In these harsh economic times, reports about job loss have become a common feature in news bulletins, both locally and globally. Let us reflect on the effects of these terminations through the experiences of Jean.

Having worked in the NGO sector for five years, Jean had a relatively stable job as a manager in charge of a sanitation project. However, as the years went by, the projects became fewer than expected and with three months to the end of the ongoing project, the donors clearly indicated that they had no intentions of renewing the grant. The nightmare that had haunted Jean for six months had become reality.

Job losses occur as a result of several factors. It could be due to the poor performance of the company in the market or changes in the tastes of clients. It could also be a result of very aggressive competition or the company’s operations being suspended by the government for various reasons.

Regardless of the cause of the job loss, it is important to consider ways in which we can prepare for it.

Develop networks

It is always safe to imagine that the job you hold is not permanent, even though you hold a contract indicating that you are ‘permanent and pensionable’. No job is permanent any more in this world.

With this thought in mind, always seek to develop critical networks with people in your field of work. Keep the networks active through regular communication via email, phone and social media.

Ensure that your peers have you in their minds always so that should you need to contact them for support in searching for a job they do not struggle to remember who you are.

In the event of an imminent job loss, say by way of a project ending or the relocation of your employer, remember to position yourself for the job search early enough. This is a hard time for both the employer and the employee.

The employer risks having key staff departing long before the last project ends, hence affecting the quality of the work being done and the conclusion of projects that had been started earlier.

However, workers should not wait until the last moment to start seeking new jobs. On average, it takes about three to six months to get employment, though this depends on your position and field of work. The earlier you start the process, the better for you, as you will be job hunting under minimal pressure.

Finally, as you consider a possible job loss, evaluate your competitive advantages in the job market and enhance efforts to make yourself more marketable and visible. Seek the services of a professional in personal branding and start to market yourself in a more targeted way.

Get an edge

Start to pursue courses that give you a competitive edge over the competition, not just registering for a Master’s programme like everybody else. A unique professional course might just be what you need to stand out.

Talking about job loss should no longer be a taboo topic, like preparing for one’s demise. Unless we talk about preparing for possible losses, we will keep on talking about managing distressed ex-workers.

This can be mitigated by proper prior preparation and planning.