Our country is now entering “retrenchment season” as it grapples with the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
Various companies and government bodies have reported an increase in retrenchment and bankruptcies.
Closer to home Media24 shared the dreadful news that some of its magazine titles and newspapers would be shutting down, meaning that 510 jobs will likely be lost due to the impact of Covid-19.
Every expert, every article, every social media post over the last couple of days say, “ . . . you can – and you will move past this . . .
A father recently told Kalahari Bulletin that he fell into a depression shortly after he lost his job earlier this year at a well-known electricity supplier.
This story is one of many we have heard over and over again. Some of us have seen what retrenchment has done to family members, friends and people in our communities.
In 2012 the well-known American business magazine, Forbes, published an article: “Bouncing Back from Job Loss”.
Even though this was written years ago, the advice in the article might motivate soon to be jobseekers in the Kalahari.
The habits of highly effective job hunters start with staying future focused. Focus on what you want. The more people who know what you want, the more who can help you get it.
Don’t let your unemployment status define you. Research found that the biggest determinant between those who succeed after setbacks of any kind is how they interpret them. Potential employers will be more attracted to people who have proven their ability to stay positive and confident despite a setback or job loss.
When you’ve lost your job, it is all too easy to wallow in self-pity. But it is more important to shift the negative emotions that have the potential to keep you from being proactive in your job hunt.
Surround yourself with positive people, people who lift you up, and avoid those who don’t.
Treat finding a job as a job. Create a job search plan with goals and small manageable steps. Then prioritise, structure your day and treat finding a job as a job.
