Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful experiences you can ever go through. You will be angry, hurt, depressed or even worse get suicidal.
Job loss can be one traumatizing event that rocks your sense of purpose and self-esteem. When I lost my job two years I thought all was lost. I would sleep through the whole night and day and only break the sleep to take water and visit the clock room.
I lost track of time and lost weight at some point. The people who encouraged me and stood by me got tired of a never bouncing back self. So beyond job loss, I fell into depression, lost my daily routine and work-based social network.
While it can be heartbreaking, take it as normal to lose friends, lose self-esteem a daily routine and confidence.
Read also: Are you happy with your job? Tips to keep yourself happy at work
How to Move on After a Job Loss
While the stress can seem overwhelming, there are many things you can do to take control of the situation after losing a job. Focus on maintaining your spirits, and come out of this difficult period stronger, more resilient, and with a renewed sense of purpose.
1. Acceptance
After losing a job, there is always that state where you are in denial. Basing on the incidences that may have caused your job loss, you can be angry at yourself and not be able to accept.
Acceptance is the next step for your healing process and overcoming the grief. Once you accept, you will be easy to let the pain go and focus on new things.
Rather than looking at losing a job as a horrible thing, it might be better to consider the positive implications of this situation. Take the time to make changes be it switching careers or industries, learn some new skills and improve upon what you have.
2. You can join a job club
While in the jobless state new friends can bring back a new flame especially those you share a common course.
Joining the company of other job seekers can be an invaluable source of encouragement, support, and job leads. Being around others facing automatically helps your reenergize and motivate you as you overcome job loss and embark on a new journey of searching for a new job.
3.Network for new employment
This is not documented anywhere but believe me, the vast majority of job openings are never advertised, they’re filled through networking.
After losing a job networking can get more complicated as you lose so many friends who could have otherwise connected you.
As a starter networking may sound so intimidating but you get used to it as time goes by. There you will build new friends, meet even potential employers you can pitch your work to. And who knows you may meet your employer.
4. Work as a Volunteer
After a job loss, nothing seems easy but offering to volunteer soothes your heart in away. Acts of kindness produce some of the same “feel good” chemicals in the brain as anti-depressants.
Giving help to others well help you heal as well feel occupied. Alternatively, It can also be an effective way to build your network and show potential employers you are not sitting idly by waiting for work to come your way.
Being there for others doesn’t necessarily pay off it is one of the best mood boosters when you are at your lowest.
5. Treat finding a job as a job.
It is best to take a break off job searching immediately after a job loss. It doesn’t have to be a long time but good enough to let you recover.
While in the job searching process, treat job searching like a normal job you need. Be passionate about it, revise your resume until you are confident enough to send it out. ou will be amazed at how happy you are even when the jobs don’t come through at immediately.
Additionally, Create a job search plan with goals and small manageable steps. Then prioritize, structure your day and how you will find the jobs.
Related: 6 Ways to Talk Positively About Failures in Job Interview
How to move on after job loss: conclusion
People react to pain differently and you realize depending on the impact of the pain it affects the victims in different ways.
Losing a job especially for a breadwinner can be emotional and even affect the well being of his or her whole family if not acted upon.
Reportedly there are so many cases of joblessness daily especially with the tough economic rimes in the country. Many people have committed suicide thinking they will let go off the pain not knowing they are causing more pain to their families.
Once you realize you can’t get over the pain on your own find additional support. It can be either from a primary caregiver, a counselor or a physician.
Surround yourself with people who lift you, and avoid critics and any negative people around you. Read positive books, watch inspiring movies. Let your people know about your progress and walk with you in the toughest of times.
