Moving Forward:
Where Do I Go From Here?
Successful job-seekers are
those who are organized and
have a plan.
PART I: Understanding Your Situation IS the first step
in finding your success.
No matter where you are right now at this point, suffering from job loss, looking for a different
job/career or newly entering the workforce; the best decision you made today was to attend this
Job Club. It is a brave move on your part and shows that you are willing to take on an active
role for your future.
Facilitator Notes: Confucius said that our natures are alike, it’s our habits are that separate
us. During the next eight weeks are going to discuss steps you can take that will make all the
difference with you gaining employment. Let’s start by creating a plan for you. Below are some
basic steps to help you get started.
IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOST YOUR JOB,
GREIVING IS NORMAL PART OF THE PROCESS.
IT IS OKAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THESE EMOTIONS!
 It is normal to feel hurt, angry, and even depressed after losing a job.
 Grief is a natural response to loss, and that certainly includes the loss of a job. It is okay to
feel hurt, angry, rejected, panicked and scared after losing a job – it is normal.
 You have every right to be upset, so accept your feelings and most importantly – GO EASY
ON YOURSELF.
Moving Forward: Where Do I Go From Here?
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Beyond the loss of income, losing a job also comes with other major losses, some of
which may be even more difficult to face:
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Loss of professional identity
Loss of self-confidence
Loss of daily routines and purposeful activities everyday
Loss of your work family
Loss of security (finances/income/professional growth)
 Our jobs are much more than bringing home a paycheck. Our careers influence how we see
ourselves in the world, as well as how others perceive us to be.
 Our jobs give us an identity, structure, purpose, and meaning each and every day.
 That is why job loss is one of the most stressful life events, and it does happen to just about
everyone during his or her working life, at some point.
IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CAREER/JOB CHANGE, IT
IS NORMAL TO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE! CHANGING
JOBS IS A BIG MOVE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO COVER ALL OF THE BASES.
 It is normal to have some concerns about a career/job change because we
become comfortable in the current position we are in and change can be a little
overwhelming for everyone involved.
 Know that your family will go through an adjustment period so have sitters and
other people on standby to help everyone get used to the new schedule.
 Keep your thoughts focused on the future and have a good attitude about the
decision you have made.
IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE YOU ARE NEWLY ENTERING THE WORKFORCE, IT IS
NORMAL TO FEEL NERVOUS! YOU ARE MAKING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
STEPS IN YOUR LIFE AND IT IS IPORTANT TO BE PREPARED.
 It is normal to feel apprehensive about entering the workforce, it is a new
environment for you.
 Get your family on board with your decision to enter the world of work, it is
important to have their support!
 Find what you are interested in because a happy employee is one that will keep
their job and move up the rungs easier than someone who is miserable.
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PART II: Steps To Help You Move Forward No Matter What
Stage You Are In and How Job Clubs Can Help.
The most obvious benefit of a job club is that it provides you a space to get advice on your how to
go about your job search. Another benefit of a job club is that it provides an informal place for
networking. Job clubs provide support during what can be a stressful times when encouragement
and advice are needed.
1. Take Care of Yourself: Create time for daily exercise, eat healthy, and
don’t give up your hobbies or recreational activities you find enjoyable.
Schedule time each week to focus on YOU. Avoid the tendency to isolate,
it will only make you feel worse. Spend time with close friends who will
support you and help keep you moving and to hold you accountable for
goals you have put in place.
2. Get Out of the House and Be Around People: People lead people to jobs.
This is the most effective way to get hired or to make a career change.
The vast majority of job openings are never advertised; and they’re filled
by word of mouth.
3. Attend Weekly Job Clubs: Seek support, expert career advice, and take
advantage of networking opportunities. Make Job Clubs a weekly part of
your job-searching routine and schedule time for individual meetings with
your career advisor. Schedule coffee breaks with other jobseekers to
support one another through the job-hunting process. Form a “buddy”
system to keep each other in the loop of new opportunities.
4. Stick To a Routine: Keep motivated by doing the following:
 Set your alarm. Get up at your regular time, don’t get
used to sleeping in. If employed, get to work and still
give it 100% of your time until you transition out.
 Prepare daily “To-Do” lists of activities you need to
accomplish and DO them! This will help you be organized
in thoughts and actions.
 Take a shower, clean up like you normally would if going
to work. Don’t get used to those PJ’s! Your first
impression is everything! Those of you employed know
the reason and importance of following the dress code.
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5.
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 Go to the gym. Exercise helps clear the mind and helps
build confidence. Plus you never know who you may
meet there, a future employer????
 Take time to just relax and breathe. Looking for a job,
transitioning or entering the workforce is stressful so
RELAX every now again and regain your thoughts.
Volunteer in Your Community: Community Service will help keep
employment skills fresh or develop new skills to add to your resume. This
can also help you expand your local network of people. You will soon learn
it’s all about building relationships. As you look for a new job, your
network can provide you much needed feedback, advice, and support.
Register with Local Staffing Agencies: They hire temporary workers for a
wide variety of companies. Temporary staffing agencies are one of the
easiest ways to help you get your foot in the door with a company and are
becoming the norm for hiring practices for larger companies and
corporations.
Seek Out Professional Development Opportunities: Upgrade your skills
during times of unemployment. Area libraries, local community colleges,
and massive open online courseware (MOOC) like ALISON and COURSERA
offer free or low-cost skills training. Spend time at your local Adult
Education Center preparing for the National Career Readiness Certificate
(NCRC).These are all great ways to continually show your growth as an
employee. And of course we here at your local WIOA have a lot of inhouse opportunities to grow professionally.
Get offline: Don’t rely solely on job boards and help-wanted ads for job
searching. Job boards are less than 5% effective if they are the sole means
of one’s job search.
Positively Reflect: Losing a job isn’t easy, however, it may be easier to
accept if you can find the lesson in your loss. What can you learn from the
experience? As bad as it may have been, what skills or experience did you
get with your job over the years? Can you list them? Take time to reflect
on what the loss has given you, and start to figure out your next move.
Take this time to breathe and find clarity and understanding as you make
your next move toward the next chapter of your life. If employed know
that everything you do every day is preparing for the next step in your
career so learn all that you can while at that job. Those of you entering
the workforce, reflect on all of the positive aspects employment will add
to your life and the life of your family.
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10. Don’t Beat yourself Up: It’s important to avoid putting yourself down.
Now is the time that you need your self-confidence more than ever. Start
challenging every negative thought that crosses your mind. Don’t try to
shoulder the stress of job loss, a career change or the stress of entering
the world of work alone. Let go of that pride and share what you’re going
through with people you love and trust. Ask for the support that you really
need. Keep your family in the loop, they want to help you get through this
with love and support and so do WE!
Part III: A couple of things for you to do to get you going!
1. We are going to build you an Action Plan
2. We are going to fill out a To-Do list for you to do daily/weekly and we will discuss this so bring it
back weekly. Start by filling out the one most important thing.
3. You are going to fill out a “Thank You” card to send to someone that has been supporting you
through all of job searching/employment your up’s and down’s.
Discussion Questions:
• Would anyone like to share their feelings after your job loss?
• Who helped you go through that loss? How did they keep your spirits high?
• Besides the income, what are reasons for looking for another job?
• What type of daily routines can you create to keep your spirits high?
• Name one routine can you incorporate next week to help get you moving in a
positive direction?
• What are some Job Club steps to move forward? Can you name some?
GAIN THE EDGE TIP: When it comes to a successful job hunt, attitude is
everything.
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Moving Forward:
Where Do I Go From
Here?
GAIN THE EDGE TIP: When it comes to a
successful job hunt, attitude is everything.
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Thank you for attending today’s Job Club Session –
Please invite a friend by giving them a Job Club ticket to join us at next week’s
meeting for a chance to win a prize!
Moving Forward: Where Do I Go From Here?
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EKCEP Job Club Topics
© 2015, Eastern Kentucky C.E.P., Inc.