subject: Dealing With Job Loss [print this page] Dealing With Job Loss Dealing With Job Loss
People's reaction to the news that they've been let go vary although the most common is shock. Even if you had a feeling it was coming, the reality can still be overwhelming.Your first reaction is denial. You can't believe they laid you off. Why did they have to sell this company? I can't believe this is happening to me? Or, again! Some people even believe there will be a reversal of the decision and everything will be back to normal soon.The next reaction is anger. It's primarily aimed at the company or the boss. You're upset they didn't warn you so you could have gotten a head start on a job search or that after so many years of loyal service, they did this. Anyone who has lost their job can remember what those thoughts were. The anger may get directed at other people. Friends, family and even strangers can suffer the pain of this wound.Bargaining comes next. You'd make a pact with deities or devils or anyone else if only... You promise to turn your life around, make amends to people you've hurt, be kinder, do whatever it takes - just give me my job back or help me get another.And then depression. You lose interest, motivation and hope. Those closest to you may suffer the full force of you mood. It may show up as a little sadness or severe enough the impact normal functioning.Acceptance allows you to make a plan for your future by assessing your resources, talents and, most importantly, your options. Understanding that you may periodically be sad if the job search process takes longer or you don't win the position you really wanted, you need to take care of yourself and build a support system.These are normal phases of experiencing loss. So much of our time and energy is invested in our job that we think that is who we are. It is not who we are. It is only what we did. Once you realize that you are still the same person and you haven't lost your identify, just your job title, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.Trying to ignore an emotion or skip a step may work for while. Evetually, what you tried to avoid will surface and perhaps not at an opportune moment. At some point, what you tried to avoid will surface and at a time or place you may least expect it. Taking care of yourself includes acknowledging these stages, giving yourself permission to experience them, finding support to handle them and appreciating your success in dealing with them so you can successfully move on to the next phase of your career.
