How to Survive a Layoff

Although there is no easy way to deal with a layoff, here are some tips to help get you through it and moving on:

1. Allow yourself to feel angry and upset. These are natural feelings. Employment is a major part of your life and losing your employment is a huge life change. So only once you are able to accept what has happened and how you feel about it, will you be able to get past this part and work for your future.

2. Understand you have not been fired. Your termination has nothing to do with your performance, it has everything to do with the financial position and internal structure of the company. DO make sure you get a letter from your company saying that the termination of your employment is considered involuntary and is not performance-based.

3. Don't blame yourself. The economy is in chaos and most companies are feeling the impact, and for most, layoffs are their way of handling it. There is nothing you can do about it. But there is nothing you did to cause it, either.

4. Don't burn any bridges. You may want to trash your former employer, but don't. Business is a small world and you never know when you may cross paths with someone from your former company in an employment situation. You may need their reference or you may end up working for them again (the company or a particular individual). Trust me, it can happen.

5. Make sure you find out about all the money and benefits you have coming to you. You'll often have a severance pay and be eligible for unemployment. You should be told all of this when you are officially told about your position's elimination. If not, ask. And if you forget to ask (that's a lot to take in and you may not be thinking clearly), contact the company immediately once your head has cleared. They have to give you answers. Once you have them, file unemployment right away, even if you have a severance or vacation pay. Getting severance or vacation pay may require you go through an unemployment hearing, which is pretty standard and may result in your unemployment checks being delayed while your extra pay is allocated. It will not prevent you from getting unemployment.

6. Take control. But before you jump into the job search, ask yourself: What type of employment do I really want? Are you looking for the same type of work? Or have you been looking for a change? Sometimes a layoff is a blessing in disguise: It can give you the jumpstart you need to start over in a new career.

7. Start job searching. Use any professional or personal contact you have. Think outside the box when it comes to networking and opportunities. Utilize all the great internet job sites like monster.com, carerrbuilder.com, and indeed.com.

8. Calm down. Being laid off is hard. You'll find yourself doubting yourself, worrying about your future--getting really frustrated. Especially if you don't find employment right away. And the reality is you may not. Finding a job takes time. Sometimes months. But you'll find one.

9. Keep busy. Searching for a new job can be a full time job in itself. But try not to let it overwhelm you. Take breaks and do things that you enjoy. You'll need the stress reliever and it'll help you stay positive. So maybe job search in the morning but read a book, play with the kids, or make a big dinner for your significant other in the afternoon. Don't lose your life because you lost your job. And remember, you're not going to be out of work forever, so enjoy some time off.

Good luck and don't give up. Get ready for a great new future!

Sources:

http://www.job-hunt.org/layoffs/surviving-a-layoff.shtml
http://www.layoffsurvivalguide.com/tips-for-surviving-a-layoff.html