How to be Laid Off Gracefully [Job Searching]

Photo via Flickr by Bob Jagendorf

So, if you have read the news or spoken to anyone in the last year, you are aware that there are layoffs happening. Everywhere. (P.S. If you don’t want to read depressing news all the time, read Alltop’s Good News!) Most likely, you or someone you know has been laid off. Instead of ignoring the possibility of getting let go, prepare for it. You can’t control the economy or your organization’s budget, but you can control how you react to it. Here are some lessons learned from the other side of the fence:

1. Don’t take it personally: If you are laid off, you have not been fired. There was a restructuring, a budget cut, a massive recession, etc. It is not you, so getting angry and bitter will not help you now–see points 2 & 4. below. (Granted, there are things you can do to make your job recession proof, but we’ll cover that later.)

2. Don’t yell and try not to cry: It is hard to control emotional reactions (I will admit, as a woman, I think this might be harder for us), but as best you can, this is not the time to air all of your grievances with your now former employer.

3. Say “Thank You”: Regardless of how long you have been in your role, there are likely people there who you connected with, who mentored you, and who will now be able to help you in your job search. Say thank you, for all of the responsibilities you had and all of the skills you were able to learn and use in your position.

4. Hand out your personal email and phone number: Again, these are the people who can help you, and will want to help you most in your job search. Make sure you keep the lines of communication open and cordial. I would venture to say that most employers do not relish laying people off. It is uncomfortable for them, too. So, they will have extra incentive to help you in your next step. The best option is to hand out your personal business cards (which you should make now and have on hand, anyway. you’ll need it for your next job search, employed or no.).

5. Make a list of contacts: Please note, I am not condoning stealing business from the organization you just laid off. I am, however, condoning making your network as wide and broad as possible. What better place to start than with the people both internal and external with which you have most recently worked.

5. Leave well, then leave your work behind: Many people are awful at work-life balance. Here is your chance to get it right. Before you leave, make a to do list (or just hand the one over you haven’t finished) of all of the things that you meant to get done, but haven’t yet. Hand it to someone who you trust to get these things done. Then leave. And stop worrying about your former responsibilities. You have a new job now: Looking for a Job.

6. Call your friends and family: Job searches aren’t easy, and you need their support. On the flip side, if you are the one talking to your laid off friend, see Penelope Trunk’s excellent post on How to talk to a friend who’s been laid off.

Anything I missed? Add your thoughts in the comments about things to keep in mind when being laid off.