Career-wise, losing a job is one of the most devastating ordeals you’ll experience. Afflictions such as feeling trapped in an abusive work environment or a miserable job, are certainly similar levels of work adversity and trauma.
With the current economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent forced closure of many businesses or their significant downsizing, millions of jobs are being made redundant.
To a worker, whose job has been selected for redundancy, this often translates to “you are of no value or worth”, especially when other colleagues in different roles have not been selected.
Or, maybe someone who has experienced a fair job dismissal from a role they just were not suited to. Moving on from being dismissed due to performance issues is extremely hard to do without a serious confidence knock and a belief “you’ll never be successful at anything.”
A DEVASTATING BLOW
Having a job is not just about having a career and gaining personal fulfilment, it’s how you earn a living. Losing it, no matter the reason, also means a loss of income which jeopardises your livelihood.
It inflicts a personal and financial struggle. Oddly, the more urgently you need to replace your income, the less time you have to think about your anxiety. However, the longer your job hunt, the more time your insecurities have to boil to the surface.
ALTER YOUR PERSPECTIVE … RIGHT NOW
Whether the onus of your job loss is due to a gross economic decline or your performance in a particular role, remember, you are of value and you have the opportunity to excel professionally.
To anyone who experiences redundancy, it is the job that is made redundant, not the person. The reason you were hired no longer exists. It is not personal.
And to anyone who has been dismissed from a role and you accept that you were not the right fit for the job, it does not mean you’re unfit for other jobs.
You clearly have potential as you secured the role in the first place, but you need to reflect on why it didn’t work out and confront your weaknesses. There is no shame in it, we all have them.
Suffering redundancy or dismissal is out of your hands, but what happens next is in your control.
Stop attacking yourself! Your focus must not be on self-loathing, it should be on recovery and learning from the situation.
FOCUS ON YOU
Consider the pros and cons of your last company and job role:
- Industry
- Level
- Size
- Location
- Benefits
- Culture
Is it time for a fresh start in a completely different environment, or are you more comfortable sticking with what you know?
Is this an opportunity to embark on a new career altogether?
Think about your skills and strengths, and take your time job hunting to expand upon them and upskill.
You are not a disheartened ex-employee, you are talent in the job market.
TAKE ACTION
Sitting back and waiting for job opportunities to come your way may work if you have an excellent reputation in your industry or a strong online presence via a jobsite or LinkedIn. If not, get grafting!
The job market is going to be more competitive over the next few months, so you need to really commit to your job hunt.
- Think about your desired role and career.
- Create a tailored CV for every role you apply for.
- Increase your online professional profile.
- Learn from any rejected applications and don’t let it put you off!
- Use your free time for upskilling.
Your job hunt should keep you so busy that there is no time to doubt yourself!
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For Government advice on redundancy click here and for advice on dismissal click here.