High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Staying Positive After Layoff

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Careers: Top Ways to Stay Positive After Being Laid Off: "While becoming laid off can be a very devastating experience for a number of reasons, it is important to take positive steps in your approach to this situation."


• 7 Ways You’re Making the Job Search Even Harder: "Many job seekers are trying to apply what worked in the past in a new set of circumstances. Much of their delay in landing that next position is self-inflicted; they are making the job search even harder."


• What to Do If You Lose Your Job: "If ever found in the position of losing your job, having a plan with the right attitude and approach to taking the step forward in the next chapter in your career helps."


• 4 Ways to Ignite Your Job Search Right Now: "We’re in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season but that doesn’t mean career dreams need to be put on pause. There are a few ways to rev up that search even when it’s tempting to convince yourself the holidays will stall it."


• How You Should Address Getting Laid Off On Your Resume: "For your resume, there are a few tips those with job gaps should consider to up their chances of getting the interview."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Maintaining Your Network

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• How to Network When You Hate Networking: "Networking is all about making real, authentic, human connections. Get personal. Get curious. Everyone has a story to tell. Ask questions and listen. It's not about putting on a show or making a sale or getting that one awesome lead."

• The 10 Step 'I Just Got Fired' Action Plan: "Write down every potential job contact you have, including friends, family, former co-workers and any groups or associations you've joined. The length of the list may surprise you."                                                      
• Constructing Your Career Castle: "Finding the right support system as you define your vision is vital to career success. It's important, though, to remember that neither mentors nor sponsors can construct a castle for you. You have to commit to being the architect of your career."


• Simple Ways to Keep Your Network From Growing Cold: "Maintaining a thriving, active network takes time, planning, and even a bit of creativity. But if you put in the effort, the impact it will have on your career will be well worth it."


• How to Become a Great Leader: "There’s a general myth that leaders are born rather than made, that somehow Nature produces a peculiar species of human being who is bigger, more powerful, smarter, braver, and more charismatic than the rest."

Laid Off Action Plan

When a lay-off happens – whether it is a surprise or not – people have a tendency to go through most, if not all, the 7 stages of grief. You often start with shock and denial and then quickly move to pain, anger and depression. Because the process of being laid off is so emotional, having a solid action plan is essential to survival and rebounding in these types of situations.

You can either plan for a potential lay in the future or ensure you are reacting in the best possible way to an ongoing reduction in force using the following action steps. These are in no particular order, as everyone has different needs during this type of situation. However, if you cover all these bases you will be well on your way to a successful transition into the next phase of your career.

Assess Your Financial Situation

You will need to have a clear understanding of where you stand financially to know just how long you can survive being unemployed. The stress of how you will survive financially should be addressed first, so that you can alleviate what will most likely be your biggest concern. Evaluate your expenses and determine where you can cut costs until you are employed again. Experts say you should have a 6-month emergency fund saved at all times so that you are financially prepared for these types of situations.

Update Your Job Search Documents

Throughout your career, whether you are employed or not, I implore you to keep your resume and cover letter updated and current. This proactive approach is often the difference between being able to start the job search immediately and starting it a week later. Standards, job search methods, and resume styles change. Keep your knowledge current or employ the services of an expert who can help you.

Reach Out To Your Network

We are often embarrassed to admit that we have been laid off. Chances are, in the economic times of the last few years, you or someone you know very well has experienced the situation – maybe even multiple occurences. Let everyone in your network know of your new availability, clearly state the type of position you are looking for, and let them know what kind of assistance you need.

Identify Your Local Resources

You would be surprised at all the free resources that are available to laid off workers. Check with your local Workforce Connection One Stop Career Center. These services are paid for by your tax dollars and offer a wide variety of career services, training assistance, and job search support.