Give Yourself Some Time
Shocked by the announcement of the lay off at your company? It is time to pull yourself together. However, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the situation. Instead, give yourself some time to recover from the shock.
Marcelle Yeager said in a recent article:
“Whether you are angry or sad, allow those feelings to come out in the way you best deal with a bad situation. Talk it over with loved ones, exercise, take a personal day – do whatever you need to do to give yourself time to process the news. This will give you a clearer idea of the big picture, and it will allow you to put things in perspective and consider alternatives.”
Talking to a senior in the same company will help you analyse your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Allow yourself to feel the hurt and pain of the situation. Find ways to express your sentiments with your friends and loved ones. They will listen to you, without being judgemental and will help you deal with the situation.
Re-assess Your Skills
This is the time to introspect and re-assess your skills. This is the quickest way to get you back to achieving your professional goals. Getting laid off from a company doesn’t mean it is the end of the road. There are plenty of companies out there which are looking for the skill set and experience that you have.
Brenda Bouw quoted Tara Talbot in a recent article:
Tara Talbot, vice-president of human resources at job-hunting site Workopolis, recommends that workers affected by the current oil industry downturn reassess their skills. “People don’t do a great job looking at themselves objectively,” Ms. Talbot said. “Take stock of what you have … and look at how your skills may be transferable, even outside the industry.”
Ask for feedback from your boss or manager on the areas that you should improve upon. Talk to your colleagues as they will be able to give you objective feedback. Find out which industries or companies would need the specific skills that you have. See if this will help you to chart the course of your career.