Down But Not Out – Dealing with Job Loss
Involuntary job loss due to a reorganization or downsizing happens. Oftentimes, people don’t even see it coming. One day you are employed; the next you aren’t. Of course you will feel that initial jolt of shock; it is important that you take stock of the situation as you prepare to recharge and take the necessary steps to fuel your motivation and begin anew. Here are some tips and recommendations to get you going:
Take some time to regroup: I recommend taking some time to collect your thoughts before rushing around to seek new employment. Losing a job is a traumatic experience – and certainly not one to be taken lightly, especially if you have been with your company for a long time. It is important that you use this as an opportunity to review your personal and professional needs; approach an upcoming search in a manner that meets your needs. Perhaps your family life has some boundaries that need consideration, or maybe you have developed skills that you can use in a new arena. No matter what the situation, rushing into something without a plan can be a big waste of time and a source of aggravation.
Create your plan of action: Once you have done a little soul searching begin to prepare yourself for your search. Hopefully you have a strong network that you have cultivated and maintained over the course of your career. This should be your first order of business – reach out to your network to help generate activity for you. Consider joining a related industry group to further expand your contacts.
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Use this time to figure out what you really want to be when you grow up: I recall a time when I was working in corporate and my position was eliminated. Being the uber Type A personality, I immediately began my search. I did not even consider taking a moment’s breath, much less a rest. My main focus was to get another position – immediately! I did this; of course, after I got my new shiny job I wished I had taken some time to relax. It would have been the perfect opportunity – not only to regroup, but also to figure out if I still wanted to remain in the same line of work. While I would not suggest taking some sort of extended vacation, a la ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ unless you have the good fortune and real fortune for such a thing, you can assess your position and passion, and possibly change course.
Leverage your support system: During times of change, especially where your livelihood is concerned, you might be feeling a bit down or frantic. Don’t keep this to yourself. I have found that in times like this, you really learn who your true friends are. Many clients have told me that strangers have been more helpful and supportive than people they have known their entire lives! True friends, family, a coach or counselor can serve as a sounding board and provide you with the right amount of encouragement and empathy you need to keep you positive and on track.
Resume and Cover Letter! Of course you knew I would come to this. As I continually beat the drum that there is no resume without the cover, make sure your documents complement each other. They should be consistent in presentation, results focused, without any errors (grammatical or spelling). Working with a professional can greatly improve your presentation, content, and drive interest in your background. Remember, your cover letter should not regurgitate what is on your resume. Make sure you use it to provide a flavor of who you are as a person – not just what you can do professionally.
Chin Up: Believe me – I know it is not easy to maintain motivated or keep a completely positive attitude. The better able you are to do this, the more productive you will be. Negative thoughts will not help you move ahead; in fact, moping around will prevent you from pursuing opportunities and being pursued as a potential employee. Engage with others, network, and research other avenues that may be of interest to you.
Job loss is not the end of the world! You may be down (for a bit); but, you are certainly not out. Get your plan in place and pursue your next opportunity. Success is imminent – you need to believe it, too.
Here’s to your continued success!
This blog's author, Debra Wheatman of Careers Done Write, provides executive career services including resume and cover letter preparation, job search / interviewing strategies and professional branding including how to effectively use LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media in your career.
Visit CareersDoneWrite.com to learn more about how we can put your career in gear with interview catching resumes and professionally written career documents.