Whether you are recently lost you job or just feeling a bit uncertain about your job security in these tough economic times, following 8+5 points can help you to get back on your feet quickly in the event of a layoff or job loss.
Eight Things To Do
1 - DON'T PANIC
You may have lost your job but you have not lost everything. You are a skilled individual and will work again. Do not ever lose sight of these two simple sentences. Do not let yourself fall into a spiral of negative thinking. Think back to all the other people that you know of that have lost jobs in the past and are now successfully employed.
2 - REFLECT AND RECOVER
Step back and clear your head. Anger and fear are two of the most common emotions experienced after a job-loss. Neither is conducive to clear thinking or good decision-making. Take some time to talk through your feelings of loss with friends and family members. If this does not help, consider the services of a professional counselor. Sort through your emotional baggage or else risk dragging it with you on your job-search.
3 - ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCES
Take a serious look at your spending habits. List out your monthly expenses into 2 groups- absolutely necessary and optional. If you have already been laid off you should limit your spending to the first category. If you are still employed but fearing what the future may hold, start cutting back in the second category. A general rule of thumb is to keep the enough cash to cover at least two months worth of expenses in the bank for emergencies. If you have not had a chance to do so as of the time of termination, you still have options. Don’t forget that most companies offer a severance package to laid off employees. In addition you can also contact your local un-employment agency regarding unemployment benefits.
4 – INSURANCE
Just because you have lost your job does not mean that you and your family have immediately lost all insurance coverage that you had while you were employed. It just means that now you are responsible for paying for it all by yourself. Under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) generally you can remain on your former employer’s plan for up to 18 months as long as you pay the premiums. Remember that there are time limits for signing up for COBRA. You can get more COBRA information from the human resources department of your former employer.
5 - UPDATE YOUR RESUME
Take account of all the skills and responsibilities that you acquired on your last job. Make sure that you include these on your updated resume. And remember this is not the time to be modest; be proud of your accomplishments. If you are unsure on how to lay out or word your resume, then you can find many examples of successful resumes on the Internet or in your local bookstore. Definitely have a friend or family member review your resume. Remember that a good resume can often make the difference between being granted an interview or not. Take the time to make your resume shine.
6 - ACTIVATE YOUR NETWORK
Do not be ashamed that you have been laid off. Tell everyone that you think can help that you are looking for work. This does not mean that you should cry on the shoulder of anyone that will listen. What this does mean is that you should be prepared to tell friends, family and even acquaintances that you are looking for work, what types of skills you have and the types of jobs that you would be interested in.
7 - CONSIDER USING A RECRUITER
Consider using a recruiter. Recruiters a.k.a. headhunters can help you to better manage and improve the results of your job search. Using a recruiter has many advantages. These advantages include their having already established relationships with many employers and their having access to hidden job opportunities. In addition many recruiters will offer tips on how to improve your resume and interviewing skills. Best of all most recruiters are completely free to the job seeker. They collect their fees directly from the employer.
8 - GO BACK TO SCHOOL
Take advantage of the time provided by being laid off to better yourself both professionally and personally. Some people choose to go back to school and pursue an entirely different trade. Others will attend a few classes at the local community college to sharpen their skills in their chosen profession. Still others will pursue 6 or 12 month programs in a trade school. And don’t think that your study must be directly career related. This may be the perfect opportunity to study a foreign language or learn to roller blade. Layoffs provide people who are used to being busy with a lot of free time. Make the most of this time by improving yourself.
5 Things Not To Do
So, what should you not do after getting a layoff notice?
1 - Do Not Walk Off the Job
When getting laid off, some workers are asked to collect their belongings and vacate the property immediately. Others are given a specific date. For example, they will work three more weeks and then be laid off. If your employer gives you a pending layoff notice, as opposed to an immediate one, do not walk off the job in a fit of rage. Yes, you were blindsided. Yes, you have every reason to be angry. However, you cannot let those emotions dictate your actions. If your employer says you must work for three more weeks, you must. If you walk off the job early, you weren't laid off. Instead, you quit. You may no longer qualify for unemployment benefits.
2 - Do Not Burn Bridges
2 - Do Not Burn Bridges
In addition to not walking off the job in a fit of rage, you must leave gracefully. Do not burn bridges. Telling your supervisor or the company owner exactly how you feel seems like a good idea at the time, but it has serious consequences. Did you know that not all layoffs are 100% permanent? Some companies use them as a temporary way to cut costs. When a company starts to recover, many hire back some of their laid off workers. Do you want to be one? You won't be if you use fowl language, scream, or call your boss names.
3 - Do Not Let Your Emotions Consume You
Those who get laid off from work experience a wide array of options. Anger is often the first. Then, comes fear. For some, depression sets in. Whatever you are feeling, do not let it consume you. Those who let their emotions get the best of them often experience complications with friends and family. These are the people you need the most now. You need the support of loved ones. Whatever emotion you are feeling, whether it be anger, fear, or sadness, take it and turn it into something good. Create goals for yourself, work on finding a new job, familiarize yourself with popular stress relaxation tips, and so forth.
4 - Do Not Spend Like Normal
If you are laid off, you should be able to collect unemployment benefits. This weekly money is nice, but it will not be near what you were making before. This is where many jobless Americans run into trouble. They have less money to spend, but they keep their old spending habits. If you do, you will find yourself on the fast track to debt. After receiving your first unemployment check, sit down and total your monthly income. Add your check to additional income, such as your spouse's. This is how much you have available to spend. If your expenses total more, work on reducing them.
5 - Do Not Treat a Layoff Like a Paid Vacation
Unemployment benefits are available for laid off American workers. Yes, you deserve this money, but don't treat unemployment like a vacation. It is nice receiving a paycheck for sitting at home, but there are risks involved too. Your unemployment will not last forever. After months of sitting at home, you may have grown accustomed to doing nothing. It will be harder to get back into the swing of things. Do not let this happen. You don't have to rush to find a new job. Take time to find a well-paying and stable job. Just try to avoid sitting at home. Get out and socialize with friends, take a career training class, or go for daily walks.
No comments:
Post a Comment