10 Things To Do : If You Lose Your Job

Robert Lanky *

The recent economic recession is affecting the whole world and making life difficult. As per official figures : unemployment is rising towards two million and the outlook looks even more bleak in European countries who are most hit.

In India approximately 1.5 lac people have lost their jobs. Indian professionals are finding tough going in UK. BPOs who have been main source for employment of undergraduates from North Eastern States, but they too have also shown their helplessness for young boys and girls of Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Assam. At this time of crisis the Author would like to recommend 10 things for the youths of North Eastern states who have lost their jobs.

1. Don't Panic. If you have been made redundant, then remember that chances are it wasn't your fault. The current financial crisis is a global event. You are not alone. Stay positive and don't wallow in your situation. It is the time to re-group. Think about what you really want to do with your life. Realize that, even though you probably don't feel like it now, this could really be a blessing in disguise.

2. Know Your Rights. Your employers have to follow stringent guidelines when making any redundancies. First of all, they need to give you a written explanation of why you are losing your job? No excuse on the factors like, age and gender be given. It is likely that, you will get your redundancy pay if you have worked more than two years, employer needs to provide you with a written explanation of how the final amount is to be settled.

3. Plan Your Future Expenditure. Now that you can no longer rely on your regular salary payments, it is even more important than ever to manage your finances sensibly. If you do receive a decent redundancy payment or you have some savings, use judiciously. You might have to pay some debt such as credit cards or payment of personal loans.

4. Be Truthful to the People. While it is scary, to suddenly find yourself out of work and potentially unable to meet your mortgage, credit card or other repayments, the worst thing you can do is not tell anyone. Your lender may actually be able to help you, so as long as you tell them as soon as you can.

5. Cut Out Luxuries. Gym & Club membership, subscriptions to satellite television or any other regular payments soon add up. You will need this money to live on. So cut on so called luxuries temporarily.

6. Look For New Sources of Income. Like most people who are made redundant, you will want to find a new job as quickly as possible. Until then, however, there may be alternative income streams that could help you in the short term.

7. Claim Your Dues. There is still a certain stigma attached to claiming benefit, but don't let your pride stand in the way of any payments you are entitled to, from your previous employer.

8. Revamp Your Resume. Have a good think about everything you have achieved and make sure anything worthwhile ends up on the page. Be concise and keep your resume to two pages and remember that you are selling yourself, so do not be bashful.

9. Upgrade Your Skill. While there is probably little or nothing you could have done to avoid losing your job, there is plenty you can do to help yourself get a new one. Retraining or improving your skill is one of them and this is one of the best ways to spend your free time as you search for a new job. Your local university or college may offer courses that interest you, so contact them.

10. Take It As An Opportunity. Finally, it is important that you think of redundancy as an opportunity rather than a disaster or a failure on your part. It may have been the case that you did not like your job anyway but perhaps lacked the confidence to make the change you always wanted. Now that the decision has been forced upon you, you can now potentially do anything you want. Start your own business, work abroad, go back to university or start again.

Do not fall prey to the miscreants, anti social elements, prominent rowdy recruiters like; Insurgents group, militants group or any other anti national elements for small gain. Don't lose your courage : who knows, losing your job could be a blessing in disguise.....