Everyone should get laid off once

Yes,  you read that correctly.

Why on earth would I want you to go through a layoff? Well…I don’t really want that to happen to you.  Getting laid off and searching for another job sucks.  A lot of people struggle to find a new job and when they do they often earn less money then in the past.  But like any experience there is value in it, so allow me to tell you briefly about what I learned when I was laid off last year.

The hardest thing about losing your job is the large, black hole of uncertainty.  It is the fear of the unknown.  That fear can paralyze you.

Don’t let that paralysis settle in.  Action is key.

The largest issue you will face is likely financial.  How are you going to pay the bills?  How much do you have in savings?  How long can it last?  Assessing your financial situation and gauging your ability to survive can be terrifying and eye opening.  Maybe you realize you are a lot closer to the edge then you thought.  Or maybe you find comfort in the fact that you will actually be okay…for a little bit.

After taking stock of the financials, it’s time to assess your career.  Many of us have a strong personal identity with our jobs and take pride in where we work.  Who are we if we aren’t a Software Engineer at XYZ Widget?  Well, it’s time to get rid of that mentality.

Take a hard look at your resume: what skills have you acquired?  What is hot in your field right now?  Sometimes this is even harder then looking at your financials.  Some of us may realize we missed opportunities in the past or maybe regret that we didn’t take a training class or two.  The time for regrets is over…you’ve got a whole lot of time so start looking at how you can gain new skills.  Besides classes offered by local schools and community centers, another place to look is here.

Perseverance…you will live this every day.  Sometimes you will want to throw in the towel at 2:00 and start watching episodes of Gossip Girl…resist the temptation.  Frustration and rejection are part of any job search but are amplified when you are already unemployed.  Know this and accept it.  If you feel like you need a break and can’t possibly attend yet another networking event, try volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, you will quickly realize how great you have it despite your recent setbacks.

I went through all of the above and learned a lot: rejection, dealing with failure, how to assess my options, and building a deeper skill set.  After all that, I feel like I’ve weathered a storm and come out of it for the better.  Weathering the storm was invaluable experience.  I hope you never get laid off but if you do, learn all you can from it.