We’re in an uncertain time and many companies are having to make cutbacks to reduce expenses. Unfortunately, one of those cutbacks is to staff. Several people are losing their jobs and they’re left wondering, “what now?” We all feel a little lost at the moment. We’re all looking for some answers to our laundry list of questions. You may be wondering: What next? What do you say to your family when you get home? And the most important question of all, what do you do if you get laid off or furloughed during the health crisis? Take a breath and consider these suggestions as we move forward in the Coronavirus era.
Communicate with Your Employer
Find out their reasoning behind this decision, while you still can. It’s a tough conversation to have, but you’ll want to follow up with them with questions to get concrete answers as to why you were chosen in the cut, where you could improve to prove yourself valuable in your next position, and what they felt your strengths were to help end the conversation on a positive note. It’s wise, and expected, to ask these questions – in a professional manner. The Muse advises, “take a long, slow exhale and ask for a minute to process the news. When you manage your emotions by pausing like this, you help yourself stay calm, and you give yourself a chance to be present for the rest of the inevitable conversation.” It’ll be difficult to control your emotions during this talk, but with a few deep breaths, you can get through it and get the answers you need to move on.
Find Support and Resources
It feels like all hope is lost right now, but there are resources and support available to you if you’ve been recently laid off or furloughed due to the health crisis. First, ask your employer about their severance policy and continuing health insurance. The HR representative for your company can, and should, help you through this. Next, find out if you’re eligible for unemployment and, if you are, file now to get the most out of your benefits. The government unemployment website can give you some support and help you decide where to start when looking for financial assistance. Lastly, consult resource groups and financial institutions to learn more information about what local businesses are doing to help you and your family in the interim until you find your next position. We’re a community, and we’re all here to lend a hand to get each other through this.
Grieve
Losing your job is a loss and it’s okay to grieve that loss to get the emotions out. In fact, it’s healthy to do so. It’s important to take care of yourself mentally as well as physically during our social distancing order. You’ll want to use this unexpected free time to be productive and take care of the long to-do list you’ve had on your mind for a while, but don’t push yourself. It’s okay to take some time to reflect. Lifehacker points out, “It seems cliché, but when dealing with a tragedy or a crisis, most of us experience some version of the five traditional stages of grief… And that isn’t limited to death and divorce—it can apply to losing your job too.” When we love our jobs, it’s a real loss when we’re fired or laid off. Let yourself grieve the loss before diving into your next job search.
Stay Connected
Networking is your friend, and now you can do it digitally while at home. During what is becoming a recession, job seekers have been struggling to get their foot in the door with job prospects. The surest way to get further in the application process is to network with people already working for the company you’re interested in. It’s also wise to look into your current network with former coworkers and supervisors. They can provide letters of recommendations, or find out if their company or department is hiring. We also encourage staying connected via our Events section and the LinkedIn Group we set up for local networking opportunities. We’re all looking to connect during the social distancing order in our personal lives, so let’s take it to the next level in our job search as well!
Cut Expenses
Take a note from your employer and cut expenses down to the essentials. This is the time to re-budget, save, and make cutbacks. It’s going to be painful, but it’s necessary. Take stock of all your monthly expenses and either make cuts completely or switch to cheaper carriers for that service. In a time when most businesses are closed, a lot of monthly billing is freezing so that should also lighten the burden. And don’t be afraid to make calls and ask to create a new payment plan, one with smaller monthly installments over a longer period of time to help get your family past this economic hardship that, hopefully, is only temporary.
Take Some Time
You’ll be in survival mode, so you’ll want to jump at the next opportunity that comes along. Take some time to consider your next move and what you really want. This is your chance for self-discovery, to explore your skills, interests, and options. Monster.com wrote a blog that summed it up with, “’The unexamined life is not worth living,’ Socrates observed. And it’s much the same for our work: If we can’t take time to reflect on our labor and where it’s taking us and our employers, the value of our toils can’t reach its full potential.” Continue adding value and energy to your life and take this time for yourself to consider your next career move.
This is a scary, uncertain time we’re in but there’s a positive note to this; It’s your time! It’s your time to grieve, to find your community, to build support, to lean on others, and to self-reflect. Enjoy this time at home with your family and take all the time you need. For more tips on preparing for interviews, keep up with our news and job postings on pdxMindShare!
