I've Lost My Job!

Tuesday, 31 March 2009 00:00

"I've lost my job!" - you're not alone

Over the years, you've given all you can to your job, worked your way up to a management role and remained a committed, loyal employee.  Then suddenly you are told that your job is about to become redundant.  Even if you saw it coming, it is a shock to hear those words directed at you.  I know - it happened to me.

At my last employment the company was working towards floating on the stock market, and the share options awarded to me at the time of my directorship would turn in to ordinary shares, which I could cash in.

It was at this stage that I made the decision to make some life changes as this windfall would support and help me move forward to a new chapter in my life.  Part of the company's preparation to float was to tidy up the management structure, which fell upon my department.  Even though I was preparing my own exit some months ahead, it came as a huge shock that I was included in that tidy up process - they didn't require an HR director going forward.

Thankfully, the timing of my redundancy hit three years ago when the economy was buoyant, and receiving a redundancy package as well as the payout from the shares did ease the blow. I was lucky. But at the time, being forced out of a job you've given many years to is never easy to face, no matter what the circumstances.

A natural reaction to losing one's job can be very negative and restricting, and if this has happened to you, you may recognise some of the following emotional symptoms:

* Confidence levels start to wane
* Fear of the unknown
* Loss of routine, security and status as you plunge into the transitional period of change
* General anxiety
* Knock to you pride

Often in this state, there can be a tendency to freeze...like a rabbit caught in the headlights.  But how is this going to help your situation?  How can you avoid sinking into despair?

Here are some of my tips on how to deal with these symptoms and get back a sense of control:

1. Focus on what you can do and influence rather than on what you can't do.  This will help empower you and bring back your confidence.
2. Consider your situation as an opportunity to do something different, perhaps a new direction in life.
3. Rediscover yourself - know your core values (coaching will help you with this) and ask yourself, what am I good at? What do I enjoy doing?
4. Update your CV - reinforce and highlight your transferrable skills and strengths, and read your CV from your recipients' perspective.
5. When looking for jobs cover every angle, newspaper ads, internet, local notice boards etc.
6. Network, network, network.  Word of mouth is very powerful.
7. Keep at it - persistence is the key.

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