How to Maximize Your Time After a Layoff

A layoff is a challenging experience, regardless of whether you saw it coming. It means being unemployed, usually through no fault of your own, and often leads professionals to worry about their careers.

While being laid off is traumatic, to a degree, it can also be the start of something amazing. By maximizing your time, you can turn a negative situation into a positive one. If you want to make the most of your new circumstances, here are some tips that can help.

Feel Your Feelings, But Move On

The moment you’re notified of a layoff, it’s normal to feel a range of emotions. If you enjoyed your job, you might feel sad. If you weren’t the biggest fan of your position, you might feel some relief, mixed with a dose of worry. In either of those situations, you might experience a bit of panic about your career or financial stability.

No matter what emotions go coursing through you, it’s fine to spend a moment feeling them. Acknowledge the hurt, anger, relief, excitement, or anything else that comes with the situation. Then, once you’ve had a chance to experience that, prepare to move on.

Dwelling on your layoff won’t help you keep on track. While it may not be easy, letting those feelings go is a critical step. That way, you can refocus on what’s going to come next, allowing you to keep your career on target.

Reflect a Bit

While you might think you need to start looking for new opportunities immediately, you may want to pause for a second before you do. Once you’ve acknowledged and moved on from your initial emotional response to the layoff, take a moment to reflect on your career.

Getting laid off creates a natural opening for change. If your current path doesn’t feel right for any reason, you have a chance to steer it in a new direction.

Consider which skills you did and didn’t enjoy using in your last job. Figure out if your previous industry was a good fit. Research other positions that you may be suited for, using your transferable skills as a guide to identify options.

Your goal should be to determine if a new path is what you need or if you still believe that your current one is a good match. That way, when you do launch a job search, you can take it in the right direction from the beginning.

Explore Your Passions

Most professionals fall into a bit of a routine. With a layoff, that pattern is disrupted. While this may seem like a bad thing, it can also be an opportunity. It gives you time to explore your passions, reigniting your interest in your current field, or giving you a chance to try out something different.

If you’ve been laid off, find opportunities to get involved in activities that inspire you. Try volunteering for an organization that matters to you, allowing you to keep your skills up and serve in a meaningful position while you plan your next step as a professional. Take a class in an area that interests you to boost your resume and keep yourself sharp.

Your goal should be to find ways to feel positive about the future holds and to rejuvenate yourself professionally. That way, as you launch a job search, you can keep your energy levels high.

Ultimately, a layoff is a challenge that many professionals contend with at some point. By using the tips above, you can maximize your time, ensuring your career can keep moving forward. If you’d like to learn more, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us today.

 

 

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