or pay raise? Recently (skip to 3) Not recently (skip to 8)
What was the feedback you received in your last review? Poor. (skip to 5) Good/Excellent (skip to 4)
So, you had a good to excellent review but you did not get a pay raise? Does the organisation usually reward good performance? Yes (skip to 9) No (skip to 10)
If you had a poor review why do you think you deserve more money?
Do you think or know you do a good job? If so, how?
When thinking about salary, are you taking into account other benefits that the company provides that other companies might not? Yes (skip to 9) No - Make an inventory of the benefits the organisation provides.
Why has it been so long since the last review? Is it so long?
Why is not the company rewarding you even though you’re performing?
Do you know how you are paid compared to your peers?
Is the company you work for known to be less generous with compensation or is the discipline you work low paid/low paid where you work?
In what form do you need to receive additional income? Does it have to be a guaranteed monthly increase or could it be incentivized or given in some other form such as stock? If you like where you work, flexible pay may be a potential way to gain additional income.
Do you want or ‘need’ more money/wealth? Need (skip to 14), Want - if you want more money, you have time to construct a plan to get it. You should think carefully about not only the other benefits you have as part of your overall package but also think about how much you enjoy your current role and company.
If you need more money, be clear to yourself why and how much do you need to get?
What timeframe will you give yourself to bring the additional income about?

What We Do/Our Process

I want more responsibility.

What does responsibility mean to you and why do want it? (There is a difference between formal responsibility which is officially sanctioned and typically paid expertise/experience, and informal responsibility which may be doing similar or more work for no pay)
1. Variety.
2. More chance to influence decisions and outcomes.
3. More chance to learn.
4. Progression.
5. More money.
Of the above reasons for seeking additional formal responsibility, which single reason is most important?
When did you last have a review/were you last given additional formal responsibility? Recently (skip to 4), Not recently (skip to 7)
Why have not you been given the degree of responsibility that you seek?
1. Boss/Poor relationship.
2. Client challenges affect your perceived performance.
3. Company/Organisation is conservative/Not meritocratic.
4. Lack of experience given as the reason.
5. Lack of education given as the reason.
6. Poor performance cited as the reason.
7. Lack of opportunity to provide the responsibility you seek.
If you have been given the reason for not receiving additional formal responsibility, do you think it’s justified, in whole or in part? Yes (skip to 7), No (skip to 6)
Why do you believe you should be given more responsibility than you have?
1. Because you disagree with the reason given for not giving you responsibility.
2. Because you have not been given a reason for not having more responsibility. (skip to 9)
Can you take initiative to seek formal additional responsibility or informally go about helping others as a means to winning support for additional formal responsibility?
Do you believe you can do what’s needed to get the additional responsibility you seek with your employer at some definable point in time?
If you feel you have performed and have much more to offer, might you ask for additional responsibility? However, be clear about what you are asking for.

What We Do/Our Process

I want an environment that respects what I do.

What exactly are you experiencing?
1. Lack of opportunity.
2. Lack of respect.
3. Lack of resources.
4. Cultural factors - people from your discipline are just not listened to/valued as much as people from other departments/functions.
Do you feel it’s possible that it might be you rather than your discipline/department/skill-set that is being penalized?
If you feel that part of what you’re experiencing is down to you and not the department and how it is treated, what initiative could you take to improve your personal situation?
1. Talk to peers/your boss/personnel/general management.
2. Add to your skills.
3. Gain more experience.
4. Prove yourself - take initiative to proactively solve problems others cannot solve.
5. Mentor - request or find yourself someone to act as a sounding board for you.
How long have you felt this way/detected that there is an issue?
What have you done to raise awareness concerning the issue internally?
If others are now aware of the issue, has there been any positive change made or suggestion that change will happen?
In your opinion, is what you are experiencing something that can be changed given the leadership and/or culture of the organization?

What We Do/Our Process

I want to see what else is out there.

What makes you want to see what else is ‘out there?’
1. Belief that it makes sense to be aware of what else is possible?
2. Unhappiness with all or certain parts of the current role or organization or both?
3. Unhappiness with one aspect of your job/organization.
Do you have an idea as to what you are looking for? Yes (skip to 5), No (skip to 3)
Would you recognize what you were looking for if you saw it? Yes (skip to 5), No (skip to 4)
Have you considered clarifying what core skills you possess/enjoy using?
You do not believe your current employer can or will provide you with what you need? Perhaps it can? Yes/Correct (skip to 7), Unsure (skip to 6)
So you just want to benchmark yourself and your role versus what other organizations have to offer and/or:
1. To see what else you could do.
2. To see whether you could get a greater challenge with more responsibility.
3. To see whether you could make more money.
Do you believe that there might be nowhere else to go where you are? Is this because of:
1. Culture.
2. Management/The way the organisation is run.
3. Your boss.
4. The department.
Do you know this to be a fact, ‘that there is nowhere for you to go where you are', at least at the moment?
Why do you believe that there is no opportunity for progression?
1. You have been told this.
2. You ‘know’ that there are no roles.
3. You believe that you have insufficient skills or lack of sufficient experience?
4. Personnel conflicts.
Specifically, have you discussed your desire for progression with your boss or with HR?
Would you consider a related or unrelated role with your current employer, which nevertheless utilizes the same skill-sets that you enjoy using?

SPARKIN COACHING If you feel the above questions are helpful but you are unsure of ‘what’s next’ or uncertain about what the ‘optimal’ next step is or you are unclear ‘how to manifest’ a chosen direction but want to move forward go to:

What We Do/Our Process

I hate my boss.

Is it your boss that you hate or are some other factors at work causing you to feel this way?
Why do you hate your boss? How are you being treated?
1. Like an idiot.
2. With no respect.
3. By an abusive or aggressive boss/management.
4. In an inconsiderate manner.
5. He/she/they are making my life intolerable.
6. He/she/they are being unfair.
7. He/she/they favor someone else.
8. He/she/they cannot manage people/me.
How long have you been treated like this?
How long have you been feeling this way?
Have you tried to explain how you feel to your boss or to HR or to someone that can influence the situation? No – Talk to your boss, HR or someone that you can confide in. Yes (skip to 6)
Do you believe you might have done anything to have caused yourself to be treated in the way you are being treated? Yes (skip to 9) No (skip to 7)
Is it just you being treated like this or are there others?
If others also feel negatively about the same person, do they feel the same way for the same or for different reasons?
If it is to your knowledge ‘just’ you being treated like this, if you were to apportion responsibility, how much is due to you and how much is due to your boss?
Is there anything you believe you can do to change the way your boss is treating you?
Aside from the adverse treatment by your boss, do you enjoy your work, work environment, working with your colleagues and/or with your clients (if relevant)? If you enjoy everything else about your work situation there is a more compelling reason to try and improve the situation with your boss.