7 Things You Need to Do When You Are Laid Off
Recently a few people close to me have been laid off or lost their jobs. While this is a complex topic, I wanted to share some things I have learned that I’m hoping could help others. Let’s get into it.
1) Take a minute to mourn that chapter of your life- Even if you were unhappy at your job, losing income and your daily routine may be harder than you realize. You may need a few days to just “be” and digest the new situation you find yourself in. If your partner, friend, or family member is laid off- communicate and ask first if they need space. Everyone is allowed a little downtime to sleep in and be sad, if that’s what will help you to regain strength before you get ready to climb the next mountain.
2) Seek support- When you are ready, see a few people and make a few calls. Maybe you don’t want to tell the world yet, but you may need to vent or even brainstorm about what comes next. If you still have insurance, perhaps even one session with a therapist couldn’t hurt. Jobs come and go but your health and your “self” are forever. Make sure you are mentally in as good a space as possible. Often our job can be tied to our identity, so be sure to remember what works for you beyond your “work”.
3) Get Your Money Right- Understand what you are getting in terms of severance, how it affects your benefits and when you are officially “unemployed” as many companies give you a grace period, but this also means you have time before you need to apply for unemployment. Look at your budget so you have a clear sense of all the bills and expenses you need to pay and rationally figure out what you can cut. Maybe doggie daycare is replaced by trips to the dog park, meals out are replaced by home-cooked dinners, and you offer to host a happy hour in your backyard this summer. Start with small strategic cuts and save all you can. Having a clear sense of your financial position can alleviate some of the stress of the job hunt.
4) Polish Your Public Persona- If you can afford to, go get a haircut, buy, or find a nice interview outfit in your closet, any little things make you feel more confident. That’s the “real life” piece. Nit to get virtual. Make sure you update your LinkedIn of course, but what’s on your Facebook, Insta, and TikTok? You are about to “put yourself out there” once again and you are about to be Googled a lot more by potential employers. Make sure you know what you are posting publicly and privately. Maybe a non-friend can’t see your posts on Facebook, but they can see your cover photo and profile picture. Look warm and welcoming and professional- I promise this is a temporary adjustment and worth this effort.
5) Post a public statement to Social- OK, I know this is a mixed one. But let me tell you how it can help. Companies hire people, not resumes. If you make it known that you are looking for your next chapter, then it could be the most random of past friends and connections that come forward to help you find your next gig. But when you do post, stay classy. Make sure you keep it positive and do not bash your former employer. If you want to do that privately, that’s all you. But if you want someone else to consider helping you or hiring you- say something like, “You are finding your next chapter and excited to reconnect.” Or have someone else write a supportive post. Here’s what I did to try and help my partner on LinkedIn.
6) Accept the leads and be thankful for the help- If people reach out offering to look at your resume- send it to them with a nice note. If someone offers to grab a coffee- schedule it. If a company has no current roles but will do an informational interview, treat it like an actual interview. There’s a lot of goodwill in this world and you never know who the helpers are until you need the help. And if someone offers you a lead you are not interested in, still thank them and explain why that is.
I am forever grateful for the career I have had, and I devote 30 minutes every week to help someone find a job or discuss where they are in their career. I expect nothing in return but a thank you is always nice. So be sure to not expect anyone to save you or get you hired tomorrow, but once you are back on people’s radar, the best leads can come.
7) Write down what you want next- The first question you may be asked is “What do you want to do next?”- And the truth is, you may not know but writing things done can at least help lend you some clarity. But take 30 minutes to yourself and start to keep track of simple things: What do you need to make? What benefits you are looking for? What hours you would ideally want to work and what sort of industries you would be open to? While you wait for your next lead-consider training for a skill online- get a Google certification- for example. Maybe you want to stay in the field you are in or forge a brand-new path.
Whatever is next for you, know that many people have gone through what you are going through right now. Sadly, this is part of the human experience. Often the best things come from some of our most difficult experiences.
Get back out there and know plenty of people have your back. The next chapter in your career may be the best one yet.