Top Tips for Coping with Job Loss

Surviving Job Loss Tips:

• The most important thing you have to do is stop telling your sad story; you are NOT a victim. That only keeps you focused on your loss instead of what you’re trying to gain. You must have the right mindset to achieve success. There are many people thriving in these economic times and what they ALL have in common is a positive outlook and a belief that they will succeed.

• Start visualizing the job you really want

• Take some action every day

• Look for success stories instead of the gloom and doom stories on the nightly news. Many people find success and happiness as a result of midlife career changes; you can too. While uncertainty can be stressful it can be the catalyst for a better job with an improved lifestyle.

• Be open to change – you cut yourself off from many opportunities if you only look for the same exact job you had before. Look for jobs in growth industries – medical, teaching, green jobs. You can use the skills you’ve accumulated in previous jobs to sell yourself in a newer career.

• Map out a plan to get there:

  • Do some research - what are the job market trends, what are the skills and education required for the job you want?

  • Check the want ads, company websites for job openings, or trade journals.

  • Update your resume. Don’t underestimate the importance of a good resume. The resume you used 10 years ago won't work today. Update it!

  • Write a strong cover letter that will get you noticed.

  • Get the training or education you may be lacking.

  • Network: This is not a time to be self conscious about your job hunting efforts. Get the word out there; you never know where and when an opportunity will arise. Create an online presence on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook.

• In today’s world, traditional job hunting doesn’t always work since there are so many people looking for jobs. Don’t just send a resume – CALL the prospective employer so you stand out from the hundreds of other job applicants.

• Remember to focus on the positive end result you want instead of going to that dark fearful place.

• You may benefit from a career counselor or coach.

• Ask for help – it’s out there.

The keys to coping with job loss are persistence and staying positive. Successful people never give up and never act like victims.