You Lost Your Job, What Now?

Losing your job is just the beginning — here’s what can you do now to prepare for your next career.

Purnima Balraju
Live Your Mark

--

If you ever lost your job from being fired, laid off, your contract was up, or you resigned because the job or the company was not the right fit you and you felt it was time to move on, that shift from being employed one moment to being unemployed the next could leave you in a chasm of shock.

Jumping straight into looking for a new job seems like an obvious step. But it’s always a good practice to complete or bring closure from your past working experience, to ensure that whatever it is you embark on next is not a compensation or a vendetta for whatever was missing for you in your previous job.

Here’s the thing. You don’t have to do it alone. Many people before you have gone through this. Some, have helped others through this phase in their lives. Julia Ng, from Executive Coach International, is one such person who has coached entry-level to executives on coping with losing their jobs. She shares her take on this subject:

Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash

Take some time for yourself to reflect.

After doing the immediate necessities such as informing people you know that you are moving on and getting yourself a personal (yet professional-sounding) email address, take some time for yourself.

Julia advises on asking yourself these questions:

1. In your history with this place and all its representations, what are the highlights, both positive and negative? What makes you happy? What makes you angry or sad?

2. Is there something you regret, or are upset about that you have not expressed to anyone or even yourself?

3. Is there anything you are still holding onto from this place, or anything you still feel attached to?

4. Is there something you need to acknowledge about what this place means symbolically for you?

5. How can you appreciate what this place was for you?

Reflecting on these brings you closer to understanding your needs when you look for a new job. You gain clarity on your working relationships by unburdening yourself from the negatives of the previous place.

Photo by Rathish Gandhi on Unsplash

Managing expenses with discipline and self-compassion.

When losing your job, the first thing you want to do is to travel or go on a shopping spree. That instant gratification does not last and we know it. We feel good in that moment but at the end of it, the reality of unemployment is there to remind you of your circumstances. Instead, invest in your own self-improvement.

Prepare yourself, skills-wise, for your next career move. Start by taking the steps to first know yourself before you can know what you want and where you want to go in your career.

1. Hire a coach to work with you on understanding yourself better, and uncovering deeper truths you may not be aware of that could point you in the right direction of your life path.

2. Make time for self-development. Your base as a person determines how far you go. When you are mentally, emotionally, and physically stronger, you raise yourself as a person, and you raise everything else. Whether it is participating in a leadership training program or volunteering, the key is to upgrade yourself.

3. Whatever you choose to embark on as a career path or job, “make sure you have a compelling story about why you are doing this. It will remind you why you signed up for it in the first place, and keep you going in difficult moments.”, says Julia.

Now start finding a job.

  1. Create for yourself a personal website, or update your online profiles (such as LinkedIn) and your resume.

2. Design and print a simple business card that speaks of who you are and what you do. Hire a branding consultant or designer who can help you with this.

3. Get out there and meet people. Network. Tell your story. Remember never to bad-mouth your ex-company or employer or you tarnish your own personal brand and reputation.

4. Follow through with people you met. You never know who could hook you up with your next employer.

5. Enjoy the process. When you exude positive energy (real positive energy, of course), people are more likely to be drawn to you.

Now that you know the steps to take after losing your job, carve out your career and personal brand when stepping into your next career! Have a question or you know about the in-demand skills to invest in 2017? Share with me in the comments section below.

Julia Ng is a Professional Certified Coach (ICF) at Executive Coach International with over 14 years of coaching experience working with clients from vastly different backgrounds, from ex-prisoners to C-level directors. Her direct and no-nonsense in challenging her clients and ability to be a steady and calm pillar of strength has earned her the title of ‘kick-ass coach’ amongst her clients.

--

--

An individual spirit who loves hair buns, scarves and tea. Capable of drinking an obscene amount of tea and hopes to taste every single variety by 2020.