What to do if you get laid off

·   Mourn.  It’s okay to grieve the loss, and to acknowledge the emotions you’re likely feeling.  Set a time limit for yourself to process things, and really spend time doing what makes you feel good in the moment.  But be sure to honor that time limit you’ve set!  As most of us know, it’s all too easy to go from feeling all the feels to wallowing in self-pity, and that isn’t helpful.

·   File for unemployment.  Since a layoff isn’t your fault, you are eligible for unemployment.  It can take some time to get your paperwork processed, so do this quickly.  You can find information at https://www.usa.gov/unemployment.

·   Rework your mindset.  Being laid off isn’t because of anything you did.  It’s not a reflection of your skills, you value to an organization, or how much people like you.  It’s about how your previous employer handled the business end of things in this strange economy.  It’s worth reminding yourself of this because it’s all too easy to take on blame that you have no business taking on.

·   Figure out what’s next.  What did you like about your previous job?  Did you have goals there you would like to meet somewhere else?  Are there other tasks you’d enjoy learning or doing?  Spend some time thinking about what you want and what job titles or employers offer those.

·   Reach out to your network.  There are probably lots of people who would love to be able to help you land your next job.  Let them know what’s happened, and ask them for help.  It’s easier for them if you can identify what you want next, so be specific and make targeted asks: job openings they know about, people they think you should talk to, etc.

·   Schedule your time.  Looking for a job is tiring and not especially rewarding.  Think about the time of day or the days of the week you feel more energetic and productive, and schedule the tasks you enjoy less during those times.  That gets the ickier stuff out of the way when you have the bandwidth for it.  Then schedule the rest of your week accordingly.  You will probably want more breaks than if you were just working, so plan for those, as well.  I use an online calendar and a calendar app, but choose what works for you.

·   Consider gig jobs.  Because unemployment money can take a while to start coming in, you may find yourself feeling anxious about money, so look into some things that can tide you over, remembering that these aren’t long-term choices.  If you’re stuck for ideas, check out SideHusl and think about what you can do for a few months.

·   Note your accomplishments.  This is a great habit to be in anyway, but it’s especially helpful when you’re on the job-hunt.  Some things will help you revamp your resume or flesh out your LinkedIn profile.  Some will make great stories for interviews you have moving forward.  And going through this exercise periodically will remind you that you have a lot to offer an employer!  Think about ways you solved complex problems, reached goals, performed under pressure, prioritized tasks, dealt with conflict, and so forth, and write those down where you can see them.  And remember, this list isn’t done when you run out of steam!  It’s an ongoing project that you can use even after you land your next job.

What other tips do you have for dealing with a layoff?