10 Steps to Surviving a Layoff
How to go about surviving a layoff. Job loss is one of the most stressful life events. You need to have a good action plan in place to recover and get going in the job market.
Practical strategies will help you handle the lay off and compete for a new job.
Dealing properly with your feelings and concerns will enable you to mobilize yourself and put together the right resources for starting your job search and preparing to re-enter the job market.
Take these ten steps to handle the emotional challenges of your layoff in the most effective way possible
10 Steps to Surviving a Layoff
Use these tested strategies for handling a layoff.
1. Don't panic
Panic following a lay off is dangerous. Do not lose sight of these two facts - you are a skilled person and you will work again.
Adapt to what has happened and turn your energies to finding a
solution. The way in which you look at the job loss will make all the
difference in surviving a layoff. Avoid getting into a spiral of
negative thought.
2. Acknowledge your feelings
It is absolutely normal to experience
fear, anxiety and depression after losing your job. Don't pretend that
you are fine, acknowledge what you are going through otherwise you will
not be able to deal with it.
3. Write it all down
Put down on paper how you feel.
- What would you like to have said to the
company but didn't? - What upset you about the way you were laid off?
- What thoughts keep going through your head?
- What would you like to tell
your family but feel unable to?
Empty all your negative emotions
into your writing and get it out of your system. Do it as many times as
necessary. You can even write a letter to the company and then burn it.
This can have a very cathartic effect.
4. Make a list of all the positive things about yourself
This
is a good way to build your self-esteem and feel more positive. Ask for
letters of recommendation from colleagues and managers. These serve two
purposes in surviving a layoff - to boost your confidence and to help
you in your job search.
5. List any positive outcomes of this experience
- What
good has come from this layoff? - What have you learned?
Finding value in
the experience moves you from been a victim to a survivor. Practice
telling yourself and others "It was very hard but I'm glad it happened because ...."
6. Engage in stress reducing activities
Take
up yoga, jogging, walking or whatever is the most relaxing.
Key to
surviving a layoff is to get involved in activities that help you reduce
your anxiety and prepare for renewal.
7. Assess your financial situation
Take constructive steps to reducing financial anxiety by knowing your layoff rights.
Ask
yourself what is the salary you really need to earn? Consider your
savings, your expenses, your assets. Are you in a position to sell
assets that no longer benefit you? Are your monthly expenses all
essential?
After reassessing your financial situation you may find that your salary
requirements have changed, giving you more flexibility in job and
career choices.
8. Take time to reflect
The
layoff gives you time to examine your job and career history, your
possible career path and your personal career goals. You now have the
time and motivation to consider all this and work out what your next
step will be.
You are off the treadmill for a while and able to really find out
where you are and where you could be and want to be in your professional
life.
9. List your current skills and knowledge
Look back on your work experience and select the most valuable and marketable skills you have to offer.
Are these the skills you want to use in your next job? A free online
career aptitude test or a career counselor can help you decide.
10. Upgrade your skills
Surviving
a layoff may include taking advantage of the time provided by the lay
off to learn new and valuable skills. Lifelong learning is critical in
today’s job market, you should constantly be updating and upgrading your
knowledge and skills.
- Listen to business and motivational learning podcasts
- Research free courses online
- What interests do you have that could be
transformed into workplace skills
Even consider changing the
place where you are offering these skills. You can change your location
to be where the demand for your skills is. Many people change their
whole lives by moving from an area of low employment to an area of high
employment.
Prepare for your job search
Once you have taken these steps it is time to prepare your How to Claim Unemployment Benefits
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