With the recent nosedive the economy took, many people have found themselves in the unemployment line. If you’ve recently lost your job, don’t fret as there are things you can do to cope with this life changing challenge.
While it is definitely a scary and distressing thing to lose your job, you can also look at it as an exciting opportunity for new doors to be opened. Keep your attitude positive and your mind open and look for the positive in the situation.
Here are some tips to help you through this challenging time in your life and help you come out on top:
1. Talk about it. It’s important that you talk to your spouse and let them know what’s going on because this life changing event doesn’t affect just you, but them too. The two of you will need to discuss your spending habits and find ways to cut back on un-important expenses, etc. Talk about what you have in savings, bills that are coming up and what that leaves you to live on.
2. Talk to your employer. Your job may have ended but it’s still important that you talk with your employer about the final details. Meaning, you need to know if there’s any sort of compensation (commonly known as severance) package you will get, if you’ll get any insurance coverage. COBRA is an expensive alternative but it is definitely worth looking into.
3. Unemployment benefits. Be sure that you go and immediately apply for the unemployment benefits available to you from your state. Find out if there’s a way to enroll online as this may expedite the process. While unemployment benefits probably won’t be what you’re used to bringing home in a paycheck, the money can help carry you through until you find another job.
4. Your resume. If you haven’t updated it in awhile, it’s time to pull it out and dust those cobwebs off it. Update it with all your recent information. Make sure your contact information is up to date, etc. Be sure to print off several copies so you can apply to jobs you find in your local newspaper, etc. Also don’t forget to post your resume online to places like job sites and Craigslist. You can peruse job boards, forums, etc right from the comfort of your home so start your job search online.
5. Be positive. Keep a positive attitude. Look at this loss of your job as a new chapter in your life. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start your own business. Now could be the time to do so. Maybe you’ve wanted to switch to a completely different field than what you were working in, again now could be the time to do so.
t’s important to stay positive and think positive thoughts throughout this challenging time. Your positive attitude can come through during a job interview, etc making it easier for you to land a new exciting job.
6. Talk to your kids. While it’s not always a good idea to talk to your kids about adult things going on, this is a different case. You should talk to your kids about your unemployment and let them know what’s going on because it’s going to affect them too. They need to know that spending on frivolous things is going to decrease and that money is going to be a little tighter for awhile. Keep in mind their ages, and only share information that you think they will understand.
7. Options. Take some time and consider all your options. While initially losing your job may seem like a big life-changing negative thing going on in your life, there could (and probably are) be many different blessings in disguise.
If you think about it, you may have not been truly happy at your job anyway but you didn’t have the guts to leave it because the pay was decent and the benefits were good. Now you have the choice to pursue a field that will make you happy or do something you love.
The possibilities are endless. And maybe you can even find a job working online, travel to a different state/country looking for a new job, etc.
When it comes to adversity you can still find success in the face of it. It’s just a matter of keeping a positive attitude and an open mind. Of course you’ll have to work hard too but don’t be surprised when you come out on top and find yourself happier than you were in the job you were laid off from.
Andrea is the Chief Chick of Smart Money Chicks. After filing BK twice (once because she panicked, second time because the pro messed the first time up), she realized that it all could have been avoided if she understood more about how her Finances worked and the options available. At that point, she wanted to help as many as she could never make the same mistakes again. Our Promise is that all the content you read on here is created or edited by Andrea