Loss of a Job

A job, as the source of income, holds a very important place in most people's lives. It represents your family's comfort and security and provides you with a sense of self-esteem. Losing the job, and the income it provides, can throw lives into chaos.

First Steps
Negotiate the best severance package you can from your employer. If it was a layoff or amicable departure, get letters of reference from those you worked with, especially supervisors. Also, get documentation of projects you worked on that will highlight your skills to a potential employer.

Deal with the emotions
You may feel angry or bitter. Let those emotions flow but do not dwell on them. Harboring those kinds of emotions can take valuable energy from finding a new job.

Find compatriots
One of the hardest parts of losing a job is losing the day-to-day interaction with coworkers. If your former employer let several of you go at once, try to meet up with those people for lunch once in a while. They can understand some of what you are going through. And it will take away some of the loneliness that can accompany unemployment.

Job Centre
Some employers will provide information on vacant positions to Job Centres, run by the Labour Department. You may go to your local Job Centre in-person, or check out available job openings on the Job Centre’s website . You may also obtain career counsel and job-seeking advice from the Job Centre.

Classified Listings
Many newspapers carry classified job postings in their printed editions or on their websites. Look through all the classified listings, not just where you think your type of job would be listed. You can get some great ideas on different positions that may utilize your skill set. Also, look through trade magazines that relate to your industry. Some employers will advertise in industry publications to reach a more targeted audience.

Headhunters
Recruitment firms are hired by companies to identify candidates to fill vacant job positions. Known also as headhunters, recruitment agencies typically specialize in certain industries such as retail, finance and technology. Find the right recruitment firms for the industry you intend to enter by checking out their websites.

The Internet
There are many websites and social networking platforms with large job boards on which employers advertise open positions. Also, check the websites of companies in your field. They often have a page devoted to job openings in the company.

Networking
It is not what you know; it is whom you know. Attend industry events. Put the word out on the street. Get your name in front of as many people as you can. You never know who has a friend who is looking to hire someone just like you.

Short-Term Work
If finding a permanent job in your field looks like it might take a while, consider applying for more short-term work. These jobs offer greater flexibility in work hours, making it possible for you to continue your search for something more long-term, while earning some income at the same time.

So what are the benefits of short-term work for you?

• Flexibility – You can work this week and not the next. You may choose nighttime work to leave your days free for interviews.
• Interaction – Having a job, even temporarily, will get you out of the house and interacting with real people.
• Experience – Short-term work allows you to work in a variety of jobs, though often not in very skilled roles. But having the exposure to a variety of industries can be a positive asset for future employment.
• Permanent Employment – Often if you are performing well at a temporary job, the employer may offer you a longer-term position.

The disadvantages of short-term work may include:

• Undesirable Jobs – Some companies hire temporary workers to do jobs that their full-time employees do not want to do. But most times they hire temporary workers to perform jobs that will not last long.
• Sporadic and Undependable Schedule – One week you are working, another you are not. It is hard to get solid financial footing when you never know if and how much you will be paid.

Sources: Labour Department