Little Victories: Conquering Unemployment (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781452854618)

Tom Brophy spent 18 years with the New Jersey Department of Labor in the unemployment division. Tom's mission in life is to help as many people as he can re-establish their professional and personal lives. Through his own experience of being suddenly out-of-work and through interviews with thousands of unemployed people, Tom has a unique understanding of the emotional issues of unemployment, and of the strategies required to create a healthy outlook and a more efficient job search. Tom explains: "In 18 years, I spoke one-on-one with thousands of unemployed people. In most cases, we met for an eligibility interview where I verified their claims and made sure they were doing everything necessary to remain eligible for their benefits. Like most rookies, I followed the procedure to the letter. I had my interview form and simply went down the list looking for job prospects, phone calls, contacts made, and other customary procedures. "As time passed, I discovered I had a lot in common with the 'first timers.' I had owned my own business for more than 20 years. When it closed, I was devastated - and I had no idea how to get through each day, much less find a job. With no energy or self esteem, I felt unwanted and scared. How ironic it was to land a job through networking with friends in which I spent each day hearing the same pain I'd felt myself only months before. "As I grew more comfortable as an interviewer, I'd ask, 'How are you feeling?' or 'How do you spend your time?' Candidates who sensed that I was genuinely interested in them often broke down and cried. They were hurting and disoriented. They were somewhere they'd never been before, yet they were expected to fall into place and accept their plight. "Because I truly cared, I developed a program called Transition Layoff Counseling, and I would suggest that certain candidates attend my weekly seminars. Each week, I spent 90 minutes providing feedback and instructions based on the one-on-one interviews. Afterward, I tracked their progress. To my amazement, 92% were back to work in 5 months. "I went on to become the manager of the local office over the next 15 years, but I never forgot the gut-wrenching feeling of becoming unemployed. I've helped thousands of people by implementing the principles in Little Victories, and I hope that this book will help you establish your own string of victories, a new job and a happier life."