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How to Move Forward After Being Laid Off

September 21, 2022

by Analysts

To say that the last two years have been a whirlwind of chaos and change would be an understatement. Since the pandemic's start, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in how businesses operate. The Great Resignation and the Great Reshuffle left companies scrambling for talent—leading to increased salaries, big sign-on bonuses, and an employee-friendly market. But the tides shifted quickly and fiercely as inflation increased and fears of a recession crept into the minds of executives.

Now, we’re once again witnessing an exodus of talent, but this time, it's not voluntary. Layoffs are the new trending topic on social media sites, including LinkedIn, and the trend is worrisome. Significant portions of the workforce are being dismissed, leaving former employees frantic and concerned about their futures. While losing a job is not ideal, seeking a new role offers an opportunity to realign your career in a way that better fits your long-term goals. To help, we’re sharing expert advice on how to cope with layoffs and discover a new path forward.

Decompress and reflect

You've already received the dreaded phone call, email, or, worse yet, the Zoom meeting invitation informing you that you are a part of a company-wide layoff. So, now what? We suggest taking a moment (read: days) to decompress. It’s important to understand that being laid off isn't personal and doesn't define your abilities. To stay positive and productive, we suggest creating a list of your accomplishments at your former job and reflecting on how you impacted the organization. This activity will not only boost your morale, but it can also help prepare you to showcase your skills in future interviews. Once your head is clear and you've come to terms with the unexpected loss of your job, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Research and prepare

Exploring job listings, researching companies, and preparing for interviews will play a significant role in a successful job search. Creating a list of desired criteria for your next job and noting which requirements are flexible and which are absolute will help you determine which roles to apply to. Researching current market rates on Glassdoor will help ensure your salary requirements are in line with your local market and allow you to make adjustments as needed. Lastly, be sure to revise your resume to include your recent achievements before you start to search for new opportunities. We suggest tweaking your resume each time it’s submitted to a new job to align your skills with the employer's needs.

Get after it

After decompressing and doing your due diligence, it's time to start looking for a job. The first step is to begin by letting your network know you've been laid off. Although publicly sharing this information might seem uncomfortable at first, it’s a necessary step to accelerate your search. Let your network know what your core skills are, the kinds of roles you are seeking, and what industries you’re interested in. While this is a great start, don’t expect people to do the work for you. Be proactive in your approach; seek out people within your network directly and be as specific as possible in your requests to them. Outside of your network, you must also research companies, decide who you want to work for, and apply directly to those firms.

Don't give up

According to the BLS, the median unemployment duration is 8.6 weeks, meaning it can take some time to land your next role. To avoid losing momentum, schedule time each day to network, check job postings, and submit applications. Stay organized throughout this time by keeping a log of applications, dates, and conversations. There are two thoughts to keep in mind throughout this entire process. If possible, don’t settle for a role that doesn't meet your needs, as you will likely find yourself going through the process of looking for a job again sooner than you want. Also, remember that being laid off doesn't define you or your abilities, and that this difficult time will pass.

Partner with us

Partnering with a recruiter can boost your job search results. Our expert IT recruiters have access to many qualified jobs and receive new opportunities daily from our clients. At ACS, our knowledgeable recruiters have insight into the current market, resulting in successful salary negotiations, bonuses, and perks at no cost to you. We work diligently to understand each client's needs and culture, allowing our recruiters to match their candidates with clients effectively. Contact us today to learn how our partnership can accelerate your job search.