How to deal with the anger of losing a job

Career coach can help you focus on skills, experience

Q I am a creative director who was recently severed from a company where I had worked for more than 10 years. I am so angry at the company and my new boss who engineered my being let go that it is hard to focus on finding a new position. How do I deal with my anger?

A Rest assured it is common to feel angry about losing your position.

Losing a job can trigger a range of emotions, including anger.

When one loses a job it sets up a grieving process which entails a variety of emotions and stages such as shock, disbelief, anger, sadness, bargaining, rationalizing and eventual acceptance. Be aware that these emotions do not happen in a sequential fashion.

Some people describe it like being on an emotional roller-coaster. You are currently experiencing the anger phase of the process.

Find a professional such as a career coach, counsellor or therapist who will help you share and release your anger and help you grieve and come to terms with your job loss.

They will help you get your anger and other emotions out so that you can begin to heal the feelings of loss, rejection and abandonment.

They will also help you start to consider your strengths, gifts, experience and learnings were from your last position and your career and to look at what new career and/or business opportunities that you are interested in exploring.

Many people experience job loss and severances these days.

Most wise recruiters and employers know that talented workers will have experienced at least one or two (or more) job losses in their careers.

They want to know what you can do for them as prospective new employers and that you are not jaded or stuck in the past but that you can apply your skills and experience to help their companies be successful.

Make sure you are leading a balanced life with a proper diet, exercise, sleep and connections with friends and family.

Look for activities, sports and mindfulness and body based practices which will allow you to relax, release your emotions, heal and rediscover the joys and passions in your life and career.