Life is unpredictable. We never know when we may have to deal with leaving our jobs. Being newly unemployed gives many people a feeling of being in a limbo.
Whether you have been laid off, let go or just quit for your own personal reason, the sudden removal of structure and routine can be tough to deal with.
We bring you some tips which can be used as starting points to deal with the situation:
- Now that You are Here, Take A Few Days “Off”:
Yes! This sounds counter-productive but taking a couple of days off from thinking about “what next” is a good idea. It will help you introspect, bring your emotions under control and rejuvenate to begin your search later.
Getting on with a good habit that relaxes you during the break can work wonders on your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Some examples include:
- Working out or catching up on a sport you like to play
- Reading
- Gardening
- Going for walks
- Meditation
- Going for a short trip to a place nearby your town/city
- Going to museums, art galleries, etc,.
- Creating art
And the best thing about a good habit is that you can continue it well beyond the break without feeling guilty about it.
But make sure it is actually a good habit: watching TV for hours at end, or binge-watching some series are not part of the list. It is okay to indulge in it once in a while but don’t make it a habit. You should get a feeling of accomplishment through it, not a feeling that dips your spirits.
The purpose of the break is not only to rejuvenate you but also to make you realise your job is not the only thing that defines you.
Side note: It is also a good idea and time to contemplate (not dwell) on some decisions: do you think now is the opportunity to start that venture you had thought of? Is now the time to get back to a side activity and make it your main one? Is a change impending? Make a decision, either to stick to your current profile or taking a leap of faith, or the in-between and plan accordingly.
- Begin the Plan:
After taking the required days off, get back to “work”, meaning, get to finding a new job. Update and post your resumes on various portals. Update your LinkedIn and Facebook.
Get in touch with people and let them know you are looking. The people could be former colleagues, college and school mates, friends, family, friendly neighbours etc,.
It is important to not lose a sense of structure from your routine.
Make sure: Even if you are at your house, dress well, and allocate a couple of hours to working on getting on with the job search just as you would do if this were a regular job.
Allocation of time is important. Working on the job search all day, in other words, being obsessed with it all day can drive you crazy.
- Don’t Be Hasty:
Speaking of obsession and allocation, it is also important to apply wisely.
Apply only to places where minimum two or three of the requirements match your profile.
While it can be tempting to apply to all places where there’s a vacancy, we don’t want to land up in a situation where we need to quit the job shortly and begin this cycle all over again!
Getting in touch with a recruiter often helps in such situations.
- Be Prepared:
We live in a competitive world. Depending on your profession, you may or may not face a lot of competition. It may not always be the case that your first interview will land you a job. You have to be prepared to face rejection at any point.
Being psychologically prepared to face multiple interviews is a good idea.
In such situations, it is important to keep in mind that any hindrance, rejection, has nothing to do with who you are and your qualities.
It could be that yours is not the profile they are looking for as of now. Comparison is truly the thief of joy here. Continue to believe in yourself.
Meanwhile..
While the search is on, and you wait for the happy news, it is important to live your life in other ways.
Meeting people is a good idea. Not only is it a good opportunity to network but also to socialise and get a sense of perspective. Catch up with old friends, visit the dear family members you haven’t seen in a while, volunteer for a good cause.
You can also use this time to learn a new skill, or brush up on an old skill. Maybe join a club. This will help you to meet new people, and perhaps even help you uncover new opportunities.
Do not forget to exchange emails/visiting cards with the ones you feel will help you find what you are looking for.
But more importantly, continuing to be social whenever you can and finding a purpose outside your professional life will help you remain patient and calm, keeping the self-esteem high.
Being unemployed, answering questions from friends, family and colleagues can be tough. It can be difficult to have patience while you search for new opportunities. A strong inner-life that finds purpose in more than one aspect of living is necessary. How you respond to situation is in your hands, and how you choose to see a situation depends on your perspective.