Loss of a job brings stress and uncertainty in any situation. When in the midst of a global pandemic that’s affecting how we do most everything in life, it can bring overwhelm and angst at paralyzing levels.

After the initial shock, your tendency will be to go into action mode. But don’t. To be successful in your job search requires more than an updated resume and hours on LinkedIn and job boards. You first need CLARITY – and that’s on multiple fronts. Who are you TODAY, and what do you want? What core skills have brought you success AND joy and what do you no longer want to do? In addition to clarity, you need the self-confidence to put yourself out there. To believe that you can start again.

Before you update one line on your resume, set yourself up for success from the beginning by following these 3 steps :

1. Be with your emotions. Don’t ignore or run away from how you’re feeling about what’s happened.  Whether you loved it or not, losing a job is hard. It’s part of how you define yourself, where much of your time is spent and the foundation for relationships that matter. Will this discovery and reflection process be really painful? Yes. But less so than if these emotions go unresolved, just to show up later in forms even more painful, debilitating and confusing. Awareness is the first step to healing. And to evolution and growth.

2. Separate WHO YOU ARE from WHAT YOU DO. You are not your job. And partner, parent, leader are just roles within your life. You are a magnificent being with unlimited potential and any external “result” does not increase or diminish WHO you are. Claim your wholeness.

3. Reflect on your successes.  Although successes and failures do not define you, since you’ll be doing a job search (or starting your own business), you want to build your confidence and belief in self. Shift your focus from what you’ve lost to remembering all that you’ve achieved and that nothing can take that from you! You’ve made a difference and will do so again. Take your time with this. Expect resistance as you work through your emotions and don’t stop until you’ve identified at least 20 successes. Grab your resume (in whatever shape it’s in) and use it as a guide and memory bank. And think beyond the work you’re paid to do.

If you commit your whole self to completing these 3 steps, you’ll be in a really good position – mentally and strategically – to pitch your value, update your resume and LinkedIn profile, and kill it in those future interviews.

Cheryl has over 20 years experience helping leaders and achievers identify their passion and core skills and build a career of on-going success and happiness. She’s worked with C-suite leaders, full-time and Executive MBAs, and many others making a career transition.