Show How to survive a job lob layoff first dont don't vala Kang The Washington Post After a job loss it may seem like your world is crashing in all at once Stay calm and resist the urge to tomake tomake tomake make any sudden moves like sending a scathing email email email e- e mail or making a scene on your way out that could hurt you in the long run Its completely normal to feel panic after a job loss says Lynn Joseph a psychologist and author of The Loss Job-Loss Recovery Guide In fact it may feel like the rug has been pulled out from under your career and your life she says Your self esteem can also take a hit especially if you think youve you've been singled out Logically and intellectually we know that we may have been part of of a mass layoff but emotionally we take tako it personally Joseph says With so many emotions at play the key is to think before you act Remember your goal is to leave your job gracefully and with integrity If youre you're granted an exit int interview be careful what you say Dont Don't use it as an opportunity to put down the company Instead take the time to get answers to any questions you might have Avoid immediately jumping into a job search Jos Joseph warns Traditionally we work with interviews and resumes before we work with the emotional loss of a career We are not taking it in the right order she says and advises that you take a few days off to calm yourself down and deal with your emotions You dont don't want to land a job ajob interview and break down explaining what happened to you Get your emotional and body language under control before you attempt to go on the interview trail Also dont don't think over-think things or feel as though you have to do damage control when others ask about your job explains Robert Leahy a clinical professor of psychology and author of The Worry Cure Leahy says accepting reality is essential to making it through this difficult time Unemployment is part of every market economy Take a of matter-of-fact approach You have a choice If you cope with it poorly you'll drink more you'll smoke more ruminate and isolate yourself he saysA saysA saysA says A lot of people think that rumination will help you solve the problem or will help you find closure The disadvantage is that it makes you depressed and it makes you withdraw from people Its It's a normal reaction to grieve the colleagues that you built friendships with over years of work People do go through the same stages of grief after losing a job ajob that people experience following the loss of a loved one Joseph says The stress and anxiety of losing your job will take time to settle Dont Don't rush yourself And dont don't try to go it alone Seeking help after a layoff whether it comes from family and friends former workers co-workers or a professional counselor isan isan is isan an important part of the healing process Learn Leam to be your best pillar of support At first you may feel feet ashamed or afraid to share the news about being laid off You may not want to tell your family for fear of how they might react to the news It is important to be op openly communicative and try not to hide things and keep secrets Joseph says You will all fare better throughout this process if you pool your resources After telling family you need to start reaching out outto outto outto to friends and colleagues You may find it somewhat embarrassing but its it's very important to identify who you can lean on during this critical time Create a two- two minute elevator speech about what happened to you You dont don't owe them an elaborate explanation I think it is important to recognize that the people who love you are going to love you whether you are laid off or not Be honest Leahy advises Schedule a weekly family meeting if necessary where you can talk openly Meet friends over coffee or lunch and ask them for advice If you know of others in your field who have been laid off get together with them and share ideas and future opportunities Even with your own support team you may feel the need for additional help Consider working with a career counselor who is trained to assist downsized employees As you bui build ld your external support system you should also be mindful of your feelings Joseph suggests as a way to move along the healing process When you start writing and noticing what you ar are are writing you move through that first phase of shock and anger and then you begin to tore re- re frame re-frame frame and have insight on the whole process and yourself You begin to see seethe seethe seethe the positive aspects and t the e opportunities that may be available to you she says Joseph also recommends a therapy known as Future Self which involves imagining yourself in your new job having everything you want She recommends recommend taking five minutes each day dayto to go through this mental exercise You will automatically feel much better she says 1 |