I was recently fired from my job, and I’m still very upset since I’ve always worked hard and thought I would retire from this organization, which I helped to build. I feel totally deflated and demoralized – certainly not what I expected at this stage in my career. What should I do? Any ideas?

Job loss, especially if it comes unexpectedly, is always a shock. Many of us naturally place a great deal of our self-worth into what we do for a living, but it’s critical to think beyond the immediate, and look at the longer term. The following steps should assist you during this transitionary period.

Take some time to think

Maintain your dignity and professionalism throughout this trying period. You should allow yourself to grieve for something you lost, but don’t wallow in self-pity. Instead, select two or three “safe” confidants for airing your feelings. It is critically important that you carefully maintain your public image as a competent professional who can roll with the punches. Behaving negatively, or like a “victim” can only hurt your future opportunities.

Evaluate your severance offer

Severance pay is not a reward for long or loyal service. It is a reasonable bridge to future employment, and is based on your:

  • level within the organization
  • length of service
  • age
  • anticipated re-employability
  • industry

Your severance should also provide some coverage for benefits and, preferably, some re-employment assistance (Outplacement).

If you are concerned with the fairness of your settlement, discuss your offer with an employment lawyer, but resist the urge to sue. Your new focus in on your future, and you will usually get a better result by seeking an amicable resolution through polite, informal negotiation.

Arrange your finances

You need a clear picture of:

  • your net worth
  • what you owe
  • what you need per month to maintain your present lifestyle

Then, work with other family members to prepare a conservative but realistic budget for the next 6-12 months.

Don’t leap into a job search immediately

Resist the temptation to immediately send out resumés, rush out to interviews or to “grab anything”. When you have just been terminated, your hurt or anger will show in interviews. Career decisions are too important to be made when you are still off balance.

Take stock of yourself

Take this opportunity to reassess who you are, determine your most marketable strengths, and work towards a “good fit” situation. This will permit a planned, strategic approach to the next step in your career. While you may feel stigmatized as “unemployed”, there is not generally a stigma in the marketplace with unemployment, and it can even provide benefits to you over the competition.

Upgrade your job search techniques

Bring your job search strategy up to your present level, and the current market. Mailing out 200 resumés or registering with a dozen headhunters may have worked for you fifteen years ago, but these strategies are no longer effective or appropriate.

Educate yourself

Undertake to understand the major changes in the work world (the “New Normal”) and how best you can fit in. You will then have more control over your future career.

Maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible

Your current job is to find your next job. While this should be a full-time job (at least 35 hours a week), it should not be a 24-hour-a-day obsession. You and your family need to socialize and make time for recreation and play, to give you the energy for the period ahead.

Look to the future

For many of our clients, the benefit of hindsight has shown them that the loss of their previous job was the best thing that could have happened to them, even if they had to go through some rather rough and uncertain times to get there. Your attitude during your transition can make the difference between long-term unemployment or a fulfilling job that you enjoy.

Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is currently President of ALS Canada. To contact Michael,visit: www.catalystcareers.com.

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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.