If you don't have a job search support system, go get one
Did you know that of the major life events that cause stress, you’ll find job loss or transition listed in the top 10? This, in turn, can negatively impact your health. To see just how much your health might be affected by your own stressors, check out the free “Life Events Stress Test” at http://www.stresstips.com/lifeevents.htm. It’s very easy to do the test - out of 42 possible stressful events, you mark those that you have experienced over the past 12 months. Then it gives you a rating and suggestions back. This is what it told me:
According to the Holmes & Rahe* statistical prediction model your score means a moderate amount of life change and a moderate susceptability (about 50% probability) to stress-related illness. However please keep in mind that there are many variables that interact on health including positive factors such as support from family, friends or work associates.
Notice that a variable that they suggest can affect my health positively is gettting support. If you are unemployed, it’s high time you examine your support system. If you don’t have a support system, go get one.
Check around your community to see if your state-sponsored unemployment programs offer job clubs or job search support meetings. Look at the large churches around town - many of them have career ministries, and if you’re okay with the possibility of adding a little prayer into your job search, then you’ll definitely find support in these kinds of groups. If you have a group of friends or colleagues in your network who are also looking for jobs like you are, form a small group of your own.
Whatever it takes… get some support. You’ll feel better because you’ll know you’re not the only one in the world feeling the way you do. You’ll feel better because of the social contact – if you’re like most unemployed people, you’re probably missing being around co-workers in the workplace. And, finally, you’ll feel better because it’ll help reduce stress and the doctors and therapists say you will be healthier!
Speaking of support systems, tomorrow’s guest on The Job Search Boot Camp Show is the queen of job search support groups. Kathy Lansford-Powell is founder, facilitator and president of the non-profit Launch Pad Job Club. She is an award-winning career expert and job search skills trainer who has spent the last 20 years keeping people “informed, focused, motivated, and entertained as they slog through the job search process.”
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Angela Loëb is an author, speaker and career coach. Along with partner, Jay Markunas, she helps people gain clarity and develop successful strategies for career transition. Through their company, Great Occupations, they help job seekers and career shifters by offering seminars, webinars, tele-coaching events and individualized coaching services. Listen to them on The Job Search Boot Camp Show. Find out more about their programs & services at www.greatoccupations.com.
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Tags: career transition, Great Occupations, Holmes and Rahe, job search, job search stress, job search support, kathy lansford-powell, launch pad job club, stress, stress and health, The Job Search Boot Camp Show
