Top 10 Things To Do if You're laid Off

Being downsized, dismissed, let go, or laid off is never easy. No matter how much information we’re privy to regarding our company or industry, it’s always a shock when we’re the casualty. Here are ten things to do should this happen to you.

1. Regroup—Experience the shock, hurt, and anger that you’re experiencing but don’t get stuck in the feelings. Instead, focus on the future and what it is you most want and need.

2. Mobilize—Mobilize your resources. List every idea you have about what you think you’ll need to do. Get the ideas out of your brain and onto paper. This will help you with brainstorming, with strategizing, and with mobilizing your resources. Immediate action is required; mobilization is the step preceding action.

3. Think people—List all the people you know. Make a plan about how you’ll approach them, and for what purpose. How will you explain your situation to people, and what is it that you’ll be asking for? Get clear about this last point so your communication with them is productive.

4. Think functions and transferable skills—Think about the skills and talents you’ve tapped into in previous jobs. Creatively brainstorm what jobs would easily incorporate these transferable skills.

5. Presentation matters—Immediately update and upgrade your resume. Have your resume clearly represent your personal best. Make sure that the reader has no doubt about how well you’d perform. Have your resume express the best of who you are.

6. Maximize resource utilization—Don’t dismiss newspaper ads because you’ve heard that most people don’t get jobs through the newspaper. Think creatively about what resources are available to you and utilize them. Besides networking and the newspaper classifieds, there are professional organizations, alumni services, private and public employment offices. Look around your community for other available resources.

7. Focus on your strengths—You’re concerned about your future and worried about your income. While you might feel powerless about your lack of control, identify your strengths and make a conscious decision to live from them—observe when you’re not. Work to maintain your self-confidence while being open to others’ contributions. List on a piece of paper the qualities that make you unique and special. List your strengths, talents, and skills and add to them when new insights about your strengths emerge.

8. Create a personal board of directors—Consider creating your very own personal board of advisors. Apply Tom Peters’ concept, “the brand you,” to your life. Run your life as you would a business. Create a personal board of advisors who will contribute to your success. Invite people you respect and who have complementary perspectives, approaches, and skills. 

9. Invest in yourself—Investing time and resources into your personal and professional development is well worth the effort, regardless of your employment status. Structure personal/professional development into your schedule on an ongoing basis.

10. Visualize the future—Identify the essence of what most excites you. The layoff may be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps it is time to move on to something more challenging and exciting. Be open and listen. There may be a lesson and an opportunity in this for you. s

Source:  FabJob.com

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