3 Ways to Survive Job Loss & Thrive
You never saw it coming. You believed your contribution to the work you did each day was seen by the corporate powers to be, the ones who have the title of supervisor, manager, and CEO. You focused on giving 110% of your time, talent, and efforts. Then one day, HR, your boss, and perhaps other authority figures, tell you your job will be dissolved in the next 30 days or less. Worse yet, your entire department is being phased out. Shock, denial, anger, and fear rise quickly. You are left with an awful feeling of doom and gloom. You are experiencing loss. A loss of income, a loss of position, and a perhaps a loss of being able to define who you are now. Job loss can be linked to anxiety, depression, and a loss of life satisfaction.
I am here to tell you that the ending does not to be the final production for you. There are many paths you can choose to take but remembering several things can help you navigate this major life transition.
1. Skills and Talents:
When we work in an industry or a job for many years, decades, or more, we start to believe the only things we can offer to another employer is the fact we have been terminated. This is far from your truth. We each possess transferable skills. These are skills that are evergreen in the workplace. Skills like creativity, teamwork, self-motivation, written and verbal skills, problem-solving skills, and good communication. Taking some time to reflect upon your transferable skills may help lessen the fear of stepping out there with your resume in hand, looking for other employment. If you are not sure what your transferable skills are, investigate taking a self-assessment quiz. There are many of them online. Simply google ideas and start finding out. I also offer two links at the end of the article for some good resources as well.
2. Review, Network and Build:
As difficult, and scary as it is, review your finances. This may sound cliché, but it is very important. Think about eliminating unnecessary expenses now. You may be able to recapture them again once you have a solid financial footing. You may have several months of finances set aside to help cushion the blow, but you may not have much set-aside, so take stock of your spending. Eliminating eating out, cut streaming services, reduce spending or ordering online, cut gym memberships and other online product memberships. Network with others in your career field or industry. Asking others for input, job market ideas and more can help you stay positive as you move forward. Build strong relationships. Family and friends can help support you along this journey. Those close to us provide emotional support, encouragement, and more to help us process this loss and focus on the new road ahead.
3. Loss or Growth?
If you have been thinking about starting your own business or partnering with someone else, this could be the opportunity to make that happen. This can be a time to put yourself first for a bit. Thinking about your own goals, your own dreams, and how you might incorporate that into your life now. Yes, you must be responsible and accountable to others in your life if you have a partner, spouse, or children. However, taking time for yourself is essential during this tough transition. Time to reflect, think, plan, and perhaps start something of your own. Choosing a career path that is more meaningful may be a way to grow through this loss. This could be a time for continued education, going back to school, or getting certified.
Take care of yourself during this time. Good self-care will help your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Exercise, time in nature, reading, gardening or simply sitting alone with a cup of coffee are the moments you will need to build your resiliency and confidence.
During major transitions, a life coach can help you navigate this time more effectively. I have experienced major job loss in my personal life. I want to attract others so I may guide and help them on this journey. There will always be transitions in our lives, Some good, some bad. It is what we do with the loss or transition that makes us who we are.