How To Create A Powerful Next Chapter After You've Been Laid Off
Losing a job can be one of the most crushing experiences you've ever had.
It feels like the world has turned against you, and nothing makes sense anymore. You're so used to being busy and productive, and now, suddenly, it's all gone.
But here's the thing: losing a job is not the end of the world, and in fact, it can be a fantastic opportunity for growth, especially if you approach it right.
This blog shows you how to get back on track, discover the pitfalls, and find out how you can turn things around for the better:
1. Allow yourself to grieve
When you lose a job, it can feel like part of your identity has been taken away. It can be hard to deal with the loss and move forward into the unknown future. Allow yourself time to grieve; don't pretend that everything is okay when it isn't, or tell yourself that everything will be okay when it isn’t right away.
Permit yourself to feel any emotions naturally due to the loss — sadness, anger, frustration — without judging them as bad or wrong. These emotions are part of processing what happened and figuring out how to move forward.
2. Assess your financial situation
After being laid off, it's essential to take stock of your financial situation. It can be tempting to start a new chapter of life after being fired by thinking about what you want to do next.
However, if you don't have the money to support those new plans, you will struggle. Take some time to consider what your current finances look like and how much money is coming in each month - if you have that privilege. Then, create a monthly budget for yourself that considers any debts or recurring bills that you may have.
3. Tap into your network of professionals and beyond
This is the best way to get back in the game quickly. Reach out to family, friends, or former colleagues who now work at other companies and ask them if they know of any openings or anyone who might be hiring soon. The more people you contact, the better chance you'll have of landing a new job.
Beyond talking to immediate connections, leverage social media to let the world know that you are looking for a job. The growth of talent marketplaces has seen companies maximize top talent globally and has allowed professionals like yourself to work from anywhere.
Another way to network would be to attend live seminars and tech events around your area. While some of these events cost money to attend, they might be the source of your next employer.
4. Advertise yourself as an independent talent
One of the most challenging parts of being laid off is the loss of income and security. And when you're unemployed for an extended period, it's even more challenging to think about how to earn money.
As a tech professional, you probably have experience navigating the complexity of the tech world. Create courses and ebooks and sell them to people who want to learn. At the same time, you can utilize talent marketplaces like Upwork to set yourself up for success.
5. Consider retraining and/or reskilling
If your skills are no longer relevant or if they are outdated by more modern standards, then retraining may be an option for you. This will help you get back on track with the latest trends, and it may also allow you to find a job with better pay or benefits once again.
Reskilling could also be an option if your current skills are still helpful but not in demand anymore due to technological advances or other changes within the tech industry.
Conclusion
There are many paths laid-off tech pros can take to get back on their feet. Some may seem daunting at first, but they are all attainable with the right mindset and support system.
Remember that you are not alone in this journey—there are tons of resources to help you as you move forward. Every step forward is one step closer to your goal of becoming a great new hire somewhere else!
