What To Do If You Get Laid Off: Top 12 Strategies

You lost a job where you used to spend large part of your days for many months. It's ok to feel distressed, upset, frustrated, or even relieved depending on the circumstances. Take some time to think and understand what has happened. Do not make rash decisions. You can give yourself a day or two to relax and think of your layoff strategies.

Layoff impacts not just your professional routine. It also impacts your financial status. Begin by checking your savings, monthly outgo, etc. Make a budget that allows you to make your money go further while you get back to finding your new career. Being aware of where you are financially will minimize stress and provide you with greater control in upcoming days.

Take time to read carefully over any severance package your employer provides before you proceed. This may include pay, vacation payouts or longer health benefits. Ask your previous company whatever you are unsure about, and make sure you have every document which is generally given after leaving a company.

In job search after layoff, make time to refresh both your resume and linkedIn with your current experience, skills, and achievements. Your first impression with potential future employers is always given by your resume and linkedIn. You should put focus on quantifiable results like cost savings, efficiency gains or completed projects. Make sure your linkedIn is active and professional. Recruiters frequently use linkedIn as a starting point when researching possible candidates.

Networking is perhaps one of the best job search strategies. Inform close contacts that you are considering new opportunities. Do not mean you have to tell the whole world you have been laid off. Instead, personally contact close friends, old colleagues, or mentors. A majority of jobs are obtained through referrals before they ever hit the Internet job boards. Networking can bring about doors that might not otherwise appear on job boards.

A layoff can also be your chance to invest in yourself. By doing online courses, certification, or workshops you can enhance your skills. It increases your knowledge within your existing area of work or if you want to enter into a new field, doing courses is a great way to start, acquiring something new can enhance your confidence and marketability while keeping up with the times. This is particularly helpful if you lost a job in a dying industry and wish to shift to one that is expanding.

While looking out for full-time jobs it's never bad to keep an eye on freelance or contract work. These can give you income, enable you to acquire new skills, and increase your professional contacts. In some instances, contract employment even converts to full-time jobs. The strategy keeps your resume fresh and shows that you are flexible. It is a common sense lay offs strategy that reconciles monetary needs and professional advancement.

While submitting multiple job applications, it's easy to lose your place. For job search strategies you can use Job Match Pro, which helps get you jobs from major job portals in a single place based on your experience and field. Make a spreadsheet to keep your applications organized and ensure timely follow-ups. 

Every other employer asks about your experience, qualifications, and what you can contribute to their organization. So it's smart to be prepared for it, write down a brief personal pitch that tells your strengths and experience. Read it and revise it as you have to present yourself in interviews and networking discussions.

Layoff is stressful, it's natural to have doubts and uncertainty about the future but because of this it's important for you to work on your physical and mental health. Exercise regularly, consume healthy meals, and engage in stress-reducing activities. Being healthy is never bad, it increases your concentration and energy level as you do your job search after layoff. 

You might have a specific idea of your dream job, but remaining flexible to various possibilities can increase your chances of work. Be ready to consider jobs that are not ideal but can equip you with experience or lead you to something better. Flexibility remains one of the best layoff strategies since it broadens the scope of possibilities open to you.

Without organization, job searching can be an overwhelming task. So use job search tools like Job Match Pro which can enhance your job search and can give you job results from various major platforms like naukri, linkedin, foundit, etc. It will keep you energized and play a big part in your job search after layoff. Small progress accumulates over the long run and gets you closer to your next job.

It's natural to have fear of answering questions about layoff in interviews. You just have to make sure to tell the truth and be concise. You can say something like, "The company had a restructuring, and my position was affected. I am now excited to transfer my abilities to a new team". Keep in mind not to speak bad about your previous company. Cleverly switch the conversation rapidly to your skills, experience, and passion for the job to which you are applying.

These are some tried and tested tips to answer these questions confidently:

• Keep it brief and simple: Reply in one or two sentences.

• Be positive: You only lost a job, it’s nothing out of the world. It happens with everyone.

• Practice your response: Rehearse so that you sound natural and confident.

• Focus on your strengths: Change the conversation back to your results, projects, or skills, how you used those and what you learned.

• Demonstrate eagerness: Highlight that you are enthusiastic and ready for a new challenge.

• Bypass blame: Do not speak bad about your previous company or bosses. Be professional.

• Connect to the job: Close your response by highlighting how your experience aligns with the position for which you are being interviewed.

• Use numbers if you can: If your previous job developed measurable outcomes, state them briefly to transition to impact.

• Demonstrate resilience: Describe how the layoff provided time for you to enhance your skills, pursue a course, or get new certifications.

• Maintain confident body language: Smile, look at the interviewer, and sit up straight while answering.

• Rehearse with mock interviews: Practice role-playing with a friend or coach to feel confident prior to the actual interview.

• Prepare a follow-up: Once you have explained your layoff, shift into a strong point such as, "That experience provided me with time to earn a data engineering certification, which I am excited to implement in this position."