How to Handle a Layoff - Survival Tips

More than 508,859 workers were laid off from work in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The key to surviving a layoff is to immediately take stock and develop a personal layoff survival strategy. These ten tips should help you take those important first steps if you find yourself in the unhappy position of losing your job.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephone
• Computer
• Resume paper
• Printer
• Car or other transportation
• Newspaper and/or magazines with job listings
• Clothes, suit for interviewing
• MySpace, Facebook and Twitter accounts
• Blog
• Network of family, friends, former co-workers and acquaintances

1. 
    
   If you know you will be laid off, start planning and saving!

   Advance Notice of Layoff - If you think you are about to be laid off or downsized, don't quit and don't give your employer any reason to terminate you. You may be entitled to some benefits including unemployment or severance if you are laid off for which you might not be eligible if you quit. Advance notice will also allow you to set some savings aside.

2. Find Out if You Are Eligible for Severance - Read your employee handbook or go online and find out what your company policy is regarding severance. Follow all the steps necessary to get your severance paperwork filed in the appropriate amount of time.

3. File for Unemployment - As soon as you are laid off, register with your unemployment agency and file a claim for unemployment benefits. You should wait a day or two for your paperwork to be put in the system from your former employer, but file within a week of losing your job.

4. 
    
   Give yourself time to mourn your job loss.

   Give Yourself Time to Mourn Your Job Loss - After you lose your job, give yourself a day or two to mourn the loss of your employment and to let it sink in. Do a little soul searching. Ask yourself what you can learn from your job loss. This is the time to consider a new direction if you were not happy at your old job.

5. Don't Get Depressed over Losing Your Job - Don't wast time getting down on yourself for being laid off. A positive attitude will go a long ways towards helping you survive a layoff as well as finding a new job. Tell yourself being laid off is the best thing that could have happened - now you have the opportunity to learn from your previous job and find something even better suited for your talents and temperament.

6. 
    
   Surround yourself with church friends and other positive people to survive a layoff.

   Surround Yourself with Positive People - When you are laid off, it is important to surround yourself with friends, family, acquaintances, former co-workers, church friends and other people. This is important for two reasons: one, positive reinforcements will boost your spirits and two, these people may be able to network with you to help you find a new job

7. Prepare an Updated Resumé - As soon as you lose your job, it is time to prepare an updated resumé. Look online for tips on preparing a current resumé as the best format for a resumé changes every year or so. yer.

8. 
    
   Treat job hunting like it is your 9-5 job/

   Treat Job Hunting Like It Is Your New Job - Job hunting should become your full-time 9 - 5 job until you find a new job. Start at 8 or 9 in the morning and work at it until 5 PM, Monday through Friday: look through classifieds, call for appointments, go to interviews, work on your resumé, work on cover letters, build social networks online, contact friends and acquaintances to see if they know of any jobs, etc. This is your new job.

9. Check the Want Ads - Check the want ads online and in local papers. Also, target the top 10 - 20 companies in your field for a phone call introducing yourself and asking to whom you should send your resumé even if they aren't advertising a job currently

10. 
     
    Cut your budget and save money during a layoff.

    Keep a Positive and Realistic Attitude - Unemployment is at an all-time high in most parts of the country, but there are plenty of jobs out there. Keep a positive attitude, but also a realistic one. It may take some time to find the right job, so consider cutting your expenses drastically so you can survive on your unemployment and/or severance for up to six months.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the longer article on the topic of surviving layoffs at "Handling a Layoff - Survival of the Fittest" in the Additional Resources below.
• Don't get down on yourself for getting laid off and don't waste your time being angry at your former boss or company. A positive attitude will enhance your chances of finding a new job much more than a negative attitude.
• © 2009 Kathryn E. Darden.

Resources

• Handling a Layoff - Survival of the Fittest
• Ten Ways to Get Fired and Lose Your Job
• Filing for Unemployment in Tennessee
• How to Apply for Food Stamps in Tennessee
• Surviving Job Loss: Unemployment, Layoffs, and Firings
• Improve Your Attitude and Defeat Depression
• Unemployment Resources in Tennessee
• Find Low-Cost or Free Health Coverage in Tennessee

[dzm1982]

on 5/28/2009 Nice article! I'd recommend the following checklist to keep yourself prepared for a layoff:http://www.myhowtoos.com/en/at-work-howtoos/74-how-to-be-prepared-for-layoff

[AdirondackTrina]

on 5/25/2009 Great tips on surviving a lay-off!Ü

[kristara]

on 5/1/2009 Surviving a layoff is not an easy task, thanks for the great tips.

[katecrittendon]

on 5/1/2009 Another good tip is to change your W-4 witholdings prior to the layoff, so you can stash as much cash as possible upfront.

[RENorton]

on 4/28/2009 Excellent piece. Very well-written with some great tips for surviving a layoff. Outstanding work! Thanks!