13 May What To Do if You Get Laid Off During the Covid-19 Crisis
You performed your job well. You showed up and delivered results, even when the world around you was chaotic and unpredictable. You did everything you were supposed to, nothing you weren’t, and yet, you still find yourself laid off and without a job.
It happens. It shouldn’t happen, but it does. And it’s devastating.
Getting laid off or losing a job, under any circumstance, is extremely stressful. One of life’s most stressful events, actually. And that’s if you get laid off when life is “normal.” Getting laid off, furloughed or losing a job during a global or economic crisis will only amplify your feelings about it. A job loss now may generate feelings of fear, anger, resentment, panic, and depression. If you experience any or all of these feelings, you are not alone. It is very natural.
So, what should you do if you suddenly find yourself laid off, furloughed or without a job? Follow these five steps to stay focused on the things that will benefit you most in the short and long term. As you adapt to this new situation, this is a great opportunity to prepare for the next step in your career.
Leave on Good Terms
Being laid off is a terrible event to go through, but remain professional when dealing with your employer. Whether you saw it coming or are completely shell shocked because it was totally unexpected, continue to act professionally in all your dealings with your company and the exit process. While it may feel good momentarily to get angry and tell them why they are making a mistake, or wishing them ill will, it won’t change the situation and it really won’t make you feel any better. The damage it will do will far outlive your short-term satisfaction.
Just because your employer is letting you go now, doesn’t mean you won’t be needing them during your job search later. You may want to use a boss or colleague as a reference, you certainly want the company to confirm you are “available for employment” when a hiring company confirms your employment. Maintain a positive working relationship even in a difficult time.
Tackle Your Finances
Once you have taken care of all the administrative issues related to being laid off or furloughed, address the economic ones. Many of these items take longer than you think they will, and with so many people currently out of work and all requesting the same benefits, the system is extremely backlogged. The sooner you can start working on your finances, the better:
- Apply for unemployment benefits if you qualify
- Research and request credit card and/or loan deferments, extensions or reduced interest rates
- Look into food assistance
- Reassess your household budget and make changes where you can
- Determine how you will maintain healthcare coverage and other issues related to your finances
- Consider temporary work, freelancing, or a side hustle to earn some money during this time
This is not the time to make any large purchases or to buy non-essential items. Minimize your spending and look for ways to augment your income while you prepare and search for a new position.
Feel the Loss
Give yourself permission to be upset and to be scared. Allow yourself time to mourn the loss of your job, your colleagues, your way of life, and your routine. A lot of changes come very suddenly when you lose your job. It’s disruptive and unsettling. Don’t put pressure on yourself to bounce back after one day with a rosy outlook. If that’s you, wow, more power to you! The rest of us, need a little more time to process, to grieve, and to regroup. Give yourself that time.
Develop a Plan
Once you’ve had a few days to feel the loss, it’s time to start thinking about your plan. Take a step back and consider what that next step forward will be.
- Are there tasks or strategies you loved doing in your previous job?
- Aspects you didn’t care for?
- Is there a new direction you’d like to take?
- Are there skills you may be lacking or need enhancing?
- What will make you most marketable in the current market?
If there are skills you need to learn or refresh, investigate online courses, read books, listen to audiobooks or podcasts. My library card gets me access to books, videos, and audiobooks for free. I don’t even need to go to the library for them, they have an app. There are many books and manuals you can study, textbooks and course guides to further explore and study to strengthen your qualifications. The availability of online courses is huge, especially right now, there are several Ivy League courses and master classes offered for free. The price points for paid courses vary, from free and a few dollars to hundreds and thousands of dollars. The quality varies too, but the most expensive are often not the best courses. So, do your research before jumping into any expensive courses that may not make financial sense at this time.
Volunteering is also a great way to enhance your marketable skills. Volunteer experience, if your volunteer work is related to your professional experience, can be a great addition to your resume, especially to fill in any gaps. If you are in marketing, volunteer to do social media marketing or update a nonprofit’s website. If you are in finance, volunteer to be on the finance committee or explore if there are intern opportunities to work with a local firm. Volunteering not only utilizes your skills and enriches your resume; it also is a natural networking opportunity to meet new people.
To prepare for your job search, update and optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile. If you don’t already have a cover letter template, it’s time to write one. Then it’s time to start looking at what opportunities are out there, working your connections and reaching out to companies you are interested in working for.
Find Support
Going through this transition, especially with so much uncertainty around, may feel lonely. But you are not alone. Reach out to others with a shared experience so you have someone to talk to. Those people may, or may not, be your closest family and friends. Our families mean well, but often, their attempt to support us in these situations can sometimes feel like added pressure and stress. Neither of which you need right now! Join social media groups for job seekers, career transitions, or your industry. There are many groups available to join on Facebook and LinkedIn. Start by searching relevant terms, see what’s available, and join a few. You can always leave the group if it’s not a fit for you. The discussions will likely provide good advice, spark ideas, and provide helpful resources. Most importantly, they will give you the emotional support you need now and will reinforce that what you are feeling and dealing with, is a shared experience.
Finding yourself unemployed is always hard, it’s even more stressful when it comes during a time of crisis. Once you’ve had a moment to process your situation, work your plan and move forward to that next new position. You WILL be stronger for it!
When you’re ready to begin your job search, make sure to download a copy of my free resume guide “7 RESUME DOS AND DON’TS THAT GET YOU NOTICED“ and learn how to write a resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers and recruiters so you get more interviews.