Sudden Job Loss
However, in case you haven't noticed, times have changed. A lot. These days, nobody holds on to the same role forever. All of our positions are somewhat temporary.
Sometimes, the change happens sooner than we would like, and we’re stunned by the suddenness of the change. The reality is that we should not be too surprised. In fact, in
the grand scheme of things, we should expect it.
It helps if we keep in mind that life isn’t fair and neither are employers.
Important Truths
Truth - Employees seem to be viewed as "resources" to be added or subtracted as business needs dictate.
Truth - Sometimes, even if we do everything "right," we can still lose our jobs:
- New bosses want to bring in their own teams.
- Old bosses want to shake up the office so they let some people go.
- Projects end or are completed, but no new projects are available yet.
- The employer's products or services are replaced in the market with something else, done by a different employer.
- The department/group/job is "off-shored" or "out-sourced" or is just no longer needed for some reason.
- Headcount must be reduced.
- The economy tanks.
The sooner we accept this simple workplace truth - doing everything right is no guarantee of employment - the sooner we can get over the shock of getting fired or laid off.
Truth - You may have lost your job, but you’ll always have your skills and abilities. With them, you can get back on your feet.
Truth - Sometimes making the best of it is the only thing you can do. Remember, however, that working for someone who dismisses your talents and abilities - or doesn't value what you do - can have an adverse effect on your life and career.
Time to Move On
Just as you should end a toxic personal relationship, you should get out of an unhealthy working relationship. If you are undervalued and unappreciated for what you bring to your workplace, it’s time to move on.
Vice President Joe Biden tells a story about his father, who worked a variety of jobs to support his wife and four children.
At one point Joe Sr. was employed by an auto dealer who liked to reward his employees with silver dollars. At a company Christmas party, the boss dumped a bucket of silver dollars on the dance floor and watched as his workers scurried to pick up the coins.
Joe Sr. left the party, his family in tow. He never returned to his job at the dealership. His rationale: A job is not supposed to be degrading. It’s supposed to be rewarding.
“That’s how you come to believe, to the very core of your being, that work is more than a paycheck,” Senator Biden said in his speech accepting the Democratic vice-presidential nomination in 2008. “It’s dignity. It’s respect.”
Bottom Line:
Try to view unexpected job loss as an opportunity to move on to something much better. Accept, even appreciate, that all jobs are temporary, and keep your antenna up for new opportunities. Keep your network "live" and growing. Keep that resume and your LinkedIn Profile up-to-date so you can "hit the ground running" the next time your "permanent" job turns temporary.
© Copyright, 2010, Tory Johnson. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About This Author:
Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the author of Fired to Hired. She’s also the workplace contributor on ABC’s Good Morning America. Talk to her directly at Twitter.com/ToryJohnson.
