So you’ve been let go from your job. Maybe it was a layoff, or maybe you were terminated. Now what are you supposed to do? It can happen to the best of us. You aren’t the first person, and certainly won’t be the last, to experience an employment discharge. Sometimes it can be expected, or maybe it hit you out of nowhere. While you may want to wallow in your sorrow, or only look at the negatives, it won’t help you feel better. The best thing you can do for your personal and professional well-being is to look forward.
We at Pascoe Workforce Solutions are here to help you do just that. Here are 5 Tips to Move On from an Employment Discharge:
Evaluate Your Experience
Being let go from a job unexpectedly can suddenly leave you with a lot of free time. Whether you’re considering jumping right back into the workforce or taking personal time for whatever reason, it’s a good idea to evaluate your past work experience.
Did you do something that prompted the being let go? If so, look at it as a learning experience, and be more cautious not to repeat the behavior at your next job. What did you like about the job? What didn’t you like? These are things to keep in mind during your upcoming job search, whenever it may be. Even if you were let go due to organizational downsizing or internal restructuring, it’s still in your best interest to decide what responsibilities you’d actually like to have in your next role, and what to stay away from.
Pick Up a Hobby
Have you always wanted to try something but felt like you didn’t have the time? Even though searching for a new job can be time consuming to the point where you feel that looking for a job is a job in itself, you’ll definitely have more time than you did working a 40+ hour work week. See the free time as a blessing to find a new hobby or revisit one you used to love before your schedule was built around your job. Or better yet, volunteer. Not only can you put the experience on your resume, but you’ll be helping out a cause you care about while feeling happier (and accomplished) in the process.
Refresh Your Skills
We previously talked about different ways education can benefit your job. You can take the time off from work as an opportunity to sharpen your skills – whether it’s for one course, a certification or more. While classes are rarely, if ever, free, it’s never a bad idea to invest in your education. Earning a certification can earn you a higher salary, and give you something to do while job searching.
Whether you choose a hobby, volunteering, or learning, you’ll have an answer when you’re inevitably asked what you did during your time of unemployment. Personal enrichment is generally thought of favorably, and will be much better received than talking about the latest happenings of daytime TV in your upcoming interviews.
Update Your Resume
You’ll be needing a resume to apply for open positions, and unless you’ve managed to update your resume consistently working at your previous job, you will need to adjust it accordingly to reflect your experience. Include all of your work history on your resume, including dates of employment. You don’t need to include the reason why you no longer work at each company, as it will likely come up in the interview.
Also be sure to include any volunteer experience, activities, and community involvement; especially if your involvement occurred during a gap of employment. Even if you weren’t paid for your participation, getting involved allows you to utilize your current skill set or develop new skills. For instance, coaching your child’s sports team demonstrates leadership, teamwork, and patience – skills many employers will be looking for.
Prepare for Interviews
While nobody wants to admit they were let go, the reason why you left your previous position is likely going to come up in interviews you have for any new position. Even if you don’t have to outwardly say the exact reason, it’s best not to lie to your interviewer in the event your potential new employer calls for a reference. While being honest about being let go may raise eyebrows, being caught in a lie will raise red flags that will hurt your chances of employment even worse.
If you haven’t interviewed for a job for many years, you may also want to brush up on your interview skills before going for an interview. You want to make the best impression on the interviewers, and being able to answer interview questions confidently without hesitation will do just that. Here are the most common questions you’re likely to be asked during a job interview. Also think of a few of your own questions to ask your interviewer.
Take your unexpected time off as a chance to evaluate your career goals and improve yourself to land the job of your dreams. Let Pascoe Workforce Solutions help you, and contact us today for full time and temporary opportunities in multiple industries.