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A Guide to
Surviving the Loss of your Job Being laid off has many euphemisms and, I am sure, as the weeks of bad corporate news go on, we will add some new ones. But whether your company has downsized, or you got the sack, or the pink slip or, there was a strategic alignment, the effect on you is the same: You have lost your job and you have to do something about it.
But, what you can do, is analyze where you stand: Assessing you Status Quo! Go home, have a nice meal, go to bed early, sleep well, get up at your normal time, have breakfast and then go and clear your home desk (or a table), prepare some paper (or the computer) and start to systematically look at your position. There are four main areas where you should focus on. We think, the sequence of how you look at them is rather important. Below are a series of items with appropriate links which should help you, sort out your problems systematically. Each link will lead you to a page that gives you detailed instructions! 1. The Financials
Being sure where you stand financially, is the most important aspect that you have to clarify immediately! You might have to cut down on things, but you have to do it with priorities and with a plan. There are three main parts to your financial position: Your networth, what you actually own net of all debts, your future income from all sources, and your outgoing's, the expenses. 2. Know Yourself: Your Self Assessment Once you have looked at your financial position, you should take a look at your self, your abilities, strength and weaknesses, how you are perceived by other people. Go here and start your self assessment! 3. My Social Network, My Skills and my Future
Once you have ascertained your financial position, you have to determine your skill levels and how you might use those in the search for a new position or a new career. Remember, your perception might be rather different from that of outsiders and the more you can cross check and confirm those, where you think you are, with third parties, the more secure you will feel. 4. My Resume and how I present myself
This part becomes the key for your future. If you have been in a job for many years, your skills in writing a good resume are not likely to be good enough to survive the scrutiny of people who suddenly have a far larger pool of possible applicants. So get some professional advise and have a resume written. Supply the resume writers with as much information as possible, they will know what is important and what is not and will make the selection. You should also be aware that there is no "one-fits-all-applications-type-of-resumes". Therefore you might have to modify what the professional resume writer gave you. Just read his submission and ask yourself what he wanted to achieve for you. Once you have been successful with your resume, you will be called for an interview. Again, the longer you have been away from the job market, the more difficult that will be. Present yourself well informed and keen to the interviewer, even if the job is below what you used to have. If you need some help, go to our interview page! 5. My domestic Home Support Network
Being under stress from the outside means that you have to do everything in your power to keep domestic balance and peace. Because your family will feel insecure as well. Probably, even more so than you, since they do not know everything about the process of getting a new job. You have to explain some of the things to them and you need their help and understanding. That does not mean, you have to go into endless self analysis with them. You have to make them understand that not every "opportunity", however often presented on TV or on other media, is a real opportunity, or is even suitable for you. At the same time, the financial limitations will require discipline from your family members as well. "Socially necessary expenditure" may have to fall victim to current circumstances. This might require a reiteration of the overall goal, namely that the family stays together and works in the same direction. That will require a lot of explanation! * Having lost a job is not the end. But YOU HAVE TO BE SYSTEMATIC ABOUT COOPING WITH IT! The assessment of your status quo may take you some time and obviously you will be able to do things side by side. The importance is that you address the points indicated above, so that you have continued clarity about where you want to, and need to go. A recession or economic downturn might be prolonged and many of us might have to look at a whole new range of circumstances. Don't jump on bandwagons and get-rich-quick-schemes, they are soul destroying, because the kindle hope that usually only makes the originator of the scheme richer. Look at further education, if you have the money and if you think you need it. But stay clear of "degree-mills" and unaccredited institutions and Internet universities that offer financing for their useless degrees and qualifications.There are a few reputable ones, but most of them are not worth anything. There are good reasons why education takes time and why reputable education institutions seek accreditation with reputable organizations. Some Books from Amazon There are now many books about how to find jobs. A few of them which we reviewed are here. We wish you good luck and if you have any questions write us an e-mail, we will try to answer it, if we can! * |
