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No matter how the job market is doing, any one company may not be suffering or celebrating along with it. If you have just been notified that your company is downsizing and your department is being cut, be prepared for the roller-coaster ride of your life.
The bad news is the feelings of shock, anxiety and confusion that will follow will most likely set your head spinning -- not to mention your spirit flagging. The good news is that you can learn to move through the stages of loss and manage the feelings associated with it. In fact, learning to deal with loss in an insightful, courageous, self-respecting manner will serve you well into your future.
If you are not already familiar with the work of William Bridges in Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes, you will find the tips in this article will help you immediately in dealing with the three stages of loss and transition:
- The Ending: Dealing with loss.
- The Neutral Zone: The transitional period.
- New Beginnings: Setting new goals.
The Ending
Most of us, when dealing with change, may not fully realize the devastating feelings of loss associated with Endings. In addition to the obvious, there can also be a tremendous loss of identity, friends/community or sense of belonging. Initial feelings of anger and blame may cause you to do something you will regret later. Instead, acknowledge the loss by naming what you will miss the most and what you will be grateful to leave behind. In this way, you can begin the healing process.
The Neutral Zone
After acknowledging the devastating feelings of loss, you enter the Neutral Zone. After the initial shock has worn off, you may often feel anxious and uncertain about what the future will bring. It is helpful at this point to begin a process of career self-assessment to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses and begin to define new career goals and objectives. The process of reviewing your work history and writing and naming your skills, values and goals will help you objectify your thoughts, define your reality and proceed with the healing process. This challenging and rewarding self-assessment will lead you to the next phase of your transition, while rectifying some of the pain of the recent roller-coaster ride.
The New Beginning
The New Beginning phase is marked by increased clarity about values and more focused goals. This is when you will start your job search in earnest, based on the criteria established as a result of your career assessment. Begin by exploring industries and vocations that match your needs, interests and abilities. It is obviously often easier to transition to another job in the same industry, but the process of conducting an assessment will prepare you for more. The next opportunity should be one that reflects what you have learned about yourself and the emotional growth that has occurred as a result of learning how to manage the roller-coaster ride.
The loss of a job can precipitate a new professional identity if you take the time to honor the feelings associated with the various stages identified above. If you follow the recommended action steps, your new sense of self will emerge, confident and well-prepared, to interview for the next opportunity with an eye on the future as well as the present. The process of redefining yourself will open many more doors than you might imagine!
