3 Steps to Take after a Lay-Off
3 Steps to Take after a Lay-Off
We’re heading into a recession. Nobody wants to hear those words, but it’s the hard, cold truth. Because of this, companies will begin making lay-offs, and you might find yourself out of a job.
Firstly, don’t panic. Remember that being laid-off is a near-universal experience. It might have nothing to do with you or your talents and everything to do with outside factors influencing your organization.
If you are laid-off, there are three steps you can take in the interim period between jobs that will make your job search easier.
1. Don’t Start Your Job Search Right Away.
After a lay-off, it seems counter-intuitive not to immediately search for another job. But trust me on this. If you’re feeling angry or bitter—completely natural feelings—take a moment to cool off. If you go into a job interview fresh off a job loss, holding on to residual negative emotions, your interviewer will sense that from a mile away. It won’t reflect well on you. So, take a breather. Let yourself be angry for a few days. Then, once you feel you can approach talking about your former company in a neutral tone, commence the job search.
2. Assess Your Finances.
Losing consistent income is possibly the most frightening thing about a lay-off. Therefore, it is essential to take stock of your finances. How long can you go without employment? Three months? Six months? A week? Do you have any savings or emergency funds to get you through your unemployment? Can you apply for government assistance, or do you have family members who can help you?
Talking to a financial advisor could help you answer some of these questions. Once you know the state of your money, you’ll be better equipped to look for a job.
3. Be Open to Alternative Forms of Employment.
With the state of our economy and how companies are reacting, be open to alternative forms of employment. If full-time isn’t an option, look for contract, fractional, or part-time work. Many companies are starting employees off with short-term contracts to see if it’s a good fit, and if it is, they’ll extend a permanent job offer. You might even try one of these options and realize you like it better than working full-time.
Above all, keep your head up. There will be another job out there for you, maybe even better than your last. And if you’re looking for more guidance on job searching, check out our other blogs and resources.
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