Public Finance Blog

Today’s blog is going to address the mental aspect of when you are released from your current situation, whether voluntarily, by resignation, RIF’d, or just terminated.  The cause of the removal is inconsequential, yet the mental gyrations you will experience are the key.

Being Released…

Well, you are released. Whether this is something that you have planned for over the last couple of months, or a “pink slip” showed up in your email, it’s happened.  You are going to be affected one way or another. Voluntarily terminating oneself is more difficult than one can imagine.  It comes with so many highs and lows.  The high is that you have been planning this exodus, and you’re excited about your next steps; however, you still have to hand in that letter of resignation.  Unless you really despised your manager, this is not easy.  You have to remain humble, yet at the same time completely in control of the situation… or they will roll you if they think you and your departure will create an internal incident.  You must be confident in your presentation of yourself at this final but crucial step.  On the other hand, if you are released for one reason or another, you are going to go through massive emotional swings, too.

Time Needs To Be On Your Side

In either case, time is necessary to put behind you.  I never recommend a candidate leave one position and the next day start the new one.  Having time to take a breath from the process is crucial for your success in your next venture.  Time to put the past in the past, and time to reflect positively on your future.  Time to think of how you are going to take your career to a new level.  Time to just be.  Again, on the other hand, if you are released, you also need to take some time before you hit the job market.  You want to be crystal clear in your next objective.  Sure, you need a new position, but you’ve most likely received a severance of some sort.  Even if you have not, you need to take a break so you can be fresh when you start to market yourself again.  Going from losing a position to immediately marketing yourself, in my opinion, is a mistake that can be easily rectified.  Don’t.  You must be clear in your objective when you start to look for your next position, and the emotion of being let go needs to simmer.  Then, and only then, can you truly put your best foot forward.

Don’t Get On The Emotional Rollercoaster

The emotion of losing a position or resigning is very high and needs to be talked through and reeled in.  Reaching out to people immediately after you are released should be held off until you are emotionally ready to explain what happened. Until then, gather your thoughts, but don’t go calling everyone, complaining about what happened, especially if you are terminated for whatever reason.  Justified or not, time is needed. Then, and only then, reach out to your support group, recruiter, or contacts that you may have developed along your career path. If you are fortunate enough to leave because of a new position, put a little time between your exodus and your onboarding. It will make such a difference that you will feel and see. 

Conclusion

You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at harlan@hfriedmansearch.com. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. We have also been mentioned in Forbes this year, click HERE to read more.  

About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.