#JobSearch : 8 Simple Steps To Help You Navigate A Layoff. 2023 has seen a 200% Increase in Overall Layoffs, More to Come. Great Read.
This year has seen a 200% increase in the overall number of layoffs, with job losses almost reaching levels last seen in 2020, and prior to that in the Great Recession of 2009. Although the pace has slowed into the final quarter, some major corporations are still announcing cuts.
If the worst happens, leveraging tools from organizational psychology can help you navigate what can be a very stressful time:
1. First of all, breathe. Losing a job is a grieving process like any other, so allow yourself time to feel your feelings, all of them. Take a couple of days to process the news, as you are not going to be effective whilst you’re still in shock. Although a layoff isn’t personal, it doesn’t stop it from feeling personal.
2. Next, address what Maslow calls “hygiene factors” and create a strong foundation to support your hierarchy of needs. This starts with a deep dive into your finances: if you don’t already know, calculate your monthly cost of living. The easiest way is to build a spreadsheet and total up all your non-negotiable outgoings. File for unemployment, and take time to understand the terms of your severance, if your company is offering one. In your spreadsheet total up your severance payment, unemployment income, savings and any other liquid assets. Now you can calculate how much runway you have before you need another paycheck.
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3. Try to maintain regular and healthy sleep cycles (don’t be tempted to go nocturnal for the heck of it) and remember to be physically active. You may have taken the decision to put your gym membership on hold, but that doesn’t preclude you from getting outside for a run or a walk.
4. There is some truth to the adage that “you’re not unemployed – your job is to find a new job”, but that doesn’t mean you should lose sight of the fact that being your own boss comes with certain privileges. Chief amongst them is the ability to set your own hours. Once you get into the rhythm of your job search you can achieve maximum daily productivity within 90 minutes to 2hrs. You do not need to sit in front of your laptop 8hrs a day doom scrolling LinkedIn.
5. Set yourself SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound). It is crucial to be mindful of what is achievable and realistic: you have no control over the supply of jobs so setting a goal of completing 50 applications per day simply might not be possible. You can however set goals around the networking activity you will need to augment your applications. Perhaps start with a daily goal of finding 5 new people to follow on LinkedIn, or leaving comments on 10 different posts. The network effect of this activity will build momentum and broaden your digital footprint.
6. Leverage technology. All the major job boards allow you to create search parameters and set alerts, meaning your first daily task can be applying for all the relevant roles that have gone live in the past 24hrs. Utilize free tools like Teal to help you craft your resume, and to keep track of the applications you’ve sent. Don’t be afraid to use AI tools like Bard and ChatGPT to help you complete onerous tasks like writing cover letters.
7. Practice gratitude, and if you can, give back. Navigating a layoff is emotionally challenging, but the research shows that practicing gratitude can have a transformational effect. Furthermore using some of your free time to volunteer in your community can be both emotionally rewarding, and can help strengthen your network.
8. Don’t be afraid to lean on your community, share how you’re feeling, and ask for support in the way that you need it. Former coworkers may want to help, but be unsure on how to offer it, so it can be helpful to provide them with a menu of options. Creating a simple framework like: “a) write me a recommendation on LinkedIn b) review my resume c) introduce me to folks at your former company” is a great place to start.
The advances in consumer facing technology and the macro-economic environment have created a perfect storm in the talent marketplace, meaning that your job search will likely be a marathon, and not a sprint. Establishing a strong foundation, including a clear view of your personal economic runway, is a critical first step in helping you navigate the period between getting laid off, and finding your next role.
Creating a framework for your job search activity, anchored with SMART goals, helps you hold yourself accountable on a daily basis. Practicing gratitude and leaning into your community will help to sustain y0u through the low moments that will inevitably be a feature of your job search. Rest assured though, that like all the previous economic downturns, this too shall pass.