Should you tolerate a job or a boss that makes you feel incompetent? Do you wish to stay in a job that does not offer growth? What if it’s the one-in-a-million-job but then, you lose it? Many people lose their job due to certain issues with management. Some lose their jobs for personal reasons. Others have to contend with organizational revamps or something that’s beyond their control. Getting fired is almost a constant ordeal in a volatile economy and this kind of loss can be quite debilitating.
What if you get fired.. from a job you have worked for years or from a job you love?
Out of blue, you will be left with nothing but years of memories carving out a career. But instead of wallowing in self-pity and senseless meanderings, the right question should be– what should you do next?
To cope with a job loss, it is essential to first assess what you need. It is also important to include others’ needs if you have a family to support. How soon do you need a new one? Can you find opportunities in the same field of expertise or should you need to expand your horizons? Are you ready for a new job? When you have a family to support, finding a job may be immediate that you will easily jump to anything on the fly—only to regret after a few months. Hence, it is important to reflect soulfully on these important aspects.
How emotionally ready are you for a new job? Some people, particularly millennials, have the “strike while the iron is hot” deeply ingrained into their career DNA that they easily jump from one work to another. It is important to remember that carving a career path requires time. You cannot just change gear and maintain the same energy and sense of engagement right away. You need traction in building your passion. If possible, consider giving yourself a few weeks to decompress. Seek out short-term or part-time position if money is a need. This allows you freedom to find what you want while still having a financial source to tide it over.
Keep your passion and ingenuity with you wherever, whenever. When on the verge of getting fired or when trying to find a new one, your attitude ultimately matters. Optimists will always see goodness in every failure and challenge. Pessimists see nothing but the opposite. Pragmatists, on the other hand, tend to find ways that will deliver the most advantages. Combine optimism and pragmatism when doing so and you will surely land in a far better condition than you were previously in.
Accept that losing a job is beyond your control. So, do not dwell on too much nostalgia or regrets. Grieve but do not stay long in a rut. It is nothing but a hindrance to growth and it leads you to nowhere. Do not rush to a new one though. Fine a coach. Train for a new skill. Take your time. Often, the best opportunities get lost or concealed when you are in a rush.