Here's a nightmarish scenario:
Assume you recently lost your job.
You don't have to imagine if you're one of the 141,667 U.S. employees facing that this month.
In the not-too-distant future? Financial difficulties, relationship tension, and a thud to your self-esteem.
"Losing a job can throw you into a fast downward spiral," says Lee Everette, a mental health coach. "It can cost you money, but it can also harm your self-image and sense of direction, hurting your mental health."
Do you think he's exaggerating? According to a 2016 Harvard research, the most common reason for divorce is job loss. Unemployed people are twice as likely to experience psychiatric disorders and 10 times more likely to commit suicide.
The emotional roller coaster can cause life-changing mistakes that will disrupt your aspirations and dreams for years to come.
Consider Joe, a former healthcare executive. He looked for a job for a year and finally got a good offer, which the corporation then revoked.
"Joe was so enraged that he drove to the company and requested to meet the executive director," Nancy King, author of Fired, recounts. "He was led out of the building by security. He sought assistance from his priest and entered into counselling. It took him another year to find work."
However, you do not have to give in to the sucking unemployed vortex. In reality, if you execute a few things well, you can emerge smelling like a rose.
We polled 187 career experts, HR professionals, recruiters, and business executives for their best "just been let go" advise using FindMyProfession.com.
Almost every response raises the question—
How?
See their eye-opening responses to that question below the table.
Keep Your Head for the First 15 Minutes
You were recently fired.
You're filled with emotion, so it's simple to make a mistake.
However, this can be disastrous.
"Don't lose your cool!" advises Marc Powell, Production Supervisor at Bright Plastics. "When you're in command, request a precise, documented justification."
Find out what the company will say if they have questions about you. When hiring supervisors ask why you left, you'll need that.
Also, request a glowing letter of recommendation from your manager. If the response is no, at the very least obtain a letter of impact.
"In it, have them highlight major strengths and limitations," says Ronald Marsh Jr., a recruiter. "Use it to be transparent when looking for a new job."
Following that, keep your John Hancock to yourself.
"At this point, there's a negotiation," says Paul Levy, co-author of Don't Sign Anything, a guide to negotiating a better severance package. "They may require you to sign a release letter in order to receive your severance money."
The corporation values that release, but don't sign it straight immediately. In many circumstances, waiting can result in a better severance package.
Another suggestion?
"Avoid posting critical remarks about your employer on social media," advises Marc Swank, Vice President of Marketing at Renew Sleep Solutions.
You'll need another employment soon, and your ex-boss can either help or hurt you.
Have you already blown this part?
Request a redo.
Return in a day or two and explain that your emotions got the best of you. Most companies will understand as long as you haven't done anything illegal.
The First Four Hours—Baby Steps
You've just received the worst news of the year—and possibly the decade.
You are powerless to intervene.
However, there are a couple of fast, proactive things you can do right now.
First:
"Go to the nearest Department of Labor and claim unemployment," advises Jose Luis Romero, an Aetna IT Specialist.
Fill out the forms even if you don't think you need them. Getting things out of the way can reduce your tension to a manageable level.
Next:
Change your LinkedIn status from Inactive to Actively Applying. It only takes a minute and sends out a rescue flare alerting recruiters to your availability.
Last:
Seek legal counsel if you suspect discrimination or breach of contract.
That may be difficult, but it is as simple as sending a short email to an employment lawyer.
"State and federal employment regulations are complicated," says Talmage Newton, an employment lawyer. "There are stringent time limits for filing claims, and it is relatively simple to relinquish your rights."
At the very least, you've squandered a few minutes. At best, you'll get some useful advice that could save your bacon.
The first two days are about reaching out and grieving.
Two major preventive steps can rescue you from disaster after the excitement wears off.
1. Make contact
When recruiter Brett Lampe's mentor lost his job, the first thing he did was reach out to his network.
"Within 30 minutes of leaving the premises, he had additional calls and meetings scheduled with various industry heavyweights," Lampe recalls.
Send a mass text/email to swiftly tap your network. Then share your work on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
"I would immediately contact my personal Board of Directors," says Rebecca Oppenheim, HR Executive at nextOPP Search. "These are the persons in my life on whom I rely for guidance and wisdom."
This can include family, coworkers, previous managers, recruiters, or mentors. Allow them to provide much-needed direction and emotional support.
Do you lack a ready-made network?
Consider your options for obtaining one. When Jeremy Hill lost his job at Amazon, he began driving for Lyft and Uber. This provided him with income and connections.
"I've gotten average individuals, corporate clients, vice presidents, and CEOs of Fortune 500 firms," Hill says.
One CEO was so taken with his charisma and ambition that she offered him a job.
"I was recruited in less than a week. That would not have happened if the application had been completed online."
Make contact with coworkers as well.
"Find an ally at your previous employer," advises Tony Abbachi, founder of Uplift Marketing. "If feasible, obtain a letter of recommendation."
A reference letter might help you answer why you left and demonstrate your successes in future jobs.
2. Grieve and Process
Next—
Just be sad.
"Take some time to mourn the loss of your work," advises Sabrina Permuth, HR professional at Hillsborough County in Florida. "Perhaps you should be furious, sad, upset, disappointed, or relieved."
Award-winning author Allen Smith agrees. "Go through all seven phases of sorrow," he advises.
You'll need to get through your guilt and fury, just like you would with the death of a loved one, before you can move on.
"Trust me," adds MBM Mentoring co-founder Michael David Chapman, "you don't want to bring the loss into your next interview."
Process is the next step.
"Take some time to think about it," advises Mike Podesto, CEO of FindMyProfession.com.
What caused you to leave your job? Did you have a good time? Would you do it all over again?
"Plan your next actions and create a game plan for what to say to potential employers."
"It's absolutely time to look in the mirror," Anthony Onyewadume, Operations Manager of GNM Projects, agrees. "Not to count the wrinkles on my ageing face, but to match my hobbies with the abilities I've developed."
"Ask why this happened," adds Amy Volas, CEO of recruitment. "What can you take away from it to help you learn and grow? "How can you use it to take the next, extraordinary step in your career?"
Amy suggests conducting a personal inventory using a business scorecard. This might assist you in defining your objectives and developing a strategy.
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Recharge and Attack in the First Two Weeks
What happens after all of this?
This is the point at when the rubber meets the road.
"I'm thinking of taking a much-needed vacation," Mike Podesto says. "It's ideal for self-reflection. I'm thinking about going to the Bahamas or Thailand for a couple of weeks."
Can't spare two weeks? Take advantage of the weekend by going trekking or doing something you've always wanted to do.
"I registered myself in a couple volunteering activities that I'd never found the time for," says Donna Kumar, an HR Specialist.
Volunteering — or consulting — can distract you from brooding, binge-watching, or doing worse. They are also excellent resume fillers.
Then, make some plans.
Consider the following:
Exercise and health. Make time to exercise. Also, be sure you have Cobra or other temporary health insurance.
Finances:
Consider what you have and how long you can coast. "Consider your debt, bills, and assets," advises Tech Lead Pradeep Kumar Mishra. "Consider strategies to reduce monthly spending."
Maintain an optimistic attitude. Purchase several self-help books in print or on audio. Also, make a list of things you're grateful for, such as friends, family, and health. If you want to pray, now is the time.
Make a plan for your job search. When are you going to start? What road will you pursue, and who will you turn to for help?
Finally...
Enter the Job Search
Some people will not require two weeks, or even one, to absorb and re-energize.
When I lost my job two years ago (with having a toddler and a new baby on the way), I jumped right into looking for a new one.
Instead of taking a holiday, diving in can help you gain confidence quickly.
I vowed to applying for five jobs every day. I established a three-month target of replacing my old income.
I applied for 150 jobs, received 50 responses, worked for 20 on a trial basis, and discovered three that I truly enjoyed.
I replaced 30% of my salary in the first month. I had 70% by the second month. I reached 100 percent before the 90-day mark.
By then, I'd been comfortably settled at JobCurators for two years.
To be in charge of your job search:
Make the job search your full-time job. You worked 40 hours per week. Why wouldn't you invest that much in making your life better?
Refresh your resume. Hire a professional resume writer or career coach if you can afford it.
Keep an eye out for forthcoming employment fairs in your region. Speaking with employers one-on-one can help you avoid the internet's "black hole."
Consider reading The Two-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton, a career consultant at Duke University.
Consider beginning your own business if you have the necessary cash. You'll gain flexibility and pay less taxes as a result. Furthermore, many businesses are willing to work on B2B contracts.
The Repercussions: Don't Let It Happen Again
When the dust settles and you've finally landed your ideal job—
Don't take a break.
Make a plan for the next time.
"What you do after you've been fired isn't as essential as what you did before," career coach Jerome Imhoff says.
Build your network, in other words.
According to Imhoff, our most significant asset is our professional network. Unfortunately, most people do not develop it until it is too late.
"On a Tuesday, I was laid off from my staffing position," Imhoff explains. "I was able to obtain a new position at the end of the week since I was well-networked."
He also suggests having a side hustle. He wrote resumes for additional money at his previous employment. Following a layoff, that became his full-time job.
Do you require additional assistance?
Check out Nancy King's book, Fired: How to Manage Your Career in an Uncertain Economy. She interviewed and followed the inspiring experiences of 65 people who had lost their employment.
You might also think about:
Taking a training course
Participating in a meditation, yoga, or other fitness class
Making short-term sacrifices to keep money pouring in
Making plans for a future emergency fund
Finally, look to Donna Kumar for inspiration.
"This is simply a stage in my life!" she says. "I'm taking advantage of this chance to seek for job and pursue my interests."
Furthermore, a good cover letter that matches your resume can help you stand out from the crowd. You can do so using our cover letter generator. Here's how it might look:
So, what are your thoughts?
Have you lately lost your job? Do you have a query or a strategy for getting back on your feet gracefully and stylishly? Tell us in the comments. We'd love to hear what you think.