Lay Off Tips

Practical lay off tips will help you put together a strategy for coping with life after a layoff and moving on to the next stage in your career.

Deal with the emotional fallout

This is key to moving on confidently and with energy. The most common emotions following a lay off are fear and anger. Acknowledge your anger and your anxiety and then deal with them. A good way of getting them out of your system is to write down how you are feeling. Write a letter to your company detailing how you feel about them, then burn or shred it. Share your feelings with people who have been through a similar situation. Then focus on positive things. List all the positive things you can offer a future employer. List what you have learned from the lay off experiences that can benefit you. Engage in stress-reducing activities like walking or jogging. Take advantage of any counseling resources the company may offer.

Take these initial practical steps

Are you getting a severance package? If you have not been offered a severance package, or if it is minimal, assess whether you have something to offer your employer in exchange for severance payments and the temporary extension of benefits such as health insurance. Consider signing a severance agreement or non-compete agreement in exchange for a severance package.

Find out about purchasing COBRA extended health insurance benefits after you have been laid off.

Get employment references and letters of recommendation from your employer, colleagues and clients before you leave your job.

Take Stock of your Career

Use this time to reflect on your career and reevaluate your career goals. Look back over your working life. List what you have done and achieved so far and what you have enjoyed most about your career to date. Find answers to questions such as:

• what motivates me?
• what are my strengths?
• what are my biggest career accomplishments?
• what is meaningful to me?
• what are my priorities

This is a time to do some self-assessment and make decisions about moving into something new and better, something in line with your values and motivations. Rewrite your career goals and start developing a plan to reach them.

Give your resume a fresh look

Now you know what you want, list what you can offer a new employer. Take a look at your resume and rework it to highlight the value you can bring to an employer. Include key words that identify your strengths, skills and abilities, your knowledge and experience. Point out your accomplishments and why you are the right job candidate. Key lay off tips include gathering together letters of recommendation, testimonials, references and positive work samples to include in your job search portfolio.

Start Networking

Be open about your layoff and inform every relevant person that you are currently in the job market. Tell them what you are looking for and what skills you have to offer. Have business cards ready to handout at the right moment.

However make sure your network is targeted and focused. Before you undertake a networking activity consider what the desired outcome of it is - to learn about opportunities, to gain visibility to get an introduction or just to make a potential connection. The outcome must be of value and be realistic for it to be worth your while.

Up to 75 percent of job seekers generally find positions through networking. Think about people you know who can help you. Be sure you know what to say about yourself and your skills in a concise and clear way before you begin networking. Develop and practice a short speech about your experience, skills, and abilities and what you are looking for.

Develop a daily action plan

Important lay off tips focus on setting a regular schedule for networking and job search. Set aside time slots for different activities such as scanning jobs online and in the papers, calling prospective employers to get contact names, writing cover letters, sending out your resume, developing a presentation and attending networking events. It is important to keep busy and to get out of the house. The library is a good source of job search information, attend relevant trade shows or seminars, or drop by a company to deliver your resume personally.

Try to keep structure in your life by establishing a daily routine and sticking to the scheduled tasks you set yourself. Retain a professional mindset and keep your self esteem intact. Answer your phone in a proper manner, have an appropriate voice message on your phone and dress smartly.

Review your progress and plan regularly. Evaluate the results and revise your strategies and plan where needed.

Layoffs are a fact of life. The job market today is an uncertain place and will continue to change. Use the lay off tips and techniques to help you to recover from a lay off and to stay focused and competitive during your job search.

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