According to the United States Bureau of Labor, 9.1% of the labor force is currently unemployed. This rate is significantly higher among African Americans, at more than 16%, the highest among any group in the United States. These staggering statistics reflect the hard reality that so many professionals face each day. With many qualified, educated, and experienced Black Americans out of work, the job market has become increasingly competitive and hard to navigate.
President Obama’s proposal of the American Jobs Act seeks to alleviate our country’s burden of record-high unemployment rates, but it could be quite some time before many American’s return to work. Even with unemployment insurance extensions, many are finding themselves unemployed longer than the average 2-year period of receipt.
So, what does one do in the meantime? Do we sit and hope and pray for a miracle? Or, do we regain momentum and strive to make the most out of being out of work? While being unemployed can be a very stressful and uncertain time for many, it can also become a time for reflection, rejuvenation, and renewal. With the right attitude, an assertive approach, and immense faith, unemployment can materialize into just the change one needs.
Here, we share the story of Marie, 60, stepped out on faith after losing a job she had for decades to transition into an industry she never even knew she could strive in. Be inspired by her perseverance and the lessons she learned in her journey back into the workforce:
NOT READY TO RETIRE
When *Marie learned that her position with one of our country’s leading insurance firms would be dissolved in 2009, she thought that her life had crashed in an instant. After 39 years on the job, she felt lost, afraid and didn’t know which way to turn. Marie was in no way ready to retire and had several years before she’d be able to collect social security. But for Marie, it was about more than not knowing how she’d survive financially. Marie enjoyed her job and the thought of not seeing or working with people that she had been with for so many years made her quite sad. “We were like family,” she says. “We watched each others kids grow up.†With no college education, Marie was convinced that there would be no place for her in today’s job market. She hadn’t written a resume in decades and couldn’t remember the last time she went on a job interview. She was a pro at what she did at the company, but didn’t feel that she had many skills outside of that job.
After a period of fighting depression, Marie began to regain her courage. She sought the help of a professional career consultant and had her resume professionally prepared. Though she feared rejection, she put her apprehensions aside and began searching for employment. Initially, she didn’t receive any responses from employers and started to feel discouraged. When her unemployment insurance was about to end, she became even
more concerned about how she’d survive financially. Nevertheless, she continued to work toward her goal. She began taking computer classes in order to maintain and improve her technical skills. She asked colleagues, family, and friends to let her know about any job openings. She became active with her church’s health and wellness ministry and volunteered whenever she could. Marie was determined to not become consumed by the uncertainty of her future. Instead, she did as much as she could to stay busy and active, all while looking for a new job.STUMBLING UPON SUCCESS
Besides her career in the insurance industry, there was one other thing that Marie was always good at: shopping. She, like most women, has always enjoyed shopping and often found herself participating in a little retail therapy while unemployed. When she went to return a purchase this summer at one of her favorite department stores, she ran into a young woman from her church who was out for lunch. After sharing her desire to work again, the young woman encouraged Marie to go apply at the very store where she was headed to make her return. Despite her fear of rejection, she took a step out on faith and headed to the HR department. Without even a resume in hand, Marie applied, interviewed, and was hired on the spot as a retail associate at one of the country’s largest department stores. Her infectious personality and winning communication skills landed her a new job, when she least expected it. “I still can’t believe they hired me. I always expected that employers would prefer someone younger.â€
The reality is that Marie is the only one who was surprised by her new career in retail sales. “All of the managers, my friends, and even customers tell me that I’m a perfect fit for retail.†Since she began her new position, Marie has regained her confidence and has found a new career that she absolutely loves. “I love meeting new people and I love to shop. I never imagined that I’d find a new job that I love so much.†Marie is one of the most senior store employees, at 60, but she doesn’t let her age get in the way. “I’m just thankful to have a job. I enjoy coming to work and I love helping the customers. I’m just glad that I still have something to offer, even at my age.â€
LESSONS LEARNED
Never give up: Though she was faced with a devastating job loss, and had been unemployed for almost two years, Marie was persistent. It’s extremely important that professionals don’t allow a job loss to get them stuck in a rut.
Use time being unemployed wisely: Don’t let your pride get in the way. Marie wasn’t afraid to ask for help. She let everyone know that she was looking for work and her candid approach ultimately led her to her new career. Oftentimes, we are ashamed or embarrassed and don’t want others to know that we aren’t working. However, hiding our need for employment only closes doors of opportunity that might otherwise be opened.
Tap into your passions and try something new: The greatest lesson that we learn from Marie is that we don’t know what we’re capable of until we try. “When I first started, I was terrified,” she says. “I hadn’t worked in almost two years and didn’t want to mess up. But once I got the hang of it, I realized that not only could I do this job, but I could do it well.†Sometimes we can surprise ourselves if we just take the initiative to try something new. Marie’s job loss was a huge challenge…one that she thought she’d never overcome. But with a little patience and much perseverance, she ended up right where she never knew she belonged!
Check us out during the next few weeks where we share real-life stories and lessons on how to triumph over unemployment.
Also, e-mail your job-seeking story or questions to careerquestions@blackenterprise.com.
Aisha Taylor (@realTAYLORmade) is co-owner and chief consultant at TAYLORmade Professional Career Consulting, a Web-based, full-service career consulting company committed to “equipping, preparing, and empowering today’s professional†globally. Check out her weekly insights on job-seeking and interviewing success every Friday on BlackEnterprise.com.