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“Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths” Walt Disney (Also quoted in the Disney film ‘Meet The Robinsons’)
Just when you think ‘The Bigs’ can’t get leaner.
Then THIS.
Bloodletting at the corporate level has happened in waves since The Telecommunications Act of 1996.
As a six-time experienced veteran of the blind-side Reduction In Force (RIF’ed) and the sudden departure due to corporate nepotism, here’s a suggested path for a new-separated rebound.
1. Pause
Take a moment to process the news before doing anything. It might be three days, maybe a week, or after the holidays. The pause gives you perspective and allows for a 30,000-foot View of your career and life.
2. Gratitude
Openly thank your ex-company for the opportunity. Do this in a personal handwritten note on your social media, and share the positive experience with your time-in-grade friends. Tell them what you learned, how you grew, and what you accomplished. There is zero upside to burning a bridge.
3. Improve Your Network
Let colleagues and your professional network know, if appropriate, that you’re available. Former coworkers can be a great source of support, job leads, and recommendations. Networking builds your confidence, allows you to find mentors out of our field, and increases your visibility. Local Chamber of Commerce events are a great place to start.
4. Stay Positive
The benefits of a positive attitude have proven to reduce stress and depression. Visualizing a positive future, even in uncertain times, can be motivating and can help maintain an optimistic mindset.
5. Next Steps
Things are not going back to ‘the way they were.’ This is a great time to explore new careers and use your skills to adapt actively. Flexibility and a willingness to learn are essential for finding your next – next.
And – then next?
Hire a professional resume writer. Look away from the temptation of building an AI resume. Easy to do. Not best for the long run.
From personal experience, a real-person resume builder will spend a few HOURS ‘interviewing’ – you. A great resume writer will be unconcerned with your previous resume or LinkedIn profile. Resume writers want to unearth blind-spot skills you’ve developed that you would never place on a resume.
Podcast
If you want to stay in the audio space – even part-time – start a podcast. Thanks to podcasting, spoken-word audio consumption has increased 55% since 2010. The price of entry is minimal and posting your audio on dozens of sites is free of charge. You most likely have gear ready to go.
Podcasting allows those bounced from MUSIC formats to grow story-telling skills. If your content – even in a small niche – is assembled well and deep in research, the audience will find you.
Need steady income outside broadcast while you find your footing?
Here are a few solid options:
Become a Teacher
Use your communication skills as a talent, coach, or leader to teach. Schools all over the country are screaming for substitute teachers. The school system will provide training and guidance to be certified as a substitute teacher in their system and in your state. There are school systems that help guide you through the process of getting your teaching certificate, including required Professional Development Courses. Becoming a substitute will also allow you to ‘test-drive’ whether you’re a fit to teach.
Get a Remote Job
Several displaced broadcast friends have taken advantage of work-from-home opportunities. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of places to find these jobs. FlexJobs helps you find remote, flexible work across many types of companies. We Work Remotely specialize in tech and many companies will train you. Remote.co connects you to positions to write remotely, customer service from home and has a blog for job seekers.
You can literally walk into any retailer today and secure a position. Costco, however, is the best option. If one is near you, ask any employee how long they’ve been there and how satisfied they are. The average employee’s tenure is 10 years. The benefits are robust. They just raised their starting pay to $19.50. Employees enjoy free membership and annual bonuses in their optical department. AND – you can still start a podcast, become a teacher, and work remotely with a part-time retail position,
Finally – where to post your resume?
While LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter are solid places to place a resume, consider an off-the-beaten-path job board.
Use AI to find opportunities and also test your resume optimization. Most have a free option. Look at Teal, Jobsolv, and Swooped, which exemplify job board AI tools. They integrate AI-driven job tracking tools, helping users organize applications and optimize their profiles across job boards.
Also, get your profile on Google Jobs, Monster, and Career Builder.
The more lines you have in the career waters, the better your chances of catching fish.
Pause – show gratitude – improve your network – stay positive.
Then – GO!
Kevin Robinson is a passionate award-winning programmer, consultant and coach – with multi-formats success all over the country. He has advised numerous companies including Audacy (formerly Entercom Communications), Beasley Broadcast Group, Westwood One, Midwest Communications, Townsquare Media, Midwest Family Broadcasting Group, EG Media Group, Federated Media, Kensington Media, mediaBrew Communications, Starved Rock Media, and more. He specializes in strategic radio cluster alignment, building lean-forward tactics and talent coaching – legacy and entry-level – personalities.
Known largely as a trusted talent coach, Kevin is the only personality mentor who’s coached three different morning shows on three different brands in the same major market to the #1 position. His efforts have been recognized by The World Wide Radio Summit, Radio & Records, NAB’s Marconi, and he has coached CMA, ACM and Marconi Award-winning talent. He is also in The Zionsville High School Hall of Fame as part of the 2008 inaugural class. Kevin is an Indiana native – living near Zionsville with his wife of 39 years, Monica and can be reached at kevin@robinsonmedia.fm.
