So you’ve lost your job and you are wondering what to do now? Welcome to a crossroads in your career, a pivotal moment that can be filled with uncertainty, fear, and maybe a dash of excitement if you dare to see it that way.
If you’re a woman in your 30s, facing unemployment can be especially daunting; it’s that stage in life when you’re expected to have it all together, right?
But, hey, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and you’re certainly not lost forever.
Losing your job doesn’t define your worth, and it certainly doesn’t have to define your future. Instead of rushing headlong into the next job opportunity that comes your way, this is your chance to pause, reflect, and make choices that align more closely with your dreams and passions.
In this article, we’ll explore some of possibilities that lie ahead, encouraging you to embrace this moment as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
So, if you’re wondering, “I lost my job, now what?” – let’s jump in.
Now What?
Jobs can slip away for all sorts of reasons – company restructuring, economic downturns, personal decisions, or sometimes, even unforeseeable circumstances.
Regardless of the cause, it’s crucial to remember that job loss doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone, at any time.
In the whirlwind of emotions that follows, the most important thing to do is to hit the pause button.
Taking time to reflect, understand your situation, and assess your options is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom.
Rushing into the next opportunity may not be the best move for your long-term happiness and career.
So, before you forge ahead, let’s explore the steps you should take to find your next adventure.
Step 1 – Your Finances
Losing your job can significantly impact your finances so you must assess your financial situation.
Yes it is the boring, adult thing to do but it is important.
Begin by checking your savings and emergency fund. How many months of expenses they can cover?
Review your monthly expenses and see if there are any subscriptions you can cancel or any expenses you can cut, in the short term of course.
It is also worth checking what financial aid you are eligible for as an unemployed person.
Depending on your financial situation you have two choices;
Get A job Quickly To Cover The Bills
If you don’t have enough savings to cover your costs, you need to look at picking up a new job quickly.
However, our advice is to pick up something temporary that covers the bills. It doesn’t have to be in line with your career.
Why?
Rushing into your next job too quickly might result in you making a hasty decision that is not right for you in the long run. Instead consider a job that pays enough to cover your costs and leaves you time and energy to look for your next career step.
Take Some Time Off
Ideally, you will have some money saved up for emergencies just like this one, and you’ll be able to take some time off.
Does that sound scary and out of character for you?
We get it. But taking time to figure out your next step is really important. This gives you a chance to take stock of where you are now and where you want to be. Are you on the right path?
Step 2 – Your Life
Whether you have decided to pick up a simple part time job to cover your costs or you are able to take some time out, step 2 is about zooming out and thinking about your life.
What does the life you want, look like? When is the last time you have even though about that?
Remember as kids, when someone would ask us what we wanted to be when we grew up, we’d have an answer ready? And now as adults, we still don’t know. That is okay. But this is a good opportunity to think about what we want for our lives.
Personally, I have been striving towards a life that is not bound by a single location. I want to live and travel and work and experience everything where ever and whenever I want. What do you want for your life?
Don’t know? That is okay.
But this is a great opportunity to think about that and start to make decisions that align to the life you want to live.
But how?
Take out a blank sheet of paper and a few coloured markers. Split it down the middle and on one side, answer this question ‘what does my ideal life looks like?’
Just write everything that comes to mind no matter how ridiculous. This is no time for realism. Do not limit yourself. Empty your brain.
Once that is done, on the other side, write down where you are now. Identify the gaps. Where are you now? Where would you like to be? And what gaps do you need to bridge to get there?
Step 3 – Make A Plan
Now that you have established where you are and where you’d like to get to, it’s time to make a plan. Some of the stuff you have written down is probably not attainable in the short term.
But other things are. What 3 things are you able to strive for, realistically in the next 3-5 years?
For me, I’d like to be able to spend part of the year in other countries, without sacrificing my career progression and earning potential.
But I currently work in a full time, office based role. I have no location freedom. So there is a big gap between where I am and where I’d like to be.
Realistically, I can achieve my goal of being location free in 3-5 years. But I need to make some important decisions between now and then that put me on the right path.
Where you are now is your starting point. And if you just lost your job and have no career ties, what a fantastic opportunity you have! It’s exciting!
Where you want to get to in 3-5 years is your goal. In order to reach it, you need to write down the baby steps required to get you there.
For me, the first step is to figure out what jobs will allow me to live my location free life. From there I need to assess whether or not I have the skills and experience to do any of those jobs. What skills do you need to live the life you want?
Then we need to make a plan to develop those skills/gain that experience and from there, the rest will follow. What next?
Step 4 – Execute
At this stage we have a well thought out plan. We are no longer in danger of making rash decisions that move us further away from our ideal life.
Instead we have a very intentional plan to move us towards our ideal life. All that is left to do is execute on that plan, take the first step and get to work.
You probably need to update your resume?! Do you need to do a course? Do you need to work for free to gain the experience you need? Perhaps you need to take a lower paid job than before to get your foot in the door in a new industry?
Taking the first step is often scary as it can leave you outside your comfort zone. And you are probably worried about what others think. Especially if you are taking a step to the side or even a step back in order to go after your dreams and passions.
Don’t worry what other people think. It is easier said than done, I know. But remember most people are too afraid to go after what they truly want. And they will be jealous that you are doing that. So their reactions are a reflection on them and not on you.
Even if you immediately look for a new job, it takes much longer than we think. According to this Monster article people expect it to take 1-2 months to get a new job but in reality it takes approximately 5 months.
So don’t worry about the naysayers, taking a few weeks to make sure you are making a good plan is not delaying your next opportunity in reality.
The Bottom Line
Your goal is probably different to mine and that is ok. We still both need to;
- Decide what we really want our lives to look like
- Figure out the gap between where we are now and where we want to get to
- Plan out the baby steps to get there
- Execute on the plan
And remember, things change, life is uncertain. Perhaps your plan doesn’t quite go to plan. Or maybe the plan changes and evolves. After year into your new plan, you decide to go in another direction.
It’s fine. Plans are a guide to keep you on track. They are allowed to change once you are still moving forward and striving for whatever it is that you want.
After losing a job, there is a temptation to take the next thing that comes along. Usually that means accepting something very similar to your previous role because it feels safe and familiar.
But if that does not align to what you truly want in your life, proceed with caution. Losing your job really can be a blessing in disguise.
You get the opportunity to have a fresh start without having to make that tough decision to walk away from a safe, secure salary. Grab it with both hands and make the most of the opportunity.
If you’ve ever lost your job and used it as an opportunity to go after what you really want from life, share your story. Whether a success or still a work in progress your story might just inspire other readers to do the same!
And if you find yourself in this situation, we wish you the very best of luck in your next adventure! We can’t wait to hear your story.