What to do when you get laid off

Being laid off is not a personal rebuke, though it feels like it. You can be the hardest worker, the most talented in your role, or the kindest person and still get laid off. It happens. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, either, or the type of job you have; almost everyone experiences being laid off at some point. Companies close, departments get downsized, the economy gets turned upside down.

The important thing to know is you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. It’s a challenging time, but you will get through it. In fact, being laid off can be an opportunity for self-reflection and reimagining what you want from your work.

Before you go headlong into your new job search, take a breath. Seriously. You need some time to process what being laid off means for you.

Talk with family or friends about how you’re feeling. Write down your thoughts. Spend a little time clearing your head.

Practice self-care. Even in the best of circumstances, being laid off is a blow to the ego. Now is exactly the time to make sure you are taking care of yourself—mind, body, and spirit. Soak in a hot bath, eat your veggies, get out in the sunshine. Yes, you need to think about practical things. The bills are still going to keep coming. When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better able to face whatever comes next.

Being laid off is scary. Without a steady income, our basic sense of security is shaken. Am I going to be able to afford the rent? Can I put food on the table? Those are real concerns.

You don’t have to take a backseat to your own fears, though. Here’s a chance to really think about what you want next in your life. These questions can help guide you in your process.

How are you feeling right now?

It’s normal to feel a range of emotions after being laid off—fearful, angry, relieved. None of them are wrong. Emotions give you information. If you feel relieved after being laid off, listen to that feeling.

How were you feeling while you were working?

Same thing. Reflect on your feelings. What are they telling you? Did you love interacting with customers? Did you relish time alone to work on projects? Keep those in mind as you search for your next role.

How do you want to feel in your next job?

Imagine yourself in your next job. Do you want to feel challenged? Do you want a fast-paced environment or one that’s slightly more chill?

What is the ideal work/life balance for you right now?

Think about your situation. Are you inspired to go full-tilt on your career? Do you have the energy to grow your expertise in your field? Do you have other demands on you that make career advancement less of a priority? Do you have a side hustle and need a low-stress job that allows you to focus on that?

What are your strengths?

It’s hard to look at ourselves objectively. This is where you may want an outside perspective. Try an online assessment, such as the U.S Department of Labor’s O*NET Interest Profiler or the free personality test from 16Personalities, that allows you to hone in on your particular strengths.

Heather, a Fidelity talent acquisition partner, suggests that you “…reach out to people who know you to see what their thoughts are.” Friends and family are great for boosting your confidence. Ask co-workers and supervisors, too, for their honest opinions. They can speak to your strengths as well as areas you can work on.

You’d be amazed at the number of resources there are out there for job seekers. Here is just a sample of what’s available.

State and local career centers

Most states have agencies that help people get back into the workforce. Many people think you have to be receiving unemployment insurance payments to access these services, but you don’t.

For example, MassHire, a Massachusetts state agency, offers seminars, career counseling, resume critiques, career planning tools, and their own job board for job seekers—all free of charge. They also have information about resources outside of their own network. Look at your state government’s website for their career agencies.

College career centers

You may have used your college career center when you were graduating. They are still there for you. Call them up. They offer a variety of supports—resume critiques, alumni networking platforms, etc.

Online resources

There are so many career resources online, you could spend weeks chasing them all down. We’ll talk about two of the heavy hitters here—one for job-hunting itself and one for professional learning.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn, the online destination for professional networking, has a job board that’s easy to use. It has three features we’ve found particularly helpful.

1. The “Easy Apply” button. For many jobs, all you need to do is click the button and upload your resume. Others may ask you to answer a few questions, most of which are quick and painless. You might think the hiring companies get so many applications, yours would get lost in the shuffle. Not necessarily. If you reasonably think you could do the job, go for it. You never know if you’ll get a call.
2. Sometimes a posting will tell you the name of the person who is posting the job. Those are people you want in your network. Even if the particular job isn’t for you, you can reach out to that person. Send a message to introduce yourself.
3. After you apply for a job, LinkedIn will often email you recommending one of their courses. They unlock the course for 24 hours for free. These are a great resource as their learning platform runs about $200 per year.

Google’s certificate program

This program is geared towards people looking to land entry-level positions in tech fields like data analytics, UX design, and digital marketing. It’s great for people just starting out or trying to change careers. Google offers its courses through Coursera for $49 per month. Some career agencies offer Google courses at reduced rates.

Google’s courses are designed for participants to earn their certificate in 3-6 months with roughly 10 hours of study per week. Exams can range from less than $50 up to $200. Financial aid is available if you qualify.

PRO TIP: Whenever you finish a course, be sure to add it to your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

There’s no magic formula for landing your next job. You’ll chart your own path, and that’s empowering. This is your journey. Remember, though, you’re not alone and there’s lots of help out there when you need it.