Ten Tips for Surviving a Layoff - Lorelei Logsdon

Lorelei Logsdon is a 40 yr-old wife, mother, and freelance writer currently living in North Carolina. I am here to pursue my love of writing and to network with other writers (see http://www.ljlogsdon.com/)

Losing your job can be one of the most stressful life-events a person can go through. The fear of not being able to find another comparable job in order to provide for your family, the fear of losing your home, your vehicles, and the lifestyle you've become accustomed to, all contribute to this high level of stress.

Cyclical layoffs are a normal part of life within both the mortgage industry and entertainment industry, and since that's where most of my positions have been over the past 14 years, I've been laid off five times. I consider myself to be an authority on the subject simply from personal experience, and with the current state of the economy, it's very possible that you could come face-to-face with a layoff situation as well.

The first thing to understand is that being laid off is not a personal reflection on you. Layoffs are a reflection of the economy - whether globally, nationally, or just within your own industry. Layoffs are one instance where it helps to think of yourself as just a number, since nothing you did or could do would have any effect on the situation. Layoffs have absolutely nothing to do with you personally.

It's normal to feel a bit of panic once the reality of being laid off sets in, and to feel like life is spinning out of control. The trick is to use that negative energy in a positive way to help motivate you, instead of sitting back and just feeling sorry for yourself. It's at this crucial crossroad where you must take control of the situation and be proactive instead of reactive, because if you let fear and depression control you, you won't get very far. Put a positive spin on a negative situation by looking at the layoff as an opportunity to reassess your career goals and maybe realign yourself to your true interests. Surviving a layoff is all about being positive and proactive, instead of playing the part of a victim.

These 15 tips will help you not only to survive a layoff, but to come out on the other side even better for having gone through it.

Apply for unemployment benefits immediately, even if you think you won't be unemployed for very long. Do it while everything is fresh in your mind so that once things settle down you can use your time to focus on your career plan instead of on busywork.

Reassess your monthly budget and make cuts wherever you can, especially frivolous spending such as eating out, unnecessary driving, magazines, cable extras, snack foods, etc.

Don't overreact and end up making rash decisions you'll regret later. Don't rush into a new job, or immediately put your house on the market, or make any large decisions without giving ample rational thought to it first. Remember to think, not react.

Take a career development course to learn how to write an effective cover letter, craft an effective résumé, practice your interviewing skills, learn your strengths and weaknesses, take personality tests, and develop a career plan. If the company that laid you off offers this benefit as part of your severance package, make sure to take advantage of it. (A great example of this service can be found at http://www.right.com)

If your industry was hit particularly hard, think of other industries you can target for your job-search where your skills can be used. Skills in managing people and/or technologies, motivating, speaking, writing, record-keeping, and computer skills are examples of skills that can be used across many various industries. (For more on transferable skills, check out http://careerplanning.about.com/od/careerchoicechan/a/transferable.htm)

Focus on networking instead of cold-calling or blindly mailing out your résumé. At least 70% of all jobs are acquired through some form of networking and referrals. Talk to people at church, your neighbors, other parents picking their kids up at school, those you meet at the grocery store or at your kid's little league game, or other patients waiting in the doctor's office. Every person you meet is a potential contact who could lead you to your next job. Keep notes with names, dates and basic information so you know who's calling if they contact you. Join local interest groups as another way to network in your area.

Prepare your own business cards on basic business-card stock from the office supply store. Provide your contact information and desired job title (i.e. "Project Manager," "C# Developer," "Web Designer," "Mortgage Consultant") and have an ample supply at-the-ready (in your car, in your wallet or purse, etc.) because you never know when you may need one.

Keep your sense of humor so that you don't allow yourself to get too far down. Trying to see the lighter side of a bad situation can help to alleviate the stress. Read the comics section of the newspaper, watch a silly cartoon with your kids, or borrow a funny book from a friend. Try to find something to laugh about every day.

Don't be too proud to ask for help from your family, friends, church, neighbors, etc. Most people are happy to help. If you need someone to watch the kids while you make some calls, or if you need a ride to an interview, or if you just need someone to talk to - don't hesitate to ask for what you need.

Pamper yourself for stress-reduction. Take a warm bubble bath, read a trashy novel, get a massage, take up walking with a neighbor, or borrow a movie you've always wanted to see from a friend. Give yourself permission to have down-time and to relax.

By following these tips you will eventually come to realize that being laid off is not the end of the world and you will come out all the stronger for having survived it. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on the ground, running!