Rebounding From A Layoff: The need to be tough

Rebounding From A Layoff: 
The need to be tough 

Annabelle Reitman 
APRIL 29, 1009 

After the initial shock of being laid off, and anger and grief has passed, you need to regroup and move forward and take control again of your career and work life. 

This is an opportunity for personal and professional development and expansion. Manage the job loss and succeed in returning to the workplace by: 

1. Dealing with your loss. First, to heal and survive, bring closure to this work phase and time of your life and deal with the anger, worry, sadness, and aroused emotions. What unfinished business weighs on your mind? It is important to tie up loose ends, to take leave of people, places, and things. Assess finances for the next six months to decide if you to need to seek temp or part-time employment or if you can completely focus on job search activities. 

2. Figuring out your next step. Do some self-assessment and reflection regarding work you truly enjoy doing, is meaningful, and gives a sense of accomplishment. Review and reprioritize your interests, skills, experiences, talents, etc. Look at career issues and life values. This is the time for decisions about moving into something new and more in line with your changing passions, and possibly family responsibilities shift. What excited and challenged you five or three years ago can now be old hat. Use this down time to rewrite your career and work goals and develop an action plan. 

3. Establishing a safety net. Identify people who you feel will be helpful and supportive in this uncertain time and the transition to a new work situation. They can be family members, long-time friends, or close colleagues who play key and various roles to keep you centered and motivated. These are people who are objective, truthful, offer constructive advice/feedback, review job search documents, etc. When you are frustrated, want to sound off and need to get back on track, members of your support group are committed to helping you reenergize and continue your job search. 

4. Retaining a business/professional mindset. Maintain structure to your life by establishing a daily routine, setting a schedule, and doing your self-assigned tasks. Accept the realities of the changing workplace and expand/up-date your skills, learn about relevant technologies, identify transferable competencies, brainstorm viable work options/possibilities, and do everything necessary to stay in touch with your business or professional life. 

5. Updating job search tools and skills. Take a good look at your resume, think about your interviewing skills, and assess your knowledge level about the latest technical methods and ways of job listings. Are you using web sites for job search information and resources? Consider working with a career coach to be readily competitive, more self-assured, and create a clearer self- image. A story focused on strengths, expertise, experiences, and accomplishments, communicates how your individualized work niche and history will benefit an employer. Although no one knows what the future holds, it is guaranteed that the workplace will continue being redefined and reshaped. With the recession and poor economy, career and job continuity has new rules. Both are linked to a positive attitude regarding your willingness to risk, stay flexible, recover quickly, explore options, and be accountable for your career moves and work shifts. 

Annabelle Reitman Ed.D. 

Career Management&Job Search Consultant 

Email: anreitman@verizon.net