Layoffs are such a difficult and unique situation, and we empathize with you. You may be feeling every emotion and out of control, but you are still in control of your career.
We’ve all heard of the 5 stages of grief (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, & Acceptance), and these can be applied to any kind of loss. This is not a linear process, each stage can hit at different and unexpected times.
Last week, we asked on our LinkedIn, "If you’ve been affected by a layoff, which stage of grief did you feel stuck in?" 6% answered Denial, 12% Bargaining, and a tie for Anger and Depression each at 41%.
The stages of grief can make you feel stuck. Getting trapped in this vicious cycle can be exhausting, and at a certain point, you’re going to have to make a decision - what to do next. Here’s our advice on how to get unstuck.
Make A Plan:
This is your time to reassess your goals, strengths, opportunities, and what inspires you.
Make yourself a checklist of action items. We suggest updating your LinkedIn profile, researching interesting companies, starting to build your story, checking out Symphonic's resume tips, creating custom cover letters and your 30 second commercial. And most importantly - treating your job search like a job.
Reactivate Your Network:
Good people know good people - reconnect with a friend or former colleague, they may know someone who has an open position.
These conversations can open a door and give you hope. It can make you one step closer to fully diving into the job market.
Call your Symphonic recruiter, it could be that phone call to set some wheels into motion or give you inspiration.
When Is The Right Time?
There is no clear-cut answer to this, especially because not everyone can afford to not work for weeks or months before heading into the job market.
If you can, try to get past the anger stage in your grief. A hiring manager will not want to hear about how unfair your previous company was, and instead will want to hear about your future outlook.
Be thoughtful and mindful about the positions you apply for.
Bad days are only temporary, this hard time may lead to opportunities greater than you would have imagined. Make a plan & get unstuck!
