PRACTICAL TIPS IF YOU’VE LOST YOUR JOB

Losing your job can feel disastrous. For most, it starts with an initial panic about finances, and this often gives way to feeling low and wondering what tomorrow holds.  It’s important to remind yourself that very few people get through their careers completely unscathed. Redundancy, team restructuring, or the introduction of technology reducing the need for person-power – all this is fairly commonplace in today’s workplace, and the impact is felt by many. You’re not alone.

Stay positive. For many, losing their job signals a new beginning: a chance to try something new or work somewhere else where a work-life balance is more achievable.

There are no rules for what to do if you find yourself out of a job. However, we can offer some guidance to help you navigate the situation.

1.  Take control

After the initial manic, master the art of deep breathing to keep calm. Then it’s time to take control. Focus your mind by writing down some positives about your life and trying to understand what a beneficial change could look like for you.

Alongside this, take some immediate actions. Assess your finances (after any redundancy payments), bill deadlines and debt timelines, and address your immediate needs head-on. This may mean visiting Citizens’ Advice or making an appointment with Jobcentre Plus to see what support you can access. Your local council may also have schemes to help people who have a low income with their Council Tax.

Mindset Tip: Focus on what you can control and act on it.

2.  Treat job hunting like a job

Map out your week and create a daily schedule. Set dedicated hours for searching, applying, networking, and making new contacts. Keep a record of your applications and the progress you make. Even receiving a ‘no’ from a prospective employer is progress as it makes your situation clear. Remember to ask for feedback, which is always useful.

Use the LCR BeMore Portal to browse thousands of jobs across the Liverpool City Region.

Mindset: Be clear about what you want and apply with purpose.

3.  Be proactive with a routine

There are other practical things you can do to stay grounded. Establish a morning routine; it’s a tried-and-tested way to kickstart your day on a positive note. If you don’t have a desk at home, set up a designated workspace. 

Perhaps you don’t have a laptop or computer. Your local library or community resource should be able to give you access. And if you need it, many offer introductory IT courses. Explore what else is on offer locally using our course finder tool.

Balance your job search and other commitments with self-care. That might be a gym routine, meeting a friend, or simply getting out each day for some fresh air and a walk.

Mindset Tip: Show up for yourself every morning.

4.  Be visible!

While you update your CV, make sure you refresh your LinkedIn profile as well. If you don’t have a profile, it is a valuable tool in your job hunt, so set one up. Mark your profile as looking for work. If you are creative and have a portfolio, spend time reviewing and updating it.

Attend industry events, check on MeetUp.com and Eventbrite for local business events. These might be in person or online; you might meet somebody who can give you a job, or somebody who knows somebody who can help.

Mindset Tip: Every interaction is a seed – plant many!

5.  Work your contacts

Inform your family and friends that you are looking for work. Reach out to former colleagues, line managers, mentors and clients. Start conversations by requesting advice or a brief call rather than asking for a job outright. People respond better when they don’t feel pressured.

Keep people who have offered to help updated on your situation – if you have found a job or if you are still looking. Either way, this approach helps foster good relations.

Mindset Tip: People want to help – give them the opportunity.

6.  Set clear, achievable goals

Lay out some targets in your plan. This could be the number of job applications you submit each week, a pledge to yourself to attend a face-to-face networking event each week, or even to acquire some new skills.

At the beginning of this article, we discussed listing potential positive outcomes from the change you are facing. So a goal might be finding a new career you’d like to train for or fulfilling a long-held ambition.

Mindset Tip: Small, clear goals beat bigger, vague ones.

7.  Upskill while you search

If, as mentioned above, a full-on career change isn’t for you, consider upskilling instead. Check for any free training courses at your local college or any certifications you can take to enhance your work experience and make you stand out.

Acquiring new skills shows prospective employers that you are using your time constructively and helps keep your CV fresh. Another possibility is to do some volunteering.

Mindset Tip: Your value doesn’t stop just because your job did.

8.  Stay resilient

We know this is easier said than done, but bolster yourself against rejection and don’t let it put you off applying for more jobs. Eventually, you’ll strike gold. Celebrate small wins, like hitting your job application targets or identifying the hiring manager at a firm you’d like to work for.

Maintaining motivation will be easier if you follow our advice above about structuring your day, staying visible and using your time productively.

Mindset Tip: Don’t feel guilty about setting aside time to look after your wellbeing.

Finally, remember, you are not alone. Hundreds of people lose their jobs every day and go on to bigger and better things. Keeping proactive in your search is key, as it sends a positive signal to potential employers and people who can help you.