Lose your job? 10 things you shouldn’t do!
- Article
- 10 February 2021
Lost your job and not happy about it? Did your termination or lay-off come out of the blue and now you’re reeling? In today’s reality, it might not be personal at all…just business.
Your first, and biggest, temptation I to “get back” at those who did this to you. How should you handle this? What should you do? Not do?
- DON’T: Send a scathing email to your former boss, or even possibly the CEO of the company, telling him or her exactly what you think of the company and how you were treated. Business communities are small, and the world is interconnected, a momentary lapse in judgement may result in a lifetime of impact.
DO: Send an email to the people you worked with telling them how much you enjoyed working with them (only if it’s true), leaving on a positive note. If you need to diffuse your feelings, write the email that you wanted to write, but don’t send it. Note: Do not put the individual’s email address in the “To” line; leave it blank. Many such emails have been sent accidentally.
- DON’T: Rant and rave on social media about the injustice of it Social media memories are forever. You don’t want to say something in anger or haste that you may regret later. I’ve seen careers impacted by indiscretions from years prior.
DO: Talk with close friends and family who will listen and support you. Rant and rave with them in a safe environment. Note that having a loud conversation at Starbucks may not be the best!
- DON’T: Immediately start looking for another You might say, “I need to support my family and haste is important.” If you’re still dealing with the impact of a termination or lay-off, your feelings will show up in your interactions with others.
DO: Take a bit of time off to rest, recover, and reflect. Creating some space between the negative event and your positive future will pay off with a more positive attitude, and a willingness and desire to move forward.
- DON’T: Take too long to start that job search again! That may seem counter to #3, however, there is a fine balance between taking a break and becoming Once we become comfortable, it takes a lot to move us out of it!
DO: Start looking for a new role after you’ve had a chance to process what’s happened. This may be a week or two weeks after the event.
- DON’T: Hide away, avoid social contact, or dwell in the
DO: Stay involved in your social life. Get together with family and friends. Social interaction tends to take one’s mind off a negative situation, unless, of course, you are rehashing what happened repeatedly…then just stop it!
- DON’T: Pretend that it didn’t happen or act as if nothing is
DO: Share your feelings with those you trust and who support you.
- DON’T: Expect your friends and family to drop everything because of what happened to
DO: Take an interest in what your family and friends are doing and what’s happening in their world.
- DON’T: Be overconfident that you will find a new role just like that! Your skills may be in high demand… or It typically takes people longer than they expected to find a new role.
DO: Be confident in your skills and abilities. Be positive about being successful in finding a new role. Take steps to find your next role.
- DON’T: Shun your network or feel embarrassed to ask for assistance in your
DO: Contact people in your network who you relate to and ask them to assist you in your search. The higher your pay grade, the more jobs are in the hidden job market. It’s often about who you know, rather than what you know.
- DON’T: See this as the end of your career or be overly negative and vocal about how you feel the company treated you. This only creates greater negativity and a continued focus on what happened. It is good to acknowledge your emotional response, but not helpful to wallow in it for an extended period.
DO: Focus on the positives in the situation. The situation may be the stimulus required for you to move forward to try something that you’ve always wanted to do – take that extended vacation, go back to school, or start your own company. The possibilities are endless.
How have you dealt with job loss? Are there tips you can share? Have these tips helped you?
About Wilma Slenders, PhD
I am a strategic advisor, executive coach, and management consultant. I’ve completed a Master’s in Management, a doctorate in Leadership, studying CEOs and their trusted advisor relationships, and have founded four successful companies in four different industry sectors.
My passion is to help individuals and corporations grow to reach their full potential. A lifetime of business experience has given me the ability to effectively support my clients to perform better, grow faster, and achieve more.
To maintain work-life balance, I spend my time outdoors, travel, and take photos, some of which will be featured in my blog posts. Contact me at: Wilma@transcendmgt.com
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