How to Survive Being Laid Off

Search everywhere for your new job.

Being laid off has always been a fact of life in certain industries, such as car manufacturing with its annual planned temporary layoffs. In the 21st century, getting laid off is no longer reserved for factory workers, whether it is called downsizing, job reduction or just plain firing. Surviving the process can be difficult; the key is to take action immediately and be relentless in your search for new employment. During the process, take care of your financial life to avoid any more hardships than necessary.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. File for unemployment compensation immediately. If you are laid off before the close of business, drive to the unemployment office before you go home or get online to file if your state offers that option. If you lose your job at the end of the day, file for unemployment first thing in the morning on the next day. The more quickly you file, the more quickly you will start receiving money, which is now your only form of income.

2. Reformulate your budget after filing for unemployment. Take a serious look at your expenditures and find every bit of excess to cut. If it is not absolutely necessary for survival, let it go for now. You need money for rent or mortgage payments, utilities, food, insurance and car payments. You also need a cheap cell phone and Internet access for job-hunting purposes. You do not need cable TV, new clothing, purchased gifts, restaurant food or entertainment that costs money. Everything else is negotiable and should be dropped until you find another job. You may find a job next week, or it might take years. Every dollar spent now is one that you will not have later when you desperately need it.

3. Give yourself time to grieve. Losing a job is one of the most stressful things you can experience, and you will not recover quickly. Everyone adjusts differently, but most people need time to get used to the idea. Allow yourself some days where you simply will not think about it. Spend the entire day on a vacation from worry, no matter how bad it seems. You will return to the process of job hunting with a fresh attitude.

4. Use every contact you have to find a new job. Apply online at every company where you have even the slightest chance of working. Hit the streets and physically go to businesses to apply. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Be shameless. You can stand on your pride later, when you have a regular paycheck once again.

5. Take any job while still searching for a better one. A small paycheck is better than none. Take any job that is offered to you but spend your free time searching for the job that you want. Instead of checking the "unemployed" box on the application, you can truthfully tell the hiring manager that you are looking to improve your job situation.

6. Look into changing careers. Investigate job-training programs in your state. There may be schools and classes with state-paid tuition that will give you a leg up on a second career. Take an objective look at your current industry and assess whether it is likely to grow or shrink. If you are in the wrong business for long-term growth, now is the ideal time to change.

Tips & Warnings

• Make job hunting your full-time job. Dedicate 8 hours a day to the process until you get a new job.

References

• Maximizing Utility; Coping With Material Downsizing; March 17, 2009
• U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration: Dislocated Worker Program (Services for Laid Off Workers)
• State of Montana; Surviving a Layoff: It's Not Your Fault