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Dealing with Job Loss:
How to Stop Worrying With Plan A

Faced with job loss? Whether it’s being made redundant, not being made permanent, or actually being dismissed, losing your job can be one of life's most traumatic experiences.

On the other hand, however difficult you might find coping with forced change, there can be positives in such situations.

Read our "Plan A - Dealing With Job Loss" for some useful tips on how to stop worrying. Maybe this example of a personal development plan can help you on your way to finding happiness in life again.

Plan A - Dealing with Job Loss

Plan A Dealing with Job Loss
Ask	Find out why you’ve lost your job. If it was an economic decision at least it wasn’t personal. If it was something you did wrong you may need to do some soul-searching. Or perhaps the job just wasn’t right for you or for your employer. Either way, you need to know for your own benefit, and for future reference – any future employer is bound to ask.
Accept	Let the dust settle. Don’t go into hibernation or mourning, but take as much time as you can afford in order to accept what’s happened. This will help you to avoid any poor judgements or hasty decisions. It’s not uncommon for people suffering from trauma to go through predictable phases. You may experience denial, anger, bargaining, and depression before the acceptance which may allow you to move on.
Address	It’s possible (if not probable) that losing your job will leave you in short term difficulties. Deal with the practicalities as soon as you can. Your immediate financial situation will need to be appraised, as may elements of your lifestyle. Some short-term savings may give you breathing-space but you may need advice over longer-term financial matters and career options.
Analyse	Were you happy in your previous employment? What circumstances surrounded your work or profession? Are there any trends, threats or opportunities that need to be factored into your future actions. Think about your personal situation. Are you happy where you‘re living? Is now the time to make changes based on changing family circumstances, such as children growing up.
Appreciate	Always be positive. After coming to terms with the practical and emotional issues surrounding your job loss, see this as an opportunity. You’ve taken stock of your personal or professional situation, now try to think about how you can make positive changes. This might be just the prompt to make that domestic or career move you've always thought about, or maybe it's time to down-size to make room for other pursuits.
Aim	Think about what you do next. Is it time for more of the same or time for a change? Formulate your plans. Draw up a list of what’s important to you, what you want from life, and what you need to do to get it. Be adventurous – this might be just the opportunity you’ve needed to start on long forgotten dreams or ambitions. Think about putting a plan together. Be sure to involve anybody close to you who is likely to be affected.
Audit	Take stock of your personal and professional situation. Have a good, critical look at your cv. Do you have what’s needed to put your plan into operation? If not, what do you need to add or do? More experience, education or practical qualifications? Research any options you’re considering.
Act	Take action. If needed, update your skills or qualifications. If you need more experience before you can put your plan into action, how can you gain it? Build up any networks you might need. Build your plan around SMART objectives. Make them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bounded. Go for them! Stay positive….
Apply	For your next job - if that’s what your plan to do. The lessons you’ve learned- from losing your job, or from the work you’ve put in since. Nothing in life is wasted if we use it to help us grow. Make sure you learn and benefit from the experience.
Achieve	Closure from losing your job? Insights into yourself, your life, your future? Whatever you set your sights on from here……?