In the face of many job losses globally and in the banking sector particularly in Ghana, www.ghanatalksbusiness.com shares high value content that will be of immense help to all persons who have been rendered jobless and the many who are yet to follow suit because of the prevailing banking crises in Ghana. Thousands have already been laid off and credible reports point to an impending massive lay off of about 1,700 employees of Consolidated Bank Ghana.
How are these persons expected to handle what has befallen them despite the fact that it was no fault of theirs? A job lose, though common, is typically a difficult situation to handle. It is a ‘crippling experience’ for many and has a rippling effect on their dependents and the economy as a whole. In this feature, GTB looks at 6 sure ways by which you can bounce back from a job lose.
Be mindful of the fact that you are not alone
Deliberately maintain a consciousness of the fact that many persons have walked the very path you currently a treading; you are in good company. Many great achievers the world over have at one point or the other suffered staggering business flops and job loses while on the route to the top. In the face of what appeared to be their ‘dooms day’, they chose to keep hope alive and chart a new course for their lives. They went on to do bigger and better things.
Yes, it`s normal to feel angry, let down, revengeful and downcast but that should only be a temporary detour. The best revenge is to bounce back much stronger and better than before.
Tap into your inherent resilience and seek ‘healing’
Research shows that every person is endowed with some measure of resilience; an inherent capacity to bounce back. The American Psychological Association has posited that one can tap into and build up resilience by deploying a couple of simple steps, namely accepting that change is a normal human reality, seeing that challenges can be surmounted, advancing towards your goals and taking care of yourself.
It is also crucial that you seek healing and wholeness. Don`t be on ‘auto-pilot’, armed with the refrain, “time heals.” Time may not necessarily produce that effect. Seek psychological and emotional healing and wholeness by seeking out brief therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), prayer, meditation, journaling, exercise, and consciously learning the art of self-encouragement.
Give yourself a break
Give yourself time to relax, calm down and cool off from all the pressures surrounding your job lose. A brief ‘renewing’ vacation wouldn`t be a bad idea; it doesn`t really need to be an expensive one. However, it is advised that the break be for only a brief period after which you ought to dive into the enterprise of job hunting.
If you want to engage in sometime constructive that will better your CV and strategically position you for the job market while on a prolonged vacation, consider volunteering your service, enrolling for relevant courses and seminars and writing a book among others.
Review your career direction if need be
A job lose does not necessarily imply the need to change careers. However, a review of your career direction can be of immense help; it may point to the need for a career switch. Some notable corporate achievers have done so in the past and it worked quite well for some. Perhaps it is about time you consider a career switch. Using “Advanced Search” features on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn to enter various combinations of skills and qualifications may prove extremely helpful to you while considering a career change. Observe what job titles show up. Seek career counseling, read relevant books or conduct informational interviews.
While job hunting, consider offering freelance services in sync with your skills and competences. You could garner some experience, sharpen your skill-set, and network strategically while making some money. Some persons have been known to have begun as freelancers who eventually moved on to build highly successful businesses.
Thea Kelley, a notable job search and interview coach tells the story of how she ventured into freelancing after suffering a job lose about a decade ago:
When I was laid off from my corporate training department job in 2008 I assumed I wanted to continue in the same field. I found myself on the verge of being hired, only to realize I had zero excitement about taking the job. I turned it down, thinking there must be something better.
With unemployment benefits running out I needed cash. Since I had some background in writing resumes and coaching job seekers, I put an ad on Craigslist and started getting clients. I discovered I loved the work and being self-employed. It grew into a profitable new career and I’ve never looked back.
This brings to the fore the need to consider launching into an entrepreneurial initiative. Admittedly not every one is cut out for entrepreneurship. However, if a review of your career direction points toward starting your own business, do not fret. Do the necessary research on a business you can be passionate about and for which your have some competences. Dream big but start small. Several other persons have succeed in this enterprise; you too can.
Plan a “best practices” job search
If you aren`t prepared or interested in the entrepreneurship route, you certainly ought to be intentional and calculative in diving into an ‘aggressive’ job hunting drive; it ought to be carefully planned. The job market is pretty tough; unemployment rates have skyrocketed. Don`t merely submit job applications through whatever means or medium. Commit to attending networking meetings and conduct some informational interviews about the roles you are interested in from time to time.
It will also serve you better if you commit to making sure your CV, LinkedIn profile, cover letters and interview skills are continually fine-tuned; making them topnotch and relevant should be your focus. Read articles and other relevant resources authored by job search experts. Prepare an exit statement long before you attend any job interview or even engage in conversations with certain persons about your job lose. This should be a concise statement you can readily employ in answering the question, “Why were you laid off?” You response should be tactful; something along these lines:
“A business rationalization decision was made to lay off 1,700 employees of the bank. I happened to be one of them. This was perhaps a blessing in disguise since I can now look for an opportunity that’s a better fit.”
It was Henry Ford who wisely posited: “when everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Thea Kelley incisively opined: “In the long run, losing your job may be the best thing that ever happened to you. A few months down the road you may find yourself in a better role, thinking what a blessing in disguise it was to leave that old job in the dust.” For now, you may feel down and out but whether or not you stay down is all up to you. Take personal responsibility for your lot; turn that job lose into the launch of a better and greater life.
Written by 
www.ghanatalksbusiness.com
