I met Dan while working on a position for a client of mine over a year ago. He was laid off by a company he had given 6 years of his professional life to….unfortunately a reality for so many these days. Dan’s story will hopefully inspire those of you who are in a similar situation to hang in there and continue to look towards the future!!  Please enjoy his story from his own words: 

Until the present economic storm, I had lived comfortably for many years in the normalcy of America’s corporate product teams, seeking day to day to identify with consumers, connect with customers and bring meaningful product to market at price and margin.  Then suddenly, the tempest set upon us bringing volatile market conditions, declining sales revenues, dysfunctional organizational responses and nowhere to turn for growth — except out.  Seeking balance between fear, risk and the potential for opportunity, I volunteered at the first round layoff for an enhanced benefit package and stepped into unemployment for the first time in fifteen years…

Unemployment brings an inherent uncertainty as the security of “our” salary and benefits are set aside, and many founder on the realization of their own self identity; who they are, where they are going, where they fit in the workplace, and how to provide for their family needs.  Thankfully, I quickly reached for an employer provided career transition resource where I came away with one idea – I needed to understand myself and what I honestly brought to the marketplace in terms of Values, Skills and Vision.        

From that realization forward, I became my own product.  Every time I contacted my personal – professional network or some potential employer, I sought to refine my message of Values, Skills and Vision, in spite of a certain apprehension towards self promotion.  What began as the bullet points of my market differentiation became a self definition, and the essential elements to my future employment fit.  Each cover letter and resume was written on message and then applied to the needs of the prospective employer.  Personal references were selected for their ability to speak of my character, skills and message.  Confident of what I was bringing to the employment relationship, interviews became an enjoyable mutual assessment rather than an exercise of employer power. 

Looking now at my years in industry, I can say one of my greatest weaknesses has been in the active development of a professional network.  Friends have always been a pleasure to network with, but I learned there is even more value in the long term relationships found in current / former bosses, co-workers, subordinates, suppliers and industry support contacts.  It was the sum of this people-network that supported me through those several months of unemployment with daily encouragement, periodic strategic reviews, regular message feedback, frequent help with identifying opportunity, and always stepping forward to be my best advocates.  To them I am eternally grateful – and promise to be a resource for their future as opportunity presents.  Never forget – these people who know the real workday you – value them.

Still in the end, it is you who must make your future happen.  You need to understand yourself and what you bring to the marketplace, use your every resource, and mobilize your network until the future is found.  To that end, never grow weary of doing what is right and good as it will return to you when you need it most.

-Dan Bennette, Sr. Manager of Product Development