This year has been a trendsetter when it comes to job loss and quiet quitting. In April, companies like Lyft and Buzzfeed made huge reductions in their workforces. On a similar note, employees across various industries have chosen to quit their jobs after the stress of working through an ongoing pandemic.
If you've found yourself suffering from a job loss, it can be difficult to adjust. A big chunk of your daily schedule has just been taken away, and it doesn't help that you still have bills to pay. However, you can't let yourself get dragged down by depression and anxiety.
Here's some advice on how you can navigate your recent job loss and the emotional challenges that follow.
The first and most important step of any loss is letting yourself go through your emotions. Ignoring your thoughts or closing them off will only cause problems later on. It's better to take this opportunity to feel your emotions and let yourself break down before you pick yourself back up.
For a lot of people, losing their jobs means losing their purpose in life. It's okay to grieve this loss in your own time. Don't put yourself on anyone else's schedule or expectations of how quickly you should get over it.
That doesn't mean you should let yourself drown, either. It's important to find a new balance that works for you and lets you bounce back in time.
The next step after suffering a job loss is to reach out to your support network. This could be anyone from your family members to friends. There's a very good chance that someone you know has gone through the same exact thing in the past.
Take this opportunity to reconnect with them and share your feelings and concerns. Open up about your experiences and maybe even get their help with your upcoming job search.
You may also want to take this time to look into your professional network as well. Go online to perform a LinkedIn update on your job status and keep an eye out for any job openings. Let your peers know that you're on the hunt for a new position.
Something else to consider is visiting a related industry event. This may include a job fair or a conference. It's a great way to stay in touch with changes in your industry and connect with new professionals in your field.
One big adjustment you'll need to make after a job loss is in your routine. Now that you're unemployed, you won't have the same incentive as before to wake up as early as usual or be as productive. It's all too easy to fall into a habit of sleeping in and participating in distracting activities.
While you are allowed to decompress and face your emotions, you can't let them control how you live. Instead, you should try to set up a new routine that allows for a combination of relaxation and productivity.
For example, resume updating should become a new priority. As simple as resume writing seems, you may also need to make slightly different versions depending on the jobs you plan to apply to. The same applies to cover letter writing.
In addition, try to set a schedule that fits more in line with your needs and desires. If you work better at night, then try to be productive in other areas during the day. Anyone who wants to work more traditional hours can set a mental health break in the middle of the day to avoid burnout.
Now that your schedule has become disrupted, you may find it difficult to pay attention to your own physical health. After all, you have bills to pay and may need to find a job as soon as possible. Everything else comes second, right?
The problem with this mindset is that you won't be functioning at your maximum capacity. Things like sleep deprivation and malnutrition have a direct effect on your mental acuity and physical endurance. The longer you push yourself, the more sluggish and irritable you'll become.
You could fill out a hundred applications in one day, but it'll still take a while for these companies to all get back to you and set up interviews. Instead, try to set time aside for your personal well-being until they call you back.
Sign up for a morning yoga class so you can get in touch with your inner self. Visit the gym every other day to burn off some energy and reset your brain before hitting the job boards again. Try out some new recipes in the kitchen so you can eat healthier and rely less on delivery or takeout.
Another area you shouldn't ignore is your professional skillset. You never know how long you'll go before you can get another job. Instead of letting your skills rust in that time, you could try improving them.
Websites like Coursera allow you to train and acquire professional certificates that may or may not apply to your desired line of work. You can get certified as a cybersecurity analyst, data analytics professional, and more.
Alternatively, you can take the time to learn new programs or try out other passions. Download Photoshop and learn how to edit photos or create artwork. Visit your local crafts shop and take up knitting as a way to create clothing items as well as destress.
Even something like pursuing therapy is considered a kind of personal growth that could help you in your next position.
In Canada, the average duration of unemployment in 2021 was roughly 4.9 months. That's over a third of the year that you're left fixing up your resume, sending out applications, and trying to figure out what to do with your time.
Unfortunately, there are individuals who may go much longer than that without finding a steady job. They may be forced to work part-time in the interim or rely on loans.
It's all too easy to find yourself thinking negatively when your efforts don't pan out as you expected. However, you need to maintain a positive mindset.
After all, unemployment is an opportunity. It's a chance to try out new things and explore your other options.
For those who hated their previous job, now is a chance to find one you like. It could also be the opportunity you've wanted to start your own business. The only thing limiting you is your own mindset.
With that said, you should set some realistic goals while you look for your next opportunity.
Don't assume that you're going to spend all eight hours of your day sending out resumes and making phone calls. Instead, you should dedicate part of your schedule to achieving smaller goals. Set a bare minimum so you don't force yourself to overextend.
For example, plan out for at least one phone call every day. Bonus points if you actually talk to a hiring manager.
Make a budget for at least the next few months, just in case you don't find a job in that time. Plan out some security measures like dipping into your savings or renting out a room.
If you decide to start a new business, don't expect it to be an immediate success. It could take months for a startup to get off the ground floor.
Finally, there's nothing wrong with seeking professional help while you're unemployed. This can take the form of either interview coaching, career coaching, or even therapy.
The reason you may want to see an interview or career coach is that you've been off the market for too long. If it's been more than a few years since you last had to apply for a job, then you may not know exactly what to expect. A lot can change in just a few years, after all.
Your coach can let you know what hiring managers currently look for and what you should put in your resume. They can help you explain why you haven't worked in a few months and how to sell yourself.
If you feel like you've been struggling mentally, you may want to see a therapist if you aren't already. It helps if you find a therapist who has experience talking to people facing unemployment. They can better understand your struggle and help guide you on your journey.
Without a doubt, job loss is a significant punch to the gut. It can completely derail your plans for the next year or so, but it doesn't have to mean the end of the world. You can always bounce back as long as you take care of yourself and focus on getting back up.
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