Losing a job can be one of the most devastating experiences. It can leave you feeling lost, hopeless about your future and questioning your worth.
Here are some tips we gathered from speaking with 5 recently laid-off workers who successfully found new opportunities.
- Feel all the feelings but don’t let it define you:Yes, let yourself grieve. Losing a job is a big deal but keep reminding yourself that it’s not personal and it doesn’t change your worth, your talent or skill.
- Take care of yourself: Be kind to yourself, take a break, and engage in self-care like meditating and exercising. Research shows that self-care leads to feeling more confident.
- Use this time as an opportunity to re-evaluate your career goals: Job loss can be a great opportunity to reassess what you want for yourself and whether the path you’re on aligns with your goals. Take advantage of the free time you have to identify your goals and the steps you need to take to get there.
- Update your resume and Linkedin profile: Make sure your resume and Linkedin profile are up to date. Tailor your resume to the jobs you’re applying to and highlight your experience and skills that are relative to the those positions. You can also set your Linkedin status to “looking for new opportunities” so that recruiters can easily find you.
- Think of people as opportunities: Networking can be an overwhelming task especially for introverts, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start by reaching out to family and friends. Opportunities come when and where we least expect them.
- Make it easy for someone to hire you: The easier it is for recruiters to contact you and get to know you, the better your chances of finding a job. Your contact information should be easily accessible and legible on your resume and if you have a portfolio or website, make sure the url is a live link.
- Stay positive and don’t give up: It’s easy to get discouraged during a job search. No one likes rejection. It’s important to stay positive and keep pushing forward. Remember that the process takes time. It’s not uncommon to go through several interviews before landing your dream job. Stay in the game!
- Be a nudge: Follow up with an email after submitting an application and after an interview. Emphasize your interest in the position and what makes you the perfect candidate for the position.
- Find support: Job loss can trigger a bunch of emotions that might make it difficult to get back into the workforce. You might feel down or anxious. Reach out to family, friends, or a mental health professional.
- Get creative: Today’s day and age there are so many ways to earn a living outside of the 9-5 office job. Freelancing, driving for Uber, or becoming a virtual assistant are all great ways to earn money full-time or as a side hustle.
Sally is currently hiring virtual assistants. If you are interested in joining our team, apply here.
