Three Critical Steps to Surviving a Layoff

It’s inevitable, at some point in our careers, most of us will experience the dreaded conversation. Whether due to acquisition, downsizing, re-org or market challenges, it is a reality of the business world.

Late one night, I received an email from my boss asking for a quick meeting the following morning. My stomach dropped and I instantly knew. Even though it was expected, it still hit like a ton of bricks. After years as a dedicated employee, I was now being asked to go.

So how do you get back on your feet? Here are three critical steps for surviving any layoff.

Step One: The Breakdown

Grief is a universal response to traumatic and life altering experiences. You may experience an array of feelings, one minute you’re ashamed and the next you feel a sense of relief. As with any difficult event, it is crucial to allow yourself to go through each stage rather than trying to avoid it, the grieving process takes time. The last thing you want to do is start a new job still raw and bitter from your last one!

The five stages of grief were developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross which she wrote about in her book “On Death & Dying.”

Although her research was based on the terminally ill, these stages can be applied to other experiences of loss, including the loss of a job. Let’s walk through them now:

1.    Denial and isolation: “It can’t be true, I loved my job, there must be a mistake, this can’t be happening.” You are accustomed to a daily routine that all of a sudden is turned upside down.

2.    Anger: You may feel slighted, that it was done on purpose to hurt you and sabotage your career. You may feel resentful towards those that kept their jobs and that it seems “unfair.”

3.    Bargaining: The loss of a job is a raw and vulnerable experience and you can get wrapped up in ways that you could have affected the outcome. “If only I had worked longer hours” or “I shouldn’t have taken that vacation, they would have seen how dedicated I was.”

4.    Depression: You may shut yourself off and feel worthless, as if you have no purpose in life. For many of us, our career is a significant part of our identity and the loss of a job can be devastating. It is important to allow yourself to experience this stage but consider exercise, therapy and a healthy diet to avoid long-term negative impact.

5.    Acceptance: ”I’m going to be OK.” Life is full of uncertainties and when we allow ourselves to experience grief we prove to ourselves that we can persevere. We realize that challenges make us stronger and more empathetic people.

Step 2: The Network

We spend at least eight hours a day with our colleagues so it’s no surprise that many become friends and even extended family. Occasionally, when we change jobs, those relationships may fizzle out. I encourage you to maintain a strong network, these connections will be your references and may lead you to an opportunity you were unaware of or even hire you themselves! Some good tips for maintaining a professional network are to follow each other on LinkedIn, attend social events such as lunches and happy hours to reconnect and make it a priority to touch base on a monthly basis. 

Your business colleagues are busy with their own jobs and families so here are a few strategies for success:

1.    Keep it short and sweet, you should stick to a succinct and direct message.

2.    Include an updated resume and let them know what type of role you are looking for.

3.    Connect in person! If possible, connect over coffee or lunch. Don’t underestimate the power of face-to-face communication.

4.    Get out there and follow through on all of your leads, don’t be afraid to ask for warm introductions.

5.    If you find an opportunity in a job posting, check who you know that works at that company and request that they refer you (employee referrals account for more than 30% of overall hires.)

6.    Go to industry meet-ups, get involved in local chapters, write blogs, comment on group pages and update your social network profiles. Job hunting is a full-time job, don’t fool yourself into thinking otherwise.

Step 3: The Soul Search

The final critical step to surviving a layoff is the soul search. Reflect on your life and pinpoint moments of opportunity that led you on a new path. Whether it was a promotion, a new manager, a career risk or a challenging task, each of these events led you to where you are today. Although a layoff can be devastating, it can also be a conduit for positive change. Try spending time doing things you have wanted to, for example, have you been meaning to catch up on those TED Talks? To increase your technical skills, take a class or read a new book? Now is your chance to dig in and become a master of your field. It is an opportunity to reassess your career goals and trajectory. Consider meditation, journaling and talking to a trusted advisor or career coach. Assess non-linear or non-traditional career moves. The universe opened a window, be courageous and look outside your usual comfort zone. 

Last Words:

Surviving a layoff is exhausting but also rewarding. Whether it takes a few weeks or a few months, the next stage of your career is around the corner. The one constant in life is change. By allowing yourself to go through these steps of grieving your loss, connecting with your network and then taking the time to soul search, you will land on your feet and you will have found personal growth in the process!

Do you have specific questions about surviving a layoff or exploring new career opportunities? Direct message me or comment!