If there is a lesson that COVID-19 taught me is that a job loss can happen to anyone. 

COVID 19 saw many people losing their jobs majorly due to business closures and reduced demand for goods and services. This caught many by surprise, leading to the question, how best should one deal with an unexpected job loss?

 1. Come to terms with the situation.

The first step in moving forward is making peace with the fact that it has already happened. Give yourself a moment to internalize the situation and plan the way forward with a clear mind. Losing a job can be a difficult and stressful experience, and it's normal to feel a range of emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future. However, we cannot afford to dwell in the past. We need to spend less time on things beyond our control and focus on what we can control.

2. Prioritize your financial needs.

Prioritizing in this case means; making a plan of all the things that are urgent as far as bills are concerned. You need to be on top of your game when it comes to managing your finances. Budget and stay within budget. For example, if you have a family, your major priorities would be rent, if you are renting, food expenses, school fees, and other significant recurring expenses such as cooking gas, water and electrical bill. If you could devise a plan on how to go about them such as a flexible payment plan, maneuvering would be much easier. Budgeting is not only important in tracking your income and expenses but is also useful in saving money through the reduction of unnecessary costs.

3. Find an income-generating stream.

This is the period to unlock your entrepreneurial spirit and ingeniously discover avenues of generating income. It isn't complicated. You do not need to think big when it comes to this. Begin by assessing your skills and expertise. They could be your hobbies, you just need to find a way to monetize them. Something that I love about technology is that it keeps evolving. Social media has rapidly become a very powerful tool. There are many freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr where you could put your skills to good use while making a living. Another tip is that you could explore remote work opportunities. The pandemic in 2020 saw many companies shifting to remote working space. Look for opportunities that match your skills and interests on job boards or freelance platforms. Lastly, with time available in your hands, learn a new skill and monetize it. Look for online courses, training programs, or certification courses that can help you improve your skills. Make it a side hustle.

4. Update your resume

Well, updating your resume doesn't have to be a grim reminder of your joblessness. Just because you're updating your resume doesn't mean you have to change your job status to 'unemployed' No need to panic. Your resume doesn't come with a new job title of 'Full-Time Netflix Connoisseur 'either. This is the period to highlight your skills. Demonstrate your skills by including relevant experience. This could be freelance projects related to your work experience, internships, or volunteering, For example, if you are a communication expert and you ventured into income-generating streams such as; social media management, freelance writing and editing, and consultation, they qualify as relevant work experience. Additionally, you could also highlight your academic background if you used your "in-between-jobs" state to further your knowledge through online courses. Most importantly, use a functional format instead of a chronological format. A functional format highlights your skills and achievements while a chronological format emphasizes your work experience. In this case, the former comes in handy in explaining the gaps in your employment history.

5. Build and explore your professional Network.

Once you update your resume, it is time to work on your job search skills. Besides applying for job vacancies on various websites, you could reach out to your professional network for support and job leads. Attend virtual networking events and job fairs to connect with potential employers and learn about new opportunities. Other effective job search strategies entail using social media to build relationships with professionals that could connect you with a job; referrals from friends and family; direct outreach to companies you are interested in working with and joining professional organizations within your field.

6. Take care of your mental and physical health.

These aspects are dependent on each other. Do not focus too much on one and neglect the other. Engage in activities that will keep you in shape both physically and mentally. You could hit the gym. There are a lot of benefits that come with working out. They include improved physical and mental health, stress reduction, increased strength, and endurance, weight management, and improved cognitive function. Apart from exercise, you could also practice meditation. Yoga and nature walks are good starting points.  We cannot mention mental and physical health without self-care. Self-care goes a long way in your emotional health as well as mental and physical. Engage in self-care techniques from little things that seem insignificant to important things. You could get adequate rest, eat healthily, socialize, pursue hobbies and interests, and seek professional health if necessary. A mental health professional can be an important aspect of self-care. Always strive to do better in this department for a happier and healthier life.

7. Spend time with family

If you had a challenge with work-life balance or work-life integration, consider this as your opportunity to spend time with your family. This is the time to get involved in your children's academic and social life. Get to attend school meetings, and career fairs and assist them with homework. You could also learn new recipes and try them out. Take time to relax with your family by engaging in bonding activities like picnics and lunch dates.

8. Stay positive and motivated.

It is imperative to master the art of positivity otherwise you could easily fall into depression. Do not be a pessimist. A job loss is just a challenging situation that you can overcome with the right mindset. Go easy on yourself! Focus on your body goals, career goals, family goals, and personal goals. Remember to pray if you are a believer and dwell on things within your control.

Dealing with job loss can be a difficult and stressful experience. However, it is important to remember that it's not the end of the world. While losing a job can be a major setback, it can also be an opportunity to explore new career paths, learn new skills, and take steps toward personal and professional growth. Rediscover and reinvent yourself. You can overcome this setback with resilience and determination. That's the optimistic spin we're going for!

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