4 Things to do Following a Job Loss

Change happens frequently in business today and that means one day you might be the one getting notice that your services are no longer needed.

Getting laid off from a job is not fun or easy but there are some things you can do to make this time more productive for you and ease your transition into a new job or career.

1. Give yourself a break. Following a layoff you might feel a lot of different emotions: shock, sadness, relief, anxiety, anger. These are all normal feelings and you should allow yourself to feel what you feel without any guilt. Take the time you need to work through your emotions and avoid making decisions when feeling angry or anxious. 

2. Evaluate. Take some time to think about your last job. What did you like about it? What did you dislike? Was it a good fit for your skills and interests? Is there something else you're passionate about doing with your career? Now is a good time to consider making the career move you've been dreaming about.

3. Get organized. When your life is organized you tend to have more energy and initiative to get

things done. So take some time to organize your home and your office. You can even take time to organize your work and career life by updating your resume and linkedIn profile.

4. Reach out. As appropriate, stay in touch with former employers and request recommendations on linkedIn. Ask your former manager to be a reference as you look for new employment. Also reach out to your network of family and friends and get the emotional support you need, while also requesting any leads on work that might be of interest to you.

Losing a job is difficult and confusing but focusing on the four things above can make the transition to satisfying new work easier.