Did your company suddenly go out of business, or are retrenching, and you were part of those who were let go? That is a tough situation to be in, whether you’ve got a family to support or not. We understand what it feels like to worry about how to pay for your next set of expenses because of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have enough emergency funds. It’s normal then to feel lost, anxious, and unmotivated.
But, with so many doors both in the private and public sectors, you actually have options to help you out with your situation. All you need is a rebreather first, even for just a couple of hours. Then start over. Here’s what we think you should do:
COMPOSE YOURSELF
As reported by the American Psychological Association (APA), losing a job is linked to mental stress because it takes us out of our time structure, our social interactions, our identity, and our sense of purpose.
While that sounds really bad, it’s a reality that we have to face. If you’ve ever watched the movie “Inside Out,” you probably already know that one of the best things to do to overcome a tough experience is to allow yourself to feel all the emotions, including grief. So if you’re still at a stage where you still can’t believe you lost your job, allow yourself to take a moment and practice accepting that it did happen and that it’s time to move forward.
REVIEW YOUR FINANCES
Once you’ve settled, pull up your budget notebook, or get a pen and paper to start reviewing your finances. Reviewing your finances will allow you to see expenses that you can cut off for the meantime or upcoming expenses that you can delay until you find another source of income.
These could include expenses that don’t really influence your survival. For example, you can avoid eating out and just decide to cook food at home. Or you can avoid buying clothes first or other things that don’t really affect your life if they’re not there.
FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
Part of the taxes that employers pay goes to their employee’s unemployment insurance. Your eligibility and the benefits you receive depend on past wages, reason for being let go from the job, and the availability of jobs and their corresponding search requirements. Make sure to file a claim for this as soon as you can because the benefits aren’t retroactive — meaning the benefits start from the day you file, not the day when you were terminated from employment.
GET A PERSONAL LOAN
If your claim for an unemployment benefit has been approved, you can use the benefits to apply for a loan. Your unemployment benefits can serve as an alternative to your proof of income, which is a basic requirement when you apply for any loan. Here are some lending companies that consider unemployment benefits.
UPDATE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE
Social Media includes professional platforms such as LinkedIn. If you lost your job, it would be best to update your resume on all job search platforms you’re in so it will be easier for you to apply for jobs online thereafter. Some of the most popular job search platforms in the U.S. include Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and more. If you don’t have any profile on any of these platforms yet, it’s time to create one!
LOOK FOR TEMPORARY JOBS
If you’re fully physically able, you can find temporary jobs in the meantime. Both blue collar and white collar sectors accept temps or “relievers” in case any of their permanent staff goes on leave. Some smaller companies even hire temporary staff, especially when they still don’t have the budget to pay for benefits.
To find temporary job vacancies, you can go around your city like on a walk — it also doubles as exercise! Oh, and don’t forget to bring your resume wherever you go in case you stumble on an opening by chance.
OFFER YOUR SERVICES ONLINE
According to Statista, it is projected that around 50.9% of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers by the year 2027. The “Gig Economy” has been continuously growing, and employers are slowly recognizing freelance workers as long-term staff, especially when they won’t have to pay for benefits.
Simply speaking, there is a great chance for you to find work opportunities as a freelancer. If this is going to be your first time experiencing this, you can start by creating an account on Fiverr and Upwork. You can also create a Facebook page that showcases your services, join relevant social media groups and post your services there.
DOWNSIZE
Another important tip, once you lose your job, is to cut down on expenses and live a more simple lifestyle. If you’re living in your own house with your family, we can imagine the amount of financial need you’re going through — kid’s education, utilities, home insurance, etc. You can consider relocating to a smaller home and sell your Perry home to a fast cash buyer like Spire Property Solutions.
At Spire, we help homeowners get out of their financial troubles by buying their homes immediately and for cash. We can give you an offer within 24 hours from the moment you call, and we can close a deal as fast as a week or two!
Get in touch with us at (678) 318 – 1801 or message us through the form below.