7 Tips On How To Deal With Potential Layoffs

You’re here because most likely you just got laid off, you’re worried your next, or you just want to know what to do if it happens and how to prepare for such.

Being fired is one thing because usually that happens because you screwed up in one way or another. I’ve seen people fired for all sorts of reasons. I’ve see people fudge their time cards, clock in and sit in their car, clock in from home. I’ve seen people fired for not actually working but just playing on the internet, planning their wedding, or watching movies in front of the CEO & VP. I’ve also see one person being micro managed and giving the ultimatum “either let me manage my team or let me go”…They let him go that very minute. Right before Christmas…

I’ve personally been laid off twice. First time I got a call and was told to not come in and they would send me my stuff.Your probably thinking that it’s cold to be told over the phone, but they saved me gas and time. I was scared we were going to lose our apartment. I basically had 2 weeks and I had to have a job that would pay what I was getting before.

My other layoff was just as unexpected. I got hired to replace Theresa as Design Director while she was going on maternity leave. Two weeks into my new role they shut the office down without notice. Leaving me, my wife, and 4 other people without a job. This was scary for that fact now we both were out of work & Theresa was a month out from her due date with our third child.

So, how do you deal with layoffs and the stress that follows? Well, everything start with preplanning.

Keep Everything Updated

If you’re laid off you’ll want to be able to start applying to new positions immediately. Trying to rush to get your resume and portfolio together takes time and increases the chance of errors. You want to hit the ground running and only make minor adjustments before you’re ready to apply on day one and get your interviews lined up ASAP.

It’s Just Business

You will make friends with your coworkers, perhaps your boss, maybe even the owners. However, at the end of the day this is a business and they must do what is best for the company as a whole. So don’t take any of it personal.

Connections Are Key

You’ve probably heard this a million times but it is worth repeating. Being a good designer is important but so is who you know. People are more likely to hire you if you have a reputation of being a hard worker & great coworker. It was a key reason I was able to go back to the company I had quit just a month earlier. Having proven myself as a go to person and having a great attitude, they hired me back within 2 weeks. 

Leave With A Smile

This goes with building connections. If you have a smile on your face and show them respect even if they did you wrong others will know you’re professional. Some people leave and make a scene. That just makes them look bad and it’s uncomfortable for those left. What some don’t understand is it’s just as hard on the people that are letting you go. No one likes tha t part of the job.

Don’t Take A Day Off

Know that the average time between jobs after being laid off is 3-6 months. Taking a day is a slippery slope. One day turns into 2 and before you know it you’ve lost a week or more. Get yourself into the mindset that you are still working only at home. Get up just like you were going to the office and start working the same time and same hours. That’s how I nailed my jobs so fast after. 

Reach Out To Old Connections

This is where those friendships come in handy. Reach out to old bosses, managers, coworkers, and friends that you’ve made over the years. If you did your job this is the fastest avenue to landing a job quickly. 

Don’t Bad Mouth Your Previous Employer

Once you start interviewing, keep all things civil regarding your previous employer. People perceive how you talk about your previous employer as how you are as a employee and coworker. If you say they were alway changing their mind on what they wanted then you can’t manage changes. If you say “My previous employer happened to be in the consume product goods industry which requires immediate change in direction sometimes on a day to day basis which at times proved difficult but that just how the industry is.” You just showed them that you can adapt to sudden changes and you understand that to succeed you must help the company do the same. 

Have you been hit with a layoff? If so tell us the story of how you plan to or did bounce back.