Bouncing back from after a layoff
An employer must be careful about what is said about an employee let go in a layoff. Credit: iStock
Being laid off, getting passed over for an interview or learning that the job offer you were counting on was actually given to someone else can definitely hurt your pride. Realize that this is a natural and common experience to encounter during your career transition. But also be aware that if you don't tend to your bruised ego in a quick and positive manner, it can become quite a problem in your quest for employment.
When your pride is hurt, your motivation, energy and attitude can greatly suffer, and all of these things need to be in tip-top shape to achieve success in the job market. To better maintain a healthy self-esteem throughout your job search, consider these do's and don'ts provided by Jean Baur, author of "Eliminated! Now What?"
Do:
1. Realize that this might be a new experience for you and give yourself time to get used to it.
2. Ask for help. Whether you consult with a career counselor, a friend or an in-transition group, get other opinions on both the process and how you specifically should position yourself in the job market.
3. Make sure to have a written schedule and a plan for your search. This isn't magic, but most people find that if they write down what they're going to do, it's a lot easier to do it without getting lost or discouraged.
4. Give your efforts enough time before you come to any conclusions. Answering three online ads, and then deciding after a week that it's pointless, is not a fair test.
Don't:
1. Spend a lot of time talking with former colleagues at your past company (whether they're still there or also let go) if the conversations are emotional and negative. You will only feel worse.
2. Listen to negative feedback that basically tells you you'll never work again. Unfortunately, this often comes from well-meaning friends and family members who are not experts on the job market.
3. Hang out with others who have given up.
4. Watch a lot of news. Limit yourself to a half an hour a day -- that's it. Put yourself on a news diet. If you want to listen to radio programs or read the newspaper, that's usually just fine. It's the TV news that tends to dramatize unemployment issues.
5. Assume you know how your search will go. This is an unpredictable process, and even seasoned career counselors are often surprised.
Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog
(http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.
