The best way to deal with a job layoff...

If you’ve been laid off, it’s only natural to ask yourself certain questions: “Is this because of the market? Bad leadership? Bad luck? An occupational hazard? Or was I just not good enough?”

How you frame redundancy is important. Allow time to grieve and process what happened, but then settle on a meaningful interpretation that takes ownership of your own narrative.

If you lost your job as a result of Covid-19, for example, that context is crucial. The isolation and financial implications may feel even greater, but you are far from alone. A reported 40% of American workers have experienced job loss – and that was before the pandemic.

Don’t beat yourself up. It’s tempting to see a layoff as official proof of your shortcomings, but this is a trap – one that can psychologically harm your ability to move on. Do not make the mistake of allowing your negative thoughts to become reality.

Various studies have shown that layoffs can increase physical and mental health issues, affect your ability to trust others, and can take longer to recover from than losing a loved one.

How you can talk about your job loss can impact how others perceive it. Being “fired” is not the same as being “laid off”: one implies that your behavior was responsible; the other suggests forces beyond your control. That’s a key difference.

Take action. Whether it’s catching up on admin, volunteering, or taking an online course, staying active gives you a sense of purpose and helps combat self-doubt.

Focus on the three C’s: clarify the value you offer any organization, take confidence from everything you’ve accomplished, and control only those things that are within your power.

Identify your core qualities: the things that make you you. How can you use those to your advantage in something like a cover letter or a social media profile? Hard work is never enough by itself; you need to give people a little guidance on how they should perceive you.

When negative thoughts crop up, don’t wallow in them or shut them out. Treat emotions like data: ask yourself why you’re feeling that way and then use that information to do something about it. Change and discomfort are essential parts of a growth mindset.