How to Forge Ahead and Look for Work after being Laid-Off

You have just been laid off, perhaps after 10 or more solid years of work. You might be a manager, secretary, or technical professional. You might have expected it, or it might have come as shock. In either case, you will need to first mourn the loss of your job, especially if it was one you liked and provided a stable income. You will need to realize that the lay-off is not personal, although you will feel it is an afront to you and your efforts. You will need to come to grips with it, and begin to face the future with hope and determination.

Here are a few steps you should take, from the first day you learn of your lay-off, through to your job search.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF YOUR SEPARATION

When workers are laid off, they may be told they have a severance package, an extension of health insurance, unemployment benefits, and perhaps the use of outplacement services. All of this will depend on the size of the company, and your length of stay with the company. When you are first told you are laid off, it may be such a shock that as you are being told about your severance, you may not be able to absorb everything. If you have been laid off recently and you don't understand exactly to what you are entitled, make sure you contact the human resources department for clarification. A large company should give laid off employees a contact person to call with questions and to obtain further information.

If you have not been laid off, but expect that it is inevitable because of an anticipated business closure, be prepared ahead of time with questions. Become familiar with your company's severance policy, continuation of health insurance options, and whether or not you should be offered outplacement services.

TAKE TIME TO REGROUP

Depending on your career and how long you have been on the job, you might want to just begin looking for another similar job in the same industry. If you were having thoughts about changing a career, or looking to use your skills in another industry, this may be the time to move ahead in another direction. If you have a severance package that will give you several months' income cushion, take a little time to think about what you want to do next.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES AND OTHER SERVICES TO REVISE YOUR RESUME AND MOVE YOU FORWARD

Many large companies offer outplacement services. These services are provided by a human resources-type firm that assists employees who have lost their job with updating their resume, providing job search tools, and seminars and workshops to exchange ideas with others who have lost their jobs. Depending on your level in a company, outplacement services may range from one month up to six months. The outplacement firm also offers
space to laid off employees to make phone calls and use computers if necessary.

If your company does not offer outplacement services, and you have made a fairly good income, you may want to pay youself for these services. Some outplacement firms are more affordable than others. I took advantage of outplacement services as part of a retirement package I received. I had a one-on-one meeting with a "counselor" who helped me restructure my resume for a new career; discussed the salary level I could command going forward; and gave me access to a nation-wide industry database that provided key contacts to whom I could forward my resume. You can search for outplacement firms in your area by searching "Outplacement Firms" through Google or other search engines.

REMEMBER THAT TODAY, BEING AN "OLDER" JOB CANDIDATE IS NOT A LIABILITY

In the past, people that were laid off in their 40's and 50's oftened worried that their age would be a liability in looking for new work. Today, more people are working even well into their 60's and beyond. Older workers are actually looked upon very favorably because they are generally perceived to be experienced, and dedicated. I was pleasantly surprised when after I retired at 50 several years ago, that I received quick offers, and was able to work in three jobs within five years just because of my years of experience and the perception that I would be a good worker and bring professionalism to the workplace.

PUT YOUR RESUME IN MANY PLACES, AND NETWORK

Once you have revised your resume, you need to place your resume on-line in various job search engines, such as Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com. Don't forget the availability of government jobs. There are many well-paying government jobs available, particularly in major cities and towns throughout the U.S. Log onto usajob.opm.gov to register. The application process is free. The government has a different application process, and will ask you to complete an on-line resume which differs a little from the resume you might have prepared. However, it is easy to do. Government jobs offer excellent benefits, and there many types of government jobs in all industries.

You should also contact employment agencies that specialize in your industry of choice. Depending on your career, employment agencies may be your best source of possible work.

If you are interested in certain companies, find out the name of senior executives in that company and send your resume directly to division or department heads, as well as to human resources. You might have a better chance at getting an interview by sending your resume directly to the source. When I recruited for my division in Merrill Lynch, I received many resumes this way, and we always looked at these resumes very closely. If we didn't have immediate openings for these candidates, but the candidate looked good on paper, we always kept the resume handy, or referred the resume to another department if the candidate appeared to be a fit for another area. All of the jobs I was offered after I retired were found this way. I wrote directly to department heads and was called for interviews by those individuals.

Remember to get the word out to friends and colleagues that you are looking for work. Don't be afraid to look for advice from others who are in your field. While you have the time, join an organization or society where you might meet people who may be able to provide contacts for you. Sometimes it will be a friend or colleague that provides the contact who will give you an opportunity.

DON'T GET FRUSTRATED OR GIVE UP HOPE IF THE JOB SEARCH TAKES LONGER THAN YOU THINK

I have seen many individuals who are laid off take as much as nine months or a year to find a job. Even the most experienced may have some difficulty, especially since the availability of "positions at the top" are fewer than those positions that are less senior. You may get job offers, but maybe the salary isn't what you need, or there are other factors that make it unsuitable for you. You just need to keep at it, and sometimes when you eventually find a job, it will be the best you could hope for.

TRY TO ENJOY THE TIME OFF WITH YOUR FAMILY

I have heard from many individuals who were laid off that even in the midst of their job search, and the pressures that it brings, being laid off has given them the opportunity to spend quality time with their families. Enjoy this brief respite from the work grind.

Above all, remember that you will find work eventually, even if it has to be temporary-type work for a time. Don't be discouraged. There's a job for you out there.