- Welcome to Mind Tools' Video Learning Series. Losing your job can be an upsetting and sometimes overwhelming experience. The scientist, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, identified five stages of grief that people go through when mourning a loved one, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These emotional stages can apply to the experience of job loss, too. The first stage is denial. If you can't believe you've lost your job or you think it's a mistake that can be fixed, then you're in denial, but bad or unjust things do happen. And we have to face them in order to move on. The next stage is anger. After the initial shock of job loss, you might begin to get angry at your boss, your company, or even yourself. This can be the most difficult stage and is often especially hard on those around you. Talk to family and friends, use anger management techniques or even seek counseling to help you cope. Next comes bargaining. When your anger subsides, you might try to get the decision reversed, perhaps by offering to work for less money or part-time, but bargaining is almost always futile in this situation. When you recognize that you're in the bargaining stage, you can put your energy into moving forward instead. Stage four is depression. Once you realize that anger and bargaining aren't working, you might slip into depression, but this phase also marks the beginning of acceptance. Show yourself forgiveness and compassion. Remember, your job right now is to find another job. Something better might be out there waiting for you. The final stage is acceptance. Whatever the reason for the layoff, you've now learned from it, and you're stronger because of it. It's time to focus on your many talents, strengths, and qualities, and how you can bring them to your next job. These stages have no time limits. You might skip some or go through all five. Everyone is different. If you're stuck in one of the stages and can't move past it, then don't be afraid to seek help to get you where you want to be. To learn more about life after job loss, see the article that accompanies this video.