By Kaya 959 News
One of the most devastating feelings is the realisation of the loss of your income. It puts you in an immediate spiral of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Master life coach and author, Lizette Volkwyn said retrenchment affects you emotionally and the whole process can be experienced as traumatic.
“Sadly, it does not only affect the laid-off employee but also those who are still employed with the company. The secret of bouncing back after a retrenchment process is key for your survival and future independence,” she said.
Volkwyn said South Africa is currently at a 35,2% unemployment rate, which is understandably an amplifier to all the fears and anxiety. It’s devastating stats if you have been retrenched and are forced back in line with the other thousands and thousands of job seekers.
READ: News anchor cries on air while delivering news about SABC retrenchments
Here are her 10 tips to help you bounce right back:
1. Involve your family immediately and strengthen your support system
If you have been retrenched, you shouldn’t go through this alone.If you are alone, and you do not have anyone to speak to, retrenchment could get you down quite quickly.
2. Assess your rights and ensure that you have received all benefits allowed
There are a lot of resources available online to know your rights once you have been retrenched. If this isn’t your area of speciality make sure to connect with a financial coach or an accountability partner.
3. Re-adjust your personal budget and speak to your creditors
Even if you receive a severance payout, you still need to have a plan for how you will tackle your financial commitments in the months to come.
4. Deal with the emotions, then park it
Emotions are rife when we hear the devastating news that we have been retrenched and our livelihood has been taken away from us.
5. Assess the facts for what it is
Now that you understand the emotions you can park it and focus on the facts and the requirements to get back into the workplace without blurred perceptions of emotions or resentment.
Figure out your next move
6. Evaluate what you really want out of your career
Even though it is really hard this is an opportune time to determine where you want to go, be and want out of life. Reflection is normally the last thing we would like to, but self-reflection will put everything into perspective as well as give you a good understanding of what were the peaks but also the voids in your career.
7. Broaden your network
Ensure to update your LinkedIn profile and connect with the right people. Join free webinars and network with like-minded individuals. Ask for recommendations from previous colleagues to help you in your next job search.
8. Update your CV and target companies you would like to join
Don’t just send a generic CV – make sure you stand out, and tailor each CV with a pitch of why you will be a great asset to that target company. Be sure to focus on your accomplishments and what you have achieved in your previous role.
READ: Job interview 2021: do’s and don’ts
9. Embrace who you are and your core values
When you know who you are and what you stand for….you would know which opportunities to value and which you would walk away from.
10. Re-brand and position yourself for the next career move
Take time out and evaluate what it is you really want to present? Which industry attracts you and your core values? Which position would you like to find yourself in whether it be a manager, sales, support etc? This is your time to plan your career with all the experience and know-how you have gained in the past. It is time to create the life you want.
