Retrenched? OH NO!

Your first reaction to getting laid off would probably be to sit in a corner and cry. Whether or not you anticipated losing your job, your whole world will be turned upside down.

Getting your career back on track is mentally taxing and will take up a good chunk of your time. So to help you make sense of your unemployment so you can get back on your feet ASAP, here’s a step-by-step guide.

#1 TAKE SOME TIME TO GRIEVE
The loss of your employment can be a painful one, especially if you’ve had a good relationship with your colleagues and bosses. It’s alright to cry about it... for a short while! Plan for your next step when you’ve gotten the grief out of your system.

#2 SEE THE SILVER LINING
It’s hard to see what good can come out of losing your job but really, being out of employment can lead to a window of opportunities. This could be your time to discover new passions, get good at your hobbies/interests (possibly turn them into careers) or even discover new fields of employment you never thought you’d like! After all, looking for jobs can (sometimes) be fun!

#3 USE YOUR FREEDOM RESPONSIBLY
A plus point about being out of a job? You’re no longer tied down to a system and you’ll have the time to do the things you genuinely want to do. Daily activities can be done at your own pace without deadlines looming or bosses on your back telling you what to do. Be careful though – you might get carried away with this new routine. Make the most of your free time by working on new skills or maybe even go travelling to widen your horizon and experience new things.

#4 EXPLORE YOUR CONNECTIONS
Throughout your career, it’s highly likely you’ve traded business cards with different people from varying industries. Now’s the time to take full advantage of them and LinkedIn connections to see if there are any new opportunities for you.

#5 GET READY FOR A NEW JOB
Did all of the above and more? Then it is time to get back on your feet and move on to the next step – look for a new job! Revamp your resume, learn new skills, write that new cover letter, and get back in the groove.

Photo by Tom Pumford on Unsplash