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For many, the question of what to do after a sudden job loss is one we hope to never have to answer. Unfortunately, we do ourselves a disservice when we avoid the hard questions like this. Thinking about job loss is hard and it’s scary. It’s no wonder that so many stay in their jobs dissatisfied because of the security it offers them.
So what do you do when that choice is taken away from you? How do you pick yourself up and find a new job when you were never looking in the first place?
First and foremost, take a breath. Losing a job is hard and there are some grieving moments that take place when we face a sudden job loss. With the job loss, we also may lose a sense of purpose or identity. It is okay to take a moment and take care of yourself before you regroup to determine your next steps.
Once you feel a little more sure of your footing, I encourage you to begin asking yourself some exploratory questions such as, “Do I want to look for the same type of job or try something new?” “Are there people within my previous job who might be willing to be a reference or even spread the word that I am looking?” “If I want to try something new, would it be helpful to seek a professional’s assistance?”
Each of these questions are merely starting points, but they can help you determine your resources available and resources needed. If you are considering a change in career path, I would love to talk with you more about the resources available to you. If you are looking within the same field, I am a huge fan of networking. I’ll be spending more time highlighting networking on my Thursday post.
Depending on the direction you choose may determine some of your next steps on the journey, but there will be some categories that stay constant. It will still be helpful to create an updated resume and cover letter. Often, these feel daunting to take on. Fortunately, it is possible to hire a professional to help if you’d like. One important part to each of these documents is matching them to each company you contact as much as possible. Yes, this means your resume and cover letter may change slightly with each new submission.
This brings me to another point, I find it much more effective to look at companies you like whether or not they have a job listing posted. When we are passionate about something, it drives us to perform better and pursue our goals with greater motivation. My hope for you in reading these posts is not that you find a job but that you find the best job for you.
I want my readers to know that careers are a big part of our life’s journey and choosing a path that brings us joy matters. Think creatively about how you approach this next stage of life. Think outside the linear box of job hunting and instead pursue what you love. As we think more strategically about our career journeys, we can integrate careers more fully into our lives and ultimately live our lives satisfied both at work and at home.
