Sometimes you know you’re about to be let go and sometimes it
comes like a thief in the night. Either way, you are probably not as prepared
as you need to be to survive it well. In my 45 years of working, I have been
unemployed three times; one voluntarily and the others like a thief in the night.
Even in church work, the thief can steal your job without notice, warning, or accusations
of any wrong doing of any kind. It’s just that easy and it happens way too
often.
Do not overreact. Your tendency will be to focus solely on the job loss and the factors surrounding what happened. Take a step back, take a deep breath, and look at the big picture. Your first step should be to write down your thoughts and feelings to release them from any anxiousness you have.
Plan your day. Without the routine of your job, you will find that your days are empty and unorganized. Try and make your plans for tomorrow in advance of each day. Even if it does not fill your day, give yourself a plan to get something accomplished each day.
Start your job search. There is no need to stress just yet. Begin getting your resume and other documents you need ready to send out. Start making phone calls and sending emails networking around with other colleagues and friends that you know. Let them know you are searching and ask if they would pass along your resume when possible. Get connected through social media.
Keep emotions in check. Losing a job can be very emotional with feelings of inadequacy, bitterness, mad at the world, frustrated, and even loneliness and isolation from being at home all day instead of working. Your mind will wonder off and cause you to think only about the negative aspects of the job lose, so fill your mind with positive things as much as possible. There are always good things in every bad situation.
Do not go it alone. If you are married, then include your spouse in what you are going through. Some temperaments tend to clam up and not communicate about the job lose. Make sure you are open and honest with your spouse and include them in your feelings and emotions. Reach out and find a few friends you would consider mentors to you. Let them know what has happened and keep them updated often for support and encouragement.
Develop a Quite Time
This is a time you really need to be quite and hear from the Lord. Find your spot and your time and be there every day no matter what. Wherever we live, I have a spot in the house that I sit and read and pray. Find a prayer study and begin a journal of your thoughts even if you have never done this, its important in a transition time.
Stay connected to your field. Whatever your career field was, stay connected there during this time of not working. Read related articles, research new technology in your field, read books, and get connected on social media related to your field. Do some research and learn new things happening out there.
Build your web presence. I have already mentioned social media but do not underestimate its far-reaching power. Start with a professional business site like LinkedIn. Upgrade to premium if possible and create a professional profile that tells your story. Find other job search sites and up load your resume to each one. Set up email alerts for jobs you would be looking for. Get known on the web as a job seeker and start watching regularly.
Take the Time Off
You may sense a feeling of urgency and panic. Don't fret just yet and enjoy some of your time off from the job. I'm not saying be lazy and do nothing about your separation. Spend some time visiting family and relatives and just hanging out. Do not feel guilty relaxing. Chances are you have put off vacations and trips due to work load and now is the perfect time to get caught up.
See the big picture. Start looking at the long haul even if you have prospective jobs quickly. Look for ways you can cut expenses to the bone. If you own a home, can you sell quickly and rent for a while. What are the cost differences? What can you sell if you had to? What savings do you have? What emergency funds do you have? What is your budget and your monthly living costs presently? What can be trimmed. Know that a job loss is temporary and you will bounce back. Get through a job loss with as minimal of damage as possible financially. Don’t sell the farm just yet, but be ready.
Comments? What would you add?
Do not overreact. Your tendency will be to focus solely on the job loss and the factors surrounding what happened. Take a step back, take a deep breath, and look at the big picture. Your first step should be to write down your thoughts and feelings to release them from any anxiousness you have.
Plan your day. Without the routine of your job, you will find that your days are empty and unorganized. Try and make your plans for tomorrow in advance of each day. Even if it does not fill your day, give yourself a plan to get something accomplished each day.
Start your job search. There is no need to stress just yet. Begin getting your resume and other documents you need ready to send out. Start making phone calls and sending emails networking around with other colleagues and friends that you know. Let them know you are searching and ask if they would pass along your resume when possible. Get connected through social media.
Keep emotions in check. Losing a job can be very emotional with feelings of inadequacy, bitterness, mad at the world, frustrated, and even loneliness and isolation from being at home all day instead of working. Your mind will wonder off and cause you to think only about the negative aspects of the job lose, so fill your mind with positive things as much as possible. There are always good things in every bad situation.
Do not go it alone. If you are married, then include your spouse in what you are going through. Some temperaments tend to clam up and not communicate about the job lose. Make sure you are open and honest with your spouse and include them in your feelings and emotions. Reach out and find a few friends you would consider mentors to you. Let them know what has happened and keep them updated often for support and encouragement.
Develop a Quite Time
This is a time you really need to be quite and hear from the Lord. Find your spot and your time and be there every day no matter what. Wherever we live, I have a spot in the house that I sit and read and pray. Find a prayer study and begin a journal of your thoughts even if you have never done this, its important in a transition time.
Stay connected to your field. Whatever your career field was, stay connected there during this time of not working. Read related articles, research new technology in your field, read books, and get connected on social media related to your field. Do some research and learn new things happening out there.
Build your web presence. I have already mentioned social media but do not underestimate its far-reaching power. Start with a professional business site like LinkedIn. Upgrade to premium if possible and create a professional profile that tells your story. Find other job search sites and up load your resume to each one. Set up email alerts for jobs you would be looking for. Get known on the web as a job seeker and start watching regularly.
Take the Time Off
You may sense a feeling of urgency and panic. Don't fret just yet and enjoy some of your time off from the job. I'm not saying be lazy and do nothing about your separation. Spend some time visiting family and relatives and just hanging out. Do not feel guilty relaxing. Chances are you have put off vacations and trips due to work load and now is the perfect time to get caught up.
See the big picture. Start looking at the long haul even if you have prospective jobs quickly. Look for ways you can cut expenses to the bone. If you own a home, can you sell quickly and rent for a while. What are the cost differences? What can you sell if you had to? What savings do you have? What emergency funds do you have? What is your budget and your monthly living costs presently? What can be trimmed. Know that a job loss is temporary and you will bounce back. Get through a job loss with as minimal of damage as possible financially. Don’t sell the farm just yet, but be ready.
Comments? What would you add?
