When you get laid off: 9 things to do immediately
Our labor market is at an interesting time right now. Many companies are still looking for qualified talent. They can't find anyone while some companies, primarily tech companies, are laying people off due to disappointing returns, premature headcount growth, and changing client demands. Because of the sustained demand for talent, I would like to think those affected by a lay-off have new options before them.
I have been laid off twice in my career — one in the dot com boom in the early 2000s and one in the last ten years. In 2001, I was fresh on the professional scene and bounced back pretty quickly. The lay-off in my career 13 years later was a little harder to recover from. I eventually landed a fantastic position with a very stable and supportive organization. I was also fortunate to have some savings accumulated.
My first comment about lay-offs is directed toward leaders. I would sincerely hope we are focused on two critical areas:
We have thoughtful workforce plans that balance driving client demand and actual client demand. We may need to staff up to drive business — spend money to make money. Thoughtful workforce plans consider where and when we need to hire, develop, contract gig work, and outsource. There are levers to help steer each type of talent decision. Staffing up too quickly could lead to lay-offs down the road, so plan carefully.
The last resort for cutting expenses should be headcount. We are talking about people's livelihoods, so leaders must not take these decisions lightly. We need to ensure we have removed our biases and make cuts where we don't have demand and can be more efficient or outsource.
With this as a backdrop, I understand there may be times when staff must be cut, and lay-offs are inevitable. In my experience, I had one positive lay-off and one not-so-positive one. One lay-off I experienced provided generous severance and outplacement services. The other? I was shown the door.
I caution organizations on how they lay off their people. If you plan on restructuring, refocusing, and rebuilding in the future, how you treat your employees matters. Reviews on Glassdoor matter as people read those reviews. So, treat everyone with respect and, if you can swing it, provide support and a little financial compensation if you need to downsize.
So what happens if you are on the receiving end of a message that your job no longer exists? Here are nine things to consider.
1. Allow yourself to be upset.
I was understanding and felt okay with one lay-off; I went to my car and cried after the other one. Emotions are normal, whether you are relieved, indifferent, angry, sad, or terrified. All of those emotions are correct. Allow yourself a little space to go for a walk, gripe to a friend, scream out loud or buy that pint of Mint Chocolate Chip (ice cream has healing powers!).
2. Ask about assistance.
There is no harm in asking for assistance. Honestly, some organizations may not have thought about that. Is there severance? Is there any help with outplacement, networking opportunities, or support groups? Will they keep you in mind should their situation change (assuming you would return)? During one of my lay-offs, I asked the head of HR if he knew anyone in his network. He hadn't thought about it but said he did and connected me to three professionals. That did not yield my next job, but it did get me an interview.
3. Do something for yourself immediately.
It is essential to take care of yourself during this time of uncontrollable change. I recommend taking a little time after your ice cream binge to do something for you. Read that book you have been putting off. Take that online course. Start a workout routine. Whatever has been on your list, do it. This is a good time to invest in yourself.
4. Find your support.
Reach out to your friends, family, and former colleagues. Join an association or attend a group on Meetup, which are usually free. Find a group you can connect with. The result of eating ice cream is you are alone. Don't wallow for too long, and don't be alone. Connect to others to get inspired and figure out your next steps.
5. Reach out to your network.
There used to be a stigma around losing your job. People felt ashamed or inadequate. They thought they weren't good enough to be retained. I have felt those feelings and allowed a lay-off to shake my confidence. Don't fall into that trap either. Lay-offs are not actually personal, which is ridiculous since I can't think of anything more personal than losing your income. But, lately, I am seeing something I haven't seen — brave souls posting their job losses on LinkedIn to see who might be looking. This is not only brave but brilliant. There is no shame in this. Reach out to everyone you know individually and on social media.
6. Pause and reflect.
This is a good time to think about your career. While you didn't ask for a time-out, that is precisely what has been handed to you. Take time to document and reflect on your values, strengths, energy, and belief. I have written a lot about discovering your career. Start with this blog post if you need some guidance.
7. Create a plan.
We have all heard your job while unemployed is to work on a job search. Having a plan in place will help you. I have many friends and colleagues who think planning creates stress, but it does the opposite—knowing what you're going to do and when gives you focus and freedom. Your plan should include networking, applying to jobs, doing pro bono work, exercising, sleeping, and self-care. It should also have the following point….staying visible.
8. Get visible.
Certainly, posting you are open to work on LinkedIn is a great way to be visible but also join a network, speak or write, if you can. Volunteer to lead a committee with a charity or professional event. Volunteering is an excellent way to be visible to others. You never know who you may meet. Start posting interesting quotes and quips on LinkedIn or other social platforms. Get yourself out there.
9. Enjoy the time.
This is one of the hardest things to do but enjoy this time. One of my biggest regrets about being laid off was not enjoying the time I had. I was so stressed about finding my next paycheck that I didn't focus on self-care and take time to reflect on my career. I didn't try something new, which I wish I had done—what a great time to write a book or build your side hustle. If you can financially, take a break. Gaps in resumes are less and less suspicious today. Think about the time handed to you and make the most of it. Once you land your next job, you may not have this time again.
Being laid off is scary and can be very emotional. Maximize the time. Take care of yourself, focus on your career, be visible, and try something new. If you need a paycheck desperately, take a part-time job doing something you may not normally do to ease the stress. If you can collect unemployment, take advantage of that resource; this will also reduce some financial burdens. Enjoy this time and focus on yourself and your next step. Take advantage of this forced time-out.