Beyond Surviving –How to Make the Most of a Layoff

March 21st, 2010

Beyond Surviving –How to Make the Most of a Layoff

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Beyond Surviving –How to Make the Most of a Layoff

By: Shannon L. Goodwin

Recognize and process your loss. Although layoffs are common and many people have experienced one, it can still be a shock when it happens to you. Even if you have been through it before, it’s important to recognize that a layoff is a loss and losses must be grieved. If you try to skip this step, it can prevent you from moving forward. Give yourself permission to grieve the loss of your job and the identity you had wrapped up in your position. Keep in mind that, as we adjust to a change, we typically go through four stages: denial, resistance, exploration, and commitment. Honor where you are and expect to move into to the next stage as you’re ready. You may find that you bounce back and forth a few times before completely moving out of one stage and into the next. That’s okay. It’s all part of the process.
Be open to the possibilities. The Chinese symbol for change is a made up of two symbols- danger and opportunity. With every change, comes new possibilities. Some of the most fulfilling career changes can come after an abrupt change in the status quo. Now is the perfect time to examine your career path and how closely it is aligned with your values and life goals. Take the time now to figure out where you want to be and create a plan for getting there. If you feel unsure where to start, get the support of a career consultant or professional who can help you gain clarity.
Get your finances in order. If you didn’t take stock of your financial situation and make adjustments before you got your “pink slip”, now is the time. Talk to your financial advisor and/or work out a financial plan that will keep you afloat until you step into your next job. Make cuts where you can and determine what sources you can tap into to pay the bills and keep your health insurance. These may include unemployment, severance, savings, and (only if necessary) retirement accounts and 401K’s. Having a “worst case scenario” plan can help take the pressure off the situation and keep you from feeling desperate. When we feel desperate, it shows and it can really affect our ability to effectively search, network, and successfully interview for another job.
Make your self-care the #1 priority. Significant life and career changes demand energy. We have more creative energy when we eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest and physical exercise. Make these a priority, and you will find you have the physical, mental and emotional energy to fuel your job search. It may be tempting to get up and work in your pajamas or stay up late at night, but this will not ultimately serve you if you thrive on structure. Most people function best if they keep up a routine while they are temporarily unemployed. If you normally get up and get dressed at a certain time, continue to do so. Instead of going to work, you are now “going to work” to find your next job. Figure out what makes you feel healthy and productive and make those activities your priority.
Enlist support. Dealing with a layoff is a challenge for all who experience it. It can take a toll on your self-confidence and make you feel isolated. Don’t go it alone! Enlist the help of a coach, mentor, or support group that can help you stay upbeat and keep your momentum going. Find others who can show you compassion but also challenge you to move out of your comfort zone and hold you accountable for the actions you need to take to find employment again. One word of caution: avoid spending all of your networking time and energy with other unemployed people. Support is important, but your next opportunity is most likely going to come from someone who is employed.
Get out there. Don’t sit behind the computer all day! In this market, the number of applications for jobs that are posted on the internet is staggering. If you can’t do something to set yourself apart, your resume will fall into the great “black hole”. As we often hear, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. It’s time to get out there and rekindle your relationships. As you meet with others, be sure to avoid putting pressure on them by asking for a job; instead, build rapport and gain knowledge by asking questions about the field you are interested in and the person with whom you are meeting. You can also quickly expand your network by asking those you know who else they know that you can connect with.
Keep moving. Some days you will feel like you are making progress while others may feel like you are running up against a brick wall. Sometimes, we become anxious because we are just “stewing” on a problem or waiting for someone else to come and solve it for us. Remember, Inaction=Anxiety. Don’t get caught up in “analysis/paralysis”. When you find yourself caught in a pattern of anxiety, break it with deliberate action. Call someone in your support network, set up an informational interview, schedule a coaching session, attend a networking event… just do something!