Regain Control After Job Loss: 4 Immediate Actions to Take—And It’s Not a Job Search!
As a mindset and career coach, I work with many clients who didn’t choose to leave their jobs but were laid off. For these clients, there’s often an extra hurdle to overcome—reframing the job loss itself. Job loss can be a painful experience and a blow to our ego, leaving many feeling unworthy, not good enough, or simply defeated. But here’s the truth: losing your job doesn’t diminish your worth. It’s a challenging chapter, but it’s also an opportunity to realign with what truly matters to you.
For those navigating job loss in Germany, the challenges can be even greater. Many of my clients moved to Germany for their roles, often with limited German language skills. Losing a job in these circumstances can feel like losing your footing entirely. If this resonates, I encourage you to explore my other blog post: Your 10-Step Checklist: What to Do When You’re Fired in Germany
But before you dive into a job search, take a pause. These four steps are essential to processing your situation, regaining stability, and setting yourself up for long-term success.
What Not to Do: Avoid Acting in Panic, Desperation or Anger
After losing a job, it’s common to experience panic or a scarcity mindset. Many people instinctively start applying to every job listing they see, regardless of fit, while others are consumed by anger, wanting to retaliate against their former employer.
This approach rarely leads to success. Panic-driven decisions often result in settling for roles that don’t align with your goals or showing up to interviews with an energy that recruiters can sense. Anger and desperation can cloud your judgment and derail your efforts.
Instead, take a moment to pause and process. There are immediate steps you need to focus on first—steps that will help you regain control and approach the next phase with clarity.
1. Reflect, but Keep Moving Forward
Reflection is necessary after job loss, but it’s important to set a timeline. Allow yourself a specific period—whether it’s a weekend or a week—to process emotions and identify lessons learned. Without limits, reflection can turn into overthinking and stall your progress.
Ask Yourself:
What truly energized me in my last role?
What didn’t align with my values or long-term goals?
What do I want to prioritize in my next opportunity?
Reflection is important, but without boundaries, it can turn into dwelling or even victimhood. Take time to process what happened, but be mindful to move into the next phase: accepting that the job is no longer part of your future and focusing on what comes next.
2. Reframe Job Loss as an Opportunity
Losing a job doesn’t define you—it’s a chapter, not the whole story. For many people, job loss becomes the turning point that leads them to a more fulfilling career. This is your moment to explore what excites you, aligns with your strengths, and reflects your values.
Ask Yourself:
What kind of work brings me joy?
What values are most important to me in my career?
What’s one step I can take today toward a more meaningful job?
If you’re unsure where to start, working with a career coach can provide clarity. A coach can help you uncover your strengths, define your goals, and create a realistic plan for navigating this transition. Worried about the cost? Check out Practical Ways to Afford Career Coaching: Investing in Your Future to explore how coaching can be accessible for you.
3. Surround Yourself with the Right Support System- Ask for HELP!
Job loss can feel isolating, but you’re not alone unless you choose to be. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. This could include family, friends, mentors, a career coach, or even a therapist if needed.
Why It Matters:
Supportive people can help you process emotions, brainstorm ideas, and hold you accountable.
A career coach can help you navigate the job market, identify opportunities, and build a strong action plan.
A therapist can assist with deeper emotional challenges, especially if the loss has significantly impacted your self-esteem.
Pro Tip: Assemble your “team” and remember: You don’t have to face this transition alone. Book a free, no-strings-attached session today to see how I can support you in navigating this phase.
4. Put Your Emotions Aside and Think Like a Business Person
Job loss often stirs up a whirlwind of emotions—anger, hurt, betrayal, and a sense of injustice. You may feel mistreated, undervalued, or tempted to retaliate by airing your grievances during severance negotiations. But this is the moment to pause, set those feelings aside, and approach the situation with a strategic, business-like mindset.
When negotiating your severance, focus on what matters most: securing the best possible outcome for your future. This is not the time to bring up grievances or use blaming language, even though the temptation to do so may be strong. Avoid statements like:
“After everything I’ve done for this company, this is how you repay me?”
“I’ve worked overtime and taken on unfair workloads, and this is what I get?”
“You’ve treated me poorly, and I’ve stayed loyal. How can you justify this?”
Why This Hurts Your Case:
While your feelings are valid, expressing them to your employer will not change the outcome. Employers in this situation are not looking to reconcile or validate your emotions—they want to split ways efficiently. Using blaming language or venting frustrations can cloud the negotiation process and make it harder to achieve your goals.
What to Do Instead:
Focus on the facts, not emotions. Stick to entitlements like severance pay, unused vacation, and extended benefits.
Think strategically about your next steps and how the severance package can support your transition.
Speak in a calm, composed tone, keeping the discussion centered on solutions and outcomes.
Grievances Have Their Place, Just Not Here:
The frustration, disappointment, or hurt you feel is real, but it’s important to process these emotions with friends, family, a therapist, or a career coach—not your employer. This is not the space to work through emotional pain. By keeping your composure, you maintain the upper hand in negotiations and show professionalism.
Pro Tip: Don’t let your ego or hurt feelings jeopardize your future. The goal here is not to “win” emotionally or get closure—it’s to secure the best financial and professional package possible. Your employer doesn’t care about the past; they just want to finalize the separation. Focus on walking away with the strongest foundation for your next steps.
To approach severance negotiation with confidence and clarity, check out these resources:
What’s Next? Strategizing for Your Career Transition
Only after you’ve properly addressed the above steps and regained a sense of stability should you begin strategizing for your next role or considering a career change. This clarity will help you avoid panic-driven decisions and align your efforts with your long-term goals.
If you’re looking to transition into a new field or use this opportunity to explore a different career path, check out Making a Career Change? Here’s How Career Coaching Can Help.
If your goal is to stay within your current career and find a new role, you may find valuable insights in 11 Ways Career Coaching Can Help You Land Your Next Job.
Final Thoughts
Everyone experiences job loss at some point—it’s a part of life for most of us. The sooner you decide to focus on what’s ahead, the sooner you’ll regain your stability and confidence.
If you’re ready to take the next step but don’t know where to start, let’s talk. As someone who specializes in new beginnings, I can help you clarify your goals, uncover your strengths, and create a plan that feels achievable. Book a free first call today to see how I can support you in building a life and career you truly love.
Not yet ready to book a call, but would like to ask a question? Email or WhatsApp me.
Until our next breakthrough!
Let me know in the comments below if this article was helpful for you and what other topics you'd like me to cover next. Your feedback helps me create more content to support you on your journey.
