Yes, the title says it all! (no cash for guessing) I was retrenched recently and to think I was going to sail thru this economy downturn quietly just before CNY. I got the news just right after I return from CNY break and a week later I was looking for a job again. That’s why the long absence from blogging – downsizing war, feeling unappreciated/unwanted/redundant, recuperating, joining the 30k of people hunting, multiple interviews and finally landed on something….phew! It has been a whirlwind 3 weeks odd…
This is the first time in my not that long career life that I have faced such a situation. I have definitely lost a job but learned quite a fair bit too. That’s why this post to share my very own experience – auntie style of course!
The 10 do’s …
1. Accept the harsh reality and do a reality check – family, finance and do a little planning on how to fill up the many free days ahead. It helps to keep me busy and focus on my job hunting more positively. I found that I do not go around telling people my sad story so much and that is definitely not helpful during interviews. Companies only want to know what you can do, not why you are retrenched!
2. Do some planning on how to stretch the severity/termination benefits received. It’s usually not a small amount and if put to use wisely, can sustain for many months ahead. I landed a job pretty fast, so that’s a bonus now which should still be wisely kept or invested on something profitable. If you think you will be spared, think again…nobody is indispensable.
3. Take a break. I spend quality time with my daughter, husband and my parents. I never knew how much I have missed before this. Just sitting there and looking at my daughter play and talk is so fulfilling – for both of us. Listening to my parents and being their child again, makes me feel that I am all connected once more. That, I will never walk alone.
4. Do things that you never had the time doing while working. Go to bookshops and read books for hours, you have all the time to browse thru all the books on the special discount section. Cook a tedious meal for the family every day, it definitely takes time and is appreciated by the people I loved the most in this world. I manage to create a few new and quick recipes on my own and that will definitely be helpful when I start work again – full speed.
5. Re-organized the house. I never knew how many cluttered place I have in my own home till I have some time to look at it now. I thot I just did a splendid clean up before CNY. I was wrong. I did it all over again and things really look pretty tidy now. I still have the study room to do and that looks like a place that just got hit by a hurricane. It’s a tedious nobody wants to do job, but it gets the fats burning and mind working and some meaningful shopping.
6. Watch “The Nanny” and “Oprah” on the Hallmark channel in the morning – it’s a luxury and fun!
7. Do price check during grocery shopping. I have plenty of time now and do not really need to do the just grab and go. I found that many essential things can be purchased at a fraction of the price I paid previously – I just need to know where to get it. This certainly help in a bad economy…haha
8. Do the things that you enjoy doing but it takes time previously. I bake muffins and went to the local baking store to check out everything. It’s a good feeling and I plan to sign up for baking class too. I think it will be fun and I may learn quite a bit.
9. Organize lunch appointments with friends. It’s the best time to catch up! Go all the way to meet my hubby for lunch too – weekdays lunch together (just the 2 of us) is rare when both are working. Seize the opportunity!
10. Do a detox or slimming program at home. I am still working on this one and now probably have to add in some gym session too. The objective can be anything but mine was to feel healthy and great before I start a new job. Who don’t love looking good and feeling great!?
The 10 don’ts…
1. Spend like there is no tomorrow. Yeah, one get quite a sum when retrenched and it is so easy to spend and thot you will still have the money tomorrow. Do check your transactions daily on credit card or cash and the bank account. The figure keeps the mind sane.
2. Be angry for too long. It will make one a bitter person and it certainly does not help. Find someone you can trust and talk and let go.
3. Eat in front of the TV while watching AFC channel. That will jeopardize the looking good and feeling great program – definitely.
4. Stay at home and do not go out at all or sleep too much. You are still a human, just temporary jobless. Treat yourself to some fresh air outside at least, have mercy!
5. Cut down everything! Does one in this situation still need to get cut down anymore? Balance is the keyword and stick to “The Plan”.
6. Keep talking about the retrenchment in a long winded way to everybody. It is scary to others who hear it and nobody will truly 100% understood it like you do. You do not owe the explanation to anybody. Keep it smart and simple if asked. Period.
7. Dress down daily. Do not look as pathetic as the economy; it gives people the wrong impression. The two do not directly relate anyway…
8. Grab the first job that comes your way – any job will do. Stick to your preference as much as one can, do not shortchanged too much or you will be going thru another sad cycle soon.
9. Cut away entirely from the company and the people in the previous organization. Part professionally but still remain contactable and helpful.
10. Put on a sad long “cucumber” face for too long. That will make all the beauty products investment go to waste!
There you go, just the few things I want to share at this interim period.
Now that the clock is ticking again and my carefree days are numbered, I think I want to catch a nap and savor the moment at home in the breezy mid afternoon – birds chirping and all J
