Countless people have endured the horrible experience of losing their jobs – you’re not alone. Employers let their employees go for various reasons: poor performance, budget cuts, company restructuring, etc.
Whatever the reason might be, figuring out your next steps can be challenging, both from a practical standpoint and emotionally.
If you’ve been let go, here are the first four steps to move past it.
Understand Your Rights
Before going forward, it’s vital that you understand your legal rights within the workplace. You need to ensure that the grounds on which you’ve been laid off are fair and that you’re still being compensated according to what’s in your employment contract.
If you’re unsure about your legal standing or feel your dismissal was unfair, it’s crucial to find legal advice from experts at HKM to make sure your rights are protected.
Handle the Emotional Impact
Losing your job can be upsetting and even traumatic. It can throw your whole life into disarray and have long-lasting consequences on your career, finances, and mental health.
It’s okay to grieve the loss of your job, but it’s equally important to be able to handle the emotions, process them, and move forward in a positive way. Try to change your mindset to view your job loss as a chance for new opportunities and growth, and don’t let it knock your confidence.
If you need to, reach out to family and friends for support, and consider speaking with a professional if you find you’re not coping emotionally.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Once you’ve processed your dismissal, it’s time to think of a way forward. Whether you want to look for a new job in the same industry, pivot and try something new, or even try your hand at entrepreneurship, you’re going to need to polish up your credentials.
Take some time to update your resume or give it a complete overhaul so it looks fresh and up to date with current trends in your industry. Update your LinkedIn profile too, showcase that you’re “open to work” and connect with some new, relevant people.
Plan Your Job Search Strategy
Finding a job can be tough in this day and age. Many people spend months hunting for employment, dealing with limited opportunities and offers that don’t cut the mustard.
This is why having a plan in place will help you stay focused, dedicated, and motivated on your job hunt. Set yourself a daily or weekly target for how many applications you send in, and commit to networking and skills development in your spare time.
You might look into freelancing or finding part-time work while you search for a more permanent and fulfilling position or consider opening an e-commerce store.
Final Thoughts
While losing your job can be a challenging experience on all fronts, it’s not the end of the world as you know it! With the right attitude and a plan to follow, you might find that this is a fantastic opportunity to find a new job you genuinely love.
