Twenty-five-year-old Claire and her uncle, 50-year-old Dane, are both about to lose their jobs. How will the impact on their lives and sense of self be similar? In what ways will their reactions likely differ? What should Claire and Dane each do to move on with their employment paths?

What will be an ideal response?

Both Claire and Dane will experience similarities in their reactions, inasmuch as the loss, or even the prospect of losing, one's job brings with it significant stress and anxiety. There are poorer psychological and physical levels of functioning during career transitions, and possibly a decreased desire to be successful as a result of anger and/or resentment directed at their former employer.

As Dane is a middle-aged man, the impact of job loss will be particularly difficult for him, as he may have increased financial responsibilities to his family that are now jeopardized by unemployment. What Claire may also have similar financial concerns, the research suggests that middle-aged men are particularly devastated in this regard. With regard to gender, research also finds that the effect of losing one's job is mediated by one's ability to contribute to/support their family. In most cultures, therefore, men would be more severely impacted than women.

The recommendations for overcoming an occupational transition would be similar for both Claire and Dane and would include approaching the job loss with a healthy sense of urgency, considering the next career move and what is needed to make it even if there are no immediate prospects in sight, acknowledging and reacting to change as soon as it is evident, being cautions of temporary, stopgap employment, and identifying realistic goals and the steps needed to accomplish them.