![\"Unemployed](\"https:\/\/gaylekatz.com\/groundedgirlsguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/How-Toxic-People-Affect-You.jpg\")
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So you just got the axe. Or, maybe you\u2019ve been unemployed or underemployed for a few days, weeks, months, or even years and it sucks.<\/p>\n
I know exactly how you feel. I\u2019ve been there multiple times. What I\u2019ve learned is each time is different depending on how you felt about your job, the company, your coworkers, etc.<\/p>\n
How You Feel When You Get Laid Off<\/strong><\/h2>\nEven if you somehow felt the sense of impending doom coming, you\u2019re never really prepared for when it actually happens, are you? I know I wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
So what\u2019s a person supposed to do when you\u2019ve put your heart and soul into a job and you get canned? Well, if we were to remove the fact that you\u2019ve been professionally crushed and let down by your now-former employer, you would just update your resume and start the job hunt.<\/p>\n
The problem with this answer is that you\u2019re not a robot. Whether you knew it was coming or you were completely blindsided by the lay off, you\u2019re going to need some time to recuperate and how to explain your unemployment to your next potential employer.<\/p>\n
In the midst of all this unemployed chaos happening in your life, other people and feelings will emerge that may make this nightmare even worse for you.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s seriously talk about the negative things that you could face after you get the axe. In some cases, these things could be MUCH\u00a0worse\u00a0than being let go from your job, unless you know how to handle them.<\/p>\n
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#1 \u2013 Not Knowing How To Explain Your Layoff<\/strong><\/h3>\nMaybe you know exactly why you got the axe. Maybe you don\u2019t. It doesn\u2019t really matter. What does matter is figuring out how to speak about it so it helps get you your next job.<\/p>\n
Was the company losing revenue, market share, or becoming less competitive in the marketplace somehow? Was the work environment not a healthy one emotionally, professional, or physically?<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen you\u2019re thinking about how to phrase what happened, make sure to take the big picture into account. Don\u2019t just focus on yourself. In many cases, being unemployed has little to do with the job you\u2019ve done and more about how the company is doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n#2 \u2013 Staying Depressed, Sad, or Angry About Being Unemployed<\/strong><\/h3>\nYour relationship with your company ended. And just like when any other relationship ends, you might be sad, feel empty or depressed, or maybe even angry. But the hard lesson here is that life goes on. If they let you go, you weren\u2019t meant to be there any longer. You\u2019re meant for bigger and better things.<\/p>\n
Embrace those feelings, work through them, and begin to move on. If you don\u2019t follow those three steps, you\u2019ll never fully get over the loss and you\u2019ll unknowingly carry those feelings with you into your job interviews. You may not notice them, but the person interviewing you surely will and that might hold you back from getting the job.<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\nGive yourself a leg up over other people by dealing with your feelings so they\u2019re resolved. Once you\u2019ve done that, you\u2019ll be in a much better place come interview time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
#3 \u2013 Not Using Your Time Wisely<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhat are you doing when you\u2019re not working? Are you applying for other jobs you find interesting? Are you researching other companies in the area and making connections for when they\u2019re in hiring mode? Is there something a company isn\u2019t doing that you could do for them and you, in essence, create your own job?<\/p>\n
Breaking from the job search for a moment, have you always wanted to write a book? Do you need to clean out the clutter from your place? Need to start exercising and get in shape?<\/p>\n
Being unemployed gives you precious time. Do things that will make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you. Do things that honor yourself and make you happy.<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\nYou have one life to live so make good use of your time on this planet.<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m not saying you can\u2019t take a break to watch an episode or two of Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer, but whatever you do, make the time count.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
#4 \u2013 Falling Prey to Family and Friends Toxic Talk<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you have family members or friends who haven\u2019t experienced the trauma that comes along with being unemployed, don\u2019t expect them to understand what you\u2019re going through.<\/p>\n
In many cases, those people may end up belittling you for a multitude of reasons. They may automatically jump to the conclusion that you did a bad job or that you weren\u2019t proactive enough in finding other job before you lost your old one. I\u2019ve had a couple people in my life who didn\u2019t understand what it meant to be unemployed and, I have to be honest and admit, it was brutal.<\/p>\n
(As a quick aside, both of these people eventually were laid off or had trouble finding work. My guess is that they now understand how I felt all those years ago.)<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\nDon\u2019t buy into the toxic talk. Stay positive and value yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
#5 \u2013 Not Being Confident In Your Abilities<\/strong><\/h3>\nAre you in accounting, marketing, or human resources? Are you an electrician, plumber, or teacher? It really doesn\u2019t matter. Whatever you did at your last job means you have skills.<\/p>\n
Do you work well with others? Take initiative and run with projects? Have good planning and organizational skills? Good with numbers and analysis?<\/p>\n
You have abilities. Be confident in them. Even if you think you\u2019re not the best in your field and feel you need improvement, you\u2019re probably more qualified than someone else who doesn\u2019t have your experience.<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\nNot sure about your abilities? Write down what you did at your last job and start to identify what larger skill set\u00a0it falls under.<\/strong><\/p>\nFor example, did you learn anything new at your last job? If so, then you have a great ability to hit the ground running while learning new skills. The first step in being confident in your abilities is to know how to identify them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Always Be Positive About Yourself and What You Have to Offer<\/strong><\/h2>\nI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree it\u2019s difficult to find a\u00a0good job these days.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re doing any of the 5 toxic things listed above, it\u2019s not helping you. In fact, if you\u2019re allowing yourself to be a victim, you\u2019re making it even more difficult to find a job.<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m urging you to stay strong and project confidence in yourself and your abilities. If you don\u2019t trust in yourself, why would anyone else, right?<\/p>\n
If you need some support, I totally understand. Please click here to join our Freedom From Toxic People Facebook Group<\/a>. It\u2019s a good group of people who will be there to support you and help you through the tough times.<\/p>\n
Maybe you know exactly why you got the axe. Maybe you don\u2019t. It doesn\u2019t really matter. What does matter is figuring out how to speak about it so it helps get you your next job.<\/p>\n
Was the company losing revenue, market share, or becoming less competitive in the marketplace somehow? Was the work environment not a healthy one emotionally, professional, or physically?<\/p>\n
What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re thinking about how to phrase what happened, make sure to take the big picture into account. Don\u2019t just focus on yourself. In many cases, being unemployed has little to do with the job you\u2019ve done and more about how the company is doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Your relationship with your company ended. And just like when any other relationship ends, you might be sad, feel empty or depressed, or maybe even angry. But the hard lesson here is that life goes on. If they let you go, you weren\u2019t meant to be there any longer. You\u2019re meant for bigger and better things.<\/p>\n Embrace those feelings, work through them, and begin to move on. If you don\u2019t follow those three steps, you\u2019ll never fully get over the loss and you\u2019ll unknowingly carry those feelings with you into your job interviews. You may not notice them, but the person interviewing you surely will and that might hold you back from getting the job.<\/p>\n What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n Give yourself a leg up over other people by dealing with your feelings so they\u2019re resolved. Once you\u2019ve done that, you\u2019ll be in a much better place come interview time.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What are you doing when you\u2019re not working? Are you applying for other jobs you find interesting? Are you researching other companies in the area and making connections for when they\u2019re in hiring mode? Is there something a company isn\u2019t doing that you could do for them and you, in essence, create your own job?<\/p>\n Breaking from the job search for a moment, have you always wanted to write a book? Do you need to clean out the clutter from your place? Need to start exercising and get in shape?<\/p>\n Being unemployed gives you precious time. Do things that will make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you. Do things that honor yourself and make you happy.<\/p>\n What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n You have one life to live so make good use of your time on this planet.<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m not saying you can\u2019t take a break to watch an episode or two of Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer, but whatever you do, make the time count.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you have family members or friends who haven\u2019t experienced the trauma that comes along with being unemployed, don\u2019t expect them to understand what you\u2019re going through.<\/p>\n In many cases, those people may end up belittling you for a multitude of reasons. They may automatically jump to the conclusion that you did a bad job or that you weren\u2019t proactive enough in finding other job before you lost your old one. I\u2019ve had a couple people in my life who didn\u2019t understand what it meant to be unemployed and, I have to be honest and admit, it was brutal.<\/p>\n (As a quick aside, both of these people eventually were laid off or had trouble finding work. My guess is that they now understand how I felt all those years ago.)<\/p>\n What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t buy into the toxic talk. Stay positive and value yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Are you in accounting, marketing, or human resources? Are you an electrician, plumber, or teacher? It really doesn\u2019t matter. Whatever you did at your last job means you have skills.<\/p>\n Do you work well with others? Take initiative and run with projects? Have good planning and organizational skills? Good with numbers and analysis?<\/p>\n You have abilities. Be confident in them. Even if you think you\u2019re not the best in your field and feel you need improvement, you\u2019re probably more qualified than someone else who doesn\u2019t have your experience.<\/p>\n What To Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n Not sure about your abilities? Write down what you did at your last job and start to identify what larger skill set\u00a0it falls under.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, did you learn anything new at your last job? If so, then you have a great ability to hit the ground running while learning new skills. The first step in being confident in your abilities is to know how to identify them.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree it\u2019s difficult to find a\u00a0good job these days.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re doing any of the 5 toxic things listed above, it\u2019s not helping you. In fact, if you\u2019re allowing yourself to be a victim, you\u2019re making it even more difficult to find a job.<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m urging you to stay strong and project confidence in yourself and your abilities. If you don\u2019t trust in yourself, why would anyone else, right?<\/p>\n If you need some support, I totally understand. Please click here to join our Freedom From Toxic People Facebook Group<\/a>. It\u2019s a good group of people who will be there to support you and help you through the tough times.<\/p>\n#2 \u2013 Staying Depressed, Sad, or Angry About Being Unemployed<\/strong><\/h3>\n
#3 \u2013 Not Using Your Time Wisely<\/strong><\/h3>\n
#4 \u2013 Falling Prey to Family and Friends Toxic Talk<\/strong><\/h3>\n
#5 \u2013 Not Being Confident In Your Abilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Always Be Positive About Yourself and What You Have to Offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n