Social Saturday Is Here

If you have been laid off, these tips will provide you with some information concerning next steps, helping you cope and move forward from a position of strength.

Being laid off is an emotional journey that is especially difficult during seasons of economic uncertainty. While it is understandable and normal to be upset, it is important to find ways to move forward, carving a new and exciting path for yourself. If you have recently been laid off, here are seven things you need to do:

1. Allow yourself time to grieve — it is?okay?to be sad.

We have had nearly a decade of unprecedented growth and employment, which seemingly changed overnight. There is great confusion over when a “new normal” will ensue as well as how our economy will be affected, long-term. For those who loved their jobs, as well as the industries that they worked in, this can truly be a challenging time.

Before doing anything else, address how you are feeling. Whether you feel sad, anxious, unnerved, angry — or, on the off chance, relieved — recognize your emotions and reflect upon them. Journaling, meditating and conversing with trusted friends and family members is a great start. And, if that simply is not enough, speaking with a counselor is always an option.

2. When you are ready and calm, assess your financial situation.

Once you feel as if you are in a better place emotionally, I recommend visiting your state’s unemployment website to apply. After you learn what your unemployment income will be, thoroughly assess your financial situation. What are your necessary expenses each month? Where can you make some cuts? Understanding what your position is will help ensure you are prepared.

3. Get the necessary information regarding your health insurance.

One factor that is most concerning when being laid off is health coverage. Most employers will continue to cover your health insurance through the end of the month. They will also provide you with information regarding COBRA, which could allow you to continue with your current health plan for the remaining term at full cost.

Additional insurance options to consider are Medicaid (a state program, based on income), Medicare (a federal program, based on age), or a policy purchased through the Health Marketplace or through various other insurance agencies directly. Also, if you are married and on a different plan from your spouse, loss of employment is a qualifying life event that could permit you to join their policy.?

4. Take a moment to determine what it is you want from your next employer.

Keep in mind this is no longer a job seeker's market. Companies are continuing to hire, but open positions will not be at the same levels they were earlier this year. As such, it is important to remain flexible as far as the types of roles you are willing to accept. I recommend creating a list of negotiables and non-negotiables, listing out salary ranges, titles, commute times and anything else that you may be willing to budge on.

If you have been wanting to make a career change, or are looking to get into a different industry, this is an excellent time to get ready to do so. What are your transferrable skills? Are there any additional courses that you can take while you have some downtime? For those who view a season of unemployment as a means to reinvent themselves, there is no greater opportunity!

5. Optimize your LinkedIn profile and résumé — both are necessary.

If you have not been on the job market for some time, it is quite different. Applications are almost always completed online. Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort through potential candidates, and résumés typically must be optimized to get through. LinkedIn is also utilized as a premier job-search platform, providing job seekers and potential employers the opportunity to connect if candidate profiles meet certain criteria. Create an application goal to reach each day, and research various companies you are interested in working for. You can set alerts when roles become available and search different websites to see open listings.?

6. Begin reaching out to your network. It is more expansive than you think.

Regardless of if a job search is completed online, over the phone or in person, networking still is and will always be a vital component. I recommend following companies of interest on LinkedIn and joining various professional groups. This helps expand your network. There are also countless events and conferences you can attend in person or at home by simply searching online.

Remember, networking does not have to be so formal. I encourage you to think outside of the box, speaking with people wherever you are, whenever possible. Expand what you view as a “networking event” to include almost anywhere, letting people know you are open to new and exciting opportunities.?

7. Do not get burnt out — this is?your?time!

Pushing all this career-search, job-hunt stuff aside, you have been given a gift… of time. Do not allow yourself to become overwhelmed. Dedicate a set number of hours per day toward your job search, and then pursue some hobbies and interests. Whether it be hiking, cooking, bike riding, painting… you can finally spend time on what brings you joy. Because let’s face it, a break from the Monday-to-Friday, nine-to-five grind can be a good thing. This season will pass. Until then, prepare, plan… and then, play!

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

I want to express gratitude to all those in my network looking for that great career opportunity. There are two candidates that need this gratitude more than ever as sometimes we have to "expect the unexpected".

Karen Rojas -

?? Unlock Your Full Potential | Achieve Remarkable Success in Your Educational Journey ?

As your dedicated Bi-Lingual Student Success Manager, I'm here to ensure your academic and personal excellence from orientation to graduation and beyond. My primary goal is to ensure that you, as a student, have all the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive academically and personally throughout your educational journey. From orientation to graduation and beyond, I am your dedicated guide, mentor, and advocate. I provide tailored academic support, personal development guidance, career advice, and facilitate valuable networking connections to help you excel and achieve remarkable success.

??Let's collaborate to create a transformative roadmap to success, overcome challenges, and celebrate your achievements together.

?? How Can I Help You Succeed? ??

? Academic Support: Guiding you on time management, study strategies, and navigating complex coursework for academic excellence.

? Personal Development: Identifying strengths, setting meaningful goals, and developing a mindset for lifelong success.

? Career Guidance: Assisting you in exploring career paths and positioning yourself for exciting opportunities.

? Networking and Connections: Connecting you with industry professionals, alumni, and campus resources to forge valuable connections.

?????????? ???? ????????????????:

? Training and Development | Education and Training Specialist | Virtual Tutoring Manager | Student Success Manager | Training and Learning Development Specialist

?????? ??????????????????:

? People & Culture | Training Programming | Transformation Planning | Growth Strategies | Corporate Learning Techniques | Procedure Manuals | Technology Implementation | Performance Management | Process Improvement | Surveys & Simulations | Group Discussion | Presentation/Facilitation | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion | Project Management | Conflict Resolution

???????? ????????????:

? Generosity | Integrity | Accountability | Service | Impact

• Unlock Your Full Potential Today! Join Our Growing Community of Successful Clients and Experience Remarkable Results. Don't Miss Out - Get Started Now and Elevate Your Success!

And meet Rise' Perkins, MBA :

Starting my career in healthcare some time ago has allowed me to be of service to others which I greatly enjoy. Having a strong sense of purpose in everything that I do is what makes working in the service industry so rewarding. I take great pride in being resilient, strong and determined. If I don't have the answer, I will find someone who does. This approach has helped me throughout my career whether it's working with a physician or in mental health in the financial sector doing data analysis.

My colleagues would describe me as a resourceful, driven individual who enjoys helping others with a forward-thinking positive approach when faced with adversity.

As an experienced healthcare professional, I hope to channel my experience and education (MBA and PMP) into a project management or project coordinator role in healthcare, pharmaceutical industry or other related fields.

I am passionate about helping drive projects forward and empower teams through my agile approach, growth mindset, and adaptability.

Other interests I enjoy, walking by beautiful lake Michigan, lifting weights at the gym, riding horses, spending time with loved ones (in addition being a mom of two sons who I adore).

Please feel free to contact me via LinkedIn. I am always looking forward to a thoughtful conversation over coffee ??

Two great candidates for your organization- please reach out to Karen Rojas

and Rise' Perkins, MBA directly.