“Even with an experience of 12 years, my hiring was frozen midway because of COVID19 pandemic and now I am jobless. I have a family to support, I don’t know what to do anymore” says Nidhi Gandhi, a single mother to two young girls.
Coronavirus, has not only impacted the healthcare segment of the world, but has deep, undercurrents running through every business in every economy across the globe. Companies and startups are laying off their employees because of the economic and financial downfall as well as the unavoidable stagnancy. Some employees are subjected to sudden cut-offs in steady incomes and this in turn is messing a person’s lifestyle, investments, insurances, rents and so much more. People who were being interviewed for jobs, or were in the midst of a job change, are left without an idea of whether they still have the new role in hand or not because hiring has been frozen.
Nidhi further says, “I have a 12-year experience in HR and PR industry. I was working as a PR person with a company for 5 years and had applied for a new job. Soon after the training confirmation at the new company, around December, I had resigned from the previous company. Due to the COVID19 conditions, my hiring was frozen midway. I can’t go back to my previous company and don’t have the new job either. I am concerned about our household and everything else.”
“I had just been appointed as the lead character for a new television series. We’d been working for 3 months. It was my first ever break in the industry but we had to suddenly stop shooting because of the pandemic. In our line, we get our payments only after the 3rd month of the project going on air. I was living in Mumbai and had exhausted all my savings. This project was my saviour and now with all of this mess, I am not even sure if the project will again get to see the light of the day. I have come back to my hometown and everyone is worried about my career which seems like it has stopped even before it could take off” says Apurva Kaushik a struggling television artist.
“We all are promoting the ‘Stay home and Stay safe’ motto but I can see this affecting my whole team along with myself. I work as a marketing associate for a hotel chain. With the tourism industry being worst hit by the pandemic it has affected each one of us. To keep the engagement going, we are working on online offers for future projects and possibilities but it all seems very bleak. And now that my boss has ordered a lay off for few of my team members, I am worried what if I get the same mail one day!!! What if they kick me too and I don’t get a job anywhere?” says Tushar Thakkar.
Most people are worried about their futures and the sudden break in their workflow. This directly affects their mental health and takes a toll on their daily living as well. They start experiencing disturbed sleep patterns, feelings of hopelessness, distress, cluelessness which might lead to depression, anxiety attacks and many other mental and emotional health-related issues.
It gets difficult to manage such sudden life-changing incidents and that too without ample notice. But as everything is at a standstill, here are a few suggestions that might help make the most of this slagging time period.
1) You might start blaming yourself for the loss. It is important for you to understand that whatever happened was not your fault. Take your time to process the situation. Being harsh on yourself will only worsen the mental chaos that you are already in.
2) If you think managing the distress alone is draining your energy faster than you can build up on it, try and seek professional help. The professionals are now available online for counseling as well and can help you deal better with the situation.
3) Keep yourself active. Design a routine filled with an affordable yet healthy diet, exercise or meditation, writing thoughts and so on. These will help clear your mind and distract you from all the morbidity around. Following a routine will also help you feel in control of yourself.
4) Make your professional profiles presentable. Update your LinkedIn profile, work on your resume, as well as work on your research to make your cover letter the best choice for any further organization you’d apply for after the pandemic. Use the luxury of available time.
5) As everyone is online nowadays, it is the best opportunity to start networking with prospective employers through social networks. Let the people in your circle know that you are looking for work. Also, be open to letting them know what you can offer too. Networking is the best tool in the current situation. You never know who might be your saviour.
6) Acquire new skills from online courses. There are a number of academies and institutes offering free as well as paid online courses. Use this break to either explore the things you’ve always wanted to learn or try something new that you find interesting or worth the while.
7) Limit your exposure to news on COVID19, its infection and mortality rate, how economies are slaving under it. Keeping yourself updated is important, making yourself hyper because of it is not.