Getting laid off?
You’re not alone. Layoffs are happening seemingly everywhere now; across industries, sectors and titles. My clients have navigated successfully through and I’ve been there as well.
Here are five tips to emerge stronger on the other side:
- If you see it coming or have advance notice, try to get ahead of it. Be sure to negotiate your severance packages and other compensation arrangements. Remember: Salary is important, but are there other things you want as well? Several of my clients feel nervous about negotiating at this time. But don’t ask, don’t get, right? You’ve got a 50/50 shot at “yes.” The answer is always “no” if you don’t ask.
- When it does happen, and you’ve cleared out your desk, and walked out of the office with your bankers’ box of stuff, the temptation is to jump right into another job search. Don’t do it. Take a breath. Take a pause. Pay attention to your thought patterns and feelings. Make sure you are processing them now–or they will show up later, and at a very inconvenient time. Yes, finances may be a concern. They were for me; I understand what it is to have limited runway. But the job search can wait a few days while you clear your head and get in touch with your heart.
- When you embark on the job search, keep your expectations in check. This is a tough market with a lot of highly qualified candidates looking along with you. My highest qualified and most proactive clients have taken 6-9 months to find their new position. Keep this figure in the back of your head if you get discouraged when you get those “no’s,” you receive those rejections and you get ghosted. And it will happen.
- Remember what is important to you. It is very easy to get seduced by the next offer that comes along, particularly if your financial situation is shaky. I get it. Make sure you are grounding yourself in your values, needs and wants. You are a participant and a beneficiary in this process! What career growth opportunities are on the table? What does the salary look like? The total compensation? The office culture? Ask all of your questions. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you, and it is ok to walk away if there is not alignment.
- Don’t isolate. It may feel more comfortable to do so, but it won’t serve you in the long run. The old stigma around getting laid off is slowly dying off, and good riddance to it. With market forces the way they are and with constant change across industries, you’re bound to get laid off at least once in your career. No shame, no blame! So put yourself out there! Call former colleagues and bosses. Share what you’re seeking in a new position. Post on social. Your next organization won’t make house calls to find you–go after what you want!
