2020 was a tough year for almost everyone, with the lockdown, remote work and tough economy, a lot of young Nigerians were laid off or faced huge salary cuts. No matter what the circumstances are, a layoff can be devastating to one’s self-confidence. Confidence is an essential tool for career success—but what happens when a layoff really dents it?

To get past the feeling of failure and inadequacy, here are three ways to restore your confidence after a layoff –

Remind yourself it’s not you – It’s easier said than done but you need to remind yourself that you were not the problem. Remind yourself that these are tough times, and millions of people around the world are in the same predicament. It’s not a reflection of your performance, it’s just the current economic situation. This is the first step to bouncing back.

Acquire new skills and certifications – What better way to regain confidence than to become a better version of yourself. Another helpful way to view being laid off is trying to see it as an unexpected opportunity and take advantage of it. Have you ever considered switching careers, acquiring added skills, going back to school, or starting your own business? Then take time out to start a new phase of your life. Take up new courses, acquire new certifications to make you a more qualified professional, enrol for online schools, research into starting a new business etc. Opportunities are what you make of it. The world is changing and so should you.

We are big on growth, adaptability, flexibility and change in Jobberman, these are top skills needed to survive in today’s job market, which is why we developed a comprehensive and life-changing soft skills course for young Nigerians looking to improve themselves. It’s one thing to have the skills that will get you a job, it’s another thing to have the skills that will help you keep the job. Now, a soft skills certification can be a difference-maker for many organizations and individuals. The best part of our course, it’s FREE. You can sign up here

Leverage on past successes – Whether you’re trying to regain your confidence, working on a new CV or networking, always reiterate past accomplishments and milestones. This is a huge confidence booster and will help you sell yourself and your skills even more. “It’s a bad day, not a bad life”.

Remind yourself of the days you used to surpass targets, kick down doors and smash those targets. See! It’s not you, it’s just a messed up time in the world. Don’t compare yourself to other people and ask “why are they still employed? Are they better than me? NO! Focus on you, your skills, your accomplishments and look ahead.

Layoffs and furloughs are the new normal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back better than before. Life is full of ups and downs, so just focus on getting back up again. You can also check the internet for new job opportunities, especially on Jobberman.com, we have tons of jobs and opportunities that match your skills.

General George Payton once famously said, “Success is how high you bounce after you hit the bottom”

So get ready to bounce back!