What To Do In Your First 30 Days Post-Layoff (That Most People Miss)

Forbes

2 days ago

Start building immediately after receiving layoff news; don't wait for a job offer first
You've just received news that your role is on the block for elimination. Within the next few hours or days at most, you're about to be thrust into the unrelenting world of unemployment.
What do you do next over the coming hours, days, and weeks mean everything and can determine your career success, not just for the here and now, but for the long-term. They can make all the difference between you remaining unemployed and broke for months or even years, or actually being able to rebound and rebuild your life and career from the scraps you've been handed.
If you've been searching for advice on the internet on what to do after you've been laid off, you've probably read about the importance of doing things like negotiating your severance package, filing for unemployment benefits, or refreshing your resume and LinkedIn profile.
But there are some other things you need to do within your first month after being laid off, which are vital to your career success. Many professionals wait until it's too late to take these actions, and because they fail to take these steps right away, their unemployment situation worsens.
To avoid falling into this trap, here are some things you can do immediately to protect your finances and career, now that you've been laid off:
Neglecting to start building immediately has to be the number one most fatal mistake professionals make after being laid off, because it puts you in a position where you're more vulnerable to outside forces like industry changes, the volatile job market, etc. And you're now in a position where it's easier to say yes to opportunities that do not serve you because after all, you need to pay the bills.
As a result, you're taken advantage of and ghosted by fake employers or by shark recruiters and hiring managers who can smell that you're desperate and offer you bogus or questionable job offers and compensation packages.
So, instead of waiting for the perfect job opportunity to appear, be open and start monetizing what's already in your hands. Leverage your brain capital--the wealth of skills and expertise you've acquired from your job.
There's nothing worse than the regret of being turned down for job opportunities and realizing that you could have been well on your way towards making money all along if only you started earlier. Never allow your skills to go dormant because you're waiting for an employer to see and value them. Dormant skills means dormant money. You're literally sitting on gold.
So begin today and start building momentum, even if it's just a small service that you're offering directly to your LinkedIn network or Fiverr and Upwork. It could be part-time. It doesn't need to consume your 9-5 hours. But the most important thing is that you're building something. Even if it's small money, it helps when nothing else is coming in. And if you're faithful with it and can improve what you already have, then just $300-$500 a week from your existing skill set can prove to be a lifesaver and can multiply to $1,000, $2,000 or even $3,000 a month. It might even become your full-time business pursuit.
Panic applying is when you apply for jobs in a hurry because you're anxious. You use every waking moment to hit the 'quick apply' or 'easy apply' button on Indeed or LinkedIn. And you send so many applications that you're unable to keep track of where your resume has been.
This method is not only ineffective, but it's health destroying. It leads directly to burnout and increases your anxiety because you feel like you're chasing your tail. But more than this, panic-applying hurts your career success because you're not able to put thought and depth into each application. It's not possible to customize and tailor your resume and application answers when you're hitting send to 200 job applications a week.
Instead of panic-applying, try this approach:
Finally, you might have been in your job for so long that you're totally out of touch with the current job market, the evolution of your industry, or what skill sets are in demand right now. The worst thing you can do at this point is to carry on job-searching like it's five, 10, or 15 years ago. So much has changed in the global job market, especially within the past two years since AI has gained global traction.
In light of these changes and the constantly evolving needs of employers demanding fresh, updated skill sets, it's essential that you rebrand yourself and reframe your value by upskilling for in-demand skills. Focus on relevant skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking and data analysis, communication skills, applied AI, and cross-functional leadership and remote working skills.
Layoffs are the perfect opportunity to reset your career so you don't remain stagnant or too ... More comfortable to progress
The first 30 days after being laid off are critical to your career. Your future is in your hands. For many people, it can feel like a disaster, like it's the end. But not so with you. You now understand that layoffs are simply a career reset, and that they are simply the page turning to a new chapter. Now that you have more time on your hands, this is your chance to start building something new, strategically align yourself with decision-makers who can pour into your career growth, and prepare yourself for the future of work by upskilling for what's in demand today and what will be needed over the next few years.