Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

The Day You Get Let Go  

The day you get let go is very tough indeed. Even if you know that day is coming, and you are ready for it. The idea of being let go is often challenging.  I know. I went through this in January of 2008. We had known for almost five months that this day was coming, what it meant, and why. It was because our factory was going offshore. The day I walked out of the factory for the last time was hard indeed. 

The smartest thing anyone can do in a situation like this is to find a job before the last day of work. If you cannot find a job, at least have everything prepared, such as a master resume, a master cover letter, and a list of sites and businesses you can work for. 

Preparation for anything is the key. You need to be ready to go out and talk with other people, go to job fairs and other places where you can speak to people looking to hire, and meet with others who do the same type of work you do or want to do.  

Being let go is not a vacation. Finding your next path to where you want to be and earn is work. 

Tomorrow, I will tell you about the best place you can go on the first day of your job search. 

Be Prepared 

Many people talk about trying to find jobs and offer advice. Some of the best advice I’ve ever had and ever given is rarely seen. I have worked at a Workforce center. I have worked helping people, returned to college, and earned a master’s degree in Adult Education and Training. I have been on both sides of hiring and needing hiring. And I have been successful at both. 

Information, like a small piece of gold, could be worth quite a bit. 

The day you write your new resume is the first day of your new job. You do this because you always want to have prospects out there. You always want to know. Where your true value is, and who could most appreciate it. 

You do not have to tell your present boss you have a new resume. You don’t have to say to the boss you are working for now that you have plans if you must find a job. It is not being deceitful; it is just being prepared.  

If you were ever a Boy Scout or a Girl Scout. I am sure you understand the excellent idea of being prepared. 

Tomorrow, we will talk about What the day you get like go feels like. And what you want to do about it. 

It is time to get serious  

Starting today, I am developing a series of blogs to help those serious about finding high-end employment for a career they can enjoy. I do this to help you understand what you would want to do and why you want to do it. 

Every career has good and evil within it. What are you willing to do, and what would you refuse to accept even if it meant your job? You want to remember everything as you go through these blogs over the next 16 days (about two and a half weeks). Will it be hard? Not necessarily, and the same for ‘Is it easy?’ Not necessarily. 

One thing I know is that to do this. You will have to balance your time. I am going to help you by keeping these blogs short and light. Please look for the blogs. They are copyrighted, yet they will give you some good information and some positive things to do. 

There will Always Be Something 

I want to thank my readership for reading my blogs. I also want to apologize for not getting very many blogs up in the last couple of weeks. It turns out my computer system was hacked and left with an unbelievably bad virus. 

It took me time to realize how bad the problem was. And more time to find the correct computer repair shop that could fix it. I was lucky enough to find tech for less who had a shop in my town and was able to fix it within 48 hours (about 2 days). 

The one good thing that came out of this is it pointed out the fact that I had a single-point failure within my business. If my computer went down, and it did. My business was at a complete standstill. 

 Even swift action when you first recognize something Does not help much if you do not have a Plan B to immediately put into place. The good news is that I was able to immediately find a sale for a reworked computer that can pick up and take over in case this ever happens again. The sad news is that it took me about two weeks of trying to get the new computer up to snuff with all my applications. Yet at least the computer is set up for work now and in the future. 

I was right in the middle of setting up my site, training Academy, and online business. I wanted it to open the first week in June. Now, I am pushing to try to have it up and running the first week in July. That is OK, it is just another delay. 

I will keep you informed on how things go, and let you know When the site is running.  

Thanks for being with me today. 

Creating a Positive and Supportive Community.

Helping others is a powerful way to create a more positive and supportive community. When we lend a hand, we not only make a positive impact on the person we are helping but also on the community as a whole.

Helping others fosters a sense of community and connection. When we reach out to help someone, we say we care about them and their well-being. This sense of caring can help to build bonds between people and create a more cohesive community.

Helping others also leads to a ripple effect of kindness. When someone receives help, they are more likely to help others in the future. This creates a cycle of positivity that can spread throughout the community.

Moreover, helping others can be incredibly rewarding. It gives us a feeling of purpose and fulfillment and can help boost our well-being. When we help others, we feel good about ourselves, and this positivity can radiate outwards and impact those around us.

Helping others is a simple and powerful way to create a more positive and supportive community. By fostering connections, spreading kindness, and boosting our well-being, we can build a stronger, more resilient community filled with positivity.

helping others can create a sense of joy and happiness.

Helping others is a powerful way to create a sense of joy and happiness in our lives. When we take the time to support those around us, we make a positive impact on their lives, and we also tap into our own sense of purpose and meaning.

Research shows that acts of kindness and generosity can activate reward centers in our brains, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine. This can lead to a natural high, often called a “helper’s high,” which can boost our mood and overall well-being.

In addition to the physiological benefits, helping others might improve our social connections and relationships. We can build stronger bonds and a greater sense of community by working together and supporting each other. This can lead to feelings of belonging and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

Overall, helping others can be a powerful way to create a sense of joy and happiness in our lives. Volunteering, donating to a cause, or simply lending a hand to a friend or neighbor, giving brings meaning and fulfillment to our lives while also positively impacting those around us.

Boost Your Self-Esteem and Confidence Helping Others

Helping others can boost your self-esteem and confidence in several ways. When you help others, you get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that positively impacts your mood and self-perception. This accomplishment can help you feel more confident in your abilities and capabilities.

Helping others can also give you a sense of purpose and meaning, boosting your self-esteem. Knowing that you are positively impacting someone else’s life makes you feel valued and appreciated, which can increase your sense of self-worth.

Furthermore, helping others can improve your social skills and interpersonal relationships, contributing to higher self-esteem and confidence. When you interact with others positively and helpfully, you develop stronger connections and build trust, which can increase feelings of self-assurance.

Helping others is a powerful way to boost your self-esteem and confidence. You often find purpose when making a positive impact in the lives of others. You can find a sense of purpose and meaning, feel a sense of accomplishment, and build stronger social connections, all of which can contribute to a higher sense of self-worth and confidence.

Helping others gives you a good sense of purpose and meaning

Helping others can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. When we lend a hand to those in need, we not only make a positive impact on their lives but also on our own. Giving back to the community helps others and gives us a feeling of purpose and meaning.

When we help someone, we are making a difference in their life, no matter how big or small that difference may be. It could be simply holding the door for someone or volunteering at a local charity. By doing so, we are making the world a better place and positively impacting those around us.

Helping others can also give us a sense of purpose. It provides us with a reason to get up in the morning and motivates us to do good in the world. When we see our actions’ impact on others, we feel fulfilled knowing we are making a difference.

Helping others can also provide us with a sense of meaning. When we help someone, we connect with them more profoundly and build meaningful relationships. This action can lead to a greater understanding of belonging and fulfillment in our own lives.

Helping others benefits not only those in need but also ourselves. It gives us a sense of positive purpose, meaning, and fulfillment that can improve our overall well-being.

Applying for Jobs and Setting Up Interviews Once You Have Been Let Go From a Job.

Losing a job can be a harrowing experience, but staying positive and focused on the future is essential. After being let go, one of the first steps is to update your resume and apply for new jobs. Various job search websites and resources are available online to help you find new job opportunities.

When applying for jobs, you must build your resume and cover letter for each job. It’s also essential to prepare for interviews by analyzing the company and practicing common interview questions. This shows that you are serious about the position and have taken the time to research the company and job requirements.

Networking is a valuable tool for finding new job opportunities. Reach out to former colleagues, attend job fairs and industry events, and consider joining professional organizations in your field.

Once you have been invited to an interview, prepare thoroughly. Research the company, practice responses to questions, and dress professionally. Remember to also bring copies of your resume and any other relevant materials.

Overall, applying for jobs and setting up interviews after being let go can be challenging, but staying positive, focused, and prepared can help you find new job opportunities and move forward in your career.

Networking With Colleagues and Industry Contacts to Have Them Help You Find Open Jobs

Networking with colleagues and industry contacts can be valuable in your job search. Building solid relationships with those in your field can increase your chances of finding open positions and getting hired.

Start by contacting current and former colleagues and industry contacts you have met at conferences or other events. Let them know that you are actively looking for job opportunities and would appreciate any leads or referrals they may have.

Be sure to also use social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with others in your field. Join industry groups and engage in conversations to build your network and increase your visibility.

When networking, it’s essential to be genuine and build authentic relationships. Don’t just focus on what others can do for you; also offer your skills and expertise to help them in their career endeavors.

Always show gratitude and follow up with those who have helped you, even if their efforts do not lead to a job offer. Networking is an ongoing process, and by building solid relationships, you can create a supportive and helpful community in your field.