WHAT TO DO AFTER A JOB LOSS
Most people are confused about what to do after a job loss. Being laid off can be a painful and traumatic experience for most of us. For the newly unemployed, your initial reaction may be to relax and take an unpaid vacation. Or you might want to lose yourself in drinks, food, or other unhealthy habits. Many of us use this time as an opportunity to catch up on all the daytime talk shows we’ve been missing.
After being laid off, there isn’t much time to empathize or play the blame game. The first few weeks after a layoff will set the tone for your entire career rebirth.
In this article, I have outlined the top 6 things you should do after being downsized:
1.Take a moment to relax & reflect
Don’t panic. You may have lost your job but you still have your skill and ability. It’s important to remember that life goes on. Also, understand that you now have an opportunity to pursue your dream of starting your own business or pursue that career change that you wanted.
2. File for unemployment
Although this can be a nuisance, having that extra cash will come in handy. Many people avoid this step entirely. Don’t make that mistake; after all, you paid for it.
3. Organize your finances
Now is the time to drastically reduce expenses. There is a natural tendency to maintain a certain lifestyle but the smart thing to do is reduce some of those unnecessary items. It may take a couple of months to regain employment, so stack those savings up until the income comes back.
4. Update your resume
A good resume can mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting an interview. Make sure your resume really stands out before you send it out to hiring managers. Remember that you are competing against other job seekers so be sure to highlight skills and responsibilities from your last job.
5. Put together a plan of action
Looking for work can be a full time job itself. Prepare a list of activities you will undertake on a daily basis— and stick to them. Utilize resources such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com. If you are thinking of starting a business, you can use the resources at http://www.homebizceo.com to help launch your business.
6. Take Action
Mere talk will only lead to financial failure. Once you have completed the previous five steps its time to take action. Proper planning and persistence will almost always lead to prosperity. Be persistent. You may not replace your income overnight so it’s important that you stay positive and never lose sight of your ultimate goal.
