How to cope with grief when you lose your job

Unfortunately, it can happen that you remain unemployed, for a long or short time, the loss of a job can lead people to lose motivation and discourage them when looking for a new job. If this is your case, here are some tips to overcome this moment and regain motivation.

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How to react properly

Our work often goes beyond how we make a living. It influences how we see ourselves and how others see us. Even if you don't love your job, it probably provided you with a social outlet and gave your life purpose and meaning. Finding yourself suddenly unemployed can make you feel hurt, angry, or depressed. You may question your identity, grieve all you've lost, or feel anxious about what the future holds.

We talk about self-confidence as if it were a tangible, solid entity, but what exactly is it? 

When we imagine a confident person, we conjure up images of someone who trusts their abilities, values their judgment, has confidence that they can meet life's challenges, and believes they deserve the good things in life. Of course, this profile of self-confidence is an ideal we can aspire to, rather than a reality we can always embody.

The problem with ideals is that when we don't live up to them, they can become oppressive and fuel our desperation. Self-confidence takes a different form for each of us and requires a balanced approach in which we navigate between self-confidence and a gentle acceptance of our insecurities.

Don’t get discouraged

You’re unemployed, now what? 

First, you need to be prepared for the many feelings that accompany losing a job: grief, shock, grief, anger, shame, humiliation, depression, helplessness, and fears about the future. One of the most difficult challenges is not taking job loss personally. Job loss can happen to any of us and can be driven by circumstances beyond our control such as economic realities, office politics, or pandemics.

It helps us to accept the uncertainty of life and focus on the things we can control. If your company has explained why your role ended, accept it rather than spending time suspecting other, more personal reasons. Here is an interesting article you can consult: https://www.headspace.com/articles/bounce-back-after-losing-job 

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Look for company

While being unemployed, don’t underestimate the importance of other people when you're dealing with the stress of job loss and unemployment. Social contact is nature's antidote to stress. Nothing works better to calm your nervous system than talking face-to-face with a good listener, who listens carefully without getting distracted or judging.

In order to find motivation, try to expand your network outside of work. It can be crucial in both helping you cope with the stress of job loss and finding a new job.

Unemployment affects the entire family, so don't try to deal with your problems alone. Your family's support can help you survive and will give you lots of motivation!

The company of others helps us express our fears and feelings, gain perspective, and might even lead to new opportunities. Connect with former colleagues, mentors, and clients with whom you had good working relationships, and use online communities like LinkedIn to connect with others who are experiencing job loss and unemployment-related stress. 

Take care of yourself

Build a regular daily routine, this can help us feel productive and prevent boredom and depression. Get up at the same time every day and set goals for your job search, as well as make time for exercise, rest, and networking, this will also give you motivation to find a new job. Being unemployed is no reason to let our health fall into disrepair. Exercise, diet, sleep, and relaxation have a huge effect on our energy levels and mood. They also make us more mentally alert and make us feel more in control of ourselves and our situation.

Because job loss is challenging, you may need support outside of your network of friends and family to cope with the experience. Before thinking about your future employment, you may consider a career coach to talk about career options and an expert counselor to help you with motivation, optimism, focus, and resilience.

You can read this useful article: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-deal-with-loss-of-job 

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Get back on track

Once we have overcome this difficult moment and returned to the right mentality and motivation, the time has come to look for a new job and to put into practice everything that this period of rebirth has taught us. it is essential to have a good knowledge of yourself and your skills, your strengths and weaknesses. Having understood these elements, it is useful to start defining concrete objectives and the type of work that best suits you.

A CV alone is sometimes not enough: study the company you are contacting and personalize your application; the goal of employment is to capture the attention of the people you are addressing professionally and responsibly.

Talk to others and make yourself known: for example, a LinkedIn profile can help you join a new professional network; employment is often found among people who already know each other before looking outside.

With all this in mind, if you notice that you have gaps, now is the time to fill them. Skills to learn, certifications to obtain, courses to attend: invest time to grow professionally! Retraining courses for the unemployed and adults is a huge opportunity to increase their skills and find work.

Stay informed about the local industry, and try to understand which figures are most in demand and the necessary specializations. For more information, this article will help you find a job by avoiding typical mistakes: https://alphasolutions.pw/what-are-common-mistakes-when-searching-for-a-job/ 

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What about… Freelancer?

Many people find stable and long-lasting employment simply by starting as a freelancer and the best aspect is that this employment will not require a specific amount of time and you will only be able to make available your best skills or what you love to do most! If you consider the idea of being a freelancer, even if for a short period, while you wait for a long-term job, this article will give you the perfect tips: https://alphasolutions.pw/7-ways-to-stand-out-as-a-freelancer/ 

Alpha Solutions

Alpha Solutions is a human resources agency that not only helps companies manage their employees but participates very actively in the hiring of new employees. In particular, it focuses heavily on freelancers, who could also find long-term employment for various companies, going from dark times without work to regular employment doing what they love most. For more information, consult the official page: https://alphasolutions.pw/ 

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