Losing a job is never easy and it will never become one. But tough as it is, there are a few things you can do to help you go through that situation in your life.
The health crisis showed how fragile your day job security can be. In an instant, the virus swept across the countries putting tremendous pressure on the healthcare system. Soon enough, it was already rippling out to several other industries across the world. Companies found themselves having to pivot in order to survive.
This meant changing, slowing down, or completely putting their operations to a complete halt. This shook the job security of most people and put their finances in disarray. There are those who were asked to shift into a work-from-home set-up and they were considered some of the lucky ones. Of course, those in vital industries continued with their work despite the health pandemic.
Some employees were asked to put in fewer hours at work to manage operational costs. Others were put on furlough and on notice to come back when things change for the better. But others were completely let go for various reasons. The company might have needed to drastically cut down costs, close some departments, or close the business itself.
But one thing you have to understand is that the pandemic underscored one of the biggest fears of people when it comes to their finances – job security. Losing a job is a major blow to any person or family trying to get ahead in life. Suddenly, you find yourself holding on to whatever cash you have. You might even start to call people who owe you money. There are times as well when you begin to toy with the idea of getting a side hustle just to make ends meet.
If you are in danger of losing your job, here are a few things to help you get through it. They could give you the direction you need to navigate through this challenging time in your life.
Get ahead of anxiety with concrete next steps
When you find yourself on the brink of losing a job, all your problems seem to get bigger as well. One of them could be trying to manage your emotions and how you feel about the situation. As a result, you might end up with knee-jerk reactions which could bring you more harm than good in the long run. It is really tough to get a handle on your emotions. ADAA even shares that about 3.1% of Americans suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. But there are a few things you can do.
One is to learn to accept the problem and not avoid it. It is easier said than done but the sooner you get to terms with it, the faster you can move forward. This is because acceptance allows you to move past the problem and start looking for concrete ways to solve it. If you identify the problem, you get to lay out possible solutions to help you solve it.
In a way, it can also help you manage your anxiety because as soon as you start looking for a solution, your focus shifts from looking at the problem to actual problem-solving. You get to realize that you can put your efforts into areas you have control over. Once you start to feel like you have control, your anxiety could start to slow down as you gain more control.
Polish up your credentials
Losing a job is tough but if you can think of it as an opportunity to find a more stable and higher paying work, then that could be a much better frame of mind. And when you start to list down the things you need to do to reach that goal, one of your priorities would be going back to your credentials and updating that document.
When you start to look for a new job, your credentials will play a huge role in getting one foot in the door for the companies you wish to work for. Oftentimes, companies would first look at your credentials before even setting up an interview with you. So to help you get to that next level, you need to make sure that your credentials are updated.
Updating it not only means putting recent accomplishments in your credentials. This could also be a good time to check how you can improve your document presentation. If first impression matters, then the way you present and submit your credentials can make a difference between being read or ending up in the trash bin. Make time in making sure your credentials are up to date to help improve your chances of landing that job that you want.
Work up your professional network
Over the course of your professional work, you could have come across and met people in your industry. If you still get the chance to talk to them, it might be a good time to tap into that network as you explore job opportunities in other companies. Talk to people you know and ask if they are aware of job openings in their company or even in other industries related to your line of work.
One thing this gives you is quick access to job postings that might not even be posted yet. If this is the case, you have a good chance of getting the job if you apply early. It also helps if the person who told you about the job knows your work ethic. If they personally endorse you to the company, this could be a great advantage in helping you secure that job position.
More than getting to know about job openings even before they are posted on the job market, talking to your network can also give you a feel of relevant industry news. This is a great way to stay updated and guide your job-hunting process. You get to filter out which companies to aim for or even industries you can focus on.
Start looking for job vacancies in your industry
Of course, you cannot always rely on other people and should always make an effort to look for jobs yourself. A good place to start if you are in danger of losing a job is to look at your current industry. Before you explore working in a new one, stay close to what you already know. You have experience in it which can mean a lot in job hunting.
Companies could put preference in your application since training would be minimal. One advantage you have is that you can hit the road running. This is a great selling point for companies looking to hire new people. Minimal downtime and training mean operations are more likely to suffer any setbacks making you an ideal candidate.
Remember – your job does not define you
It is never easy losing a job and it never will be. The mental stress it gives you can trigger your anxiety levels and in some cases, even depression. You might begin to think that you are not good enough or that your life is now ruined. It is difficult to snap out of that. But you have to believe that your life is not just about your work. Your value as a person is not wholly defined by your job. It is just one aspect of who you are.
Losing a job is a tough situation to be in. But it should not be the end of the world for you. Remember that there are a few things you can do to help you manage that situation.