So, You’ve Been Let Go. Now What?
This article was written a week ago, when the unemployment total hit 3 million. Now, on 4/6, well over 10 million people have filed for unemployment due to COVID-19.
Clearly, solidarity is needed at this point in time. I am not an expert in unemployment, job searching, coping with loss, etc., but I do hope my experience and new-found mindset will help realize you are:
a.) not alone, and
b.) capable of doing any damn thing you set your mind to. Because you are. Trust me.
WE’VE GOT THIS
Today, I’m revealing my reality. It feels incredibly embarrassing, but it really shouldn’t. Because the truth is, I joined 3 million people last week when I filed for unemployment.
3 MILLION people. Insane.
Last Wednesday, I was laid off from my service-based job along with a majority of my coworkers. 50% of the company’s content marketing clients had ended their contracts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These multi-million dollar companies could no longer afford to outsource, let alone
That is the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are people’s lives at risk health-wise, but so are their livelihoods.
Despite this, I still consider myself incredibly lucky.
I am lucky to have a partner that can support us on his salary alone.
I am so lucky to have my health, and to no longer be taking immune system suppressants.
I am lucky the government is swiftly passing a bill to support the millions of us who have lost our jobs over the past month.
I am lucky to live in a house with a yard and several rooms to spend quarantine in, because God only knows how stressed out Logan and I would’ve been stuck in a tiny apartment and surrounded by so many people. We both suffer from – at times very severe – anxiety. It is a very real ailment in our household.
Nevertheless, I am so damn lucky.
But that doesn’t take away from the challenge that is being laid off during a time when MILLIONS of people are unemployed and competing for a limited amount of jobs. Fricken millions.
I know I’m not alone in this. I know I’m not the only one struggling. So, here is how I’ve handled this challenge and how I plan on tackling and overcoming it head-on.
I hope my experience helps you, too, whether you have experienced a similar setback, or you are looking to better understand the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is truly wreaking havoc on so many.
It Just Happened & You’re In Shock. Work with that shock & Apply for Unemployment Immediately.
Personally, I felt a bit numb (and utterly confused). It didn’t feel real. I was laid off over a group Zoom posed as a standard weekly team meeting. The experience only lasted a few minutes, but the impact would resonate. “Effective immediately.” “Check your personal email for detailed next steps.” And then the shock of watching every single work tab on my laptop screen close out before my eyes until the screen went black... Everything happened so quickly, it was clear the company was ripping off a bandaid as fast as possible. I’m sure that helped them, but it left me frozen.
Before the emotions hit and reality set in, I immediately applied for unemployment. I was determined to use the numbness to my advantage. As I said, there are millions of others out there who have been laid off, and this number only continues to grow. It’ll take some time for your application to be reviewed, so the sooner you get it in, the sooner you’ll receive your unemployment pay.
Use the initial shock and numbness to do the mundane, but necessary, work of filling for unemployment. It is a process that compares to doing taxes: lots of (not always clear)questions, lots of screens, lots of financial requests, lots of previous work info. There are several steps to the process, including a mailed-out form and PIN that allows you to start collecting payment, but mail is a bit slow these days, so, patience is a virtue here.
*The Big Q: When Will You Get Approved/Start Receiving Money?
My unemployment application was approved in 8 days - WAY faster than expected; however, I have yet to receive more information so that I may collect payment (you need a PIN to do so and this is sent in the mail). The state of CO, at least, promises that even if it takes a few weeks to finally receive clearance for payment and your PIN in the mail, you will still be paid out what is due to you. So, rest assured that despite a potentially long wait, you’ll receive all of the money you are owed. The first payment just may come as a lump sum. Learning this calmed my fears - I hope it removes some stress from your plate as well.
Request Loan Forbearance.
The next step, while you’re still in that numb stage and too shocked to feel the impact of what just happened. apply to have your loan payments(student, car, mortgage, etc.) postponed. This is called loan forbearance, and many institutions, including the Federal Student Aid, are allowing loan forbearance without excess fees or interest at this time. Thankfully, it appears more institutions than not are lending a helping hand instead of capitalizing on the state of the economy. Take advantage of the opportunity to postpone any large monthly payments especially for the next few months as, mentioned earlier, unemployment payments may not come for a month. You don’t need the added stress of trying to make large monthly payments while unemployed, job searching, caring for your family, etc.
Allow Yourself to FEEL IT.
I didn’t do this the first day. Or the second. It wasn’t until three days later that I finally allowed myself to break down and feel the sadness, stress and loss. I spent that whole day allowing myself, finally, to feel the very real, very valid feelings that came with being let go. I am one of those people that believes she can handle things on her own and puts off feelings to get the job done. But putting off feelings doesn’t help anything or anyone. I needed to feel the sadness, the hurt, the desperation. I needed to feel those things so that I could move forward, put the past behind me, and use the hurt to push myself to work my ass off and find a new, more suitable position for myself.
Allowing yourself to wallow in your feelings is essential to the grieving process. And, yes, getting let go results in grieving. Anyone who claims it isn’t a big deal either hasn’t experience it, or doesn’t allow themselves to feel their feelings. Being let go from a job is a very sad, very hurtful thing. So, after the shock of it all wears away, take the time to feel those feelings. Let them pour out and let yourself feel the pain and sadness. Once you’ve felt that, you know the worst has come, and that all you can do now is work toward creating a life of happiness and fulfillment. You’ve hit your low, you sat in the depths. Now, pick yourself up and get to work finding your dream job. You now have the opportunity to search for and fulfill your dreams. Do it with purpose.
Upgrade Your Skillset.
The beauty of this situation, quarantine and all, is that we have all of the time in the world to perfect and upgrade our skills. Countless trainings have been discounted or offered for free lately. Numerous companies can’t hire new people or contractors so they are searching for volunteer work or free services. Search for opportunities to upgrade and supplement your skillset during this time by volunteering your time. Skilled in social media strategy? Volunteer for a nonprofit in need of a social media upgrade. Proficient in HR? Create valuable documents for a new startup struggling to stay afloat during this time. Or, simply log on to Coursera, Brit + Co., Skillshare, Udemy, etc. and take online courses in order to acquire that new skill you’ve been needing in order to score that dream job of yours. The opportunities are endless right now. Take advantage of it. The freebies will be gone before you know it.
Job Search With Intention. Don’t Settle.
It is really easy to settle in this situation. To pick the first job you come across that requires little to no experience and pays adequately. Don’t do it. I’ve been tempted and I’ve applied for simple, easy jobs that are below my skillset and below what I know is my salary worth. Don’t settle and don’t lower your standards.
Instead, see this time as an opportunity to go for that job or life you’ve been dreaming of. As I mentioned earlier, upgrade your skillset to solidify yourself as a valuable asset to whatever company you aspire to work with. Or, even better, add to your skillset so that you become the badass professional you know you are, uncommitted to a certain company or specific position.
Search for a new career with integrity and enthusiasm. If you come across an opening that is so-so, could be better but average, skip it! If you see a position you know you’d love, apply for it! And take the time to pour your whole self into the application process - don’t slack on these opportunities. They aren’t easy to come by. Take your time and find something you’ll LOVE. Life is too damn short to settle for anything less than what you love. See this time of unemployment as your chance to make your dreams come true.
And try your best to stay in your lane, leaving the comparison game at the door. I know a lot of people are out there doing the same thing, but if you don’t believe in yourself and stay focused on finding your own true purpose, you’ll spend your life settling for jobs and a life that isn’t what your you are truly meant to have. Look at your role models: they gave their all and worked hard each and every day to fulfill their dreams. Those people didn’t have a quarantine and unemployment - FREE TIME - to work toward their dreams. YOU do! Take full advantage of it! The truth is, those who don’t take advantage of their opportunities fail. Those who do, succeed. There may be millions of people out there, but a majority won’t grab this opportunity and make something of it. Be the one who does! And please reach out to me when you do and when you achieve your dreams :). I’m rooting for you and can’t wait to celebrate your success.
Find Multiple Sources of Income.
I’m grateful I began looking for another source of income 2 weeks prior to my lay off. I didn’t see the lay off coming, but my secondary source of income for over 6 months - group fitness training - had been put on an indefinite hold due to the closing of gyms across the country in mid-March. Still on entry level pay (I worked for a small startup based in Missouri), I needed a secondary source of income, so I proactively began searching for part time jobs that would still be deemed “essential” during the indefinite quarantine.
I cannot recommend diversifying your income enough. Others may not agree with me on this, but I can’t help, at this time, but see the value in having multiple sources of income. And I don’t simply mean investments, because investments and the stock market have be hit hard by COVID-19. I mean heaving a side gig or a secondary source of income so that, if worst comes to worst, you are able to keep supporting yourself and your family.
I can’t say what kind of income this is for you, but I urge you to capitalize on your passion. It is a scary thing putting your all into one job only to have it taken away from you. We’re all multi-faceted beings. Capitalize on each of those facets.
Don’t Push Others Away
Gosh, it is so easy for me to push others away. I’ve done it to several friends in the past when times have been tough. And, truthfully, I completely regret it. And those friends I’ve pushed away know this. I needed my friends and family during the tough times. And pushing them away only made things worse. It took years for me to rebuild friendships I cut loose in the past. I don’t wish upon anyone the struggle of rebuilding friendships. Keep your friends and family close, and don’t let them loose. They are everything and you need them. Never forget that.
Humans aren’t meant to be alone. We’re social beings and we need the support of others to survive. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or an extrovert: humans need other humans to survive. We need each other for support, for happiness, for fulfillment. To bypass that need is to doom oneself to loneliness. And loneliness is the worst punishment of all.
Please, don’t punish yourself for something that is completely out of your control. You’re at no fault in this. 2020 is a time of change, of challenge, and of sacrifice. Your former company only let you go because they were struggling as a business. It is at no fault to you. So please don’t harp on the bad. Focus on the opportunity here, and let your family and friends assist you at this time. Throughout your life, your family and friends will rely on you, too, and you’ll be the one helping them out. True friends and loving family help those in need without expecting anything in return. I believe you’ve formed those true friendships and have those truly loving family members. Let them be your support system at this time. You can return the favor later.
If Your Sadness, Stress, Self-Pity Creeps back in, Don’t hide from it. Embrace it. Feel it.
The sadness, self-pity, and worry doesn’t just fade away. It stays there. You may be able to fight through it most days, but some days, it is front and center. Don’t try to push it away on those days. Let yourself feel it. You’re still coping with the show and hurt, and it is impossible to fully move on from the hurt unless you allow yourself to truly feel the pain and come to terms with it. Sometimes we just need a day or two to feel, wallow, overcome, and re-focus on our goals. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, that is what makes us human. We have deep feelings and fluctuate daily. And we are so damn blessed to have all of those feelings and thoughts. Allow yourself the time, when the stress and sadness creep back in, to feel the pain and work through it. You’ll find that after feeling those feelings, you come out of that base with a sense of satisfaction, self-worth, and determination. Use that time and think back on it as more reason to find your dream job. To find he thing that makes you the happiest.
Again, I don’t have it all figured out. I likely never will. But know that you are not alone in this. There are so many others feeling, living, experiencing what you do. And we’re all here to support you. Don’t push us away. Let’s build a community and help one another during this trying time. We’ve all got this. We will all succed and achieve our dreams. I know it.