Heed These Lessons Learned from Being Laid Off

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


If you have ever been laid off, you know how hard it is to handle a job loss. You might be tempted to spend weeks wondering if your work wasn't up to snuff, but a better way to spend your time is to network with people in your industry and brush up on your skills. Here are several ways a layoff can help you choose the right career path.

Although job loss is often a painful experience, it might be just the thing you need to find a better job or figure out that you want to switch careers. If you were afraid to leave your job due to the generous salary or comprehensive benefits package, a layoff takes the decision out of your hands and forces you to consider other employers. If you find a job that makes you happier, your unexpected job loss may turn out to be a gift instead of a burden.

It's difficult to focus on goals when you are constantly worried about meeting deadlines or keeping your boss happy. Being laid off gives you the time you to explore your interests and decide if you want to pursue a career change. Whether you want to start your own business or work your way up the corporate ladder, an unexpected job loss gives you time to set goals and do everything necessary to reach those goals.

If you aren't entirely sure you want to continue on the career path you've established, a layoff can help you make new professional connections and learn skills relevant to another field. Instead of watching television or spending hours surfing the Web, use your time to attend networking meetings or take classes. Participating in these activities can help you strengthen your resume, giving you a better chance of landing interviews when you are ready to look for a new job.

Managers often take several factors into account when determining who should be let go during a layoff. One of those factors is your ability to stay up-to-date on developments in your field. If you were let go from a job you loved, your layoff might be a sign that you need to take additional classes or obtain a professional certification in your field. If you recently suffered a job loss, don't let it keep you from developing new skills.

The weeks immediately following a layoff are ideal for self-reflection. If your manager said you were laid off because of mistakes you made on the job, think about ways to avoid those mistakes in the future. Remember that mistakes aren't always a bad thing, especially if you view them as learning opportunities.

Almost no one enjoys being laid off, but a job loss doesn't have to end your career. Instead of focusing on your old job, take time to develop new skills, build your professional network and do everything you can to improve your career.


Photo courtesy of holohololand at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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  • Jason Smallheer
    Jason Smallheer

    I'm there now. Thank you for the insight. #motivated

  • Ronald DeLong
    Ronald DeLong

    Thank you for the insight.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Suzanne thanks for your comment and your upbeat attitude. It certainly is tough when you have worked all your life but now you are idle. I, too, went through that a year ago and learned how easy it is to fall into idleness and to feel sorry for myself. When you are in a situation like this, it's a great idea to take a look at what you have to offer and to maybe consider moving into a different field. We all find a way to pigeon-hole ourselves and to make our career our identity. I have found that just making a list of my skillsets and then looking for a position that needs the skills I have opens up a wealth of possibilities. For example, maybe you did a lot of writing in your last position: reports, job descriptions, employee reviews, memos, etc. Why not take that for a test drive and look for creative writing positions, technical writing, resume writer, etc. Sometimes just taking a step back and looking at yourself from a different angle can make all of the difference. Don't forget to check out some temp agencies or look for contract work. Great way to take test drive! Best of luck.

  • Suzanne B.
    Suzanne B.

    Article was a great wake up call. It's very easy to fall into a slump as I always had a job all my life. Been off work for 3 months and had a few rejections in the field I'm in. I'm thinking it's my age but I'm staying strong. It's very hard mentally to deal with a job loss as time goes on and of course no money coming in. Thanks for my family for all their support. I have faith that things will change for the better. Things happen for a reason so it's a good time to reflect

  • Marleny  I.
    Marleny I.

    The Company Business Closed on March-2015, I received only 6 months unemployment ( Oct.2015) recently went back to school and keep goin looking for job. I have not lost hope of finding something say something because I have rejected many jobs " Age discrimination happens all the time " But I still have not lost hope.

  • Randy W.
    Randy W.

    How sweet, Dan P.

  • Dan P.
    Dan P.

    Faith does seem to help; I asked the creator to keep an eye on me; when I am rejected at an interview because I am too old or not eloquent enough, I believe the choice was in my best interest and my creator keeping watch. Peace to your soul.

  • Claudia Rose
    Claudia Rose

    Remember when one door close two windows opens

  • ALEMAYEHU B.
    ALEMAYEHU B.

    That is a wonderful comment, life has to continue there is no need to worry over a dead fish.

  • George Fears
    George Fears

    Useful article. Summarises how to respond to being laid off. Another consideration after having read it, employee's need to develop contingency plans to prepare for the possibility of job loss. Better to be prepared than overwhelmed. Permanent employment is no longer permanent in today's economy. Change is constant.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Cindilou thanks for your comments. So sorry that this happened to you. It's tough out there when you are older and don't have a degree. Thank goodness you landed a job even if it's less than desirable. We have many folks who are older who have been searching for a year or two or even longer and not getting hired. Sorry you had such a bad experience with HR. For me it has kind of been a mixed bag with some really great understanding HR folks and others who treat you like a number! Next! Take some of your experience and talents and try for something completely different. You might be surprised. We box ourselves into this hole where we think we should be because that's what we have always done. Maybe it's time to step out. You might even want to consider getting a degree or getting certified in something - say medical assistant or billing, etc. @Vince thanks. It might be true that the industry is on a downturn or it might be that the company wants to go in a different direction and didn't feel that you would be a good fit for the change? Just speculating here. Maybe you should stay in the industry where all of your talents lie and try for a different position in a different area. Best of luck to both of you.

  • Cindilou H.
    Cindilou H.

    James D...August 5th....you hit the nail on the head. Its about age and us older workers are no longer valued...I was fired....after 17 years. I was very good at my job....but not brain washed...which is what they want. I'm 57 and with no degree but 20 years experience.... I found a job making 8.50 an hour....half of what I was making. And these HR Generalists....not worth much. They know nothing, are rude and condescending.

  • Vince Granson
    Vince Granson

    This article is about getting fired due to performance issues and how to address them. Being laid off is usually due to lack of work/revenue and not able to maintain staff. Instead of talking about what an individual lacks, it should discuss a plan of action and what to avoid in the new job search (i.e. don't apply to jobs in the same industry because that industry might be in a down-turn, etc.).

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @David so sorry you were terminated. Yes there has been an incredible amount of negative press towards WalMart lately. Such a shame. Of course I figured that, since they raised the wages and other benefits, that they would start cutting down on the number of employees. This is their way of doing it - by saying that you are slow. Hopefully you are able to draw on unemployment until you find a new job. I am sure that now that you posted this, that we will see comments from others who are in the same boat as you. We wish you all the best on your next position.

  • David G.
    David G.

    I hate the productivity doctrine. That was my number one complaint about Wal-Mart and the reason for my termination. The management team asserted that my slow performance was an act of misconduct, an allegation that did not go over very well with the unemployment commission. Wal-Mart has been in the news lately for the way it treats its employees, but those issues concern pay, benefits, and overtime. I value a proper job done well, and the management team wants to sacrifice "time-consuming" stock rotation procedures in favor of maximizing productivity, which I consider a lame excuse for not rotating food stock, where the inventory is highly perishable. I consider the matter an ethics issue, but some people argue that I should not.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Jeanine there are really no specific answers to your questions. However, if you feel that you are at the end of your career, have you considered starting a new career? Reinventing yourself? Take some of the skills that you have acquired in past positions and use it for a new position in a new industry. There is no set amount of time that one needs to be unemployed before they won't be employed again. Everyone can be employed but it might be different than what you were seeking. Sadly, though, the longer you are unemployed, the longer it will be until you can find another position. Now if you have the talent to start your own company, you might be able to get a small business loan to being your venture. You need to do everything that you can to find employment now. Scour every job site you can find; check the newspaper; check Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media sites. Talk to family and friends. Never miss a networking opportunity or job fair in your area. If you went to college, contact your college's career services office and check through them. Jobs are there Jeanine. We wish you all the best.

  • Jeanine P.
    Jeanine P.

    how many layoffs does constitute "the end of your career" How long does one need to be unemployed to consider they will never be employed again. How does one start their own business without any money or income to even pay their bills?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thank you @David. We hear and see this all of the time. You are right in that the word "contract" in a job posting can send a job seeker running. But a contract can be whatever the company deems. Maybe the company really needs to have a position filled but their budget won't allow them to do a new hire as new hires can be quite expensive. So they bring in a contractor. Speaking from experience, contract positions can be very long term. All companies want an applicant who has 100% of the qualifications and who can hit the ground running but they know that, realistically, they are not going to get it. The job posting is like a dream sheet for the company. They list down all of the possible requirements and qualifications and then it hits the web. A job seeker starts to go down the qualifications only to feel depressed because they don't have all of them so they move on. Don't do that. If you feel that you have a large percentage of the skills they require, then apply. What do you have to lose but the time it took to prepare a resume and cover letter? As for recruiter, as with anything, there are good ones and there are bad ones. If they aren't calling you back, call them and/or email them. Don't stop until you get an answer. The employment process goes through changes all of the time. In ten years from now, job seekers will be shaking their heads at the archaic way in which we are applying today! It's all a cycle. The bottom line for job seekers is to keep on applying and keep up with the current employment fads. Just like fashions, the trends will change next year.

  • Margaret A.
    Margaret A.

    @ Steven Jacobs, thanks for your post.... I am encouraged!

  • David C. D.
    David C. D.

    One of the main problems I'm noticing is companies aren't always hiring full-time employees as many hire on a temporary or contract basis. Contract sends mixed signals to the worker and that is (1) for the employee, it tells them that they're only there for a limited time; and (2) the company isn't investing too much into the employee's future, much less their own, or just don't value that position enough, so there's zero growth in learning or developing the standards and practices of a company. It didn't seem so long ago when a person was hired on with a probationary period and allowed time to get past the "learning curve." With temporary employment employers demand that the employee meets all of the requirements, with a "hit the ground running" mentality. This causes stress and probably effects the performance straight away. Another problem I'm finding is that so many positions are left up to or I should say 'at the mercy' of job recruiters, saving the actual Human Resource part for permanent hires. Maybe it works for the companies, but not for the individuals looking for work. Many recruiters call from out-of-state unfamiliar with person's area, it would help if they checked first. They're also not very professional as many don't return calls, email or fail to keep you updated on the position you're hoping to get. Even if you aren't the right fit, it would be great to know to cross that job out. True, it all boils down to the bottom dollar today, but if everyone thought that way years ago we'd never be the country we are today.

  • Ray N.
    Ray N.

    Employers spend a lot of time and money to screen applicants only to find out that the applicant is not competent for the job. Sometimes poor performance is the excuse used when there are other, grey area reasons that are not fully legal or fair to divulge. I have seen this and for those of us who live in an "Employment at will" state, have no legal recourse unless you can prove a federal employment law has been violated. There are many reasons an employer can discharge an employee, some legitimate, others less so. I do believe ageism is prevalent as noted by some posters here, but try proving it. I do agree with John Krautzel that is does no good to sit and cry about it; best use your energies to move on as best you can. "Better to light a candle than curse the darkness"

  • Lisa B.
    Lisa B.

    @Nancy, just as a clarification... I never stated that I was laid off; some info has been misconstrued. No need to be defensive. My issue is exactly opposite of what you responded. The scenario in the article mentioned was specific to a situation involving lack of skill set and development. It was not aimed at the more "general." I believe that was the reason for the back lash of responses coming from experienced professionals. I think that a free forum is extremely important because people will share the real and not the glossy Madison Avenue marketing message to the disheartened unemployed Americans, which tends to be overly ppolitically correct IMHO.

  • Steven Jacobs
    Steven Jacobs

    The short story here is today's employers are not interested in paying for experienced professionals because it is too expensive. They would much rather pay for totally incompetent, and inexperienced, bachelor degreed people (not yet professional by any means) that can't perform the job. Why? Because they don't have to pay the wages of experienced professionals. S, a degree isn't going to do you any more than the lack of it EXCEPT the chances to get you a job are slightly better. I have found age doesn't come into the factor as much because I don't share my age on interviews. My resume doesn't allude to a time frame; only the position held, the job duties, and the accomplishments. I get a lot of interviews and eventually land another job. Maybe not the "right job" but it is the "right now job" that keeps the bills paid and food on the table. Yes, today's job market is way different than it was 40 years ago, but I have adapted, and all without the much needed bachelor degree. What's the message in this? Sell what you have in talent, and be a salesman to the employer. Make them desire what you have, what you are, and what you can do for their company.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Lisa this is a general article - not pointing fingers or laying blame anywhere. No one is saying that it's your fault that you were laid off and I am sorry that you drew that conclusion. This is a "general" article, not directed at any one person or company. The world as we knew it is gone and in its place is this new reality. @Kim not everyone could or would want to have their own franchise but we have many former job seekers who have created and own their own companies and are making the same or more in salary. And no education is not just for the young. I am a senior and I am in the process of getting a bachelors in a new field. Being laid off can make any person negative towards any advice. Give yourself time to grieve the loss of the job and then move on - whether to a job in the same industry or a completely new position. A year ago I was in your same position. I allowed myself a few weeks to grieve and then settled down into finding a new position. It does happen and it will happen for you. I know it's trite to say this but a positive attitude will take you a long way. I learned that from experience.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks everyone for your continued comments. I can certainly feel your pain. It's tough being without a job regardless of age or circumstances. Depending upon your beliefs, prayer certainly does help as well as a positive attitude and nix the sarcasm. It is a sad state of affairs when it feels like employers don't care about the employees. That's certainly not true across the board though. There are many companies who care about and support their employees and the employees give back 100% plus. Thanks @Gary G for the info about the Ticket to Work program by Senator Dole. Any of you who qualify for the program should check it out. While you are laid off, check out some of the courses being offered at your local community college. Many times they offer free classes to those of us who can call ourselves seniors. And if you are not a senior, there are still many courses offered for very minimal and reasonable fees. Sometimes we just need to change our focus for a few days. Take an art class for a day for some personal enjoyment. Or do what makes you happy (other than working) for a day or two and gain a new perspective. If you go at the job search with desperation, it could show in your cover letters and other communications with perspective employers. And if you do it with sarcasm, believing that you will never find employment, you probably won't. I know I am going to get slammed for this one but a positive attitude will take you a LONG way.

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