Survive Getting Laid Off

I know. The dreaded "L" word and I am not talking about the lesbian show that used to be Showtime. In this economy we are hearing more and more people are facing lay offs. I am sure you feel it everyday at work. The whispers, the rumors, the closed door meetings. You white knuckle it through out the day hoping it won't be you.

Unfortunately, sometimes it is you.

I am working with more and more clients who are facing this situation. It is not easy but you can make it through this. I am hoping these few tips will help you feel more comfortable (as much as you can) and confident about handling getting laid off and what to do next.

Accept Reality - The first step is always awareness. You could be laid off. It could happen to you. Accept this fact. Pretending or even hoping it is not you, won't make it easier if it is you. Understand this is a possibility that could occur.

You can have unprotected sex and pretend you won't catch a STD or hope you won't but we all know that is the best or healthiest outlook to have on the situation. Same goes for facing lay offs. Accept it could be you. It is better to be proactive than reactive.

Accepting this reality frees you from the stress. How? It allows you remove the shock as well as put a plan into motion. When you have a plan, you feel more confident when facing uncertainty.

Plan It Out - You know this was coming... You need a plan. If you are laid off what will you do? Sit down and set up a written plan on what you will do if you are brought into that office meeting with your boss and HR. It is great to have all the ideas in your head but when it happens, your head will be racing and not all your ideas will be clear as they once were. Writing the plan down means you can sit down and review it if you are laid off.

I like to have 2 parts to my plan. One is for during and one is for after. My during plan is a list of questions to ask my boss, HR, etc after I have been laid off. Questions like:

• What happens with my insurance?
• What services are you offering to support the transition?
• What happens to my vacation and sick time?
• When will I receive my last pay check?

The second part is the action plan on what will happen next for me. I sat down and made a list of all my expenses. Which were needed (electric, water, phone, car payment, etc) and which were nice to have (cable TV, lawn service, Mail DVD rentals, etc). This let me see exactly how much money I needed a month and where I could cut costs. You can look at your savings and see how that can play into your planning. With this in mind, you know now how you can plan out returning income into your life.

Figure out the next steps for your job search. Where could you look? Who could you contact? Is your resume up to date? Do you have a great interview outfit? Put together your professional side to be ready to hit the ground running if you are looking for another job in the future.

I know this is not fun but it is better to have a plan than to be sitting at home in your boxers staring blankly into the wall in shock while feeling overwhelmed. Having a plan helps you know what you need to do to move into action.

Do Something - You have your plan and you are working the plan. Now you spend your days waiting by the phone and checking your email hoping to find a response to one of your applications. Your days are filled with waiting and watching the View, Oprah and one of the THOUSAND court shows on TV. As time passes on, the more stressed and more down you feel.

You need to do something!

My friend called me when she got laid off. She was in tears and I talked with her as she was leaving work. I asked her what she was going to do now and she said go home to bed. She would face tomorrow with a new outlook. I asked her where she was and asked her to do me a favor and follow my directions. She did and ended up in the parking lot of the employment services of a local theme park. She asked, "What I am going to do here? They are not hiring for marketing." I said, "I know. You are going to walk in and say you will take any part time job they have."

She did and she loved it! Why? Because she was doing something. Not only was she making some income but her days will filled with fun. She spend a few hours a week somewhere besides interviews and home. They paid her to be outside, interact with people and get some sun.

Working part time gives you something to get out of bed for. It gets you out of the house and being with people. I know people who worked part time at their gyms so they wouldn't have to pay the monthly fee and still got to work out. I know people who worked part time in movie theaters because they always wanted to and they got to see tons of free movies.

Even if you can't find part time work, you can volunteer somewhere. Just do something besides waiting. The waiting will drain you and drained you isn't going to make a great interviewer.

Ask for Support - You do not have to do this alone. You have tons of people in your life who can help you out on your job search.

All those people on your Facebook. All those people you bought wedding gifts for, shower gifts for, baby gifts for, and birthday gifts for. All those people you went out drinking to celebrate their new jobs. All those people who care about you, laugh with you and want to help you.

Reach out to them.

Compose an email and let them know you were laid off and you are looking for work. Attach your resume while you are at it. You never know what could come from a friend of a friend. Nothing may happen but you will never know unless you reach out.

We forget that we do not have to do this alone. Sometimes it is our ego or pride that keeps us for asking for support. Remember, if they asked you, you would help. They just want to return the favor. Do not miss opportunities because you are afraid to ask. You are not begging, you are simply stating what is going on in your life and asking them to keep an eye out for you.

If you are someone who is laid off, remember there are people out there to help you. Career coaches, resume writing services, headhunters, and your past company may offer a lot of these services to you for free.

I want you to know that you will survive this. How do I know? Because people always do and so will you.

Michael Moniz is a life coach focusing on the LGBT community. His practice helps others
with self-image, communication skills, self-leadership and setting and achieving goals. Check Michael's website for more information and to schedule private consultations.

Do you have a question about how to improve your life? Send an e-mail to pnohealth@planetoutinc.com