Getting fired or laid off can be a very traumatic experience. The ordeal is hard to shake off for individuals starting out in their careers, and those who've been working their way up in their chosen profession.
Psychologists acknowledge that losing a job can cause as much stress as losing a loved one, and it's easy to see why. One of the first questions a stranger usually asks a person is what line of work he or she is involved in, thus it's no surprise that many people define themselves by their occupation. Jobs provide more than just a steady paycheck. Along with the money comes a sense of belonging, security and pride. Those special intangibles can be lost in a matter of moments. The added financial stress that job loss puts people through only makes matters worse.
The following are suggestions for dealing with job loss:
Look Ahead
The best way for you to bounce back is to look ahead. You lost your job, but while doing so you have gained a chance to seek other opportunities-opportunities you never would have known existed had you not lost your job. So resist the urge to feel sorry for yourself, dwell on whatever you've lost, or be angry with the company or your former boss for the predicament you're in. You have to concentrate on making a comeback and you can't do this if you're filled with regret, anger or sadness. Once you've surveyed what you've lost, discover what you have to gain. Make the decision to make your job loss one of the best things that ever happened to your career.
Focus On Your Finances
Unemployment takes many people by surprise as they realize that they aren't prepared to go without a steady paycheck. Chances are you'll have to seriously scramble to pay your bills for a while. You may have to borrow money from your relatives or a bank until you can get yourself back on your feet. Do what you have to, but try to avoid taking on credit card debt. Find out if you are eligible to collect unemployment compensation and if so file for it immediately. You also have to cut back on spending immediately, even if you have money saved up. Now is not the time to go shopping excessively, go out to eat all the time, or spend large amounts of your cash on any form of entertainment.
Be Patient
It's hard to be told to be patient when you're deciding how to spend your last twenty dollar bill, but impatience just adds to the stress. It takes most people months to find a job close to the one they had, or one they will enjoy. Commit yourself to searching for a job every weekday, and do not let your ego keep you from telling others that can help you about your job loss. You aren't the first person and you won't be the last person to lose their job. Nearly every working person has been fired or laid off at least once. Use all possible avenues to search for another job, which include newspaper ads, the internet, cold-calling companies, staffing companies, and word of mouth. Don't feel like a bum if a month goes by and you haven't been called in for an interview; search harder, something will come through. In the meantime, you can search for a job in any field just to pay your bills.
Get Out of the House
Take advantage of all the extra free time you have to avoid being stressed out about your job loss. Read, exercise, do some of the things you couldn't when working 40 hours a week. Do not allow yourself to stay in the house pigging out, sleeping, watching television or being depressed.
Learn from the Experience
Whether you were laid off or fired, there is a lesson to be learned from the experience. Perhaps you learned what kind of company you don't want to work for ever again; situations with co-workers or your boss that led to your firing that you should avoid next time; or maybe losing your job made you realize how lucky you were to have it and you'll be more grateful and humble working on the next job.
Everyone takes away something different that can help them be more successful. Whatever lesson you've learned, remember that your job loss can be a major turning point in your life-a positive turning point. Take time to reevaluate what kind of career you truly want, the direction you want to head in, and what you will need to accomplish to help you achieve your career goals. Also keep in mind that sometimes you have to be kicked out of someplace in order to go where you need to be. As Wall Street Journal career columnist Hall Lancaster once wrote, "Getting fired is nature's way of telling you that you had the wrong job in the first place."
Chaz Kyser is the author of "Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman's Guide to Life After College" ($14.99, Seshet Press). Purchase the book online at www.embracingtherealworld.com. Send comments about this article to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
