I want to welcome our latest “Project Me” guest blogger Elle! Her post today really hit home for me since I was laid off from my job about four years ago, had to move back in with my parents and start my “post college” life all over again. I hope none of you ever have to go through the devastation of losing your job, but if you do, Elle’s post surely gives some excellent tips on how to move forward.
When I lost my job, I was devastated. I was never one to complain about my job and was always thankful to have one, given the economy and all. And then I became a statistic. I didn’t tell anyone for a bit, as I was just too depressed and felt I let myself down. Here I was, the one with several college degrees and now, no job to show for it. I never thought I’d be unemployed. Fast forward to a year later…I have a job (although it pays half of what I was making before) and I’m surviving it. Read below to see how I did just that:
- *Grieve it*. Give yourself a day, a week, a month to be totally and unequivocally upset. And then realize that you need to get up, your hair needs to be brushed, and bills need to be paid.
- *Go to work*. I made finding a job my job. Everyday I got dressed (not a business suit or anything but def not sweats). I set up an “office” and spent my “workday” applying for jobs.
- *Make a schedule*. I found that if I scheduled my day, it really helped and gave me a purpose. For example, I’d work out, shower, job hunt, go for a walk, vacuum, call a friend, etc.
- *Resume, resume, resume.* I applied for a variety of jobs and tweaked my resume to fit each one. I went to a free workshop to further help my resume. I applied for jobs that I normally wouldn’t have, just for the interview experience.
- *Get out*. I felt the strong urge to stay inside my house and just melt into a pool of mush. I forced myself to get up and get out. I would walk around the park, work out (I gained 40 lbs during my near-year of no job) or walk the malls/stores. Even if I couldn’t buy anything, just being around people made me feel alive.
- *You’ve got the time*. Remember how you never had time to clean out the closet? Dust the ceiling fan? Make that scrapbook? Read that book? Well, you have the time now. You aren’t going to be unemployed forever, so use this time to do all of those random chores you never had time to do before.
- *Try something new*. Who knows? You might like it and meet new people. I scoured the local mags/papers for free or nearly free things. I took free ballroom lessons (way outta my comfort zone), I joined a church, I started a blog, and more.
- *Volunteer*. Giving back to others really made me feel better about myself and that I was contributing something to society.
- *Blog*. I started a blog last year, not to complain or rant (because who would wanna read that?), but to have my voice heard. It gave me a goal–just to create a post daily. And even if you don’t want to start a blog, reading them is even better. I love the blogging community and the “friends” I’ve made.
- *Reach out*. My pride kept me from telling people and I know that hurt me in the beginning. I could’ve used the support and I wouldn’t have had to deal with it on my own. You can reach out to me here.
- *You’re lucky*. You really are. You have family and friends who love and care about you. You’re a great person. You have your health. You’re lucky.
- *You will survive it*. I learned I’m a helluva lot stronger than I thought I was. Even in moments of despair, I knew I’d get a job and I did. I truly believe this all happened for a reason.
*All photos found via We Heart It.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this post. We just went through that with the hubs’ job. He treated looking for a job like a job and he had new one in under a month. It’s a definitely a very scar time, but trying to stay positive helps!
Kristin recently posted..Outdoor Inspiration
Wonderful post!! I was laid off after the fall of Lehman Brothers, as an Environmental Research Analyst. I adored my job, but after going through a similar process I found that the experience allowed me the room to find my wings.
You worded this wonderfully and I am afraid that many more people will need to hear these words.
Marlene recently posted..I Promise More Tomorrow!
This is a great post Elle! I think everyone who has been laid off (or looking for a job) should read it!
leia recently posted..Alstroemeria
Such great advice. I am glad you found a job! And even more glad that you started a blog. That is always a great thing : ) Your pictures are magnificent. Love them!
This is a great post and so very true. I relate to some extent – when I graduated from college, there weren’t any jobs to be had. I was devastated to have had my big moment – graduating from college – only to find the world was like, “yeah…that’s great and everything….but we don’t have any work.”
I did something very similar to what you did. I still got up every day, despite my urge to sleep in, and stayed productive doing lots of different things. I had lunch with my family while they were at work. I unpacked all the moving boxes. Stuff like that. It all works out in the end, but only if you are proactive and don’t let yourself fall into that hole.
Really, really wonderful post, thank you!
Sarah – Dodeline Design recently posted..Melbourne- Australia
Great advice Elle, thank you. Though I did add one–make your own job. When I was laid off two years ago, there were no jobs. So I started freelancing … something I’d done for years on the side. Eek! So scary when you don’t have a cushion to fall back on; so basically, I did all the things you mentioned above, to keep me sane. It’s been an adventure, let me tell ya–I’m holding out hope that this year won’t be quite so adventurous. :)
Even if I didn´t loose a job, this applies to me in several other ways!! Thank you!!!
dana recently posted..I Heart Faces- Anything but a face
Wonderful advice! It took me a while to get a decent job after I graduated (I worked mostly freelance at the time) and there are definitely days where you just want to lie in bed and not do anything, but once you do sit at your desk and make a point of applying, things go uphill. All the other points are very relevant as well.
Haute World recently posted..Gucci Florence- Italy
I love this. I love her “process.” So true. =)
Buckeroomama recently posted..In the Eyes of a Child
Fabulous advice!
Love this post!
xoxox,
CC
I truly cannot tell you how invaluable this advice is; LOVE this post!! :)
Cafe Fashionista recently posted..♥ Fashionably Moi! ♥
lovely post, my job means so much to me that I don’t know what I would do if I lost it! sigh, part of growing up I guess, it was fun back when I was 14 and I can just quit a job whenever and get something else but now it’s debts from car and house ahhhh
pop champagne recently posted..John Galliano Got The Pink Slip From Dior
I think I needed to read this post today! Thanks for the amazing inspiration! ♥
Camila F. recently posted..Business People
Some great tips for surviving and coming out the other-side of it by becoming a stronger person for it. thank you Elle for the galvanizing inspiring post.
The Guilty Hyena recently posted..Jeremy Scott ∣ Linda Farrow
My greatest fear is 1. not being able to find a job after I graduate college and 2. getting laid off if if/when I do find one. This post is very inspirational and very calming to those have similar fears and misfortunes. I’m glad to hear that you got a new job and I’m hoping your doing well. Thank you for such great advice and for the inspiration.
Eternally yours,
Stephanie
Stephanie recently posted..Venice During Carnivale
wow, and to think that just this morning i was complaining about my job…
awesome post!
camille recently posted..Valeu- verão carioca!
What an inspiration she is…….and a wonderful interview. Her words and advice sound perfect!
I’m so very thankful I still have a job. The part of the company that I work for is now no longer running..gone..I keep waiting for them to say I’ll be gone, too. This post is full of wonderful advice {thank you!} and my gut says perfect timing and I should print this and keep it handy..my boss just today{!} sat down with us to go over the details of what we do during the day… scary…breathe…
Eileen recently posted..Happy Valentines Day!
The state of our economy, and the long lasting effects of it have literally kept me up at night. I happen to be stuck in a job that’s pretty awful–a job I’ve been trying to escape for nearly two years to no avail, and I’ve actually gone through all of the emotions and steps you listed above in the wake of my never ending job hunt. I’ve cried, I’ve ranted, I started a blog, took up a new hobby (pole fitness), applied to more jobs than I thought possible, and gone back and forth between apathy and hope. While I know I’m blessed to still have a job, it’s still been a real struggle. I definitely would be a wackadoo without the support of my family and friends, and making new friends through the blog has been one of the brightest lights in my life these days. I cannot wait for whatever is on the other side of this life journey, I’m soo ready!
Nadette recently posted..Meatless Monday- Broccoli A La Planxa