How to bounce back after losing your job

This post came out from The Straits Times (19 Sep 2015)
Title - How to bounce back after losing your job

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Emotional impact
2. Other issues
3. Coping with job loss
4. Confronting grief
5. Get organised

On emotional impact

• Although losing one's job is not the same as the prospect of losing one's life, the same elements can still manifest themselves in our emotions. 
• In the early stage, an employee facing the possibility of being laid of may tell himself as part of his initial denial that it will affect some of his colleagues, but not himself.
• As the reality sinks in that he is being laid off, he may be angry over his perceptions of "why me?" and other injustices.
• Such anger can be directed at his past employers, those who are retained, himself, family members or other convenient targets.
• Bargaining can take the form of hope of subsequent re-employment within the same organisation or securing an alternative job within a short time. 
• Feelings of sadness and depression will soon set in as his daily job routine is disrupted and he is separated from his usual role, which gives him his identity and self-worth.
• As time passes, he begins to adjust emotionally to the job loss and eventually comes to accept what has taken place and prepare himself to face the challenges ahead.
• Overall, losing a job affects different people in various ways as each person grieves in a unique manner despite the general patterns of human thought, feelings and behaviour. 
• We must also understand that the passage of grief is a process and the stages of grief may overlap, occur in any order or simultaneously be of varying intensity and unpredictable duration, and may disappear and reappear at random.

On Other issues

• Economic concerns are often a natural consequence of job loss as a person thinks of the monthly expenses and bills, as well as mortgage instalments to be paid. 
• At the same time, we are all social beings who need to relate to one another. Losing a job will disconnect us from our former colleagues, resulting in feelings of loneliness and isolation. 
• Furthermore, if we identify ourselves by our jobs and derive meaning and purpose from our work, job loss can shatter our world view - we could feel empty and directionless. 
• We also need to remember that job loss will affect the dynamics of the whole family. Everyone in the family needs to adapt to changes since all these factors will significantly impact spousal and parental relationships. 

On Coping with job loss 

• The loss of a job usually presents major coping challenges in managing grief. May people will ignore their grief to concentrate on their finances and search for a new job. 
• However, the emotional distress can negatively impact our ability to function effectively by disrupting our concentration and impairing our judgement.

On Confronting grief

• Talking about the loss: Do this with someone who understands what we are going through and can empathise with us. Grief shared is grief halved. 
• Resolving issues: Many of our emotional issues arise from having the wrong perceptions and our unconscious desire to hold convenient targets of blame for our suffering.
• Finding new meaning: As we question our assumptions about how the world works, we need someone to encourage and guide us to re-examine and reconstruct a new world view that can accommodate our job loss experiences. 

On Get organised

• A job loss leaves a big void in us and we need to organise ourselves to fill it up. Inactivity will soon breed helplessness, which pushes us deeper into our grief.
• Addressing our grief requires that we not only attend to the emotional pain, but also maintain a positive problem-solving attitude and proactive approach.
• Acting on what is in your control: Do not look too far ahead, just do what you an each day. Focus on your present resources and strengths to make whatever adjustments are necessary and start looking for a new job. Keep away from negative people who only complain and take no action.
• Establish an active routine: Put routine back into your day and make a daily job search plan. 
• Maintain helpful relationships: Do not isolate yourself but maintain contact with people who may be able to help you in your job search. Remind them that you are looking for a job and seek their support.
• Learn from experience: Rejection is a common experience during a job search. Find out why you are not selected as an avenue for self improvement. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big