Prakash bagged a coveted job at a tech giant last Sept! He was thrilled!
His family back home started preparing to move in with him in 6 months.
His wife gave notice at her company.
She wound up the lease on their rented flat.
Their 7 yo caught on in the excitement of the imminent move.
4 months into his job, he called his wife and asked her to reverse the changes.
His company had laid off 12K employees and the list included his name.
He had 2 months on the payrolls to collect severance.
His visa did not permit applying for a new job in the US.
His only choice was to head back home.
The silver lining? His wife got her job back and the lease was resumed.
But this is quite a tragic turn for someone planning a new career in a new country.
And it’s too much to process!
Thousands of employees share similar stories as layoffs are announced every week by giants like Google and Microsoft.
It signals that one should be financially, emotionally and mentally prepared to deal for with.
This is not a great situation to be in but the only way is to deal with it in the best possible manner
In this post, you will learn 10 ways you can deal with a layoff.
By the end of this post, you will know pragmatic ways to handle such a situation should you find yourself in one.
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1. Acknowledge your feelings
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions on being laid off – anger, sadness, frustration, even betrayal.
It’s okay to feel frustrated
Allow yourself to process these feelings and don’t suppress them.
Give yourself permission to validate your feelings. Prioritise your emotional health over financial – especially at such a time.
2. Reach out for support
Talk to friends and family, or consider joining a support group for people who have been laid off. This will make you realise you are not alone and can also give you a community to reach out to for support.
3. Take care of yourself
As I said earlier, self-care is of utmost importance if you want to bounce back and take care of your family.
Make sure to take care of your physical and mental health. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Consider this as a time you can relax, spend time with family and focus on your health and wellbeing.
Remember the golden statement, Health is Wealth!
4. Get your finances sorted
You’ll settle comfortably in the job search phase if you know your finances well. Look at your expenses and how long do you have before things become urgent.
Plan your job search keeping this in mind. You should ideally land a job way before the monetary leeway is over.
5. Stay positive
I know times are bleak. But try to focus on the positives and look for opportunities to grow and learn. Your positive attitude is key to keep you going till you get over the hump and get a new job
Focus on all your achievements and skills. Consider it as a time to rebrand yourself showcase your talent once again to the recruiter.
6. Focus on your goals for the future
Instead of wallowing in the present for too long, try to look forward. Think of this as an opportunity to pursue your dream job or career. Think of all your future plans, think about that dream startup.
Take a minute to re-evaluate your life. This really might be turned into a great opportunity rather than overcoming a layoff.
7. Be patient – even with yourself
It’s okay to take time to process the layoff and grieve the loss of your job. It might have been your whole identity. And that needs time to get used to.
Things may take time to shape up. A great job may not appear on your timeline. So grab. on to the support of your community and stay afloat.
8. Look for any training or learning opportunities
This could also be a great time to upskill yourself. This could also boost your self-esteem and help fill hours in the day. There are tons of free resources like YouTube where you can learn through video tutorials. Your new skills might end up opening new avenues for you!
9. Network actively
This is also a great time to get on Linkedin and connect actively with people. Research shows that your connections are incredibly valuable in finding you your next job.
Pro-tip: Networking is something you should do on a continuous basis because you need to build your network before you need it.
10. Volunteer
Pitching in to help the less fortunate can make you look at your own situation in a whole new light. Plus it can help you take mind off worrying about the future.
You can even start informally helping beginners in your industry. What better way to give back than mentor the next generation of leaders!
To conclude, stay positive and use your time productively. Be kind to yourself and forge on!
The golden mantra for success is – Never underestimate yourself and push hard on your goals, It is important to try till you make it.
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