An epidemic of clean garages.

Editor's note:

When it comes to what our members want most from NEHA, at the very top of the list is career assistance, particularly in the area of finding new jobs. While we are limited in the number of "Classifieds" we can run in your monthly Journal (due to the relatively long lag time between issues), we can, however, provide other means of assistance that aren't so time-sensitive. That is what we intend to do with this new career column titled, "Career Consultant," written by Sandra Hagevik, Ph.D.

Dr. Hagevik currently serves as a career consultant for EnviroTemps, Inc., a national woman-owned project staffing firm specializing in the environmental careers field. Throughout the course of her professional life, she has written many resumes, both for herself and for other professionals. She began her career as a science and health teacher, and later moved into the fields of career counseling, university administration, and outplacement consulting. Dr. Hagevik has been a nationally certified career counselor since 1985, and has assisted hundreds of individuals from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors find satisfying careers.

We hope you enjoy this column - even if you currently have no need to seek new employment opportunities!

You have just been - or you worry about soon being - laid off, riffed, fired, downsized, decommissioned, made redundant, made useless! Your job or your services have been eliminated, outsourced, suspended, closed out, or delegated. Whatever the euphemisms, you are - or will shortly be - out of a job. No longer employed, you may come to believe that you are no longer needed, wanted, or valued in the workplace. The skills that you've relied upon may seem outdated or extraneous to the challenges of your changing profession. In short, you've become a victim of the worldwide downsizing pandemic. At least that's what you believe.

What's a person to do? Clean out your garage!

Step One: Clean Out Your Garage (or Office, Filing Cabinet, Cupboard, Drawer)

If you have experienced - or even if you only anticipate - any of the circumstances mentioned above, listen up. Now is the time to clean out wherever it is you store your junk: garage, office, drawer. Give away those rusted tools, unused clothes, and outdated books and manuscripts. Simplify your life by divesting yourself of the trappings of your former lifestyle.

Why would you do this? First, if your garage, closet, drawers or past expectations had a voice, they would probably thank you. While you clean, clear, and toss out, you will finally have the time to reminisce and to put into perspective your contributions to your profession and your employer. This is much better done here in the dust of your garage or closet than in the presence of a future employer.

Use this time to literally or metaphorically chuck your anger, hostility, remorse, and guilt. Life will be better for everyone. Kick the dust of the past instead of yourself, your family, or your pets.

Step Two: Recycle Your Skills

While you fill containers with recycling, contributions, or trash, think about what you learned. Think about your involvement in all those reports, meeting notes, team projects, demonstrations, and experiments. Note your successes and shortcomings. Evaluate your contributions and how your involvement was received. Consider both the content and the process of your work. Your intellectual, technical, or scientific insights may have been brilliant-how was your deliver? Now that you have the time, the time might be right to upgrade your communication skills.

* How are your public speaking skills? Look into your local Toastmasters organization for an inexpensive, direct way to improve public presentations.

* How well do you listen? Investigate audio tapes, and seek feedback on this crucial skill.

* How well do you present yourself? Look critically into the mirror and evaluate your physique; wardrobe; haircut; and, for women, makeup.

* How do you approach technological changes? If you need to upgrade your computer skills, first check community college offerings before investing in for-profit training.

* How are you presenting yourself in print? If your resume still resembles an old curriculum vitae or adjusted SF-171, it's time for an overhaul. I can help - see the sidebar at the top of this page.

Step Three: Create a Personal Office

If, in your career adjustment, you'll be commuting from one room to the next - or travelling to other sites - nothing will contribute more to your sense of well-being than creating an efficient home office. Whether this space is a personal computer, a desk of your own, or an entire room, spend time and resources to design it to meet your new needs.

Scout box-mall home improvement centers or resale stores to locate storage and closet systems. Your garage, your pets, and your spouse or partner will thank you.

Step Four: Seek Help

If your career or job search is stock, moribund, ineffectual, or dead, find help. You can call me for telephone, e-mail, or resume assistance. Also, you can check out services offered by community colleges and your professional organization. Or try the Internet. Whatever you do, assume that the experience will teach you life-changing insights and skills that will help when you next face a dirty, disorganized, or disgusting garage.