Getting laid off can feel like a kick to the gut. Usually, you didn’t lose your job through any fault of your own. Instead, your employer’s circumstances changed, and they don’t need your skills any longer. Plus, in some cases, a lay off is a surprise. Not only did you not do anything wrong, but you also get little if any warning.
Figuring out how to move forward after a layoff can, therefore, be incredibly challenging. Luckily, there is life after a layoff. If you want to make sure that you can get back on your feet quickly, here are some tips.
Talk About It
Many professionals are angry, frustrated, sad, or scared after being laid off. It’s perfectly normal to feel any (or all) of those emotions after a layoff, and it’s best not to keep your thoughts bottled up.
Instead, reach out to friends or family members to talk about how you feel. Not only will it help you mourn your job loss, but it will also make it easier to come to terms with the situation. Plus, you’ll be creating sources of support by cluing members of your network, ensuring you won’t be alone as you try to move forward.
Just make sure you don’t dwell on what happened or in your feelings. Give yourself a little time to work through it, but then start focusing on the future. That way, you don’t get mired down.
Practice Self-Care
If being laid off increased your stress levels or left your anxious, sad, or depressed, practicing some self-care is wise. With the right activities, you can promote relaxation and make sure you are at your best.
Take time to pursue your favorite hobbies, exercise every day, meditate, hang out with loved ones, and keep up with your hygiene. Additionally, maintain a healthy sleep schedule and focus on proper nutrition. The goal is to create decisive moments that make you feel better, making it easier to move forward from the layoff.
Reflect on Your Career
Sometimes, a layoff hangs over you like an anchor dangling from a rope. But, by taking a moment to reflect on the positive parts of your career, you can make the layoff seem smaller.
It’s important to remember that your professional life is made up of much more than the moment you were laid off. While that instance stung, it’s only a tiny part of your professional history. Instead of letting it dominate the narrative, reflect on everything you’ve enjoyed during your career. That way, you can adjust your mindset and keep the incident in perspective.
Start a Job Search
After following the tips above, it’s time to launch a job search. Since you spent time reflecting on your career, you’ll be prepared to update your resume as your best experiences will be at the forefront of your mind.
Once your resume is ready, it’s time to look for new opportunities. Create job alerts on job boards, let your network know you want to find a new position, and take other steps to find your next role. If you’d like to work with professional recruiters, consider connecting with a staffing firm. They can help you find opportunities, prepare for interviews, and take other steps that can help you move on to something new.
If you’re ready for a new job, the team at TempStaff can help. Contact us today and see how our services can make bouncing back from a layoff as easy as possible.
