Part 1 in a Series of 3

Downsizing is a reality of any sector of the job market. In light of the accounting and business scandals that continue to make headlines, corporations are continuing to use the layoff as a tool to boost shareholder value and keep themselves out of the red.

Centralization of many business activities also contribute to downsizing as marketing, sales, operations, and others move toward integration. Many jobs, even executive-level positions, are simply dissolved while the work is absorbed into the new business structure.

This is the first in a three-part article series about coping with a layoff.

10 TIPS FOR MOVING ON AFTER A LAYOFF

No matter how much you anticipate that becoming a statistical number in a layoff, you are never fully prepared to cope with the reality of the notice. Being unemployed can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. After the initial shock, anger, and grief has passed, it is time to regroup and strategize about moving on and taking control again of your career and work life.  View the situation as an opportunity for personal and professional development and expansion, coming through the transition a better person for the experience.  The following ten tips will help put together a strategy for coping with job loss and conducting a job search campaign to achieve new employment.

1. Deal with your loss.  First, to heal and survive, bring closure to this work phase and time of your life and deal with the anger, worry, sadness, and aroused emotions.  What unfinished business weighs on your mind? It is important to tie up loose ends, to take leave of people, places, and things.  Assess finances for the next six months to decide if you to need to seek temp or part-time employment or if you can completely focus on job search activities.

2. Figure out what to do with the rest of your life.  Do some self-assessment and reflection regarding work you truly enjoy doing, which is meaningful and gives a sense of accomplishment. Review and reprioritize your interests, skills, experiences, talents, etc. Look at career issues and life values. This is the time for decisions about moving into something new, better, and more in line with your changing passions.  People grow and expand their horizons, circumstances and responsibilities shift.  What excited and challenged you five or even three years ago by now can be old hat.  Use this down time to rewrite your career and professional career goals and to develop a plan to achieve them.

3. Map out your ideal job.  The self-assessment data and information gathered gives you the wherewithal to think about your ideal work situation. What makes you passionate?  What truly interests so much that you would enjoy doing for a living?  Figure out your comfortable work environment, a good work style match, and desirable growth options. Picture yourself in your ideal workplace, working with people who fit your personality and work habits, and clients/customers that are a pleasure to work with and for.  Set this image as the goal for your next work opportunity. You might be surprised and actually find yourself in your ideal job and living out your work fantasy.