How to Cope and Move Forward in Life after the Loss of Your Job
By Paula Lonergan
Published in The Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Journal News, March 6, 2003.

The employment rate was 5.7 percent in January. The number of unemployed persons was 8.3 million per the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. If you are currently employed, hearing statistics on the news may not mean much at the time.

However, with today’s unstable economic system, many are compelled to take note of unemployment. Sometimes it’s noticed when for example you heard Earthlink, a local Pasadena company, is terminating 1,300 employees. Or perhaps unemployment got your attention when you spoke to friends whose jobs will end soon. Maybe you were forced to address the issue of joblessness when it’s your husband or wife who is about to lose his or her job. Or perhaps it’s you who received a letter of termination.

How can you cope with the loss of a job?

First, it is important to appreciate a level of grief and sorrow over the loss of employment is only natural. However, you must not allow your grief to paralyze you or let it to continue over an extended period of time. Prolonged negative and depressed thinking will only bring you down and hamper your productivity.

Next, stop and assess your situation. Write down on a piece of paper your options in light of your current or impending situation. Do you need to look another job immediately? Do you have the choice to take some time off to regroup? Would you benefit from going to school to further your education or get additional training? Do you want to stay in the same line or field of work? What are your needs and wants, financially and otherwise? How can your goals be achieved? Asking yourself these and similar questions will enable you to know the direction you need to take and effort you need to make to move forward in your life.

Then, update your resume. Find books at the library and enlist the assistance of others to help you improve your interviewing skills and develop a professional looking resume. Visit web sites like www.careerbuilder.com and www.worktree.com to get helpful information.

If you qualify, do not hesitate in applying for unemployment insurance at the Employment Development Department (EDD). Also, the EDD can provide helpful resources for job searching.

Don’t forget to network by talking to family, friends, and acquaintances (business and personal) about your work goals and objectives. They can provide encouragement and positive reinforcement. Also, many job opportunities are discovered via word of mouth.

Now, after you’ve assessed your situation, set your goals, and updated your resume, you are ready to follow up on job leads. Put on your business attire (no jeans and t-shirts) and have extra copies of your resume in hand. Arrive on time to your interview appointments with a smile on your face. When you smile it radiates positively towards others. Your positive energy and attitude may encourage the interviewer, your potential new employer, to hire you.