How to Survive Job Layoffs

Job layoffs are happening daily in every state. It is a difficult and anxious time for workers and their families. View this advice from a seasoned career manager on how to get through the layoff and focus on the next step in your career.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Acknowledge your emotions of anger and fear. First step is to be honest about the depth and strength of the emotional fallout. Then begin to process these emotions and regain control. A cathartic activity is to write down your feelings. Put together a letter to the company detailing how you feel about them. Once it is all down on paper burn or shred the letters. Keep doing this till you feel the anger subsiding. Keeping a journal is another way of doing this.

2. Update your resume and build a portfolio of accomplishments.
   Remind yourself of two things constantly - you have skills and you will find another job. List all the experience and skills you have. Highlight your strengths and accomplishments. Rework your resume to reflect these. Don't leave your job without collecting references and letters of recommendation from the company and put these into your portfolio.

3. Take this opportunity to relook at your career goals.
   Use this time to reflect on your career and reevaluate your career goals. Find answers to questions such as what motivates you, what are your strengths, what do you enjoy doing, and what is meaningful to you.

4. Start networking.
   Be open about your layoff and inform every relevant person that you are currently in the job market. Develop a concise but clear summary of what you are looking for and what skills you have to offer.

5. Stick to a daily action plan.
   Develop a structure for your day that involves scheduled activities. Set aside time slots for different activities- networking, job search, researching prospective employers, writing cover letters and sending out resumes. Also include important activities such as exercise, healthy eating and some time spent on hobbies or activities that help you relax.

Tips & Warnings

• Read some of the layoff blogs and stories on the web and you will be amazed to discover how many people rebound and find better work after losing their jobs. That may be hard to conceive in the current job market awash with layoffs but for individuals who are willing to change industries, relocate to an area of higher employment or try a new career a layoff can be seen as an opportunity.
• Struture provides a sense of control over your life. Normally a job provides this structure to your day so it is important to create an interim structure while you are unemployed.
• Sticking to the schedule gives a sense of accomplishment. Additionally the more job search activities you involve yourself in the greater your chances of finding and securing the job you want.

Resources

• Layoff Survival Guide