RJ Samantha 
Lately we’ve been hearing some good news when it comes to the job market. However, the fact that there are layoffs happening each day around the country certainly isn’t going to stop anytime soon. Layoffs are hard and can be devastating, both financially and psychologically.
Having your income stream shut off, especially without notice isn’t something that can be taken lightly. We all have bills to pay, mouths to feed and other things that needs to be taken care of and usually money is what keeps the world going. Anyway, below are 10 suggestions that we think should be something that everyone should go through if you are laidoff. Please note that although some points might seem like it’s a little too much to ask during tough times, all we want you to know is there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
- Grab a beer
Why not? If you recently got laid off go ahead, grab a beer and relax. Layoffs are stressful but you need to loosen your mind a little before you plan out the next phase. We suggest you drink a beer at home and not at the bar.
- Talk to your spouse
The last thing you want to do is walk in the door and say “Honey! I got laid off.” That’s a bad way to break a bad news. Go home, grab a beer and slowly start talking about it to your spouse. Start with something like “You know our company had been laying off people………” and slowly break the news. It’s much easier to cope with it when bad news is broken slowly than when it’s slammed upon someone.
- Got kids? They need to know too
Most people try and hide financial problems with their kids. Kids don’t need to know everything but feel free to talk to your kids about adjusting needs wants. Let them know that the Friday night movies may have to be at home instead of theaters for a while. It’s surprising but kids do understand.
- Let the day slide by easy
Seriously, the day you got laid off isn’t the day to stress. Of course, there will be stress but try and take it easy. There is not a whole lot of point in freaking out and getting everybody in the family all worked up.
- Dust up your resume
Start your job search planning the next day. Let the day you got laid off slide by and then the next day start dusting up your resume. It has probably been untouched for a while but see how you can spruce it up. May be any new skills you acquired at the last job that you could add in there? Anything and everything that shows your skills should be added.
- Finances, finances, finances
It’s time to talk finances and figure things out with your spouse. Talk about insurance, bills and recurring payments and how you are going to handle them. Set your priorities straight Love and Knuckles. If you have to choose between mortgage payment and a credit card payment, what would your priority be? Exactly! Talk it over and set it straight.
- Network, network, network
If you haven’t created accounts on sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. get on it right now. Maybe when you landed your first job it wasn’t a need but in todays job search landscape it is a must. Start using them to connect with the known and unknown.
- Stay in touch
Just cause you were laid off doesn’t mean you have to keep your distance from your ex co-workers. Stay in touch with them. They might start their own business and the first person they will think about is you if you keep connected with them. Also, they can be great references for future employment so keep in touch. Call them over for a beer every once in a while but make sure you let them know it’s a BYOB party. You are the one who got laid off remember.
- Stay positive
Positive thinking leads to positive outcomes. Think negative and negative results will follow you. It is normal to be stressed and lay offs can have huge psychological impact. But a stress will only add more stress. If you haven’t been able to land a job after a while and savings are starting to dry out, think of other ways you can earn money. May be you have collectors items that you could sell on ebay? I am sorry, you might have saved them for years but when it comes to putting food on the table, it’s time to let them go.
- Ignore the numbers
This is one of the most important things to do. Forget the fact that there are millions that are unemployed. Forget the fact that your brother got laid off yesterday. It can get quite depressing when you hear news that millions are unemployed and you think “ohh, I am one of them.” Ignore those numbers and keep looking. The economy and the job market sure seems to be reviving a little. Keep your ears and eyes wide open. Before you know it, you will have opportunities knocking on your door.
Like we said in the beginning of this post. Some things are easy said than done. However, taking things one step at a time with a cool mind is a sure way to beat any obstacle. keep your calm, think positive. You might be laid off and unemployed today but there is no guarantee you’ll be tomorrow. Keep searching, keep looking. Goodluck!
Please share some of your tactics if you’ve been recently laid off or suggest others if you have any tips.
