Right now, things are tougher than ever before. Whether you were furloughed from a position that has now ceased to exist, or you straight out lost a job; being resilient, and spring-boarding yourself back into the job market is the only direction you should be heading. However, as with all setbacks, you can only truly move forward when you are focussed and determined; and when your mindset is clearly aligned with your goals.
Whether your company has restructured, closed down, or they had to let you go, bouncing back from it all doesn’t come naturally to everybody. For some, it takes time, and for others, it takes understanding, along with having to find the passion, drive, and confidence needed to put yourself back out in the job market once more.
Get Ready for the Roller Coaster
It’s NORMAL to go through a whole library of emotions when you lose your job. You might feel angry, upset, sad, displaced, demotivated; some days you’ll feel driven, motivated, and there’ll be others where you may feel like looking for work is the last thing you’d want to do.
Before we get into the practical, productive, and positive steps you can take to help you bounce back from your job loss, make sure you have the right mindset, and always be kind to yourself. Progress at any speed is still progress. If you’re always moving forward, regardless of the pace, you are heading in the right direction. So, keep going!
Practical Things to Do After Losing A Job
- Update your Resume
Do this as soon as possible. While you should expect to tailor your resume to some extent for each position you apply for, it’s important to write down the core responsibilities, milestone, and achievements for your former post, as quickly as you can. We’ve written a post about how to write a great CV that offers a range of practical steps you can take to fine-tune your resume so that it’s ready to be sent out and submitted with your applications.
- Adjust your Mindset
As harsh it sounds, you need to prepare yourself for rejection. If you apply for a job and are unsuccessful, try to obtain feedback from the recruiter as to why you didn’t progress, and use that feedback to help you in future applications. If you are applying for jobs without having any previous experience, make sure you tailor your application appropriately. If you find that you are becoming emotionally distressed or you are unable to manage your day-to-day tasks, then the head to health website has a range of great resources to help.
Try to focus your mindset on the things you can control, and talk to other people about any things that you are struggling with.
- Managing Money
When you are in between jobs, managing your finances can be a source of tremendous worry. The best way to stay on top of things is by making a budget and having a plan that you try to stick to as much as you possibly can. If you have excess spending on luxury items, such as subscriptions to TV packages or a gym membership you are no longer using, then try to trim down as much of these expenses as you can.
Money Smart is a great website where you can get tips and tricks to help you with your money management. Aside from this, you might also look for a side-gig, or a freelancing job that can help you earn a little more while you’re in this transitional phase.
- Leverage your Network
Using your online networks, try to put the feelers out for any job opportunities. If you have a LinkedIn account, then this can be a quick and easy way to quickly connect with old colleagues, peers, and clients. We’ve also put together a list of tips for finding a job that is a useful resource as you look for fresh ways to find a new job. Of course, registering with jobsites, and updating your profile is an essential step, but don’t underestimate the power of asking those in your network for help too.
- Job Sites and Searches
For most people, the task of logging in to the various jobsites can be time consuming and a little repetitive when done on a daily basis. Particularly when you type the same information in each day, only to see the same list of jobs appearing. Be proactive, and set up email alerts for your frequent searches, this will save you time, and it means you will be amongst the first to hear of any new opportunities as soon as they are posted. If there is a particular job of interest that you feel well suited for, it’s also a great idea to call up and try and speak with the hiring manager in person. It’s a great way of getting some extra attention and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions and make a great first impression.
- Be Flexible
If you are looking for a permanent position, and you filter out temporary or contract roles, then you might be missing out on a golden opportunity. Oftentimes, employers like to see what a person can offer their business, without committing to a full-time contract. To do this, they might offer a temporary or time-limited contract-based role, with the intent of giving a promising candidate full-time, permanent work in the future. Aside from this, a temporary role could expose you to a new industry and help you learn new skills; it also keeps you busy while you wait for a permanent job opportunity to present.
So, don’t rule out temporary or contract-based roles to begin with. If you prove yourself worthy, it could lead to a permanent role in the future.
In Summary
Dealing with losing your job can be tough, especially if it was unexpected. However, the one thing that does remain in your control is how you deal with it, and how you can use this opportunity to take steps forward into a new career with a new company. Start as you mean to go on, try to stay positive, plan for all eventualities, and make sure you are presenting the best version of yourself on paper to give you the greatest opportunity to succeed.