What You Need to Know About a Job Loss
And What to Expect
As a career coach and outplacement counselor, I work with many people who’ve been laid off from their jobs.
Some saw the writing on the wall and knew the layoff was coming.
Others were completely blindsided.
If you expect (or even suspect) you’ll soon lose your job, here’s what you need to know.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Job Loss
1. Expect to experience grief.
A job loss, especially an unexpected one, can lead to the same stages of grief experienced with the death of a loved one.
The stages of grief don’t always happen in order. Some repeat and some may last longer than others.
It’s important to understand this is natural and to let yourself feel and express this grief.
It’s also important not to wallow in your feelings or let negative reactions spill over into your job search.
Hiring managers and recruiters can easily pick up on any negative feelings or attitudes when interviewing you. You have to learn to manage your emotions during those crucial interactions.
