| I've been laid off so if it has happened to you, I | | | | If you were laid off as part of a larger corporate |
| know the feeling. | | | | restructuring or simply had your job eliminated, |
| Actually I've been laid off twice. | | | | this is what you should be telling people during |
| The first time, I was walking into the office first | | | | interviews if you are asked why you are no |
| thing in the morning and found my manager | | | | longer with the company. |
| putting a note on the door stating that all our | | | | In other words, you tell the truth. |
| training classes had been cancelled for the day. I | | | | Some people want to try to sugarcoat the |
| worked for a training company at the time. | | | | situation or invent an elaborate story especially if |
| Given the sad look on her face and our recent | | | | they are embarrassed about being unemployed or |
| low sales results, I knew this was pretty bad so I | | | | if they think being unemployed will hurt their |
| asked her if I needed to bother unpacking my | | | | chances when compared to other job candidates |
| lunch for that day. | | | | who are currently working. |
| She said I didn't. | | | | This is a natural feeling but the best thing to do is |
| The company went out of business that day I | | | | simply tell the truth. |
| found myself out of a job for the first time since | | | | Plus, you might actually luck out: Sometimes a |
| I was 16. | | | | company needs to hire someone as soon as |
| The second time I was laid off was a case of a | | | | possible and if you are the only candidate who |
| company restructuring. | | | | can start right away since you don't need to give |
| Up until this time, I had experienced several other | | | | several weeks notice to your current employer, |
| corporate restructurings and had managed to | | | | all things being equal, you might get the job over |
| survive each of them. | | | | other suitable candidates. |
| The first company I worked for after leaving | | | | I've seen this happen. |
| university regularly restructured and I survived | | | | 3. Figure out a plan to get your job search in gear |
| four major ones. The last restructuring that | | | | as soon as possible. |
| occurred, the seven other people in my group | | | | This doesn't mean you actually have to start |
| were laid off. I was the only one who survived. | | | | looking for a new job right away. You might |
| Getting laid off can be a very devastating | | | | decide this is a perfect time to take a vacation or |
| experience especially if you really relied on the | | | | to take some time off to figure out what you'd |
| position for income (who doesn't?) or if you have | | | | actually like to do next in your career. |
| been employed with the company for a significant | | | | The best thing to do is to immediately start |
| period of time and haven't had to look for a job | | | | thinking of the methods you will utilize to get your |
| recently. | | | | career back on track. Among other things, you |
| The job search market has certainly changed | | | | might: |
| over the past ten years even if you just consider | | | | - Let family, friends and former colleagues know |
| the effect that the Internet has had on it. | | | | that you are looking for a new job. They might |
| If you have found yourself the victim of a layoff | | | | know someone who knows someone...Often this |
| or downsizing, here are some tips to keep in mind | | | | is the best way to get your name out there. |
| when you are looking to get your career back on | | | | Knowing someone and being in the right place at |
| track: | | | | the right time is a legitimate and popular way of |
| 1. Don't take it personally. | | | | finding a new job. |
| Corporate downsizings are a way of life especially | | | | - Find several recruiters that can help you with |
| if you've worked in the Internet business or auto | | | | your job search. Recruiters are paid when they |
| industry! | | | | help companies find people to hire and they are |
| Don't disparage your former employer during | | | | experts in the job search field. Good recruiters |
| interviews and don't hold a grudge. This will appear | | | | can help supplement your job search and make |
| noticeable when you are speaking with people | | | | you aware of positions you might not have |
| who can influence your ability to find a new job | | | | otherwise known about. |
| and might hurt your level of motivation and | | | | - Find several relevant and possibly industry or |
| attitude. | | | | job-related Internet job boards that at a minimum |
| The last thing you want after being laid off is to | | | | will help you see jobs in your industry that are |
| become despondent or depressed. Thinking | | | | currently available. Even if you choose not to post |
| negatively about your former employer will | | | | your resume, you might get a better sense as to |
| certainly negatively affect the success of your | | | | what the market is like for people with your skills |
| job search. | | | | and experience. |
| Also, don't take it personally if on the day of the | | | | At the end of the day, getting laid off is a fact of |
| layoff, you are escorted out of the building or | | | | life for many people during their careers. Until |
| given 30 minutes to pack up your stuff and leave. | | | | you've experienced it, you might not actually |
| This is fairly standard and although it can feel | | | | realize how to deal with it. |
| pretty brutal, it's generally how things occur. The | | | | If you are laid off, move as quickly as possible to |
| first time I was laid off, our computer access had | | | | close one door and figure out what you need to |
| already been taken away and we were given 30 | | | | do to open the new doors that are about to |
| minutes after being notified to pack up our | | | | appear in front of you. Remaining motivated and |
| belongings and leave. | | | | keeping a positive attitude will be key to your |
| 2. Figure out how you will handle the layoff in your | | | | success. |
| resume and during interviews. | | | | |