Surviving a layoff. Job loss is one of the most stressful life events. You need to have a good plan of action in place to recover and get going in the job market. Practical strategies will help you handle the lay off and compete effectively for a new job.
Don't panic
Panic following a lay off is dangerous. Do not lose sight of these two facts - you are a skilled person and you will work again.
Adapt to what has happened and turn your energies to finding a solution.
The way in which you look at the job loss will make all the difference in surviving a layoff. Avoid getting into a spiral of negative thought. Anger and fear are the usual emotions experienced after a job loss. Both these are destructive emotions that prevent you from thinking clearly about your future.
Deal with your anger and fear
You need to deal with these emotions and move on so that you can be relaxed and confident in an interview situation. Here are some practical guidelines for handling the emotional challenges in surviving a layoff.
Acknowledge your feelings - it is absolutely normal to experience fear, anxiety and depression after losing your job. Don't pretend that you are fine, acknowledge what you are going through otherwise you will not be able to deal with it.
Write it all down - put down on paper how you feel. What would you like to have said to the company but didn't? What upset you about the way you were laid off? What thoughts keep going through your head? What would you like to tell your family but feel unable to? Empty all your negative emotions into your writing and get it out of your system. Do it as many times as necessary. You can even write a letter to the company and then burn it. This can have a very cathartic effect.
Make a list of all the positive things you recognize about yourself - this is a good way to build your self-esteem and feel more positive. Ask for letters of recommendation from colleagues and managers. These serve two purposes in surviving a layoff- to boost your confidence and to help you in your job search.
List the positive outcomes of this experience - what good has come from this layoff? What have you learned? Finding value in the experience moves you from been a victim to a survivor. Practice telling yourself and others "It was very hard but I'm glad it happened because ...."
Engage in stress reducing activities - yoga, jogging, walking or whatever is the most relaxing. Key to surviving a layoff is to get involved in activities that help you reduce your anxiety and prepare for renewal.
Take constructive steps to reducing financial anxiety by knowing
One effective approach to dealing with negative emotions and surviving a lay off is to look at it as if you are on a paid sabbatical(through your severance package or unemployment benefits) to take stock and consider your future. This just might be the opportunity of a lifetime. You are off the treadmill for a while and able really to really find out where you are and where you could be and want to be in your professional life.Reflect and take stock
The layoff gives you time to examine your job and career history, your possible career path and your personal career goals. You now have the time and motivation to consider all this and work out what your next step will be.
Ask yourself:
What are the skills and knowledge I can bring to the marketplace? - Look back on your work experience and select the most valuable and marketable skills you have to offer. Are these the skills you want to use in your next job? A free online career aptitude test or a career counselor can help you decide.
This year we are experiencing the most rapidly changing economy in recent history. The job market today is more competitive than ever. There are many opportunities but they may be in different areas and in different forms. Studies show that a college graduate with a non-professional degree will have an average of ten to twelve different jobs or careers during the working lifetime.
Most workers today will be out of their fields and doing something else within two years. Anyone who does not adjust rapidly to constant change, greater competition, and opportunities of the future, will be rapidly overtaken by those who do. If necessary consider changing the skills and work you are offering to meet the needs of the job market. If there is no real demand for your current skills package you may have to acquire some new skills.
Surviving a layoff may include taking advantage of the time provided by the lay off to learn new and valuable skills. Lifelong learning is critical in today?s job market, you should constantly be updating and upgrading your knowledge and skills. Read books, magazines, trade journals, and newsletters. Listen to business and motivational audio learning programs. What interests do you have that could be transformed into workplace skills?
Consider your values? Where do your career values, interests and skills come together in terms of a job? This is where will you find greatest job satisfaction.
Even consider changing the place where you are offering these skills. You can change your location to be where the demand for your skills is. Many people change their whole lives by moving from an area of low employment to an area of high employment.
What is the salary I really need to earn? - consider your savings, your expenses, your assets. Are you in a position to sell assets that no longer benefit you? Are your monthly expenses all essential? After reassessing your financial situation you may find that your salary requirements have changed giving you more flexibility in job and career choices.
Once you have taken these steps it is time to
Surviving a layoff depends on putting the right strategies in place.Return from Surviving a Layoff to Best Job Interview
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