Beyond Job Loss
How to avoid losing your identity if you lose your employment
By JOANNE RICHARD

The first cut is the deepest.

But the cuts keep coming and employees are reeling in fear and pain from the relentless slashes at their jobs.

"I have never, ever seen such talented, top-notch people losing their jobs like this before," says executive coach Roz Usheroff. "I have been in the business since 1990, and never have experienced an economy where it doesn't matter how smart you are. In fact, if you are too smart, you're being cast aside for cheaper replacements ..."

No one is safe. The Canadian unemployment rate is climbing -- 129,000 jobs wiped out in January alone. Our financial security is crashing, along with job identity for many.

There is no secure job at any level, echoes counsellor Heidi Cowie. "Anything can happen to anyone at anytime." Working hard and keeping our nose to the grindstone no longer guarantees keeping your job.

Experts agree that professional success is like a drug and when the addiction can't be fed, life comes crashing down. "I was my job and I thrived on the recognition and the title -- now I'm really no one. I'm ashamed and feel like a failure," says Tom T., 45, who was let go after 10 successful years in an executive position and is still hunting for full-time work nine months later.

According to Usheroff, job loss is a traumatic event. "Unless you are made of stone, this affects one's social, emotional, financial and family life."

Typically, people feel angry, disillusioned, discouraged and incompetent. "Sure, there is hope in most situations for another job but the uncertainty of the unknown, financial responsibilities and self-worth elevate the fear factor."

Those with their walking papers "better be damn good at selling themselves to others. You have to become your best PR person," says the career coach and founder of The Usheroff Institute, which helps develop leaders and enhance personal skills.

Reach out to your network and draw in people who are supportive and caring. "Take a week or two off, get refreshed and go out there and network like crazy. Your network is your net worth," says Usheroff, of usheroff.com.

"Seek professionals to help rebrand you, your resume and your entry into the new world of job uncertainty."

But while being downsized may be just the push some need to re-launch in a completely new direction, "what about the factory worker who's been installing widgets for 15 years and knows nothing else? Now this person is looking at retraining which is similar to asking a toddler to run a marathon."

Meanwhile, Cowie says the widespread fear of impending layoffs may drive employees to work even longer hours. "Presently, our balance between work and life is out of whack and if we start to work longer, our families and our health will suffer."