How to recover from a layoff

Well. It happened. You were laid off. Maybe you saw it coming, or maybe it came out of nowhere. Maybe you were hoping it would happen, but now the reality is setting in. Even if you manifested it, a layoff is a huge hit to our sense of self worth and self esteem. So - how do we transform this setBACK into a SETUP for the next step in your career?

Step 1: Mourn the loss. Feel all the feels.
Name them. Acknowledge them. Be present with the feelings and do what you can to understand where the feelings are coming from and what they’re telling you. Are you angry? Sad? Frustrated? Disapointed? Relieved?

Step 2: Codify the learnings. AND the impact.
You did SO MUCH in that last job, and my guess is very little of it has been reflected on your resume or on Linkedin. SO while it’s fresh in your mind get your accomplishments in writing somewhere.

You also forged relationships so take those relationships to the next place. Connect on whatever social platform feels most appropriate. Let people know that you’re in a transition between the previous opportunity and the next and ask people for their support.

Let them know what you’ve appreciated about the work-anchored relationship. Request a written review. Let them know that you look forward to staying connected and that you WILL be in touch once you’ve had a chance to lay out your next steps. Your people will want to help you. Use this time to be transparent and open and bring people on the journey with you.

I know it’s tempting to send a blast announcing the news, but I strongly recommend reaching out 1:1. People are much more likely to help you when you connect with them directly.

Step 3: Take a step back before you move forward.
If you are in a position to give yourself a couple of weeks before you plunge back into the job market, please do. Human beings need time to integrate their experiences, to recover their confidence, to decide their first next step.

If you have no savings, no severance and no safety net - then yeah, get on the hunt (and consider applying at a local retailer in the meantime), but if you DO have a cushion - use it. This is what it’s there for. Give yourself the time and space to re-position yourself so you can maximize the next opportunity or use this space to test and experiment with the business idea you’ve had hiding in the back of your mind.

Step 4: Harness your confidence.
It never feels good to be laid off. Even if you wanted it. So if you’re confidence is at an all time low, remember this: YOU got yourself to that last job. You’ll get yourself to the next one. You know how to figured out hard things. You have a network and relationships and people who care about you. You got yourself to this place, and you’ll get yourself to the next place.

And if you need some support doing the above or figuring out what comes next, be in touch. I’d be happy to help.

YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Xo,
R