Simply put, being laid off sucks. Having your whole world turned upside down (usually completely out of the blue) can be mentally and physically draining, as well as embarrassing as far as perception may go. As upsetting as it may seem at first, being laid off isn’t the end of the world, and with these four helpful suggestions, it may be a bit easier to get through and on to your next opportunity.
4 Ways to Bounce Back from a Layoff.
1. Take a Deep Breath and Relax
Layoffs can be soul crushing and an emotional hit that seems impossible to get over when it first happens. The truth is you will get over it. The goal is it do it right. Take a deep breath, take some time to relax and adjust to the change in your schedule. Then, when you’re ready, begin to think about what you want to do next, such as where you might want to work and who you might want to work for. Create a list of options, refresh your resume, and reach out to your network and connections.
2. Think About What You Want to do Next
Do you want to get right back into the same job, role and/or industry. If so, you should be familiar with the various employers in that space, and possibly connections you’ve made during your tenure. Reach out to them and see if they’re hiring someone with your background and skill set. If you want to try something different, now is the time to research the industry or role you’re considering breaking into. Either way, be sure you know what you want to do before applying for new opportunities – this will help you express yourself better and enable employers to better understand what you’re looking for and whether you are worth the risk.
3. Refresh Your Resume
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your resume, you may need to spend a bit of time refreshing it. Take a look at what’s there now: does it speak to your accomplishments, achievements, and positive impacts you’ve had at your prior jobs? If not, revise those areas so they speak to your strengths. As for your most recent role, add that to your resume and be sure to include the components of that role that would speak favorably to the roles you will be applying to. Your resume should be speaking to the requirements of future positions. If you need help with this, find a good resume service to assist (they’re definitely worth it!).
4. Reach Out to Connections and Networks
The saying goes, there’s 6 degrees of separation between every person on the planet. True or not, its an interesting concept. With that in mind, your connections and network contacts should be the first place you go to see who knows of job openings or plans for hiring. If your network group is small or non-existent, consider joining a local business networking group or make the rounds of groups and introduce yourself. Your 2-minute elevator speech introduction just might catch the ear of someone hiring. Additionally, consider connecting with recruiters as we typically have our fingers on the pulse of great job opportunities that never make it to the job boards. Every little bit of connection helps.
Whatever the reason or cause, being caught up in a layoff can be emotionally and physically exhausting. However, it’s not the end of the world. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and step forward into the next phase of your career.
Good luck, and Happy Hunting!