What to do if you lose your job

Hello! And welcome to the CNBC Work It newsletter, about all things work, from how to land the job to how to crush it in your career.

Today, we’re leading with a tough subject: What to do if you lose your job.

Amazon. Meta. Twitter. Peloton. Netflix. Shopify. Lyft. The list of companies announcing layoffs is growing by the day.

I hope it doesn’t happen to you. But if it does, I’m really sorry. That stinks. But, just know that you’re not alone and we’re here to help.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate a layoff and figure out what’s next.

Protect your finances

It’s OK if you want to take some time off to recover. You don’t necessarily have to search for a new job right away. But you do need to protect your money. So, when you lose your job, here are three things you should do first:

? File to collect your unemployment benefits ASAP.

? Weigh your health-insurance options.

? Protect your retirement savings.

Whatever you do next in your career or life, you will need money ?????? to do it. So, make it a priority to not let a layoff wreck your finances.

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Document it

Another great tip? Forward communications about your layoff to a personal email or take a screen shot, says Arick Fudali, partner and managing attorney of civil rights firm the Bloom Firm. It’s important to have all that documented and when you get laid off, you lose access to your work email.

For sure, this is an anxiety-filled time – you don’t know how the layoff will play out or where you will go when you walk out that door. But, don’t let that cloud your head. Document what is happening. Just hit the forward button. You’ll be glad you did later.

Announce it

Don’t be afraid to ?? announce your layoff on LinkedIn or other social platforms. There’s no shame in a layoff and frankly, putting the word out there is the best way to 1) let people know that you are #opentowork and 2) land that next job.

You may or may not have been treated fairly when you were laid off so there may be a temptation to trash your previous employer. Don’t do it! That ship has sailed. It will make you feel better for approximately 3 seconds and then the rest of the impact is negative ON YOU.?? It is not a good look with a future employer. They are looking at what you can do for them IN THE FUTURE. So, instead, when you announce that layoff, focus on the wins ??? you had at that company and what skills ??♀?you built that will be transferrable to your next position.

Think about a hiring manager scrolling through social media and they see your post: “My boss was such a petty little jerk! I hope he gets what’s coming to him.”

Do you think they see that and go: “Oh, that guy looks promising. I should give him a call!”

Nope.

So, go have a drink ?? with friends. Get all your griping and complaining out ??. Dazzle them with your witty one-liners and totally sick burns. ?? And, if in the course of your job search you need to occasionally take five to scream in a closet – that is also OK. But when it comes to social media, keep it positive. And keep looking forward.

You’ve got this! ??

Be clear about what you want next

Finding that next job is all about networking. And, once you announce it, a lot of friends and acquaintances may try to help you with job leads. It’s tempting to just accept every lead that comes your way when you’re unemployed. You need money, after all! But if you decide that opportunity isn’t for you, you may wind up half-heartedly pursuing it or ghosting them and that could burn that bridge. You need all your bridges right now. (Actually, you always need them!)

So, be clear about what you’re interested in doing. And only accept interviews that fit your interests.

Stop procrastinating

When you are unemployed, you have a lot of emotions swirling around and a lot of time – and it’s really easy to procrastinate. Effortless, really! But don’t fall into that trap.

CNBC’s Julia Boorstin recently wrote a book called “When Women Lead,” and she did it while working full-time as a reporter and raising two boys during the pandemic. So, she had to learn how to manage her time and make her deadlines.

Her best tip for how to be super productive? Stop procrastinating! Use your passion and drive to shut down anything that is getting in your way – even if that means throwing your phone across the room. (Well, maybe just set it down.) Also, just like the tips she learned on leadership while reporting the book, you have to be true to yourself. Are you a morning person? ?? Then why are you staying up until midnight ?? trying to look for jobs and write cover letters and then wondering why it’s not getting done? ??♀?

So, ask yourself: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Find your perfect time – and then get out there and shine! ??

If you missed our previous editions of CNBC Work It, check them out! They featured stories about the secret to a successful job search, how to ask for a raise and pay transparency.

More from CNBC:

? How to find hidden job boards

? 3 ‘surprising’ signs that anxiety is holding you back at work

? How 'positive stress' can help you be happier and more productive at work

? Leading through layoffs: How to manage employees forced to leave and workers who stay

? There are 2 types of envy —here’s the ‘healthy’ one that can make you more successful

This newsletter was curated by Cindy Perman. If you loved this advice from CNBC,?sign up for our newsletters. There’s something for everyone: breaking news, Jim Cramer’s Investing Club, Make It, Your Wealth, Invest in You: Money 101 – and much more!