The Covid-19 pandemic has given us a hard time in all areas, but especially employment. It has affected workers in all departments, across all industries, creating the worst recession the US has gone through in decades.

If you have been personally touched by the pandemic through the loss of your job, you are probably going through a lot right now. Losing your job can feel like getting swept off your feet by a tsunami. After an event like this, there’s never a clear path to continue, and the confusion settles into your head, next to negative thoughts.

What’s true is that we’re facing a harder labor market than ever before, so you must stay on top of your game to get safely (and quickly) to the other side. Your moves today will give the results of tomorrow, so we have compiled some starting points to guide your next steps.

1. Tap Into Your Support System

Being unemployed can bring you into a state of perceived isolation. Your problems might feel too big, the burden too heavy to share with your loved ones…That’s a mistake. You do need to share your situation with your loved ones and vent about it to people. This will help you get the negative emotions out of your system without letting you dwell on them, or lose perspective of reality.

Your support network is going to prove vital in your search for new employment, too. They will keep you grounded in reality, encourage you to do the things you need to. They will listen to you and give you good advice when you need it. Don’t underestimate the benefits of this for your mental health.

Besides everything else, telling people about your situation can be beneficial in practical terms. Letting everybody know that you’re in the market for a job is a great idea. Don’t forget to also reach out to colleagues and people in your industry to tell them. You don’t have to go into details if you don’t feel comfortable. Just let people know that you’re open to new opportunities and that you would appreciate any leads.

2. Practical Stuff

After the initial period of shock and mourning, it’s time to get moving. No time to lose. Dedicate a couple of days to take care of the many practical matters that come from unemployment.

One of the first things you should do is figure out what benefits you’re entitled to and apply to them as quickly as possible. These processes usually take time, so don’t push them off indefinitely if you want to rely on that money. If you have any leads for potential new jobs, make sure to apply to them right away.

Make sure to wrap things up correctly at your former job. Deliver any work you hadn’t submitted, and finalize anything you had pending. If you can, talk to your boss about your situation, and try to understand the reasoning behind it; this information might be useful in the future. Make sure to get a recommendation letter as soon as possible.

3. Improve Your Skills

Use this free time you have wisely. It’s easy to fall into self-indulgence and do nothing all day, but this is a terrible idea. You should be using this time to improve yourself and gain new abilities to stand out from the competition.

Adaptability is becoming key in the current job market, so you must stay on top of the newest skills in demand. It’s a good idea to research how your industry is changing, and get ahead of the game. There are millions of ways to learn about anything, from tech skills to emotional intelligence. The important thing here is that you educate yourself to be competitive in the job market. Besides, learning something new will give you a much-needed sense of accomplishment during these trying times, and solidify a routine.

Conclusion

Being unemployed can be dark. Most often than not, we immerse ourselves in a state of despair that is hard to get out of. That is why it is so important that you keep things in perspective. It sounds cliché, but these hard times can be a blessing in disguise. Maybe this is an opportunity to move on to better things. What’s for certain is that you’ll get through it. Just keep going.