what to do if you’ve lost your job
Losing your job, whether expected or sudden, can feel like the ground has shifted beneath your feet. Whether you’ve been in your role for five months or five years, redundancy or unemployment can seriously impact your mental wellbeing, financial stability and sense of identity. It’s not just a paycheque – losing your job affects your routine, purpose and even confidence. But while this period can feel overwhelming, it's also an opportunity for renewal. Explore our advice on how to manage and move on when you’ve lost your job.
allow some time to grieve
Your job isn’t just what pays the bills. Sometimes, it can even feel like part of your identity, especially if it’s a place where you’ve developed friendships or have been part of for many years.
As a result, losing a job can leave you with a sense of sadness, loss and stress. While you may feel pressured to move on straight away, some job loss grieving time is beneficial – just try not to dwell. Mental health experts Headspace say ‘’It’s perfectly normal to grieve, but the longer you wait to begin to make a plan, the more difficult it may be to get back into the workforce.’’
consider career coaching
When you’re met with rejection after rejection, it can be easy to get disheartened, and while it’s likely not a skill issue, it’s hard to pinpoint the reason behind your job-search failure. Perhaps your CV doesn’t do you justice, or maybe your interview skills aren't up to scratch.
If you’re getting constant apologetic rejection emails, despite a wealth of experience or broad skillset, it might be worthwhile considering one-to-one career coaching. Personal career coaching can help you identify your skills and gaps, what kind of role you’re best suited for, and how to master any interview. For ICAEW members (past and present) experiencing redundancy or unemployment, caba offers free one-to-one career coaching to help you get out of the slump.
Renovo, caba’s partner in career coaching, work with you to create a personalised plan based on your skills, gaps and desires – so it it’ll only work for you. If career coaching sounds like something you may benefit from, you can speak to caba directly or find out more.
freshen up your LinkedIn profile
87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, and six people are recruited on LinkedIn every minute , so if your profile isn’t up-to-date, or you don’t frequent the platform as often as you should, you might be missing out on lots of opportunities. Take a look at caba’s expert tips on powering up your profile, and access free LinkedIn training led by career coach Meg Burton
seek out mental health support
Redundancy or unemployment can have a massive impact on your mental health. As well as the disruption to your routine, the loss of income and stability can cause significant anxiety and stress. It’s important to stay optimistic and motivated, but that can become increasingly difficult as time ticks on. Sometimes, just sharing your problem with someone who knows what they’re talking about, or knowing you’re not alone can help.
caba’s partner service, Qwell, is an online platform that allows those eligible for caba’s services to anonymously talk to trained counsellors. You can also access community forums and share stories and advice with those who are experiencing the same issues you are. Find out more about Qwell and sign up within minutes, or find out if you’re eligible for caba’s services.
take the time to new skills
Use the break to learn new skills that will make you stand out, attend courses and networking events, and keep up with the industry to ensure you’ve got desirable credentials packed away on your CV.
Identify gaps in your knowledge and skillset – both professionally and interpersonally, and use platforms such as LinkedIn, as well as caba’s own free course catalogue, to develop skills without any extra cost. Keep on top of industry news, changes and news so you can constantly adapt as your sector does.
develop a growth mindset
A growth mindset is the idea that things such as skillset, character and intelligence can be developed and grown over time. Unlike a fixed mindset, which believes the opposite, a growth mindset allows you a more optimistic outlook that sees failure as a chance to learn and grow.
Renovo who provides career coaching, says it’s important to develop a growth mindset in order to ‘develop resilience and put yourself in a stronger position to embrace setbacks and challenges.’
Renovo suggests five key methods in developing a growth mindset if it’s something that does not come naturally to you.
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Learn from any setbacks and view challenges as a chance to grow.
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Identify your weaknesses and use them as a chance to understand what might be holding you back and what skills you need to develop.
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Rewire your brain by using positive language when you speak to or about yourself.
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Focus on the growth journey and new skills you are acquiring throughout the job hunt, rather than the things that are beyond your control.
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Embrace constructive criticism and use it as a chance to learn and develop your skills
consider temporary work
Unemployment can be the time to reevaluate your priorities and spend time looking for the perfect role – but it’s important to remember that the perfect role can be hard to come by. While it’s understandable that you won’t want to take on just any role, engaging in temporary or part-time work can be a great stop gap as you get back on your feet. This can give you chance to hone your skills and work towards the career you want, without the uncertainty of no regular income.
From free career coaching and online courses, to mental health support, if you’re going through redundancy or experiencing unemployment, we at caba are here to help. Get in touch today to see if we can help you, or find out if you are elible for our services.