Losing your job SUCKS.
Whether a redundancy, “mutual decision” or (goodness forbid) you get sacked, it’s demoralising, scary and incredibly stressful.
So how do you even start to rebuild your self-esteem and career?
It’s time to dust yourself off, get your act together and get back in the game (so many clichés, so little time).
And that’s where these top ten tips come into play…
1. Don’t Give Up.
Let’s start right at the beginning.
Many (many) people lose their way after getting let go.
But without some sort of self-belief, you will have no chance of finding a new role; it’s a vicious circle.
Remember: you’ve found a job before, you WILL find one again.
Give yourself some recovery time to get over the shock – but then, get serious.
Recruiter Pro Tip A good little “pick me up” activity is to write a list of all your best points. Give yourself some love, reaffirm what you already know and start building a basis for your brand spanking new CV. If you’ve ever received nice compliments from managers, clients or colleagues, keep them. They’re great to look back on when you’re in need of a positivity boost!
And remember, there are plenty of roles out there just waiting for someone with your skill set.
2. Don’t Lose Touch.
It is vital that you stay in contact with your professional network.
It’s a small world and you really never know who could offer you your next big opportunity.
From colleagues who were bowled over at the project you delivered to clients who would love to have had someone as talented as you working for their business – these people could all provide you with references, testimonials and could even put you forward for job vacancies!
Don’t let people forget you.
Recruiter Pro Tip Don’t be afraid (or too proud) to ask your previous employer for a reference. Whether you were made redundant or sacked, if you left on good terms, then chances are, they won’t have a major problem with writing you a reference. Most employers know that it’s a tough world and that some people simply aren’t well-suited to certain jobs and/or struggle to thrive in certain environments. Of course, if you ended on really bad terms, steer clear!
There’s no point being embarrassed about your situation; it’s happened, suck it up and start working on getting back on track!
3. Stay healthy.
It is so easy to fall into a pit of self-pity, daytime TV and Doritos – don’t let that happen.
Being physically fit as well as mentally strong will help you remain focused on the challenge at hand.
Get out of the house for a few hours every day and do something other than job-hunting! Rest assured that you won’t miss out on an opportunity just because you are out taking the dog for a walk!
It’s ok to take to break.
4. Stay Focused.
You’re probably feeling pretty demoralised right now and in all honesty, it could get worse.
If you’re looking for a job in a particularly competitive industry, it may take a while before you find the right role and until you start getting interviews.
Don’t take it to heart.
Focus, make sure your CV is (really) as good as it possibly could be and just don’t waste time applying to a load of jobs you don’t actually want and wouldn’t take.
Looking for a job is basically a full-time job and you need to make sure that the entire process is as structured, focused and therefore efficient as possible.
5. Be Organised.
Following on from the above, it’s a good idea to come up with a daily (or even weekly) job search strategy.
Keep organised lists of your contacts, the job boards you’ve used, recruitment agencies, jobs applied for and all of those interviews you get invited to.
It’s also a good idea to jot down any feedback you get on any stage of the process, so you can look back on it and improve, if necessary.
6. Reassess Your Career.
You’ve probably heard people say ‘everything happens for a reason…’ a fair few times recently.
And yes, it is an irritating cliché, but to a certain extent, it’s TRUE!
Think about it; is this your opportunity to change your career (and life)?
Do some research and see if there’s anything else you might like to do; perhaps you’d like a similar job but in a different industry? Or maybe you’d like to do something completely different altogether? Would you consider working abroad or freelancing?
For some roles you may need heaps of experience, but you’d also be surprised by the number of employers who are happy to give training to the right people if they have the right attitude and passion.
Don’t reject any ideas, off the bat.
7. Use Your Spare Time.
As we’ve already said, it’s dead important to get out of the house!
So why not learn a new skill or gain some valuable experience in the meantime?
- Could you learn a new language?
- Could you volunteer?
- Could you go travelling?
Whatever you decide to do, it’ll help to improve those annoying gaps on your CV and make you a more appealing job candidate!
8. Use Recruitment Agencies.
Don’t feel that you have to tackle your job search alone; enlist the help of a specialist recruiter who will help you to focus your job search and give you the help and advice you need to boost your job search.
You’ll get notified when a suitable vacancy crops up, they’ll put in a good word for you and can offer real, honest advice when it comes to improving your profile, interview skills and CV.
It’s what we do!
9. Just Stay Positive!
Easier said than done, right?
Sorry, but it’s really important! Recruiters and employers will respond much more favourably to someone who is positive, friendly and passionate.
There are ways and means to give yourself a positivity boost – click here if you’d like to read them.
10. Get A Life.
Do you feel guilty every time you step away from the computer?
Don’t. Like we said, you’re entitled to a break.
Remember to take time to enjoy life and socialise with other people; they’ll help you through the tough times and keep your positivity powered up.
BONUS TIP:
We send out a weekly “Candidate Tips” post with advice on the entire process; from writing an impressive CV and attending interviews, right through to how to impress people on your first day.
Click here to sign up.
It Will Get Better!
Right now, it may feel like the end of the world, but I promise you, it will get better and staying positive and motivated is an intrinsic part of a successful job search.
If you’d like some more guidance on staying motivated, happy and positive during your job search, check out these great posts.
- How can I stay motivated during my job search?
- 5 Ways to Stay Motivated in a Frustrating Job Hunt
- 5 ways to stay motivated in your job search
Or to check out our live job vacancies, click here.
We wish you the best.