If you have read the news lately, you have likely heard there is another round of layoffs coming. In the manufacturing sector, both Ford Motor Company and General Motors are laying off thousands of workers. And recently Payless ShoeSource announced a large workforce reduction adding insult to injury in the swarm of retail layoffs. So what should you do if you are laid off? Read on to learn survival tips.
Take Advantage of Outplacement Services
If your company offers outplacement services, be sure and sign up for them. Some services are only available for a short time after your layoff. Depending on your company and position, outplacement services can be offered for weeks or months after termination. Many services are delivered online, such as webinars and career counseling, but the in-office meetings are a great place to network and find individuals who are in a similar situation.
Use Social Media to Stay Current
If you do not have accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn, use this time to register and start using them. Both are useful for job searching and getting your name out there. Social media is a great way to learn about opportunities in your industry, whether for continuing education or actual job openings, and can also be a vehicle for networking when used with a networking brief.
Never Stop Learning
Depending on your industry, there are numerous opportunities to continue your learning and stay fresh in your area of expertise – often without leaving your house. Register for webinars offered by vendors as well as outplacement service providers. For example, in the Human Resources field, organizations such as benefit administration providers, consultants and insurance brokers offer free webinars on a regular basis. You may also want to check with the alumni association of your college or a local community college to see if they offer trainings or conferences.
Lastly, if your budget allows, upgrade your LinkedIn account to Premium. A Premium account gives you access to a large selection of courses. Many provide a certificate of completion and can be posted to your profile in the Licenses and Certifications section.
Use Every Opportunity to Network
In my experience, networking is one of the most effective ways to find a new job. But it can be difficult after a job loss to get back in the game. Don’t be afraid to let people know you are looking. You never know where your next lead will come from. In addition to sharing that you are searching for a new opportunity with friends and family, you may also want to use LinkedIn. Here is my blog post about using LinkedIn effectively.
Get a Certification
As mentioned above, losing your job provides more time to learn and expand your knowledge base in your career. There is no better time to earn a certification. For the Human Resources professional, consider the Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR).
I hope these tips are useful to you. I would love to hear your tips on surviving a layoff. Leave me a comment below.
