Job Loss Etiquette

If you are currently gainfully employed and enjoying a great career consider yourself blessed. There are many Americans who are having to deal with the reality of job loss. Losing a career job, when you have a family and financial obligations is not an easy situation. This is a time when maintaining your good attitude and pressing on may seem overwhelming or even impossible.

One of the first things you need to do when you find out that you have lost your job is to remain calm. The tendency may be to panic, but losing control will only make your situation more difficult to overcome. This is a time for decisive action, when you should focus on deliberate activity as opposed to pushing for immediate results. The perseverance will pay off if you stick with your plan. For the short-term, think about how you will survive; but for your and your families sake--don't stop there. Take this opportunity to set valuable long-term goals that will enable you to move from this point into the future better equipped and wiser than you are right now. This is the time to gain a new perspective on your career, job choices and future.

Consider these tips on how to handle losing your job.

1. Don't be ashamed and Don't burn your networking bridges. You might be surprised how valuable the relationships you had at your previous job are in your job search. We have all heard the saying that it's not what you know, but who. This really is a true statement in so many instances. Make sure you are open and honest with those who inquire and who seem sincere. If these friends, acquaintances or former employers appreciated your work ethics and observed you to be an asset to the company they will be sure to pass along tips and recommend you for other positions. These will also work as great professional references when you begin to apply for new positions.
2. Go back to school. If you do not have financial obligations to consider, this might be an excellent time to go back to school. With the many online programs available to learners, this is something that you can achieve while working. If you have always wanted to pursue your degree or other higher learning, consider doing it now while you are in a time of transition.
3. Be responsible. Although you have received your final pay check, you will still be expected to take care of your monthly bills and financial obligations. Call your creditors immediately to see about making special payment arrangements. If you opted for credit insurance against job loss when you got the loan or card, initiate that service immediately. These insurance-type policies will sometimes pay the minimum monthly bill for up to a year.
4. Make health insurance arrangements. Most employer funded benefits will cease effective immediately when you lose your job. There are special programs that will allow you to extend your health care benefits for an additional 18 months. You should also consider the option of purchasing COBRA Unemployment Insurance. This is health insurance that allows employees who have been laid-off or let-go by their employer to temporarily maintain their health insurance coverage.
5. Cut your expenses. If you are not earning income, you must realize that your current lifestyle is going to have to change. This change might include dropping your gym membership or private music lessons, canceling your standing appointment at the spa or shopping at the whole food grocer every day. Cutting your expenses will not only afford you more time, but it will allow you to take care of the essential obligations such as your mortgage or rent, automobile loans and any other outstanding credit payments.
6. Take a chance. This is not the time to hide your head underneath your covers. You will need to become your own best advocate for the sake of your assets and future. Stick your neck out and be bold. Speak up and network with real people. Don't spend too much time trying to locate a position through the internet, instead find ways to network with real people, who know people and who are hiring for positions in your field.
7. Update your resume. It may have been many years since you were last in the market for a new job. This is a great time to revisit and revamp your resume. If needed you may want to have a professional head-hunter or job coach look over it with you and give suggestions. This may be one expense that is worth incurring during this time.

There is no getting around the fact that losing a job is a real downer. In order to turn this situation around for your good, you will have to make up your mind to have a positive attitude about your loss. Sure, you will mourn and you may even suffer from feelings of rejection and fear, but the important thing that you must do is to seize the opportunity to overcome your circumstances. Now is your chance to move to that new city or change your career path altogether. Deny defeat and move forward into your future in victory. Attitude is half the battle.