The news of General Motors closing its factory in Oshawa, Canada and the looming fate of the current employees going to lose their jobs, as a result, is just pathetic. Many of these employees have given their time and energies to the company. They may have just enhanced their skills to serve the company and the automotive industry. As the company closes down its operations in 5 different locations, what will happen to the lives and finances of thousands of the employees that have depended solely on the income from their jobs? They will not only lose their income but social status, relationships built with co-workers over the years and part of their lives which have been invested in this company. Job losses are everyday events in society. This can happen to anyone who is an employee in any industry.

The instability that comes with losing a job is soul-crushing when you have no fallback shield. It is very devastating to watch your funds dry up when you have nothing else to replace used up finances. You may be thinking of how to get another job right away but it might take a little while before you can get one. It would have been easier if you had another source of income before this happened. Don’t worry, your situation at this point is not the end of the world.

In this article, we will look at many things you can do to stay above the waters when you lose your job. These ideas can help reduce how much you deplete your savings before bouncing back on your feet. There are many things you can do today by taking advantage of offline and online resources.

Steps To Take If You Lose Your Job

1). Take Care Of Your Mind And Reflect On Why This Happened

Taking care of your mind is the very first and important thing to do before rushing out to look for the next job. You need a sound mind to go through this stage of life. Meditate often to free up your mind. Listen to inspiration and motivation messages to help keep away negative thoughts that may harm you.

Please do not make this situation about yourself. Read my post on How Do You Respond To The Dreaded Word “NO”?

If you were fired for a mistake you made at work, it would be helpful to reflect on the reason why you were fired. It is a humiliating situation but correcting this before moving on to a new job will help you avoid making similar mistakes. Don’t defend yourself at this moment. Talk to yourself. If you need to cry, do so and clear up your head. Once that’s done, move on to the next step.

2). Clean Up Your Social Media Presence

Many us tend to spill our minds on different subjects and platforms on the internet without thinking of the future consequences. We post different comments, photos, and videos on social media that we may not be proud of. It might be destructive if someone else digs up some of these 10 years down the line.

Open a google browser, type in your full name and hit that search button. You will be surprised by how many places your name will appear 🤷‍♂️. Don’t just stop at the first page of the Google result. Make sure to check up to the 10th page of the search result. Log in to every one of the web pages where your name appears and delete any ugly information you have there.

Log into all your social media accounts and perform a deep and massive clean up. Check your activities on all the platforms you are registered on and delete every hateful post you have made. You wouldn’t want any recruiter to find all internet wars you’ve embarked on, ugly political rants, controversial and hateful comments next to your name.

3). Update Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is the largest professional network platform. Your future company CEO has an account on it. Your recruiter is also there. Your friends, school mates, former and future coworkers are connected on this platform. If you don’t have an account, sign up. Research on how to create a powerful profile. It’s easy but refrain from putting the headline that says “Seeking for new opportunities” rather plug in the top skills you want recruiters to see in the headline.

Read this article by Jane Fleming, 17 Steps To A Better LinkedIn Profile. It was written in 2017 but the information is still valid and helpful.

If you already have an account, brush it up as well. You can write a post related to your skills and share on your profile. Contact people and share information. Join groups that are related to your job interest. Make meaningful contributions to questions and discussions. This will improve your visibility. Let people know you are out of work. While you make connections on LinkedIn also take this next step.

4). Meet Real People In Your Network

Networking is key to getting that next job. Reach out to your friends and social network. Let them know you lost your job. They may know someone or someone who knows someone that might be of help. Don’t stop at only the people you know. Technology is a major helper in our lives today.

• Download the app “MEETUP” and register with your active personal email address.
• Select groups and topics that interest.
• Sign up to groups you know will expose you to professionals in your field of interest.
• Search for events on these groups. These are where the industry experts and enthusiasts meet.
• If you find any upcoming events, simply click going and attend the meetup.

When you go for these events, do not just sit by yourself. Get up and talk to people. Introduce yourself. Ask for informational interviews. Open up about your situation and let them know you are available for work. You may print a few business cards with your name, contact details and highlights of your skills. Hand them out to people at the end or in the middle of your conversation. Ask for contact details in return. People will remember you easier with this strategy.
Become more active in your community to increase your visibility. You never know where you would meet your helper.

5). Make Money No Matter How Little Using The Following Methods

Don’t let your finances dry up quickly. Sign up with Uber or Taxify depending on which one of them operate in your location. Sign up with SkipTheDishes | DoorDash | UberEats or any other food or pizza delivery company in your area. You could earn up to $700 a week for a few hours of driving just to deliver food. SkipTheDishes and DoorDash will pay you weekly. Set your own schedule and work any time convenient for you. You only have to be very careful with your driving so you don’t end up paying for driving offence tickets with the little money you made 👎.

Before you start any of this, you really have to throw your ego into the nearest trash can and don’t go looking for it. There is no shame in earning money in any legal way. If you are ashamed of what people will think of you, remember those people will not pay your bills. Out of work does not mean out of bills.
If you enjoy teaching, sign up with Tutor Doctors. You could make about $25 per hour teaching kids in their homes. Do a google search for other tutoring companies in your location if Tutor Doctor is not available where you live.

While doing the above, read my awesome and extensive article on 10 Legitimate Ways You Can Make Money Online. You are not going to be filling surveys. Never. Filling surveys is an absolute waste of time. Be ready to do real work with your skills.

6). Dust Out And Recreate Your Resume

I know it’s a hard time for you but keep going. This too shall pass. To create your resume faster, use RESUME-NOW. Register here to create your professional resume faster. Once you are done with creating your resume, start applying for jobs.
Sign up on JOBSCAN here. This site is great with resources that will help you optimize your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile with keywords from the job description to help your resume successfully pass through online application tracking systems used by companies to filter job applications. Oh! You didn’t know? Now, you know. Give me some accolades.

Practice your interview skills. You may visit your local library to get help with that or watch several videos on YouTube to learn more about interview skills. Be optimistic. You will be fine.

Before A Job Lose Ever Happens, Do This

No one ever wants to go through a job loss. It is a very traumatic experience. There are many reasons why anyone can be out of work. It could be a layoff, management restructuring, company liquidation, changes in your industry, economic turmoil, or just that little mistake you made. While you still have your job, you have to create a shield for yourself.

• Create multiple streams of income or get a second job if you can. Start a business and work on it whenever you can. You may be surprised by how much you will make from your side business. The income from your side hustle today may just become more than enough to take care of your needs.
• Save money aggressively. Track and record your monthly living expenses. Make a conscious effort to have up to 6 months worth of your monthly expenses saved up for emergencies. Don’t ever touch that money. This will give you a cushion in times of trouble like this.
• Build great relationships with people at work and in your community. Don’t burn bridges at work because your subordinate today may be your boss tomorrow in another company. Your coworker or boss may help you in future. Human beings are mobile.
• While you are still gainfully employed, keep a clean slate. Your character will always speak for or against you.
• Learn a new skill. You can learn those skills you have always wanted to get for free or for a little fee.
• Read my article on How to Upgrade Your Skills and Get The Job You Really Want. Don’t put out all your eggs in one basket by having only one skill. Gone are the days when people get jobs and hope to work in one field or company for 30 to 35 years and then retire.

I hope you find value from this article. Share with someone you know who is struggling with getting a job or who just suffered a job loss. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.