Five Steps You Can Take after a Job Loss

If you’re reading this, you're probably experiencing the stress of unemployment. Whether you’ve been out of a job for a few hours or a few months, there are certain things you can do to make this a time of change and growth. Getting laid off does not have to be the end of the world; in fact, it could be the beginning of an even better, more fulfilling chapter in your life.

Here are five steps you can take in this uncertain time:

1. Your job is to look for a new job
   After working for 40 hours or more a week, it can be shocking to go from lots of activity to none. This can be a nice reprieve, but remember that your new task is to find a new job. Keep yourself on a schedule. Organize your day so you’re productive with your time.
2. Re-evaluate your career goals
   

   Now that life is on pause, this is a good time to reexamine your career. What did you like or not like about your previous job? Was it aligned with your passions? If you need to redirect your career, now is the opportunity to start fresh. Our blogs on career change during challenging times and career dissatisfaction go deeper into this topic.

3. Revamp your resume
   

   Chances are you haven’t looked at your resume since you landed your previous job. Take a look at it. Only include jobs where you were there for longer than three months, and make sure there are plenty of keywords throughout your resume. For more information on this, read our blog on creating a searchable job resume.

4. Network for Job Referrals
   

   With so many people still working from home, it’s an even more perfect time to reach out to others in your field, and even your family and friends. Let people know you’re looking for a job—as many people as possible. Communicate what your skills and career goals are. You never know who could be looking to hire. Along with networking, try and attend online webinars and virtual conferences. Learn new skills relevant to your industry and update yourself on the latest trends. This will help you stay on top of your game, and you might expand your network in the process.

5. Be kind to yourself
   

   Job loss is overwhelming, and you might not be able to start your job search immediately. In fact, it’s common to go through the five stages of job loss depression after a lay-off. You don’t have to do everything in one day. If you need, take some time to work through any intense feelings you might be having, and then get to work

We hope these tips have been helpful for you in this stressful time. If you feel like you need help from career experts, we’re here for you. Contact us and buy our book, Don’t Dread Monday—your guide to career fulfillment and success.