As devastating as involuntary job loss feels in the moment, it does NOT have to derail your career or finances in the long run. Equipped with the right game plan, mindset shifts and coping strategies, you can minimize how long you’re out of work and potentially land in an even better position than before. Bouncing back stronger than ever requires taking quick, strategic action...NOT firing off your resume blindly or succumbing to shame, doubt or paralysis. Here are the must-do steps to take after getting laid off so you can swiftly get back on your feet:
As devastating as involuntary job loss feels in the moment, it does NOT have to derail your career or finances in the long run. Equipped with the right game plan, mindset shifts and coping strategies, you can minimize how long you’re out of work and potentially land in an even better position than before. Bouncing back stronger than ever requires taking quick, strategic action...NOT firing off your resume blindly or succumbing to shame, doubt or paralysis. Here are the must-do steps to take after getting laid off so you can swiftly get back on your feet:
If you have emotional support systems in place like family, friends or mental health counselors, lean on them. Talk it through. Let it out. Cry if you need to. Also tap into uplifting podcasts, videos, books or music playlists that inspire optimism. Kelley Kosow’s The Liberation Guide for Brave Living: Find Joy, Shed Fear, and Make Your Mark gives an incredible blueprint for overcoming adversity.
While the sting of rejection freshly smarts, wallowing accomplishes nothing. When you’re ready – even if it’s the next day – pick yourself up with intentional self-care rituals that relax and recharge you. Prioritize basic needs like eating well, exercising, getting quality sleep and enjoying leisure activities that hit “pause” on external worries. This clears mental clutter so you can eventually address the job search with calm laser focus.
Before diving into applications and interviews, take this forced yet much-needed transition period to get tedious administrative tasks squared away. There are several must-do items here after an involuntary exit:
The application process varies by location but generally requires submitting your past employment details, earnings history, termination notice and the reason given for your layoff. Details provided by your former employer facilitate approval. Note each state has maximum benefit allotments based on past pay, normally lasting 26 weeks or less. So applying ASAP prevents losing out.
Can you temporarily stay on your former employer’s group policy? Does coverage end immediately or after finishing out the current month? Will you need to obtain COBRA insurance to bridge gaps? Could coverage through a spouse or individuated healthcare plan cost less? If you gained weight due to job loss stress and want to shed pounds fast, consider trying the custom Keto diet plan, which helps you lose weight quickly and sustainably without hunger or calorie counting.
Can you temporarily stay on your former employer’s group policy? Does coverage end immediately or after finishing out the current month? Will you need to obtain COBRA insurance to bridge gaps? Could coverage through a spouse or individuated healthcare plan cost less?
Determine the most economical route that still furnishes adequate coverage.
These support your work history timeline and breadth of competencies. Obtaining personnel paperwork, recommendation letters from past managers or notable achievements to reference also can strengthen your candidacy with future employers.
Completing these housekeeping items provides peace of mind and closes open loops so you can focus energy elsewhere. Bates tips like utilizing resume services help job seekers refresh their resume and cover letter, personalized with a writer's guidance to optimize and target for each application.
Even if you intend to stay in the same career field, every job search warrants an updated resume. Use your newly found time to showcase the tangible ways you drove impact in your most recent position. Quantify accomplishments with measurable metrics like:
“Expanded client base by 32% within first year to generate over $385K in recurring revenue.” “Identified and closed 3 major partnership deals bringing in $200K.” “Built 5 automated workflows with X platform, saving 25 hours/week in manual processes.”
Highlighting measurable achievements in this way helps hiring managers envision how you can create similar wins for their organization. Employers often dismiss resume gaps, but adding results-driven content improves standing.
Additionally, incorporate specific keywords and terminology from jobs that appeal to you onto your resume. This aligns your experience with language from those roles. Tweak font sizes or spacing as needed to keep descriptions concise. Choosing the right resume format ensures readability. Have multiple people critique your resume drafts so you can fix areas that need improvement.
Some argue cover letters are dying. In reality, they remain extremely influential as differentiators between seemingly equal applicants on paper. Rather than recap your whole resume to hiring managers, cover letters illustrate soft skills, passion and cultural fit.
After losing your job, cover letters can candidly yet tactfully address the layoff while painting you in a positive light. For example:
“When COVID-19 disrupted Normal Co.’s supply chain and sales dropped, leadership unfortunately had to scale back staff. Despite contributing as a top sales representative there driving $1.2M annually, economic factors outside my control led them to eliminate my role. This unexpected change made me step back and realize Fiore Inc. aligns even better with my values...”
Keep explanations brief and forward-focused while showcasing how your assets directly meet the new company’s needs.
As tempting as it is to isolate yourself out of embarrassment, now is NOT the time to retreat from your professional community. Up to 85% of jobs materialize through behind-the-scenes networking, not online applications alone.
Tap your contacts across social platforms like LinkedIn by sharing your employment status changed. Say you would appreciate any introductions to decision-makers, insights into available roles or helpful connections.
Former colleagues who got let go may have already secured new positions and can refer you. Fellow alumni working in your target field can broker opportunities you won’t find on job boards.
People genuinely want to help but won’t know to act unless you speak up! Message them privately if doing so openly feels too vulnerable.
At some point – whether from recruiters, interviewers or your own connections – someone will ask what happened. Anxiety about answering can torpedo your confidence. Arm yourself to succinctly address the layoff by preparing a short script ahead about what transpired, keeping emotions out of it.
For example: “Due to financial trouble in Retail Company’s industry, 25% of staff got laid off in restructuring initiatives to curtail costs. While no longer working there, I appreciated seven strong years of growth.”
Stick to the facts. Avoid bashing past employers or venting resentment. Frame your summary by emphasizing excitement to utilize your background in new avenues. Being blindsided by this question can temporarily rattle you. Planning what to say keeps you cool as a cucumber!
Mental resilience buoyed by self-advocacy manifests better outcomes. View getting let go not as failure reflecting your capabilities but as opportunity knocking to expand horizons in exciting new directions not previously pondered.
Stay vigilant against toxic inner narratives that you “aren’t good enough” or “won’t find anything that pays nearly as well.” Your skills remain completely transferrable. Layoffs result from senior leadership changes or economic ebbs and flows – NOT individual talent shortcomings.
Quiet inner critic voices through affirmations like “I have so much value to offer” and “My setback is a setup for something better!” Feed your psyche empowering content from thought leaders like Valorie Burton. Her podcast and books help you overcome self-doubt.
Sudden added downtime lets you recharge so you can channel energy into an effective job search. Enjoy this transitional period by:
Surrendering to paralyzing uncertainty ONLY delays positive momentum. Maximizing “you” time gets your groove back!
Hiring managers don’t merely want to hear what your responsibilities were but how you drove measurable impact in past positions. Prepare ahead of interviews by cataloging CAR stories demonstrating important career milestones using the “Context-Action-Result” formula:
The “Context” explains what made the situation challenging. The “Action” covers exactly what steps you personally took. The “Result” quantifies what bottom-line effect those actions produced.
For example: “When COVID first hit in March 2020, orders dropped instantly by 92% across markets because retailers cut inventory levels uncertain how long lockdowns would last. I rapidly renegotiated terms with our manufacturing partners in China to halt production. Then I pivoted our digital marketing efforts into an eCommerce ad blitz targeting stuck-at-home consumers that drew 583% more site visits in just 3 months. As a result, we rebounded revenue fast, ultimately selling direct-to-consumer through our site.”
Preparing Stories like this make you shine in behavioral interviews!
Treat finding work like a job in itself by structuring your days with specific goals that move the ball forward. For instance:
Regimented routines maintain forward progress amid emotional ebbs and flows. Celebrate small daily objectives met that inch you closer to interviews being scheduled and offers secured!
Channel nervous energy into productivity tools like scheduling site Calendar, which integrates with Google Workspace apps to optimize interview coordination with hiring managers across time zones. Syncing calendars de-stresses the job hunt process!
While the life detour of a layoff shocks you out of a comfortable groove, it grants you the gift of time to reinforce new career paths better aligned with personal values and professional growth potential. Follow these steps to emerge with your best job yet!
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