If this is or has ever been you, here are a few ways you can handle it:
1. Stay calm. Regardless of the reason for the termination, resist the urge to get lost in emotion and lose your cool. Remain professional – not because you’re still trying to impress your now former employer but because some employers expect bad behavior at this time. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Never let them see you sweat.
2. Check-in with yourself. How are you feeling? If there’s some part of this that doesn’t sit right with you, if you were treated unfairly or unappreciated, acknowledge that. Give yourself space to process how this is bothering you. Journal. Talk to someone. Exercise. Don’t hold it in, don’t pretend, and don’t hide.
3. Carefully review whatever paperwork you received. Know your rights and if necessary, submit a claim for unemployment insurance. Suspect something was off with your firing and think you can prove it? Reach out to an employment attorney. This is your right.
4. Launch your active job search (you should always have a passive search going but we’ll talk about that later). Update your social media profiles, résumé, etc. Connect with recruiters and activate your network. Sharpen your interviewing skills and research updated comp data so you’re prepared to negotiate.
5. Consider consulting or fractional work to keep yourself afloat. The process for these roles is usually faster allowing you to earn income while continuing to build your future.
After a layoff, the goal is move on healthier, happier, and in a more prosperous direction.
Don’t give your employer the satisfaction of seeing you crumble, especially if the writing was on the wall & you knew you were being targeted.
Be real with yourself. Don’t pretend this isn’t affecting you. Don’t ignore your paperwork or your rights. You have access to resources. Use them.
Get to work job hunting.
Layoffs suck but they aren’t the end of the road.
Stay encouraged!