Or is it that misery loves company?
➔ There is something reassuring in the human experience that, when faced with challenges or turmoil, almost without fail, we find comfort and solace confiding in another human being.
When one considers that hunting for a job – at any age, much less our age – is among the most stressful and potentially lonely events in our lives – personal and professional – doesn’t it make sense that it would be to your benefit to enlist a compatriot with whom you can relate?
When a body meets a body…
These accountability partners can be effective at any level. What will work for you depends on your personal situation. And you don’t necessarily have to restrict yourself to having only one – different partners for different needs. Depending on your circumstances, more than one may make sense.
There are even accountability “teams” where several people meet regularly at an assigned time, at an assigned place. Some partners meet at a set time every week (i.e. every Monday at 8:00 a.m.); maybe even at the same place such as a coffee shop, or even a McDonald’s.
This kind of regularity has many advantages. For one thing, it will get you out of the house, moving and focusing on your job search. Since many partners take the word “accountability” more literally, you may have certain goals and objectives to meet for a meeting – maybe they’re even targets that you have set for yourself.
(These targets can be goals such as: This week I plan to schedule three informational interviews. Or, this week I plan to update my resume and revise my LinkedIn profile.)
One of the major advantages of having a partner, or partners is that they will hold your feet to the fire. If you commit to scheduling three informational interviews, your partner(s) will be expecting that from you at your next meeting. They may even shame or guilt you into meeting your goals. Whatever works.
This all goes back to the notion that you’re not in this alone. Sure your family is sharing your pain, but having an outsider stand with you is incredibly helpful and supportive. This is especially true when that outsider is out of work as well. Being pushed by someone can only help, just as you pressing someone else benefits them as well.
It’s reassuring to know that: you’re not in this by yourself.
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