If you have been laid off before, you know that surviving this difficult situation requires planning and preparation. This three-part series started with a look at financial and emotional survival. This week ends the series with tips for surviving professionally.
1. Tell your network that you have been or will be laid off. This includes family, friends, business contacts, neighbors … anyone who might have leads. If possible, tell the story without much detail or emotion to avoid appearing angry or bitter. Show that you’re ready to move forward.
2. If you have access to your work space, gather copies of your work to use in your portfolio. Then review your company’s directory and note contacts who might help in your job search. This is also a good time to get copies of past reviews.
3. Gather letters of recommendation. Your bosses may not be allowed to provide these (or may not be the best choice), but consider as well past bosses who have left the company, peers and even clients or vendors. The point is to provide a positive picture of your employment with this organization. Letters will serve you better in the long run than simply listing people on a reference page.
4. Prepare a resume. The best resumes are targeted to a specific career path and demonstrate key skills and experiences in that field. Unfortunately, laid-off workers are often uncertain of their career choices directly after a layoff, making it difficult to create an optimal resume. For now, simply present your most marketable skills and a clear explanation of your work and education. The document can be refined later, but you don’t want to miss opportunities early in your transition.
5. Access job search assistance. If your company offers outplacement services, use them as fully as your schedule allows. Also check your state workforce center and local nonprofits for programs targeted to laid-off workers. There’s no need to wait for your first appointment to get started, though. The more you do before that meeting, the more your counselor can help you.
6. On your own, or with the help of a counselor, make a career change or job search plan. Set dates for key steps so you can check your progress, and research your chosen field to ensure there will be opportunities and adequate pay. Conducting interviews and attending professional association meetings can be helpful.
7. If your new plan calls for training, enroll as soon as possible. And if you’re still at the company, try to negotiate tuition reimbursement into your severance. When considering online training, remember that classroom sessions may provide more networking opportunities.
8. Start a new network immediately. Besides your current contacts, you now need to add regular meetings in your goal profession, such as user groups or trade association sessions. You may also benefit from a job search group or more generalized networking group to develop new job leads.
9. Create your marketing tools. In addition to your resume, you will need business cards and a LinkedIn profile. As with your resume, don’t worry initially about refining your message. Just get on the grid as best you can.
10. Even if your budget doesn’t call for it, get a part-time job or a volunteer position. Anything from five to 20 hours a week will provide contacts and a reason to get out of the house without substantially impeding your job search. The discipline will also keep you sharp while providing an answer for the dreaded interview question, “What have you been doing since your layoff?”
11. Reconnect with the people you contacted in Step 1. Now that you know your direction, tell contacts your new plan and ask for specific help. As possible, schedule brief conversations and email copies of your resume so everyone has it in hand.
12. Keep working your plan, troubleshooting problems as they arise. Meet regularly with a job search buddy, career counselor or mentor to stay on track.
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