I Just Lost my Job! 10 Quick Things You Must Do Now

One of the worst things that can happen from a professional perspective is losing your job. This is especially true if it is unexpected and not your fault. On the flip side, it can be good if you know what to do when you lose your job, even if it doesn’t feel remotely positive.

It is emotional and traumatic to suddenly lose one’s job or, worse, to be fired. You’re unemployed, you don’t have a paycheck, and you will lose ties with your co-workers because it will never be again, even though you promise to keep in touch. It is painful.

What happens when one loses his job?
What to do when you lose your job
Conclusion
References
Editor’s Recommendations

What happens when one loses his job?

It’s really easy to despair when you lose your job. You will experience anger, fear, fear, worry, and resentment. This mindset is self-destructive. It will permeate all aspects of your life and undermine your confidence.

It will weaken your drive and motivation. It’s hard to do, but you have to stop the negative thoughts and get on with these tips on what to do when you lose your job.

The faster you start a job search, the faster you think about your new job instead of the lost one.

What to do when you lose your job

The truth is that some people have developed a system to continue their careers once they are laid off. This is associated with some experience in dealing with such situations for many of these people.

However, some are so devastated by losing their job that it affects their personal life and career in unimaginable ways.

Here are some things you can do when you lose your job

#1. File for unemployment

If you lose your job through no fault, become unemployed. You may still be eligible even after you’ve been released.

#2. Review your spending and funds

Your income directly impacts your lifestyle, and losing your job can make it harder to get out of your lifestyle inflation.

Now that we know these unprecedented times will continue for a while, we can never be too late to plan. Reduce your unnecessary expenses to a minimum.

# 3. Create additional sources of income

You can make money while you sleep. This is the time to put on your thinking hats and come up with ideas that will help you make that much-needed extra cash.

We’re talking about passive money. Losing a job closes one door, but we can always look at the other doors that may look locked but are not. Since income is generated passively, you can go on with limited resources while making room for active income.

Freelance work is a much-chosen step in creating new/additional income. It’s an excellent way to make money online with minimal resources.

There are many freelance websites out there like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, PeoplePerHour, Hired to name a few. Websites like Writingcreek.com are great platforms for making money writing content.

#4. Commercialize your skills

All the years you’ve been in the job, you need to have the skills you need to equip yourself.

Any skill you have will be useless if you don’t use it. You need to know how to get your expertise to market and show your customers how to help them and solve their problems. Now is the time to commercialize these skills on your terms. The skills can be:

Hard or soft
Technical or commercial
Creative or objective.

Decide your target customers who can make the most of your skills. For example, if you are an MS Excel professional, create a YouTube channel and promote your expertise.

#5. Make use of your hobbies

People often put their hobbies in the background in a rush to make money. The loss of one’s job causes emotional disturbances, financial losses, and uncertainties about the future.

Having hobbies can solve both problems. It brings happiness with it, balancing emotions and with the right strategy, it can fetch money to reduce your financial burden.

For example, if you play chess, you can train beginners or sell tutorials on how to make winning moves in chess. As simple as that!

#6. Create a professional LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is designed for professionals so that users can create an online profile that depicts their professional history and skills.

You can do the following;

Find jobs and business opportunities
Network with professionals who can recommend you to their colleagues
Gain insights into your industry.
Create a personal brand for yourself

LinkedIn is probably the most popular professional networking site today. An updated all-star profile and an active presence on the platform can shorten your search for the right vacancies.

# 7. Find out about health insurance options

Check with your supervisor or HR department about options for continuing your health insurance coverage or see how you can get a new policy covering you during your absence.

#8th. Think about what to do with your retirement savings.

What happens to your retirement plan depends on the type of your plan. Here is information about what happens to your retirement plan and what happens to a 401k if you quit your job.

# 8. Work on a personal budget

Your unemployment check will be less than your paycheck, so consider how to save money. It will also last for a much shorter time as many states have reduced the number of weeks of unemployment they provide.

#9. Register for a new job for 30 days

If finances are a problem, which is true for many unemployed people, you need to hurry up a little. Get the 30-day new job program online. It helps you stay motivated and keep your job search on track.

#10. Google yourself

Search Google for your name to see what potential employers will see when they review you. Make sure that everything that appears in the search results is correct.

You don’t want hiring managers or recruiters to see something you don’t want them to see.

Your social media pages will likely be on the list of content displayed when you search for yourself. Make sure all of your posts are visible to the public.

If not, clean them up and adjust your privacy settings. On the other hand, having a solid social presence is important for many jobs, so make sure you make the best impression.

#12. Revamp your resume.

Before applying for a position, take the time to update your resume. The applicant tracking systems (ATS will read your resume) employers use and hiring managers. List your key skills and match your qualifications with the job. This gives you the best chance of being selected for an interview.

#13. Connect to your network

This is a good time to get connected to your network. Use LinkedIn, your college alumni network, and your professional and personal networks to support your job search. Ask your contacts to let you know when they come across jobs that are a good fit for you.

#14. Get References

As you connect to your network, consider who would be a good reference. This is especially important if you’ve been fired. Set up a few references so they can expect a call when you start the interview. Here you can find out who and how you can request a job reference.

#15. Check the Vacancies

Now that you have many pieces of the job search puzzle in place, you can check out the vacancies and apply for jobs. Use job search engines like Indeed.com to find job postings from many online sources in just a few clicks.

#16. Focus on your job search

Use the advanced search options to focus on jobs that match your interests and skills, and in one place you want to work. Don’t waste time applying for jobs that don’t suit you. This is a competitive job market and if you are not qualified, you will not be considered.

#17. Write targeted cover letters

Don’t skimp on your applications. Your cover letters must convincingly explain why you should be hired. Use your cover letter to show the reader at a glance why you are the most qualified person for the position.

#18. Find out what you are worth

In the interview, they will likely ask you about your salary. Your salary history is important, as are your salary expectations. Do you have a minimum amount you need? What should you be earning?

Use salary reports like those offered by PayScale.com so you don’t fall short when an employer is looking for cheap employees. Be ready to negotiate the salary to ensure that what you agree to is fair.

#19. Prepare an interview outfit (or two)

Expect to have at least a couple of interviews for each position you apply for. Some can be on the phone or on video. Others will be there. So be prepared to dress appropriately for the job and company you’re applying for.

#20. Practice interviewing

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice, practice one more time, and then practice more. Check out the most common interview questions employers ask so you are ready to answer them.

Read up tips on how to rehearse at home and how to prepare for an interview so you can make the best impression. Prepare for a virtual interview – many employers are outsourcing the hiring process online. Also, be prepared to answer questions during the interview about why you left your job.

#21. Go where the jobs are

Some people move to another city, state, or country to find a job in their area. However, your location might not be a major factor if you are looking for a remote job.

However, it does help target your search towards the areas and jobs that are most compatible with remote work. Do a little research on who is frequently hiring in your area to speed up your search.

#22. Spruce up Your Online Presence

Studies have shown that most hiring managers look at someone’s online presence before contacting them for an interview. What do your social media profiles look like? Are you a mishmash of (public) family photos and some political positions?

One of the most important aspects of your job search is making sure that your online presence is up-to-date and professional.

Take the time to clean up your profiles or create new ones that show you off in a professional light and keep them updated so potential bosses can see that you’re active on social media.

#23. Get a Skill or get back to school – or both

If you find you are not fully qualified for the jobs you applied for, it may be a reason you can’t find a job. Employers rarely hire anyone who does not have most of the skills, education, or work experience required for the position.

If you need to improve your skills to serve business needs better, consider returning to school or finding resources online to acquire the skills.

#24. Do not be discouraged

You probably won’t hear more from more employers than you expected. Unfortunately, many companies don’t notify applicants who have not been selected. The interview can take a lot longer than you expected.

You may be asked for an interview three or four times, or even more, before a hiring decision is made. Expect this to take a while and try not to feel down if you are not hired right away.

You are not – the employer is looking for the right candidate. It’s better, even if it doesn’t feel like it, not to be hired than to have a job that isn’t working.

#25. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Finally, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family will be happy to help, but they can’t if they don’t know you need help.

Don’t hesitate to ask whether you need a loan, a lift, a babysitter, someone to proofread your application, or an outfit to borrow for an interview.

Conclusion

While unemployment rates are still high, there are many things you can do to improve and move forward if you lose your job. While new skills to help you with your job may seem out of reach, there are plenty of free ways to advance online and offline.

Being unemployed can give you extra time to improve and possibly become more skilled to find work.