If you’ve just lost your job, you might be panicking and questioning what’s next. Maybe you were expecting layoffs, but even though part of you was mentally prepared, the grief is settling in. Perhaps you were completely caught off guard, and you’re in a state of shock. Now, you’re trying to figure out your next move.
Losing a job can be disorienting. You might feel like you’ve also lost your sense of purpose, your social circle, and the structure that defined your days. On top of it all, your self-worth may be plummeting. By taking a step back and creating a plan for your future, you can regain a sense of control. Here’s a roadmap to your next steps when you’re dealing with grief over a job loss.
Give Yourself Time to Relax
After your last day, you might feel like you need to hit the ground running and send out resumes right away. Unless you want to reach out to a reference for a particular role, allow yourself a few days to a week of downtime.
Chances are, you’re highly stressed, and you deserve some time to process your feelings and unwind. Go for walks, indulge in dessert, and watch your favourite movies. When you’ve had the opportunity to reflect on your circumstances, you’ll be able to approach your next moves with more clarity.
Review Your Budget
When you’re ready, take a look at your budget. If you live with a partner or roommates, you might need to talk to them about any shared expenses and how you can account for them. Take a look at your fixed expenses, your variable expenses, and your savings. This will help you decide if you need to get a part-time job while sending out resumes, or if you can get by with your savings for a while.
You’ll also want to register for any unemployment or health insurance benefits that you may be eligible for. These funds can give you a bit more cushion as you get through this tough period.
Create a Job Search Schedule
You do not need to spend every second of your day job hunting. Instead, create a job search schedule to give your days a predictable rhythm. You might want to dedicate a specific window of time to applying for jobs, or aim to apply for a certain number of jobs per day.
Additionally, you could block off time for taking an online course, reaching out to people in your field, or tailoring your resume for different jobs.
Make Time for Friends and Family
Spending time with your loved ones can remind you of what’s most important. After losing a job, you might wonder what you really bring to the table. You are so much more than your title. Your friends and family understand your value as a human being. Plus, social outings provide a nice break from long days of job hunting.
Talk to a Therapist
The stress of losing a job and the pressure to find a new one quickly can take a serious toll on your mental health. Job hunting can also be quite lonely. During this difficult chapter, you may want to contact a therapist. In counselling, you can share your feelings about your job loss, receive much-needed support and empathy as you move through your job search, and consider where you might want to go next in your career.
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If you’ve recently lost your job, working with an grief therapist can help you chart your new course. We invite you to book a free consultation to learn more about our counselling services in Victoria.
