Coping With an Uncertain Green Economy
Going though a period of unemployment and career transition is frustrating. Here are some suggestions that can make this time more bearable.
During the last several months, I have met many amazing individuals who, like me, aim to transition into a green-collar job. I also know many talented people with sparkling credentials who have been out of work for months. I've been there: after 9/11, for six months after I graduated with my MBA, and now, as I try to build up my sustainability consulting firm. The statistics are brutal: 10% unemployment (so in Leon-nomics, that means 20%, if you include the people who are only working part-time, gave up looking, or are working at a job that’s far from meeting their full potential). We may be witnessing the Great "Man-cession," as some estimate that as many as 20% of men are unemployed. It's a debilitating time for many recent college graduates, who are enduring stress at a point in their lives when they should be excited about their future. Will 2010 be a breakout year for green tech? I really do not know, so we have to deal with the hand that we are dealt in the meantime. I am not a human resources expert or a job coach, but here are some pointers I want to share that have worked for me:
- Keep up a rigorous schedule: You need to maintain as regular a schedule as possible. It is tempting to surf for jobs at midnight, but you should be going to bed early and waking up early. Get all of the morning tasks done (seeing the honey off to work, walking the dog, showering and getting dressed), before you set even one finger on your laptop. I know it is tempting to check email or Facebook as soon as you wake up--but I have heard too many stories of still being sucked into the computer at 1pm, face unshaven and hair tousled. Start the day off right: go for that walk, make the pot of tea, and then get started.
- Wean yourself away from the computer: Try to limit your time on the computer to half a day. I do my best to limit email correspondence and social networking updates to a couple of hours: 10 to noon on the west coast is good to get those folks on the east coast. You've heard the story: networking and information(al) interviews are a more effective way to get that job instead of living on Monster.com. You need to mix it up: it never hurts to apply for jobs online, or to indulge in a little "Follow Friday" action on Twitter, or to reach out to professionals via email, but you need to get out there and see people as well. Which leads to:
- Avoid isolation: Try to schedule one event a day where you are out of the house. Do those information interviews, go to events, visit former colleagues, attend that lecture, so you can get out there and meet people. I view networking like dating: when you find events and venues that click with you, go regularly so you can build rapport with your new peers. What if you've got nothing scheduled? Then go to your favorite coffee shop and read that book or magazine. Before our favorite coffee shop in Silver Lake closed, I got to know the staff really well--having a stranger know your favorite coffee or drink can be comforting. If all else fails, call people. Just pry yourself away from the computer or iPhone!
- Consider volunteering: Indeed, this chapter in your life is a great time to volunteer . . . for a non-profit, animal shelter, school, or community center that deserves your time. Organizations like the Taproot Foundation can lead to even more rewarding opportunities while keeping your skills fresh.
- But don’t work for free: True, you may have to "intern" once or twice if you are transitioning into a new career or industry, but you should only do it for organizations and people that truly can open doors for you and add value to your CV. What I insist that you not do is to work for free--I see many "green" companies looking for "interns" to work for "sweat equity" in order to build and expand their businesses. It's one thing to help out a friend or family member with their business, or to volunteer at a non-profit. But if a company aims to make money (and many of these "job postings" can be found on LinkedIn), they should be paying you. First of all, there is such a thing as minimum wage laws. Second, your time is valuable. While you are providing your services for free to a for-profit company, you are taking time away from building relationships and engaging in other activities. Sweat equity is inequity. Don't fall for it. Just because you are not on a payroll does not mean that you are not productive.
- Share your concerns: Note my choice of words: share. Of course you should be sharing your fears and frustrations with your friends and family . . . difficult, indeed, as most of us are in a culture in which we need to be stiff-lipped and have our chins up. But don't forget the fears and concerns your friends have: the new mom or dad, the friend who has a job but is in a nightmare situation, the parent whose retirement portfolio has taken a hit, the nephew who gets picked on at school. Do not fall into the trap of being self-absorbed and self-pitying.
- Having a really rough day? I'm not a therapist, but if you really feel as if you're overwhelmed, try what Jane Lynch calls the "lazy therapist" technique: write out your fears and frustration in a letter (not an email!), and then just never send it. I guess they called that a "diary" in the old days.
- Remember who you are: Your skills and background are impressive. If you are at a party or the Trader Joe's checkout line, and are asked what are you do, have that 30-second elevator speech down. You just never know. I have met people who have found jobs through the most random sources, like their car mechanic or the local barista.
This is only the beginning. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have more questions or need additional advice; your own suggestions are welcome, too.
What a great article. I especially like the “don’t work for free” point – it becomes a little hard sometimes to distinguish if what you are offering to do is possibly going to lead somewhere or will just take your time away from other, more productive pursuits.
Thanks, Leon! I think I’m going to print this and put it up on my wall.
Thank you, Anjali:
Let me respond to what a close friend wrote to me when I sent her a draft:
I totally agree w/the set a schedule/get out of house daily thing. I remember working out and going for long runs was something I regularly did when I was unemployed. Maybe the natural endorphins helped w/the stress. 2001 was also the year I trained and completed the marathon, which I had planned to do anyway, but I think it was also good in that it gave me a sense of achievement, when I wasn’t really feeling like I was accomplishing much when it came to landing a job.
I think keeping in touch w/friends is vital, though at times it’s hard b/c you fear all the questions of the job search, when you don’t really have any updates to share w/anyone. Or you can’t do all the normal entertainment things like dining out, movies, things that cost $ etc, and so low-key activities are preferable. It’s great when people understand, but sometimes they forget.
Networking, sending resume to everyone who can be of assistance or who will circulate it amongst their friends and colleagues was also helpful. Temping is also recommended, to keep up on skills and to also help w/the getting out on a daily schedule routine. I temped for about 4 months before my job at a private school finally came through.
Coming from a recent layoff and trying to “transition into a green-collar job” myself I find your article very uplifting. You can get lost in the sea of jobless websites and surf all day if you let yourself. I’ve found that getting outside is definitely a positive ray of sunshine even if it’s in my backyard for a picnic lunch. I’ve also reconnected with many of my old workmates that I haven’t spoken to in years. At this point in my career I want my job to mean more than a paycheck and if that means waiting for the right green job than I feel what better time than now.
Hi Leon, I agree with your article and as we’ve often heard its worth remembering that there are now real opportunities to do what we find inspirational in life.
For me I gave up looking for a job and set up my own company, things are definitely not going easy, I have no clients yet, but I am definitely loving every day.
Good luck to all
Paul
I agree these are tough times, and sympathize. And honestly, I think it’s always been somewhat rough being a “professional environmentalist,” having been one for about 20 years. There seems to be an unwritten rule somewhere,that if you make money at a green profession that you are somehow not a “true” environmentalist, and that the non-profit sector (emphasis on NON) is the most noble way to go. I say all this because after working in the traditional employment sector for many years, I now have my own business marketing for a green manufacturing company, which provides me with what I like to call a corporate paycheck with all of the money and none of the guilt. This may be a possible solution for some of you, and I can vouch for the legitimacy of the business and its potential. (We tend to team up with lots of moms, but that is by no means a requirement!) And just for the record, I have a master’s in marine policy and graduated (a long time ago) with degree in environmental policy. I have been fortunate to have worked in lots of places including a Congressional Office, a DC think tank, and several government agencies agencies and non-profits.
I would encourage you to check out the website, and hope I haven’t breached any posting protocol, but my interest is truly and simply in seeing other green professionals succeed.
Best of luck,
Lori
Great article, Leon. Point #1, especially, applies also to us freelancers and independent contractors. We MUST shower and make the bed before we start the day!!
Let’s talk about pitching soon.
Nice post Leon. Great insight! Hope all is well
Another reply from a good friend & former colleague of mine:
Take advantage of “free” advice from life/business coaches. Many life and business coaches have articles and suggestions available on their sites to give potential clients a sense of what it would be like to work with them. Much of this material is incredibly helpful from exercises on determining areas of need and focus to articles and leadership and surviving a job loss or using social networking sites. It just takes a google search and who knows one day when you are successfully employed, you just might take advantage of their services.
Leon,
You have a knack for writing about what many of us feel and don’t always articulate. Thank you for this posting and thank you to responders for sharing. This long job search period is really isolating for many and can really wear down confidence levels. All the point you make are really valid but have to say that for me getting out and being physical is very helpful. Walking. running. biking and interacting with other people balances out the very self focused act of computer based job seeking.
Appreciate your work!
Good advice – thank you for the reminder, it is SO easy to get sucked into the computer and to become isolated. When this happens it’s easy to forget what your real goal is…. Good luck to those starting their own businesses – I think that’s where the true recovery is going to come from.