Black Women Adjusting to Job Loss

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One can start adjusting to unemployment by using a little psychology. Many studies have been done on how to deal with loss. Psychologists have found that people often have an easier time dealing with loss if they know what feelings they might experience during the "grieving process." Grief doesn't usually overwhelm us all at once; it usually is experienced in stages. The stages of loss or grief may include:


1. Denial - You cannot believe that the loss is true.


2. Anger - You blame those who you think might be responsible -- including yourself.


3. Bargaining - You try to "strike a deal" ( with a Higher Authority): "If you help me get a job, I promise never to be late to work again.


4. Depression - You realize the reality of the loss


5. Acceptance - You come to terms with the loss and get the energy and desire to move beyond it. The "acceptance"stage is the best place to be when starting a job search, but you might not have the luxury of waiting until you get to this point before beginning your search.

It is helpful to monitor you reactions and control any adverse emotions. Although you may well experience the stages of grief outlined above, they may not necessarily be in the order mentioned. If you experience strong negative emotions during these stages, you may need a break from your job search until you reach the acceptance stage. Most people can function in the earlier stages, as long as they remain aware of their feelings and are able to Keep these emotions from affecting their activities. For example, if you're still in your "angry" stage, it's important to understand that expressing your anger during a job interview could be self-defeating. Following are some tips to keep in mind during the job search process to keep yourself emotionally healthy and motivated to look for work.

Clarence Coggins
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Comments

  • That's a great suggestion Kimmy. Changing one's perspective is very important when dealing with perceived adversity.
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