As the old saying goes, nothing is guaranteed in this life (except for death and taxes). Even your seemingly reliable job could be gone in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, many good employees realize this ugly fact after they’re fired or laid off without warning. If this scenario should happen to you, knowing how to bounce back quickly is important. Otherwise, you could get caught in a destructive downward spiral of diminishing self-confidence and purpose.
There are many reasons you might lose your job unexpectedly. An economic downturn can force employers to make cuts to stay afloat. Or your company could get bought out by another establishment that wants to “restructure.” It’s also possible that your boss may think you’re doing an unsatisfactory job and decide to replace you with someone else. No matter the underlying reason, here are some things you can do to bounce back after losing your job.
Assess the State of Your Mental Health
Feeling sad after being fired or laid off from your job is natural. However, there’s a big difference between the natural let-down that comes after suddenly being plunged into unemployment and a deeper mental health problem. Depending on your mental and emotional state, your sadness and disappointment could cascade into full-blown depression. If left untreated, depression can become life-threatening. It can also make finding and keeping a new job nearly impossible.
It’s crucial to seek help for constant hopelessness and sadness to get back on your feet and move forward instead of backward. You can start by soliciting support from family members and friends and scheduling an appointment with a therapist. In cases of life-threatening depression, you may need to take more urgent action. Call a suicide hotline if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, and consider rehab for mental health. A depression rehab center can give you the professional and medical care you need to regain control of your life.
File for Unemployment
If you become unemployed through no fault, you can file for unemployment. This joint state and federal program provides money to eligible workers who lose their jobs under certain qualifying criteria. Researching your state’s unemployment insurance program details is important to determine whether you qualify.
In most states, you can get unemployment insurance if you:
1. Are not at fault for being unemployed. This typically means your employer fired or laid you off due to insufficient available work
2. Meet wage and work requirements in your state for a “base period” of time
3. Meet any additional requirements for your state
To apply for unemployment insurance, contact the state’s provider. It would be best if you did this as soon as you become unemployed. Provide accurate and complete information on your application form to avoid approval delays.
Reach Out to Your Network
Hopefully, you took the time to build a strong professional network while you were employed. This network should include colleagues, managers, supervisors, and other professionals in your industry. A good professional network can help you get back on your feet after unexpectedly losing a job. They can offer advice, support, and job search recommendations.
It might feel embarrassing to tell other people about your predicament. However, it’s crucial to do so if you want to find new employment as quickly as possible. Your networks can help share your resume with other industry professionals. They can also put in a good word for you and increase your likelihood of getting hired. Networking can open doors to available job opportunities that you might not find out about otherwise.
Make a Budget
Losing your regular source of income can be a huge stressor, especially in an economy marred by high inflation. The average span of unemployment for most Americans is 19.5 weeks. That’s a lounceruncertainnbountying your future employment and income. Hopefully, you’ll qualify for unemployment insurance to help you get by until you land a new job. But even if you get a few hundred bucks per week in unemployment benefits, you should be wise in managing your money.
Until you get a new job, you must eliminate all unnecessary spending and make a stringent budget. This can be a daunting and overwhelming process at first, but it can help you stretch your pennies as far as possible. To avoid maxing out credit cards during this time, examine your finances and rein in your spending as much as possible.
Identify Opportunities for Improvement
Even if you weren’t at fault for being fired or laid off, it’s still worth looking inward and identifying opportunities for improvement. Consider why they let you go but kept someone else on their staff. Are there any skills you could develop to make you more hireable and increase your value as an employee in the future?
For example, if you lost your sales job, you might consider what skills you can develop to become an even better salesperson. You might take an online course on communication or time management. You might also talk with sales managers in your industry to find out what hard and soft skills they value most in employees. Then, do whatever you can to strengthen those skills.
Losing your job may feel like the end of the world, but it could be the beginning of an even better opportunity. Follow these tips to learn from the experience, get through the hard times, and bounce back as an even stronger professional.
