How To Bounce Back After You've Been Laid Off

Losing your job can make you feel dejected and incompetent. It's even worse if you've been laid off after years of loyal service to a company, only to be replaced by outsourced work or younger employees who are cheaper and more expendable. With the recession affecting many companies today, you might sometimes wonder how to bounce back and find a new job that's just as good as, or even better, than your old one.

Here are some things you can do to bounce back.

• Allow yourself to grieve. You have lost your job. You need to take your time to accept the situation. Some people might belittle you because of your circumstance and think that you are being overly melodramatic. It is best to isolate yourself from these people. Instead, spend time with people who can empathize with your situation and who have a more positive point of view. Express your fears and frustrations to a trusted friend, relative or spouse. Allowing yourself to grieve is the first step towards bouncing back.
• Understand your situation. Joblessness has its ups and downs. Some days, you will feel happy and ready to search for new opportunities. In other days, you might have a heavy heart and fall into depression. Understand that this is just a transition phase, and that you need to work on starting to be productive again.
• Busy yourself. As you decide your next career move, busy yourself with the things that you have always wanted to do while you were working. You can focus on spending time with your family, such as bringing your kids to the park, visiting parents or relatives. You can also work on hobbies and exercising. Just don't spend too much money, as you're still unsure of when you will be able to bounce back with a new job.
• Prepare a competitive resume. You may have had a lot of accomplishments in the past. You have probably made significant contributions to your previous company. Be sure to include these in your resume. Your resume is the best way to convince recruiters that you deserve to get an interview. Therefore, you should invest time and effort in improving your resume's content and presentation.
• Maintain your professional network. When you're looking for new work or new income opportunities, one way of bouncing back is by keeping in touch with your professional and business network. Your previous company may have downsized you, but you might have previous clients who are looking to hire good people, or who may need to subcontract work from professionals like you. Since you may have already had previous dealings with these other companies, it's now easier to apply for work with them.
• Losing a job is not an easy experience. It tests your ability to cope with unforeseen circumstances. Your capacity to stand up after a fall, though, will be the defining moment of your life. This will show how resilient you can be, especially in tough times. Do not let struggles in life get the best of you. Set a goal and keep your focus on reaching it. Maintain a positive disposition and do not stop until you succeed.