How to Survive Corporate Layoff

Corporate layoffs can cause a tremendous amount of stress. Not only does it have the potential to turn your financial life upside down, it can also drain you emotionally. If you are part of corporate America, you are just as prone to a layoff as anyone else. Here are some ways to survive if you are unfortunate enough to undergo a corporate layoff.

Instructions

1. Accept the fact that it happened to you. While it is difficult to lose your livelihood, layoffs are not personal. The sooner you move on, the better it will be for you and your family.

2. Do not burn bridges by being bitter and complaining about your employer. You may need them as a reference on your next job.

3. Update your resume.

4. Analyze your skills. Don't overlook anything that could lead to a new career or revive an old one.

5. Curb your spending immediately and spend your severance wisely. Don't treat it as a bonus, as it typically takes an average of 6 months to find another job.

6. Make it your full time job to find a job. Spend at least 8 hours a day on job search activities.

7. Use an outplacement firm if your company offered you the benefit. This will help polish up your resume and provide you with professional assistance on the job search.

8. Lean on your family for emotional support.

9. Pull out the old contacts list, start attending meetings and gatherings to network.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw unemployment if you have to. Check with your state bureau on how you can do this.

• Attend all the meetings your company's Human Resource department put together for employees affected by the layoff to learn about your benefits.

• Take this as an opportunity to do something different. Determine your options; do you want to retrain and go into another profession, would you like to go back to school or do you want to start your own business?