RSS
Home
Surviving a layoff: life after the unthinkable
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
So what you feared the most actually happend. No, nobody died....but wasn't there a death? The final cutoff from your organization's ties.
Despite the massive layoffs that are ensuing at a rapid speed, you are not alone. There is comfort in knowing that. Nor is it an embarrassment to say that you have been laid off especially during this economic hardship. The trick is to come to terms with it and move on to other endeavors when you are ready.
Every person depending on their coping skills, and life experience will react differently to the dreadful news. Even if one isn't a spiritual and/or religious person, perhaps it is a possibility to think that the time has come to move on, and fate simply intervened despite all your efforts to save your job. Maybe it was just time to go afterall.
At the time, it seems as though there is nothing in the world to soften the blow, and ameliorate your hardship, but below are some tips to help you cope productively with your layoff and help you move forward with aplomb.
1. Initial Reaction: The psychological and emotional effects of a layoff can be quite devastating at the moment, so take all the time you need to be angry and upset as you question what went wrong. You might go into stages of personalization-where you blame yourself, all to no avail. This is all part of the process until you enter the stage of acceptance, when you develop the courage and spirit to move on. Too much emphasis is placed on what we do in this world for a living, so learning to break out of that character, or role we play a third of the day is the first step towards the healing process. Your work is just one aspect of your life, and who you are as an individual, so remember that.
2. Decompress: Do take a much needed vacation and decompress before you move on into the workforce. Do not be filled up with angst when hearing others express the fact that you must start tweaking, and sending your resumes out due to the present state of our economy. Do not panic. There are jobs out there that will be secured at the right time that match your talent and skills. One thing at a time. Follow your own pace and listen to your own internal clock.
3. Assess: When you are ready, start reassessing your personal/professional aspirations and goals and figure out what you want. Yes, what you want. Be honest with yourself. Maybe your layoff was really a blessing in disguise, because now you are almost forced to think about what you want out of life. Use the time wisely to figure out who you are.
4. Get out there! When you are officially ready, start researching areas of interest, and get your resumes out there, and prepare for the interview process. Be patient and positive. A suitable job will come your way. Keeping a daily log of the places you sent your resume to broken down by category is very helpful as you explore your job options.
5. Interview: You have landed it! The same rule applies to all interviews-do your research beforehand. Prospective employers will be impressed. Think of a few good questions to ask during the interview, and not just ''filler'' ones for the sake of asking a question that should be an obvious answer if you did your homework. Always send a thank you note afterwards. A handwritten one is rare these days, but it’s more personal and memorable. A thank you email will surely suffice. Make sure to express in your thank you note that you will follow up with them at an appropriate time.
6. Polish your Skills: In the interim as you job search, why not occupy a part of your day with volunteering, or taking a continuing education course if you are seeking to burnish your skill set? This will only make you more marketable, attractive and employable to your future employer, and he/she may even ask you how you have occupied your time during your layoff. That in and of itself can be very telling of the kind of candidate they would like to hire in the future. Wasting the time that you were given might not be a positive omen.
7. Network: Network as much as you can, and be proactive. The adage 'it's not what you know, but who you know' could never be so true. If you meet someone at a networking function, the next day you should be emailing them even just to say thank you. They will remember your diligence and thoughtfulness when the economy turns around. Keep a collection of business cards and email every contact person on there.
Losing your job especially during these economic times doesn't have to be the end of life! Life may just begin after that, so take a few steps back, and really think about where you presently are, and where you want to be. You may never have this opportunity again, alongside a clear mind to start taking charge of your life, and landing the job you really want!
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
.jpg)
Living in a world marked by trying times, like the one we are unfortunately in is more often than not a tough reality to face. Keeping one’s job …
We all desire to be innately understood as the unique beings we are, not just personally by our family and close friends, but professionally as well. …
