At times we grow to love our jobs, and sometimes it can be a love-hate situation. Still, knowing we can work to earn a living is essential. That is why losing your job can be painful. So how do you move on after being laid off? Below are a few unpleasant but essential things worth considering.
1. Acknowledge Your Emotions, Then Move On
You might find yourself engulfed with emotions immediately after being laid off from work; panic, anger, rage, exhilaration, and disbelief will rush in like a flood as you say goodbye to that routine paycheck. Gone will be the daily schedule you were used too and you are left reflecting on your former position and the next chapter in your career.
It is best not to get caught up in these emotions but also strives to normalize them. It will need you to take the “tough love” route so that you can accept what’s happened and focus on what the future holds for you. See here for The Recruitment Lab.
2. Join A Support Group
In some cases, the company might be looking for areas to make some cutbacks, and layoffs will be on the table, seeing multiple employees let go simultaneously. You can consider banding together with colleagues who were also let go to form a support group for motivating each other and sharing ideas and leads.
It is something worth doing if you feel alone and struggling. You could find a professional to talk to or join a group; the object is to find someone to comfort and encourage you as you deal with your emotions. You might connect with people that might give your recommendations or even share your resume with their HR. You will be surprised by how you will encounter persons that will go out of their way to help.
Pro Tip: Talk about your situations but focus on what comes next, expectations, and what you want to do. For example, you can start by sharing about where you were working and what you missed most about your former job. Then you can identify the positives that you want to take with you and implement in your next professional role. Also, do not shy away from admitting you are in a tight spot financially, and you are more than happy to take anything that fights your interests and skills, with some room to experience new challenges.
3. Review Your Finances And Create A Budget
Money-talk might seem awkward given the situation you are in, but knowing your financial position is powerful. Take a back seat and review what you are working with to ensure you do not find yourself swamped with debt.
If you are getting something from unemployment checks or severance, then that is something. So, it is wise to start making some changes in your spending. You will need to create a budget to help you organize your finances.
The layoff will force you to make some tough decisions, small cuts here and there that have a significant impact on your money situation. The gym subscription, library card, and dinners will be some of the things to scrub off your spending list. You will not do this with a smile on your face, but it will motivate you to find a new job.
4. Invest In Personal Development
Having covered the need to reduce your spending, injecting cash into personal development might seem counterintuitive. However, it would be best if you did not forget that you need money to make money.
You can join a class or two to build your professional profile and make you more marketable, that is if you can afford it. And since you will have lost of downtime, the lessons can be a positive outlet that also helps boost your self-esteem. You can learn how to update and polish your resume and how to spruce up to be more presentable for your next job interview. It will be an investment that goes towards your success.