| Copyright (c) 2009 Sharon Alexander | | | | Make a list of what you are good at and what you |
| Whether you've worked for a company for twenty | | | | love to do, and see what develops. Chances are you |
| months or twenty years, a lay off is a major blow to | | | | are qualified to more than you think. |
| your pocketbook and your self-esteem. Few people | | | | - Call at least one person or company every day. As |
| look forward to being laid off, and most experience | | | | a lay off drags on and no interviews appear on the |
| predictable stages of grief when it happens. Denial, | | | | horizon, depression can set in without you even |
| anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance | | | | noticing it. Every day call at least one person for |
| are all emotions that will hit you, so expect them and | | | | support and organization for a lead or some |
| be ready to roll with the punches. | | | | information. Make networking a habit. The best jobs |
| You can bounce back faster than you think if you | | | | are never advertised. Instead, most jobs are filled by |
| anticipate and cope with your feelings and your | | | | word of mouth before an ad is even needed, so talk |
| practical challenges in a realistic way. | | | | to everyone. |
| Here are some tips: | | | | - Consider self-employment or temporary work. |
| - Respect your process. Your first impulse after a lay | | | | Chances are good that you know how to do |
| off may be to run out and replace the job you just | | | | something for cash while you look for work. Many |
| lost as soon as you possibly can. At some point | | | | temporary or self-employed gigs turn into small |
| however, (possibly even before you get all the way | | | | businesses or new careers. Take in bookkeeping, |
| home from your old job), you will experience feelings | | | | walk dogs, run errands for the elderly, type term |
| of loss and anger that are normal and healthy. Let | | | | papers, do some catering: Anything that keeps you |
| yourself feel them. Painful feelings pass more quickly | | | | busy and brings in a little cash will help you get where |
| when you let them come and then let them go. | | | | you need to be. |
| - Ask for help. Apply for unemployment | | | | - Volunteer. If all else fails, volunteer. However |
| compensation immediately if you are eligible, and | | | | discouraged you may feel, rest assured someone is |
| check your state government website for other | | | | even worse off than you are. Many rewarding paid |
| resources. Some states offer government financing | | | | jobs in social services and community work start out |
| or federal grants for job training, and almost all states | | | | as volunteer opportunities. |
| have workforce development programs set up to | | | | Lay offs can be stressful, but often a lay off can be |
| help the newly jobless transition into a new career. | | | | an opportunity to reassess and renew your work life. |
| - Reassess your skills and your interests. Most people | | | | With a little effort and a lot of faith you may well |
| who are newly laid off look for jobs just like the one | | | | find that that what comes next is even more |
| they lost, but this might not be a good strategy. | | | | exciting that what you left behind. |