Surviving Job Loss

All you need to survive the turmoil of job loss is a good action plan. Once you have that, everything will fall into place. The tips shown below will help you on your way.

Never Panic

Again, losing you job is hard, but it is not the end of the world. If you feel overwhelmed repeat the next two statements to yourself until you feel better:

I have not lost anything that can not be replaced. I am a skilled and talented individual; I will work again.

Control Yourself

Losing your job will induce many emotions. Anger and fear are the two that are most common. Neither is conducive to clear thinking and if you aren't thinking clear, you can't make good decisions. Don't just repress these emotions; take time to sort through your feelings. Don't be afraid to talk to friends, family, even a counselor. There are many people who will understand what you are going through.

Organize Your Finances

Be brutally honest and take a serious look at your spending habits. Tighten your belt and cut out anything that isn't absolutely necessary. If you were lucky, you received a severance package. Use it. If you didn't receive severance, then its time to check into unemployment benefits. Don't wait until you're out of money. Do it as soon as possible. If all else fails, delve into your savings, that's what its there for. If you don't have a savings account or an emergency fund, check with your bank. You may qualify for a low interest personal loan that doesn't require monthly payments.

Insure Yourself

Losing your job does not mean that you have lost your insurance coverage; it just means that you are responsible for paying it. Thanks to COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) you can remain on your former employer's insurance plan for up to 18 months. To do this, you must pay the premiums yourself. There are time limits that can not be exceeded if you want to take advantage of COBRA, so don't wait too long. Check with the human resources manager of your former employer for more information regarding procedure and deadlines.

Rewrite Your Resume

Take an inventory of the skills that you acquired at your last job. Add those skills to your new resume. Remember, this is no time to be shy. Be proud of your accomplishments and don't leave anything out. If you need help, consult a resume book or get help from a professional resume writer. At minimum, have somebody else look at your resume once it is finished. Spell check can't catch everything.

Start Networking

Make sure that people know that you are looking for a job. This doesn't mean giving everyone your sob story, but you should make sure that your friends, family and acquaintances are aware of your situation and your skills. They may be able to provide you with job leads that can't be found online or in a newspaper.

Consider A Recruiter

Recruiters can improve your chances because they already have established relationships with many employers. They may even be aware of secret job opportunities. In any regard, recruiters can give you tips that will help you polish your resume or perfect you portfolio. The best part is this: recruiters are usually "free" to job seekers because they typically collect their fees from employers.

In Conclusion

Be optimistic and don't let yourself drown in negativity. Losing one measly job means nothing when you step back and look at the big picture. Just think about the other people that you know that have lost jobs in the past and are now successfully employed. As bad as your situation may seem, others have been there before and they have risen above their misfortune. You can too.