How to Restore Your Confidence after a Layoff

Losing a job could be the most discouraging experience throughout a career journey. The first shock can quickly develop into significant self-doubt as you try to figure out why you were let go and what you will do next. In the modern world, most people base their personal value and success on their employment status. When their jobs are taken away, people who depend their self-esteem on their employment may have doubts about their value in the society. 

Finding a new job requires confidence. To go through the screening and interview process, you need to have confidence to show that you are worth employed. Hiring managers can sense a candidate's lack of self-confidence and this will affect their hiring decisions. It is understandable that losing a job might cause you to lose some self-esteem, but experts believe that it is essential to rebuild your confidence as soon as possible. Here is how you can confidently get back in the game after a layoff:

Set boundaries for your job hunt

While you may be eager to start new, devoting all of your time to job hunt could be stressful and frustrating. Conducting a job search while you are stressed out will make you feel overwhelmed easily. Instead of going full force at once, it will be better to allocate specific times of the day to look for employment opportunities and send job applications. By doing so, you will be more productive and attentive during this period of time. While you are not searching for jobs, you can always spend your time to update your skills.

Build together a progress portfolio

When you decide to get back in the game, make sure you know what you represent: yourself. It is important to “sell yourself” by highlighting your strengths and making sure that you have proof for that. Maintain an up-to-date record of your work and successes, including any comments and endorsement from former employers and coworkers. You may use LinkedIn for this by asking people you have previously worked with to provide recommendations on your profile page. If you have never established such a portfolio, now is the time. Once it is finished — or if you already have one — sit down to review it and reflect on what you have done well over the past years. Reflecting on these things will help rebuild your confidence.

Talk to someone; a friend or a professional 

Physical interaction might be difficult these days, but know that you are not alone in going through this difficult time. You can connect with your colleagues via online and receive support. If you are feeling vulnerable after losing your job, it is helpful to communicate with someone who knows you well. They can help you put things into perspective and express your emotions. However, if you need more than just comfort, then seeking professional help, a mentor or career coach will be valuable. They can assist you to discover abilities that you may not have realized you have and help you on how to leverage upon them.

Source and Treasure Resources

Recruitment agencies like Talentvis will be a great place to build a network and find employment in your field of expertise. You may find several roles that catch your interest, so the first thing to do is to not lose sight of them. Make your job search well-kept by creating a spreadsheet or excel document and fill it with these resources. This way, you can keep track of all the jobs you are interested in applying for. Download the Google app for your phone and upload your spreadsheet to Google Sheets so you can update your listings on the go. These are excellent strategies to find the best vacancies and keep track of them. Being organized will get you far in job seeking.

All time “A” Game

Online interviews are the new normal these days, so it is important to be prepared at all times. This means that you need to have a set of professional attire ready to wear from your wardrobe. Dress professionally from head to toe as if you were going into the company's office; even though the hiring manager will only see your bust-up appearance. Although it is possible to attend an online interview without bathing or even wearing PJ trousers beneath your professional top clothing, it costs nothing to give yourself the illusion of actually going on an interview. This practice will foster a mindset that takes things seriously rather than belittling them solely because no one is supervising. Always bring your "A" game, and the rest will fall into place.

As much as losing a job makes you feel discouraged, not doing anything about it will only lead to more losses in life. Take some time off and prepare yourself mentally before getting back to the talent market. The easiest way to start is by mustering up your confidence and making it visible through all your acts or preparation. All in all, good luck!

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