Reactions to Job Loss; Getting Past the Emotions

It would be unusual if you didn't have emotional reactions to job loss; upon losing something as important as your job whether you are in the public sector or a private enterprise.

For most people their job is a significant part of their 'persona' so losing your job is like losing not only your livelihood and the income you receive, but also a part of your identity.

This page will try to help you deal with your job loss emotions by explaining what they are and how to deal with them effectively so you can get back to work all the sooner.

• Read about typical emotional reactions below.

Relating to the size of coming public sector job cuts, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecast 490,000 jobs going by 2015 and 610,000 by 2016 in the UK public sector.

Although expecting the private sector to generate over 1.34 million new jobs in the same period, it means a massive number of people will be in transition during the next six years and helping them to deal with their reactions to job loss as well as helping them to find new jobs will be a major challenge.

As a Career Coach and CV writing consultant, I have seen at first hand the effect this has on people.

Reactions to Job Loss And Normal Emotions

Most of us invest so much of ourselves in what we do that job loss can take away our sense of status and belonging, as well as the routine and support that work provides.

With our job underpinning so much of our identity, it leaves us feeling disoriented and lost - but it can also be a first step to positive career change.

Everybody's reactions to job loss are different in the hours and days following being told that they are to lose their job.

These are just some of the reactions to job loss:

• Some people expected it and are not surprised; they may be relieved that the uncertainty is over, and even feel excited about the future.
  
  
• Others are shocked and full of disbelief: ‘This isn't true; you can’t be doing this to me.’
  
  
• Some will try to convince themselves that the whole process isn't happening. One of the candidates in my practice went right back to her office and carried on with her job for several weeks without even telling her family.
  
  
• Others hardly stop to draw breath before writing their resume or CV and applying for new jobs.

Strong emotions are normal; shock, anger, rejection, excitement, relief, guilt and apprehension are all common responses to this situation. So learn to accept that you may feel these at some point.

Usually the early reactions to job loss include stages of numbness and denial and are followed by anxiety or anger; some self-doubt and negativity may follow. It can almost be likened to the necessary period of grieving for the loss of something so important in your life.

Your self-esteem may be affected and this is commonly accompanied by a loss of energy, in which case you need to give yourself a little time to adjust before re-establishing your self-confidence and presenting yourself to other people.

It is important to realise that this is a general pattern and that individuals go through change in their own unique ways. Individual patterns of emotion vary in length, sequence and intensity. Not everyone experiences every stage of these feelings; yet others may go through the loop more than once.

Gradually you will come to the acceptance that nothing can change what has happened. This is when you can start to let go of the past and begin to look forward; you can consider your options or explore new alternatives.

If you can avoid procrastinating over what to do, this will be a very active time for most job seekers.

Over a period of time, the great majority of people soon come to terms with what has happened and its implications.

Learn all you can about career management and job search skills and continue to make use of resources such as my career change website throughout your career.

Your Emotional Reactions

Your emotional reactions to job loss may strain your nerves considerably, but if those reactions lead to a potentially debilitating panic attack - and you are not alone because they affect thousands of people, then you need another strategy altogether.

For most people their job is a significant part of their 'persona' so losing your job is like losing not only your livelihood and the income you receive, but also a part of your identity.

I hope I have shown you that you can do something about these emotional reactions and get yourself going again.

Many people value the support and personal mentoring I provide with my Career Counselling programme following a redundancy, downsizing or layoff.

• Ring me on 01270 881811 for information.
  
  
• Find out how important powerful self esteem is.
  
  
• Read the pages about Outplacement for other help to get back to work.
  
  
• Go back to returning to work or 
  
  
• Get a ahead with confidence boosting interview training 
  
  
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