Tips for Getting Back on Your Feet After Losing Your Job

Losing your job can be a significant source of stress. While most people recognize being unemployed can cause financial hardships, some aren’t aware of the emotional toll that job loss can create. Losing your job can undermine your confidence in your abilities. You may also struggle with your sense of self-worth because you were unable to retain employment. Some people may also struggle with depression.

Job loss can also lead to health issues, such as high blood pressure. To prevent the mental, emotional, physical, and financial consequences of job loss from affecting you long-term, it is important to take steps to manage those issues and get back on your feet. These tips can help you accomplish that.

Cover the Essentials

It is important to apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. This will prevent you from experiencing delays with your benefits. You may feel less stress once you know your benefits have been approved. You can also consult with an employment counselor to learn about training opportunities. You may be able to take some free or subsidized classes to help you prepare to re-enter the workforce. You can boost your confidence and self-worth by mastering new skills.

You may feel that your employer has dismissed you without cause or that you had more seniority and skills than other employees who were not laid off. You can consult with an employment law attorney about your situation to determine if your legal rights were violated due to wrongful termination, employment discrimination, or sexual harassment in the workplace. Employment lawyers typically offer a free consultation and this can be an important step to take to ensure that your rights are protected.

Be Guided by Success

Identify career professionals who are successful. Get expert advice from people who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their field. Determine what strategies they used and what qualities they have. This can help you identify the traits in yourself that you need to emphasize when applying for work. It can also help you reshape your mindset so that you approach your career the way successful people have. This can also prevent you from surrounding yourself with others who are struggling in their careers or have negative outlooks about their future.

Branding and marketing experts, such as Jason Wong, can also provide helpful insight into how to successfully sell a product. When you are applying for jobs, you are trying to sell yourself to new prospective employers. Marketing professionals know how to identify their audience and tailor their information in a way that appeals to that audience. Working with experts in this field can help you distinguish yourself from other applicants.

Reassess Your Career Goals

After you lose your job you may find yourself focusing on the things about it that you miss, or downplaying some of the things about your career that weren’t ideal. Evaluate your role honestly and determine what did and did not appeal to you about your job. This can help you identify what you want to focus on in your future.

Although it is never easy or pleasant to learn that you have lost your job, it can be turned into an opportunity. Once you have decided what direction you want your career to go in, you can concentrate on applying for jobs that are suited to your interests and strengths. This can help you feel more positive about re-entering the workforce and give you a positive outlook about your future.

Focus on Self-Improvement

Your career may have consumed your energy and focus for months or even years. Once you stop working you will have more time. You can use your time to develop new skills or hone ones that you haven’t been using in your career regularly. If you are unable to find work immediately, you may be able to find volunteer or internship opportunities that will provide you with structure, new references, and practical experience.

You can also freshen up your resume by completing courses. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are college classes that you can complete online. Many of these courses are free and provide you with an opportunity to audit classes in a number of subject areas. You can also opt to pay for certificates of completion, if applicable. Taking MOOCs is a great way to pursue your interests and show potential employers that you are self-motivated and willing to learn.