10 practical steps to bounce back after losing your job
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Losing your job will be one of the most difficult challenges you get to handle in your life. Did you know that a job loss can have a negative impact on your mental health? Studies have found that unemployed people are less satisfied with their lives, feel more distressed, and are more likely to report mental health issues than those who are working.
We witnessed a large number of layoffs in the tech industry in the past few weeks. Following the pattern set by the tech giants, the media and entertainment industries too started massive layoffs. The US job market became saturated with laid-off individuals who are extremely talented. While it isn’t easy getting laid off, your termination can also be a blessing in disguise. You can use this opportunity to find a better job with higher pay and more attractive benefits. Let’s see what you can do to keep yourself fit and healthy while you search for your next dream job.
1. Identify and name your emotions
You will face a lot of emotions after facing a termination. Permit yourself to feel those emotions and try to cope with them positively. You can try journaling as a way to identify what you are feeling.
2. Get in touch with your inner self
Sometimes, it helps to slow down and just live in the moment. You can get yourself grounded and walk on the path toward inner peace. There are many things you can do to achieve this such as meditating, journaling, exercising, or engaging in a new hobby.
3. Talk to people
Losing a job is nothing to hide. Especially when so many others are losing jobs in this turbulent economic situation. Your friends and family will want to introduce people from their networks to you and open up new employment opportunities.
4. Start budgeting
Losing your job means losing your main source of income. Your employer will offer you a severance package and you will be eligible for unemployment benefits, but you will have to make adjustments to your spending patterns in preparation for a job search. Understand where you stand financially before you do anything else.
5. Go get those unemployment benefits
Find out whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits. Not every unemployment situation is applicable to benefits, but you can do some research to understand what you are entitled to.
6. Understand your health insurance options
Healthcare varies by your state. Discuss with the HR department about the coverage options such as COBRA. Find out how long you are eligible for healthcare after leaving the job.
7. Equip yourself with new skills
There is no better way to secure a new and better job than upskilling yourself. Touch up on the skills that you feel you aren’t confident in. Remember, new skills mean new keywords to go in your resume and get you more attention from a recruiter.
8. Revamp your resume
Update your resume with the professional achievements and results from your last job. Mention any new skills you gained. You can even change the whole look of your resume by creating an MS word resume template!
9. Get the services of a professional resume-writing service
Professional resume writing services can do it better than you. Ask a resume writer like Resume Mansion to create a killer resume for you to get job offers as soon as you enter the job search!
10. Update your LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great place for you to connect with potential employers and find awesome jobs. Employers use LinkedIn to search for you when you send in a job application. Remember to update all the sections of your LinkedIn profile and add a professional photograph.