Just Loose Your Job? Hang in there and read this!
Posted on December 31, 2014 by Jennifer Bouley, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
Published on my website blog on November 17th, 2014
We all know that looking for a new job is stressful and exciting at the same time. Job search is stressful due to the chance of uncertainty. We often think will this job be good? What will my new co-workers be like? Will I be successful? How long will it take to find the right job? Am I making the right decision?
Job search is often exciting because we give ourselves the opportunity the chance to be creative and explore our abilities. We can also have a chance to go out and see what the world is doing and what opportunities are available to us.
In January 2012, myself along with several hundred other co-workers were laid of from our job at a Bell Mobility, a large Telecommunication company in Canada. The day it happened I was on vacation. I was at the tail end of finishing my bachelor degree and was ready to just go full force and get it over with! I LOVED this job; I was known the Bell girl from my friends. When this happened you’d think that due to my attachment and strong loyalty to the company, which I still have, my world would have collapsed. But it didn’t. Instead I took what they offered me and ran with it. I finished my Bachelor degree, did an internship, discovered that I am extremely entrepreneurial, and began my blog and community activism in the fight against Human Trafficking.
I want to let you know that if this is the situation you are in, no matter how old you are, this is actually an opportunity to do more! Yes, I know it will be stressful; we have to think about finances, lifestyle changes, and many other factors. The best advice I can give you when it comes to losing your job is, don’t wait around to move on! Get up the next morning and keep going! The first few days will be hard!! Get a plan in action and move on with it.
Here are some steps to help make the transition after job loss easier.
- Don’t Self Blame!
Sometimes companies are faced with decisions they have to make due to changes in the economy, restructuring, and other factors both internal and external. Believe me people don’t like taking away peoples jobs! Your skills are valuable!
- Give Yourself Credit
Take some time to assess your skills. Make a skills inventory, write down new skills you have, what you have learned, and transferable skills. This will help you begin to think about new things you can do!
- Think Big!!! Nothing is Off Limits!
Ask yourself, what do I want to do next? If I could be or do anything, what would I do? Feel free to explore your options and dreams. Research what jobs your skills can be used at and how can get those jobs. This is useful with when you are thinking about switching industries. Seeking out a career coach will be a great strategy as well.
- Redo Your Resume
Hire a professional resume writer. It does cost money, but if you have someone who knows what they are doing, this investment will get you noticed by potential employers. If they offer in person service, ask they if they can teach you how to write resumes. I do this and I have had some really successful clients.
As they say “Give a person a fish they will eat for a day, teach them to fish they will eat for life”. Learn from an expert how to do your resume and cover letter, you will give yourself lifelong tools. Please don’t use templates! However, templates are useful as guides, just don’t rely on them.
- Network
Join Toastmasters, a professional association, get out and get to know people! Read my blog post about networking to know more ideas for this!
- Be Yourself And Handle Rejection With Grace, We All Get Rejected
The more you put yourself out there, the more it will happen. A wise person once told me the more you hear “No” the more you learn and improve. Some people do not agree with this! For me this is true, I am always testing and trying new things. I need to know what does and doesn’t work. Taking a risk to me is the best way to self improve. Its scary I know! But just do it!
- Apply For Jobs From The Beginning!
Don’t wait as soon as you see a job that you want apply. Apply for jobs you are qualified for. Apply for jobs that are at your skill level. Research the company, consider the culture of the company, you must make sure they are as much of a fit for you as for them. If you are a recent grad consider some internships. Paid internships are available at Career Edge. If you need more experience consider a few hours a week of volunteering, make sure that volunteering is exciting and something you don’t dread, and please put that on your resume! Accept job interviews, even if you’re not too sure about the job, it’s good practice!
- Reflect
Self reflect after every event or activity, think about what you did and what you could have done better! Then put that change in motion.
