The Tribune

By IAN FERGUSON

Given all the employment woes seemingly overtaking our corporate landscape over the past week, I thought it best to introduce a message of HOPE for those who may be entangled in the web. Here are six simple, basic survival skills to help you navigate though troubled employment waters:

1. Crime is never an option. ‘Cutting Movies’ in the streets only makes our situation worse than it is. To pick up a gun or knife, or to engage in anything unlawful or illegal, is an affront to all of the moral and ethical teachings our parents and grandparents instilled in us.

2. Lose the ‘pride spirit’. All work that does not abuse or offend humanity is honourable. Sometimes the ‘pit experience’ prepares you for the ‘palace experience’.

To take a cleaning job with a college degree should not shatter your self-worth. Remember, you are not defined by the job you currently hold. The scriptural admonition is: ‘Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with all your might’.

1. Seek out the services of a career counsellor/ guidance counsellor and explore your options. People helping people is crucial in these times. Link up with someone positive who can help you brainstorm and identify new opportunities that might be presenting themselves.

Do not allow depression or despair to set in. Find a community (church-civic group-family) that gives support and be transparent with them.

1. Reexamine your skills. This may be a beautiful opportunity to obtain new skills, qualifications, degrees or certification. Look for a scholarship, get a loan, use your severance package but, by some means, go and acquire some new skills that make you a more marketable individual.

2. You may wish to find a product or service you can produce efficiently, and garner the support of family and friends as your initial client base.

Cleaning the house or yard of persons in the neighbourhood on a weekly or monthly basis can certainly tide over an unemployed or under-employed person during a difficult patch. Bahamians are a naturally gifted and innovative people. Here is an opportunity to produce not only what locals might want to consume, but Bahamian products for the global market.

1. You may need to tighten your budgeting skills and live frugally for this transitional period. Determine quickly what is vital for survival and what is ‘extra’.

Vacations, clothes, entertainment, alcoholic beverages etc may have to be put on the ‘stop list’ for this season. Individuals, particularly those with children, must be incredibly wise and ensure that the basic needs of these young ones are not adversely affected. A return back to the family homestead or a close family member may be a wise decision at this time.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.