Coping with job loss can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming. Many people go through the stages of grief when they’ve been let go. However, with the right mindset, strategies, and support, you can navigate this difficult period and eventually rebuild your professional life. 

Surviving The Loss Of Your Career

It is important to remember that you are not alone in this experience. Here are twelve steps to consider when you’ve been let go from your job:

1. Allow Yourself to Grieve: Losing a career can be like experiencing the loss of a loved one. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and disappointment. Allow yourself to grieve and process these emotions. As Kate Bowler says, “The strangest part of change…is how it occurs as a series of small funerals (as) we lay our dreams to rest.” (Good Enough, p.103). This step is crucial and can be incredibly healing.
2. Seek Emotional Support: Talk to friends, family members, or a mental health professional who can provide a safe space to express your feelings and thoughts. Talk to others who have lost their career. When I had my head injury, and things changed, one of the most helpful things I experienced was talking to another doctor who also had a head injury, thus a career change. Do not underestimate the power of NOT feeling alone.
3. Assess Your Finances: Take stock of your financial situation and create a budget that aligns with your current circumstances. It’s okay if you need to ask for help. Sometimes, financial stress causes a significant ripple effect on your family and friends. Ask a professional for help if you need it.
4. Update Your Skills and Knowledge: Identify your skills and qualifications. Are they in demand in your industry, or do you need to look at other employment paths? Consider taking online courses, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications to identify your strengths and build them.
5. Explore New Opportunities: Be open to exploring different career paths or industries. Your skills and experience might be transferable to other roles or sectors you haven’t considered before. And you might have fundamental skills you haven’t been using.
6. Networking: Reach out to your professional contacts, including former colleagues, mentors, and industry connections. Tell them about your situation and seek advice, referrals, or potential job leads. Ensure your CV and LinkedIn are current and ready to go if someone asks. Ensure your web presence is professional.
7. Volunteer or Freelance: Engage in volunteer work or take on freelance projects to keep your skills sharp and your resume updated. These experiences can also help you expand your network, potentially leading to new opportunities. They also provide hope. Studies show that giving outside ourselves helps us manage a more hopeful future.
8. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your career recovery process into manageable goals. This could include updating your resume, researching potential employers, sending out job applications, and attending networking events. Remember, you are not a fixed person. You are constantly evolving and growing. Don’t stop setting professional and personal goals.
9. Practice Self-Care: Caring for your physical and mental well-being is crucial during this challenging time. Exercise, maintain a healthy diet, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Make sure you engage with others weekly through a book club, volunteering, joint exercise, a religious institution, or something else that brightens your day.
10. Consider Entrepreneurship: If you have a unique skill or a passion, consider starting your own business or becoming a consultant in your area of expertise. Often, there are local grants that help with small business start-ups. Do market research to see if your area needs your skillset.
11. Stay Persistent and Positive: Rebuilding your career may take time, and you may face setbacks. Stay persistent, remain positive, and focus on your progress rather than dwelling on the challenges. Focusing on progress and the future provides HOPE, which can be a powerful motivator.
12. Adapt and Learn: Use this time for personal growth and self-discovery. Embrace change, adapt to new circumstances, and continue learning from your experiences. 

Rebuild Your Professional Life

Remember, losing a career is just one chapter of your professional journey. It does not define you as a person. With determination, resilience, and a proactive approach, you can overcome this setback and find new opportunities that align with your skills and passions.
Our 90-day Navigating Life Storms program will help you through the stressors of life and come out on the other side ready to take on your new future.