Not so Merry. I’ve been downsized, what should I do?

As the year winds down, several businesses are letting workers go. Restructuring, fiscal downturns, a change in strategy—the reasons vary. Rarely is it personal, but at this time of year, it can be an especially difficult blow.

My sister, a 50-year-old fundraiser, is going through this right now. When she shared the news and asked for advice, this is what I recommended:

–          Acknowledge the emotional aspects. Losing a job ranks among the top five life stressors, and to move ahead successfully, you’ll need to process the disappointment. Saying, “It doesn’t bother me,” is usually a lie, and stuffing your emotions will keep you stuck. If your EAP benefits continue for a few months, tap into a counselor right away. Journaling—what I describe as vomiting on paper—is also shown to be effective. Document your thoughts for 20 minutes per day and you’ll move forward more quickly.

–          Sign up for unemployment benefits. You’ve likely been paying into them for years, and now’s your chance to reap some payback. While you’re at it, check into the services offered through your workforce center. Remember that it’s their goal to help you get rehired, so that you can continue to function as an upstanding taxpayer. If you’ve been considering a career shift, resources for retraining are sometimes available.

–          Keep connected. Job hunting can be isolating, and seclusion can lead to depression. At support groups like Noconet.org, which meets Monday mornings in Fort Collins, you can improve your search tactics while also linking with others.

–          Have a chat with your financial advisor. Rather than panicking over the lack of a paycheck, strategize about how to get through this economically.

Finally, realize that this too shall pass. In my role supporting adults in career transition for 20+ years, I’ve heard firing and layoff stories from hundreds of people—good, talented workers who got caught in a business shift. And they survive…in fact, typically they land in better situations, usually within a short period of time. So grieve your loss, and then get going on your next successful career chapter.