Job loss due to any reason (other than misconduct or poor performance) is not your fault and just a temporary phase. Do not take it personally and blame yourself.
2020 has been one hell of a year (literally). Pandemic has shaken up most of the industries, economies, and business models. The overall number of job losses across different sectors is scary. If we only look at white-collar job losses in India. Almost 5.9 million white-collar professionals lost their jobs between May-August 2020. Unlike western countries, there’s a social stigma attached to job loss or unemployment in India. We have already heard many tragic stories of professionals who were used to handsome pay packages committing suicide. If you or someone you know is going through such an unexpected crisis. Always remember, Job loss due to any reason (other than misconduct or poor performance) is not your fault and just a temporary phase. Do not take it personally and blame yourself.
Let me share an experience.
Storytime.
A decade ago, I traveled to the US to transition work back to offshore (India). We travelled in groups and were super excited to learn something new and grow professionally. The majority of us were travelling outside India for the first time. Everything intrigued me, be it the professional behaviour in office, people driving in lanes without honking at each other, or how everyone’s privacy was respected. This was a 180-degree flip. No wonder it amused me and also made me appreciate it.
During a meeting, one of my mentors told me that most of the folks who were training us have been asked to leave. I was shocked and didn’t know how to react or respond. We were their replacements, and they were training us. My mentor was quick to observe the guilt on my face. She said it’s not your fault, It’s due to recession and job losses are part and parcel of life. Hearing those words, I was filled with admiration for my US counterparts. Wow! Such honesty and transparency. Imagine something similar happening back home. It would have been chaotic. The way we deal with job loss has a lot to do with the cultural norms we follow. It’s time we move out of them.
Moral of the Story.
I learned a great lesson that day. You are not your “Job.” Job is just a part of your life. We should not attach it to our personal identity. Imagine you leave your company for a better opportunity, and the owner of the company sulking; it’s all our fault that the company lost a brilliant employee. What are the odds of it being real? Yes. You are correct, almost impossible. It’s about sustaining the business, and during recessions, organizations are bound to make tough decisions. Moral of the story – Job Loss is not your fault. We should take complete ownership and deal with the situation while keeping our chins up.
How to Deal With a Job Loss?
- Be Pragmatic – Do not take it personally; look at all aspects realistically while staying optimistic.
- Switch to Survival Mode – Do a dip check on your overall finances, cut down on your unnecessary expenses.
- Be Open to Change – Change is inevitable, and even the current situation will change. It’s okay to switch your area of work and try different domains that might be new to you.
- Seek Help – Do not shy away from asking for help. It’s okay to call or drop a message to someone who might help. Social Media can also be of great benefit due to its broader reach and quick connectivity.
- Keep Looking for Opportunities – You never know when you hit the jackpot, and the current loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps you were meant to do something different and more significant.
Feel free to share the message with others. Most importantly, if you are in a position to help someone, this is the right time to become the “Super-Hero,” you always wanted to be.
Do you have a similar story or thoughts? Let me know in the comment section.
You may also like this article that talks about positive impacts of pandemic.
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