Javed Mohammed Riding The Roller Coaster 1

Dealing with the ups and downs of

life

javed_mohammed@hotmail.com Presentation on SlideShare

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Change is inevitable

Layoffs: Time to recover1st time: Transparent

2nd time: 4 months

3rd time: 3 years

4th time: Unknown

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Personal Life ChangesFamily Occupation Health

-Marriage -Starting a Career -Growing Older

-Children -Changing Jobs -Chronic Illness

-Death of a spouse

-Unemployed -Terminal Illness

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Problems, Problems

Time

Spen

ding

/GD

P

xx quarters to decline to

bottom of cycle

yy quarters to recover to pre-

recession levels

The big picture: World GDP growth is slowing & US & Western Europe in RecessionHouse prices are falling sharply & Householders have little savings buffer

Recession Depression Recovery

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For recovery: a lot has to line up

Real GDP growthHouse price growth

Household debt (% GDP)

Real consumer spending growthInterest rates

Inflation

UnemploymentSavings ratio(% disposable income)

Consumer confidence

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Our role: Supporting our communities

•As a community, we have a significant part to play in:• helping minimise the impact of the recession locally • Being a part of recovery.

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Insights• It takes a full time job to find a

full time job• Your greatest asset is your

time, you have to manage it• Your greatest support is faith,

family & friends: Keep them in your loop

• Use traditional job search & be creative

• Occupy yourself, have a routine, volunteer, if there’s value do it.

• Use the B factor Barakah: Less is more

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6 steps for recovering from job loss

1. Take time to grieve2. Form a support

group3. Exercise regularly4. Form a daily routine5. Network, Network,…6. Never ever give up

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When you’re let go

• Call Unemployment Office

• Make list of Assets & Debts

• Move to Survival Mode: (What can you avoid, cut)

• Look after your and your families health– Sign up for COBRA

• Be ready for a marathon

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Problems, Problems

The Roller Coaster Ride

Shock/Confusion

Emotional Turmoil

Anger/Denial/Blame/

Guilt/Grief

Depression

Acceptance

(letting go of past)

Looking for new ideas and meaning

Moving On

Sens

e of

Wel

l bei

ng

Time

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All you need is a prayer

"Pray to me and I will hear your prayer” Quran (v40:60)

.

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The Drive for Patience

“And be patient and preserving:for God is with those who patiently preserve." Quran (8: 46)

“Wonderful is the affair of the believer. His affairs in their entirety are good for him. If good befalls him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. And if harm befalls him, he is patient, and that is good for him. And this (prosperous state of being) is only for the believer.”

Saying of Prophet Muhammad

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Living Life on Purpose

,… Such as remember God, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! Thou creates not this in vain. Quran (3: 190-191)

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Proactive Planning

The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. .”

Muhammad Ali

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Help you can get1. Reduced rates

– Utility– Phone company

2. Reduce Insurance coverage on car

3. Get Medi-cal or Healthy Families Insurance for children

4. Cut the Cable-TV or other unnecessary costs

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Before The Job SearchAnalyze yourself: Conduct a Self

Assessment1. Values: What’s important to

you?2. Interests: What do you enjoy

doing?3. Personality: In what

situations have you felt most comfortable & successful?

4. Skills: What skills & abilities have you developed that you enjoy doing?

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Your Job Search PlanDevelop you job search strategySet goals, weekly, dailyDon’t forget personal obligationsResearch potential Employers Email, Call, Meet, MailFollow upGet out of the house:Network, Volunteer, Library,…

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Consider Your Employment Options

1. Public  vs. Private Companies2. Large vs. Small Employers3. Start‐ups4. Non Profits & Public Service5. Starting Your Own Business6. Academic and Post‐Doc 

Positions7. Re‐visit Previous Co‐op, 

Internship or Summer Employment Employers

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Are You Organized?Resume

1-2 pageTalk about accomplishmentsHave it critiquedCreate targeted versions

Cover Letter

Have a Professional imageVoice messageEmail addressSocial networking sites

Create a Portfolio

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30 Second PitchYour 30-second pitch

should reveal:

• Who you are

• Your background

• Why you are contacting them

• What you are looking for

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Effective  Interviewing Skills– Do your homework:  Know Yourself and Employer

– Demonstrate enthusiasm & passion: Smile!!!

– Be respectful and kind to everyone you encounter before, during and after your interview

– Listen carefully to interview questions and ask for clarification when necessary

– Practice, Practice, Practice!

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• Turning Your Contacts into Careers

Networking in the Real World

“Networking is making links from people we know to people they know, in an organized way, for a specific purpose, while remaining committed to doing our part, expecting nothing in return.”Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas, Power Networking

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NetworkingWhy network?• A referral generates

80% more results than a cold call.

• 75% of people get their jobs through networking.

• Talk to everyone you know: Neighbor, Classmates, Relatives, Former Employers & co-workers, Friends, Anyone

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4 Degrees of SeparationYou

Level 1Contact

Level 2Contact

Your FriendJamal

Jamal’s BrotherSam

Level 3Contact

Sam’s BossCarol

Carol’s FriendDavid

Level 4Contact

Use: LinkedIn, Facebook

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InternshipsHow can internships be

valuable?• Put theory to practice

• Experience for resume

• Academic credit

• Earn $

• Gain networking contacts

• Future opportunities

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Common Job Search Mistakes• Relying on one strategy (ie

Internet job search only)• Lack of focus/career objective • Failure to identify and use

network• Targeting only large employers• Failure to follow–up• Unprofessional materials or

appearance• Underestimate time needed to

search for a job

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Top Reasons for Rejection• Lack of Self‐Knowledge • Lack of Company Knowledge

• Lack of Questions• Lack of Enthusiasm• Lack of Confidence• Poor Communication Skills• Unprofessional Application or Appearance

Understanding & Learning from Rejection

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Passionate Persistence

“Verily, God has enjoined excellence with regard to everything,…” Saying of Prophet Muhammad

Don’t take rejection personally… Be persistent - you will find employmentRemind yourself of your skills and accomplishments

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Advice for Spouses

• Job loss is a stressful period for all family

• Accept the uncertainty

• Be supportive• Avoid daily job

updates, keep it weekly

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Advice for Children• Let everyone pitch in

to cut backs– Shorter showers– Walk, take the bus– Turn lights off

• Easier to explain to older children

• Avoid daily job updates, keep it weekly

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Advice for you• It’s a long road, full of

rejection• "Never give in, never - in

nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”Churchill

• If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it. ...

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Roller Coaster Overview• Problems, Problems,

Problems• All You Need Is Prayer• The Drive for Patience• Living Life On Purpose• Proactive Planning• Passionate Persistence

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Khosrow, & Bozorgmehr six humors

1. Trust in God2. Believe that every destined matter will inevitably

occur.3. Steadfastness is the best thing that the inflicted

person should opt for4. What should I do if I do not practice patience, since

I will not let impatience overtake me. 5. There may be some others who suffer harsher

calamities. 6. That relief may come in any moment.