What to Do After Being Laid Off: 10 Steps to Get Back On Track
You read the title right, sometimes sh*t hits the fan, the rug gets pulled out from underneath us, and we find ourselves in a complete JOB TRANSITION (out of no where!).
But… Here is the skinny: while some jobs may come with more stability, times are changing and no job is completely safe anymore. That's why it's important to know what to do to protect yourself during such a vulnerable time!
Over the years, I've supported physicians, attorneys, pharmacists, architects, CEOs, designers, and professional athletes who were suddenly left with no job. Seriously, losing one's job can happen to anyone.
If it happened to you, I want you to know that you are not alone!
In this blog, I am going to cover the essential and specific steps to take after being laid off so that you can make the very best of this challenging situation.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN LAID OFF
File for unemployment: if you have been let go – file for unemployment ASAP. Here is a reference so that you can learn that the requirements for unemployment are per state. There is no shame in filing for unemployment, so make sure to take care of yourself first and get aid if you qualify for it.
Give yourself a few days to shake this off: Getting laid off might be a shock to your system. You may even be feeling a little bit of imposter's syndrome about your entire career so far. No matter what, you'll want to try and turn your feelings into productivity to get through this difficult time. As I mentioned above, getting laid off is NOT that uncommon these days, so now is not the time to isolate yourself!
Check in with what is MOST important to you: On average it takes 3 months to 3 years to pivot into a new industry. You might need to take a temp position in order to meet your family needs. This is NOT a long term plan, just short term to get you through the $$$ aspects of your life. No one needs to know you are taking this role short term either, just keep that between us.
Nurture your network: Networking is about maintaining relationships and seeking out to people who are like-minded. Networking is NOT about reaching out to people to ask them for a job. When you are laid off, NOW is the time to reach out and ask for help. For years, you’ve been giving back to your colleagues, and NOW is the time to reach out and ask for support.
Reconnect with your goals: Needing to find a new job can be a positive thing because it gives you a chance to readjust aspects of your career (and your life, #YOLO!). Take some time to reconnect with your goals and figure out what type of job you'd need to land to get there.
Recognize what skills you bring to the table: Since you are officially back on the hunt for a job, it's essential to recognize your strengths and transferable skills. Really take the time to define what success means to you so that you can be as laser-focused on the right next steps for your career.
Launch a Side Hustle: I'm sure you've heard and realized this way before now, but we're living in a digital era. More people than ever are working from the beach or at home rather than sticking to a traditional 9-5 job. Now, I'm NOT saying that everyone will WANT to work in this capacity. What I am saying is that there are more opportunities to work through the gig economy than ever.
The gig economy is "a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs." This is because more and more employees are looking for the perfect blend of high-efficiency and low-cost, and this is exactly what the gig economy provides. Employers can reap the rewards of keeping their overhead low while employees in this type of system enjoy the flexibility of being able to work when and where they want. Whether you choose to pursue working on a freelance basis as part of your recovery plan from being let go, or if you want to find something more traditional, it's important to consider your options.Be strategic: Think about the big picture when you're applying to new positions. You'll need to be able to cover your financial responsibilities. That means you may need to start off accepting a position that isn't your true dream job to make ends meet. You may need to take a slight cut in pay to make it work. Be strategic and think about these factors sooner rather than later so that you can be CRYSTAL CLEAR on what you expect from this next phase of your career.
If you have no idea what it means to be strategic then you are a perfect candidate for my Career By Design Membership - holler at me if you are interested in this. Seriously, now is the time to invest in yourself and armor yourself with the RIGHT tools and techniques on how to stand out in a busy marketplace.Don't waste your energy: Since you're approaching your job hunt strategically, make sure that you aren't wasting your time. Most job applications take 30-60 minutes to complete. If you're spending all day sending out applications, make sure that you are using that time for the RIGHT applications. Be purposeful with your energy and make sure that the jobs you're applying to will fit your financial and career needs as closely as possible.
Get support: You are not alone. Now is the time to rely on your support system for help. Be honest about being laid off and rally the troops. Whether you are leaning more heavily on your spouse, family, friends, or professional network, let them be there for you.
I know it can be totally overwhelming to deal with a sudden change in your career, but this is something you can get through! Make sure you're doing the right thing with your time and energy to make sure that you're able to meet your needs and continue with your career when the time arises.
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