Laid off is just the next step towards a better opportunity rather than to sit and lament about being jobless.
Getting laid off was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. But it led to the best results.
Tom Smallwood
What should you do when got invited into an unscheduled meeting with your boss and someone from HR and receive a lay-off notice? It is not an uncommon experience in today’s business world. Laying off the employees is the quickest way a company can opt to chop down its cost when the economy or a company’s business goes south.
- What’s the ideal way of surviving a layoff?
- How should you handle being unemployed?
If you’re one among those who get the pink slip, these might be the question running through your mind now. Fret not; you are not alone in the line of people who lost the job. Many companies are cutting jobs or restructuring operations, and it’s a normal part of conducting business in today’s economy.
Unemployment can be unexpected or shocking for many, as they are not sure what to do next as they are unemployed. But it’s essential to take your next steps based on wise thought, not with emotions. To begin on the path to career recovery, avoid making these five mistakes after being laid off.
I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
Steve Jobs
Five mistakes you should avoid after being laid off
- Never Badmouth the Employer who laid you off
Being laid off can make you feel like denial or rejection of all your honest effort, especially when you worked hard for your company sacrificing your family and personal time. But never let your hurt feeling lead you into badmouthing your employer. Remember that every person comes in your professional network is essential for you. You don’t know what opportunities they might open for you when you least expect it. So never let your new employer thinks that you’re a loose cannon or disgruntled employee.
Try to remain respectful when your new boss asks you about the layoff and your past employer, or stay silent. Remember the old saying: If you can’t speak something nice, don’t speak anything at all.
- Never hide the layoff from your family
Most of the people consider their job as their identity and for them losing a job can be more than a traumatic incident. Even though it is hard, you should discuss this lousy moment with your close family. Don’t try to hide it from them as you’ll need their love and support to get you back on your feet.
- Jumping Into a Job Search
Never go straight from the layoff announcement to the computer to post a resume or update your LinkedIn profile. Never jump right into a job search, think more and more about your career path instead. Use a lot of time and list all your accomplishments and highlight those that meant the most to you.
- What tasks did you enjoy?
- Which projects inspired and stimulated you?
- And what are your strengths?
You may find out that you would be happier in a slightly different job role. You’ll undoubtedly come up with concrete accomplishments to put on your resume. Once you get a clear picture of your next steps and goals, you will be more targeted and productive in your networking.
- Dwelling on the Negative
Think twice before speaking anything about you to anyone. Never talk negatively about yourself! Your colleagues will be uncomfortable hearing about layoffs. So instead of talking too much to them about your wrong steps, allow them to help you by discussing the positive career steps you want to take.
- Becoming isolated or web-bound
You will receive countless information on the internet, and indeed, you can easily spend long hours daily submitting your resume online. But staying behind your laptop and surfing will only take you so far. You must encounter with people in person and get out of your home to land on a new job. The vast majority of open job positions are never even posted publicly.
If you talk to more and more Recruitment consultancy, you will most likely get one job offer. If you line up informational interviews with organisations you are interested to work for, the next time when there is a vacant chair, the employer or hiring manager will think about you.
You should also accept the support and positive feedback that comes from having coffee or lunch with former colleagues familiar with your best work. Set a goal, such as having two networking calls a day and two or three in-person meetings a week. When you talk to people you’ve worked within the past, they’ll learn what you achieved recently and where you want to go ahead next.
So whenever you pick up your phone to call someone or send emails, reach out to the best senior executive search firms who will lead you to your next great job.
Don’t be afraid of change. You may end up losing something good, but you will probably end up gaining something better.
Kushandwizdom
