Many people lose their jobs when they least expect it. Here are some tips to help deal with the turmoil and pain of losing a job and ease the process of finding a new one. I sincerely wish, though, that may you never have to use them.
- Don’t let fear control you. Many people get frozen because they don’t know what to do, so they opt to do nothing and instead just worry. It’s appropriate to be concerned, but you also have to start making the necessary moves to insure your comfort and survival.
- Never underestimate the power of networking. Talk with people who can help you and follow any leads that come your way. Connect with others every day to help you get another job. Send out resumes, and keep your contacts alive.
- Find emotional support. There are numerous groups for the newly unemployed, many with counselors and job coaching. You don’t need to tough it out, do it alone, or reinvent the wheel.
- Go on practice interviews. Even if it’s a job for which you are way over-qualified, or even under-qualified, go to the interview. The more interviews you do, the more comfortable you will be with them, and when the right one comes along, you’ll nail it.
- Don’t try to mask your pain by substance use. Yes, a nice glass of wine can definitely take the edge off. But if you start having more than one drink or using drugs on a daily basis, pull yourself out of the pattern before it becomes an addiction.
- Don’t spend too much time alone. You will need some time to grieve in order to move on, but you can’t find a gig if you isolate, so get out there and investigate who is hiring. Remember that a personal meeting is always better than an e-mail.
- Create a routine and stick to it. It is very easy to get out of the rhythm of going to work [or looking for work] every day. Make looking for a job your new job for right now.
- Beware of making big changes. Don’t move to another town [or into your parent’s house] right away. If you are financially strapped, having to move may be a necessity, but don’t do it out of panic.
- Research. Find out what others did who have not just survived but thrived after they lost their jobs. There are also some great books on job hunting and creating home-based and Internet businesses.
Losing your job can be a nightmare. Researchers say it takes, on an average, eighteen months to find a managerial-level job, so don’t beat yourself up if something doesn’t happen for you right away. Remember, you will survive this.