Accountant and Bookkeeper Articles

Moving Forward After Losing a Job

That which does not kill me makes me stronger. - Nietzsche

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. - African Proverb

You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. - Walt Disney

Whether you get fired, laid off or are forced to resign, losing a job is difficult. It can cause an enormous amount of stress and a considerable financial burden if you don’t move through it quickly. But is it really possible to turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones? Can a kick in the teeth really, as Walt Disney once said, “be the best thing in the world for you?” While it may not seem so initially, you can turn this obstacle into an opportunity and make your life better because of it. Here are some things you should consider if you find yourself in this trying situation.

Take care of the basics
First of all, find out what your options are. Depending on the circumstance you do have rights and can and should take advantage of unemployment benefits. Contact the HR department and see what their policy is regarding severance pay, accrued vacation, sick leave, pension, benefits, and unemployment insurance. Also remember that in some cases the employer is responsible for giving you resources through which you can find new employment; often this includes access to a computer, printer, fax machine, and long distance phone services.

Achieve a positive outlook
This might be the most difficult thing to do once you’ve lost a job. But we assure you that it will make your journey much easier and enable you to adjust your career path more quickly, finding a destination that is pleasant and favorable.

You’ve probably heard the hype about “The Secret,” a DVD that talks about how to achieve success in every aspect of your life by thinking positively. “The Secret,” while inspiring, is not much of a secret. It’s simply the Law of Attraction, a concept that’s been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Like the Law of Gravity, it influences your life whether or not you believe in it. Plainly stated it goes something like this: your life is a reflection of what you think, what you focus on, and what you expect to happen. Take this opportunity to imagine a positive future filled with everything you desire, including the career of your dreams.

Assess your goals
Now is a good time to ask yourself what you really want from your career. Perhaps this job loss is simply the chance for you to readjust your journey and get back on the right path. Did you enjoy that job much in the first place? Had you been imagining a different future with a different company? Or had you been considering furthering your education and training? This is your chance to pursue goals that align with your true aspirations.

Consider self-employment
On that same note, if running your own accounting practice has been something you’ve wanted to eventually pursue, maybe now is a good time to look into that a bit more. Consider what you may need to do in order to accomplish that dream. Perhaps it includes continued training, certification, and marketing help, all of which Universal Accounting Center is happy to help you with.

Take action
Wallowing in your own pity won’t get you anywhere. Whenever faced with difficulty it’s important to do the following: appraise the situation, make a decision, and act on that decision. Once you’ve determined the best course of action, take it.

Of course in situations like this, it’s always easier to give advice than it is to take it. We recognize that suffering a job loss can be extremely difficult and taxing on you and your family. But we hope that you can hold yourself up and see that regardless of where you might currently be, the future is open, wide and full of possibility. And consider where you may be years from now looking back on what was potentially the best thing that ever happened to you.