Life can be so unpredictable and that includes every aspect of it. Relationships, finances, career – we can never be sure of what will happen to them next. Even if we invest a lot of our hard work, time, and knowledge, we can never be assured that we will be spared from the popular anecdote, ‘nothing is permanent.’ They can disappear in a wink of an eye.
If you have just lost your job, you are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of workers have also lost their job during this pandemic. But of course, this cannot be the words of comfort that you need. For sure, you are in one of your hardest times.
Indeed, the loss of a job or career has profound effects. You may start asking, “Why me?” If you are a dedicated worker, it can really be so hard to accept. But when it finally sinks in, grieve. It is normal to do so. But you should not stay there for long. Learn how to bounce back, or else, your grief can lead to depression and anxiety, which can give you more trouble.
Here are some steps that you can do to help you overcome the loss of your job:
Give Yourself Some Time to Grieve
Grieving your job loss can lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. It is important to keep in mind that grief is a natural response to a significant loss and there is no good or bad reaction. There are some ways you can manage the grief process and get back on track.
It’s typical for some to feel a sense of detachment after being laid off. Job loss can cause people to feel detached from their work and relationships with their coworkers and the company they worked hard for. After feeling this sense of loss, it is then important that the individual resumes normal routines again. Routine helps in easing the mind and reducing anxiety.
It can be hard to think about the future when you lose your job. You may feel frustrated because you’re not able to find another one or start making a living for yourself. Some people will tell their friends that they’re fine and put on a brave face because deep down, they don’t want anyone to worry about them. This can cause more stress and hurt feelings in the long run than being honest with loved ones and telling them what’s going on.
When we lose anything that we value, we normally grieve. How much more when you lose your job? If you lost your job involuntarily, it can be doubly painful to a dedicated worker, especially if it was done very abruptly. It means a lot to lose a job. In an instance, you will be out of your daily routine, and all of a sudden, you have no source of income.
Allow yourself to grieve, but make it a little faster. When you do it slowly, your savings can all be spent. You may even have a harder time going back to the workforce.
Reach Out to the Right People
When going through a particularly tough job loss, finding the right people to lean on and talk to may seem impossible. There are many organizations that offer support for those who are struggling, including the Employee Assistance Program in your area, or Freecycle Network. The first step when looking for help is to contact your employers’ HR department or speak with a professional about what programs you can use to get back on track.
If you are on the job market and the economy is in a bad place, that might mean your job search could take a while. In order to stay positive, you may want to talk to people who have gone through a similar situation and find out what helped them. They may have advice for you that can help you bounce back from this difficult time in your life.
For someone who is grieving, it is best to stay connected with friends and family. For sure, they know how to make you feel better. Go out with them. A vacation with your loved ones will surely reinvigorate you. And don’t close your communication with your former workmates, they may be of help too. They may have some recommendations for new employment possibilities in the future.
Explore Other Options
When your job suddenly ends, your entire world is turned upside down. There’s no way you can go back to the same company, and it’s possible that you may not even be able to work in the career field that you’re most passionate about anymore. If this happens to you, don’t get discouraged! There are plenty of different career options that exist out there for those looking for something new in life.
It is important to not be overwhelmed by the fear of job loss. Explore other options while you are still employed. Explore online schools and online degrees to see what they offer. Job loss can provide an opportunity for new experiences and opportunities.
There are other options besides being unemployed. For example, you may be able to get a new job in a different field. You can also take on some freelance work or join a start-up company where your skills would be well matched.
After the vacation period, you should now come to terms with your present situation. You are now unemployed, what are your options now? For sure, you know that you cannot afford to have any source of income. Will you be going around looking for work, similar to what you have been into? Or will you be shifting to something different? What are your other skills? Will it be alright for you to spend some time learning new things? Indeed, it is always important to reevaluate and explore new possibilities in order to make progress in our lives.
Go Over Your Marketable Skills
First, be sure to develop your professional brand. This is basically an online presence that demonstrates the qualifications of your work. For example, if you are a translator, showcase your language expertise online. In addition, make sure that you stay active on career networking sites and make connections with hiring managers from companies in need of the skills that you have.
You might be wondering “What do I have to offer that is unique enough to make me a good fit for this company?” One way to answer that question is by creating your own personal brand. When you market yourself, you’re able to show your skills and passion in a way that puts you ahead of the competition. If you can’t get an interview with a company, then don’t worry- just market yourself on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn!
Don’t stress yourself about finding a job immediately. Some of your applications may be returned and some may call you for an interview. You have been here before, so you should know what you will be doing. Before applying, assess your marketable skills. There may be others that you have not made use of for a long time. Rediscover these skills and hone them once again. You know for sure that these are your best points to be better than the competition.
Know Your Health Status
Job loss can be incredibly difficult to deal with. It is important to take stock of your mental, physical, and emotional health in the midst of this stressful time. You should consider seeing a therapist if you are not coping well or if you are experiencing a lot of anxiety or depression.
Many people lose their jobs or encounter a reduction in hours because of the economic climate. When faced with this scenario, it’s important to take care of yourself and understand that your health is now as important as your job. If you aren’t prepared to handle the situation, it can negatively impact your mental and physical health.
Every interview should be about how well you present yourself physically, so get in shape and take good care of yourself by not smoking or drinking. The more prepared you’re physically, the better you’ll feel during the interviews and your potential employers will see that.
More than anything else, you should know your health condition. If you have not seen a doctor for a while, it’s about time. All ailments are felt or seen. If by chance you have an underlying medical condition, you should reconsider your option. You should always pay attention to your health no matter what.
Seek Career Guidance
If you’re currently facing the prospect of losing your job, you’re not alone. It doesn’t help that the economy is in a slump either. So what should be done when you lose your job? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this difficult time, don’t worry! There are steps everyone can take to better their chances of making it through this hard period.
Sometimes, job loss can happen in a day or a week. Sometimes it takes years. Regardless of the time frame, there are steps to overcome job loss. First, you need to identify individual and organizational strengths that can be used for new career opportunities.
Next, you need to develop a clear personal vision for your desired future career path. Finally, you should put together a resume and start networking with people in your target field so that they can provide you with leads on jobs and will help support you during your transition period.
After exploring your options, it may be wise to seek career guidance from a professional. Are you suited to the chosen career path that you have chosen? What are the preparations that you need to undergo? If you chose to look for a job that is similar to your work before, you should know what aspects you need to improve on.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are many ways to overcome this career setback and regain your place in the world. One way is to find a new career that fits you better and more closely than what you were doing previously. You can also find a new career by going back to school or starting a side business.
Honestly, it can truly be mind-boggling to lose your job. Accepting your situation, coming to terms with it, and keeping your sanity intact are the best solutions. The stage of grieving may be the turning point where you will be. Many may have not come out from that grief. Of course, you will not allow that. Because you will be on your feet again.
No matter what age or experience you are, if you’re experiencing job loss, take some time to figure out what you actually want to do. If you’ve never thought about what direction your life is headed in, start writing down a list of things that make you happy. This will help you find out what areas of life are enjoyable for you and which ones aren’t so much. You’ll also discover new passions to pursue that wasn’t on your radar before.
Final Thoughts
When you experience job loss, it is important to take the correct steps in order to avoid being in a downward spiral that can lead to depression. One of the best ways to deal with this situation is by finding out how your situation impacts your health. Some of these steps may include getting a therapist or joining a support group. It’s also important not to go into debt during this time and make sure you find other opportunities for yourself.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you have just lost your job. It’s difficult to stay motivated and continue working your best when you are down on yourself. But there are many ways to stay positive and keep moving forward as outlined earlier.
Having a job that makes you happy is much more important than the monthly salary. If your work is not uplifting and fulfilling, it’s time to find something else. The best possible response to unemployment is to find a new career that inspires you in some way.