Tips for Coping with Unexpected Job Loss

Losing a job is traumatic, but it can have lasting negative repercussions unless you avoid some common missteps. Some young ex-employees lose their motivation, and others get discouraged and settle for low-skill work. Here are some actionable strategies to help you sidestep these and other common pitfalls.

• Don’t burn bridges on your way out. Show your boss you’re a winner by exiting graciously. Some of your best resources are ex-employers. You never know when they’ll come back into your life in the future.
• Keep networks alive. Make an effort to maintain regular contact with key players in your last job–they will come in handy as references, for job referrals, advisors, and even future partners.
• Set stepping-stone goals right away. Don’t let the firing discourage you. Write down where you’d like to see yourself in five years. Then write down small goals that will help you get there–in two years, in one year, in six months, in three months.
• Update your resume right away. Don’t procrastinate; get right back into the game. Just state the position, term employed, and highlight your accomplishments at this last job. If a prospective employer wants to know why your employment ended, emphasize the positive, and frame it as a valuable learning experience.
• Use this “downtime” wisely. Is now a good time to consider going back to school? Should you invest in new skill development? How about attending a career conference?
• Tap into the “hidden job market.” Talk to family, friends, former co-workers, colleagues, and professors about your goals. Ask if they know someone you could talk to in your field, and would be willing to pass along that person‚Äôs contact information, or even make the introduction. Set up 30-minute informational interviews with these contacts to see if there is a dream job out there for you.
• Attend an industry trade show. Meet at least ten new people in your field and schedule a phone conversation with each of them.
• Spend ten minutes a day online. Go to job sites. Read articles. Scan job listings. Read message boards. The internet will help you stay connected to a buzzing, throbbing world of workers and seekers like yourself–and will help you stay upbeat and motivated.
• Learn from your experience. Every successful business person has been fired at one time or another. Use the experience as an opportunity for growth. What did you learn? What could you do differently in the future?

Nicholas Aretakis is a life skills and career coach for young adults and the author of No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide (Next Stage Press). He hosts an online community for college students and recent grads at www.NoMoreRamenOnline.com.