You’ve been laid off. How can you keep your spirits up?

Being laid off is voted as one of the most upsetting experiences at the workplace. Not only does it have an impact on your income and ability to provide for the home and family, it brings with it many weighing, negative and some potentially self limiting thoughts. For example: Did I do something wrong? Is my performance poor? Did my colleagues or boss not like me? What would my colleagues, peers, friends or family think? How am I going to find a new job? What would I tell me next employer? These will inevitably generate a lot of emotions as you ponder through these questions, and the list could go on. The most important thing to note at this point is that it happens and to pick yourself up. This includes opening up to family and friends

As hard as it is, the first step is to acknowledge that this isn't personal. Tough/reckless business decisions are made all the time and people are laid off regardless of their contribution. Your focus should be on the learnings you've had so far and find ways to apply them in your future roles. This might also be a good time to reflect on your career goals and assess if you're on the right track to achieving them. Outside of this, follow all the great advice you see on networking effectively, boosting your LinkedIn presence, ensuring you take care of your mental/physical health and investing time in yourself and your family while you work on finding your next gig.

Acknowledge and process your emotions after a layoff, including anger, sadness, fear, or relief. Express them healthily through talking, journaling, or creative outlets. Seek professional help if overwhelmed. By confronting emotions, you facilitate healing and progress.

For many I've connected with recently, this is our first time managing unemployment, so it's natural to feel a sense of your identity shifting and to feel unmoored or ungrounded in this situation. While that is the first step to moving forward, I think it's equally important to separate yourself / your value from the company's. Many companies have recently adopted sustainability and ESG values without a clear long term strategy for how they will sustain those efforts, and so your work is valuable and valid even if the company you worked for has not quite reached success in this space. Take solace in the fact that there are other avenues to make impact and that you can continue working on these areas because you already have a foundation.

It's becoming more and more rare not to be laid off from a job, or even multiple jobs. That's the rising and falling condition of the workplace today. Gone are the days when you completed your entire career with one employer. Layoffs can be frightening, and you worry about your future. Just remember that when one door closes, another opens. That's very true! Layoffs can pull you out of stagnating positions, unfulfilling work and lead to higher new job satisfaction. An incompetent direct superior, a poor job fit, etc., all become self-correcting problems when you're laid off. Be excited about the new people you'll work with and the new skills you'll learn! Negotiate for your best hiring package at new job offers, keep your earnings on track.

It is easy to make your job finding a job and neglect all else until you receive that final offer, but it engenders poor habits that you'll have to eventually pay for either as you gear up to start this new job or when you've burnt out or reached a critical health issue out of ignoring a balanced lifestyle. In these moments it's important to treat the time off as an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and your health, being honest with yourself on where there are gaps: do you eat out too much instead of cook your own healthy meals? Do you work out or put that off? Do you meditate or take a moment to breathe and let go of the stresses on your mind, especially before connecting with others or engaging in a new activity? Health is wealth!

Take care of yourself post-layoff by prioritizing a healthy lifestyle: eat well, sleep adequately, exercise regularly, and avoid substances. Engage in activities that bring joy, like spending time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies. Self-care enhances mood, energy, and confidence while reducing burnout and illness risk.

Understand you can lose a job at any time for reasons unknown. Think ahead. "What will I do if I lose my job?" If that happens you are prepared with an analysis of your skill set. And how to market yourself. Ask the employer to help you find your next position. Take advantage of his/her network. If you were employed by a larger company the HR department has counseling. I've been fired, laid off, and considered redundant. I know the trauma. Over time I learned how to find work. I finally went out on my own many years ago. There is nothing more tiresome than working for people you wouldn't hire.

Take this time to kind of do an inventory of your skillset... This is a great time to dig into that new technology that you've been wanting to, but haven't had the time.

After a layoff, review your finances to alleviate stress and anxiety. Create a budget covering essential expenses and seek ways to reduce spending. Explore income sources like unemployment benefits, savings, or side gigs. Managing finances wisely prevents debt and promotes financial stability.

I was laid off in attempt to change my career. I went from Hospitality to a role with the Telephone company for which I thought I would be there forever. I took the lay-off as sign that the world had something else for me. I went back to the food business, found hours that worked for me and enrolled in a part-time MBA. I made a great connection who opened my eyes to the recruiting profession and it took time but I successfully was able to pivot into career that suited me better and to what I like to think was an overall healthier path.

After a layoff, update your skills to enhance employability and career advancement. Engage in online courses, reading, videos, or webinars relevant to your industry or interests. Develop soft skills like communication and leadership. Skill updating fosters competitiveness, relevance, and motivation.

As with #2, this is the time to focus on learning new tech or brushing up on your main skillset. Do everything you can to make yourself a better candidate.

After a layoff, network and seek support to enhance job search efforts. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, friends, and recruiters for assistance. Join online communities or forums relevant to your field for opportunities and knowledge sharing. Seeking support entails asking for emotional, practical, or professional help when needed. Networking and seeking support expand horizons, build relationships, and aid in overcoming challenges.

Start contacting your old coworkers, consulting companies, friends, etc... Many times getting a job is more WHO you know, than _what_ you know. Networking is a HUGE part of this, so don't skip it.

After a layoff, remain flexible and optimistic to embrace new possibilities and experiences. View it as an opportunity to discover passions, skills, or goals. Maintain a positive attitude, focus on controllable aspects, and celebrate achievements. Practice gratitude, affirmations, or meditation to enhance resilience. Flexibility and optimism enable adaptation, obstacle navigation, and personal success.