The Ultimate Layoff Survival Guide: How To Rebound From A Job Loss

• As the future of work continues to evolve, it’s best to constantly prepare yourself for any outcome.  
• Sometimes, layoffs are just unavoidable, but you can avoid being unprepared for the chance you become part of one. 
• Handling rejection, especially in the worksphere, is incredibly uncomfortable and difficult; it’s best to not dwell and to just move on, but to also use it as an opportunity to learn and upskill. 

With persistent reports of layoffs in the news, it’s no wonder that workers across the nation — and across the globe — are wondering if they’re going to keep their jobs.  

Because we are entering a new era within the future of work, it’s best to constantly be preparing yourself for any outcome. Sometimes, layoffs are just unavoidable, but you can avoid being unprepared if you do become part of one.  

Here’s how to get through a potential layoff:  

1. Always be “career cushioning” 

Being a part of today’s modern workforce can be difficult since we are living through such tumultuous times. But in order to be successful, workers should be career cushioning to be prepared, which is essentially the practice of creating a backup plan for in the face of unemployment. 

“You should be prepared if it’s a downturn or if there’s a hiring boom,” LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher told Bowdeya Tweh of The Wall Street Journal during the WSJ Jobs Summit last month.  

This includes ensuring that your network is strong, and taking inventory of all of your skills and which skills best match up with certain roles.  

2. Allow yourself to grieve being laid off  

If you do unfortunately lose your job, it’s important to allow yourself time to grieve; being laid off is a very stressful situation for anyone.  

In fact, a lot of our identity is wrapped up in our jobs, which is understandable.  

Handling rejection, especially in the worksphere, is incredible uncomfortable and difficult; it’s best to not dwell and to just move on when this occurs, but to also use it as an opportunity to learn and upskill.  

“You need to be comfortable networking and talking to people and building relationships and to not take that rejection personally,” said Brian Liou, CEO and Co-Founder of Rora, during the same jobs summit. 

3. Be wary of the companies you apply to work for 

It’s not an easy task to make the right decision when choosing a company to work for; you don’t really know what a company culture is like until you’re a part of it.  

Job seekers should be cautious about the companies they choose to work for or interview with. This includes understanding a company’s retention rate and whether the company is overvalued. 

4. It’s okay to acknowledge that you were laid off  

When you reach that point where you’re being interviewed by a potential hiring manager, it’s perfectly fine to explain that you were laid off in your last job.  

“If you’ve been laid off and knowledge it, then move on, but learn from it. Explain the impact that you can deliver to that new company, because the last thing you want to do is complain about how the layoff happened or how hard it was to work at that last company,” Fisher explained.  

When you’re ready to hit the job market again, these are the best steps for success: 

1. Reach out to your network to see if they have any job leads 

If you’re interested in entering a specific industry, it’s beneficial to see what conversations are being had on job websites about these industries. You could even reach out to someone in your preferred industry and ask if they have 15 minutes for a chat. 

Sometimes the best way to land a job is through your connections. A referral does wonders in the world of work.  

Here’s an example of a good starting message: 

“Given your experience and success in the [Industry Name] industry, I was hoping to tap into your valuable insights and network. I am currently seeking opportunities in the fields of [specific job roles or areas of interest], and I believe that your guidance could be incredibly helpful during this transition period.  

Would you be available for a quick call or virtual coffee chat sometime over the next couple of weeks? I would love to catch up on your recent endeavors and discuss potential opportunities that align with my skillset and experience.” 

 2. Compare the jobs you want to the skills you have and see if there are any gaps 

• List your current skills: Begin by making a list of all your current skills, including both hard skills (technical or job-specific skills) and soft skills (interpersonal or transferable skills). Consider your education, previous work experience, volunteer work, hobbies, and personal interests as sources for identifying your skills. 
• Research job requirements: For each job you’re interested in, research the specific requirements and qualifications needed. You can find this information on job postings, company websites, or industry resources. Make a list of the key skills, qualifications, and experiences required for each job. 
• Compare your skills to job requirements: Create a table or spreadsheet with two columns. In the first column, list the skills required for each job. In the second column, list your corresponding skills. Compare your skills to the job requirements and highlight any matches; this will give you a visual representation of how well your skills align with the jobs you’re interested in. 
• Identify gaps: Look for any skills or qualifications that are required for the jobs you want but are not present in your current skillset. These are the gaps you need to address. 
• Develop a plan to fill the gaps: Create a plan to acquire the missing skills or qualifications. This could involve taking courses, attending workshops, gaining certifications, volunteering, or seeking out projects at your current job that will help you develop the necessary skills. Set realistic goals and timelines for achieving these objectives. 

3. Start upskilling if needed; this will broaden your job search significantly  

Some ways to start upskilling include: 

• Identify the skills in demand: Research the job market to determine which skills are highly sought after in your industry or desired field. This can be done through online research, networking, or talking to professionals in the field. 
• Choose a learning method: Based on your learning preferences, choose a method that suits you best. Options include online courses, workshops, seminars, webinars, or even self-study through books and articles. 
• Set goals and deadlines: Establish clear goals for what you want to achieve through upskilling, and set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.  
• Practice regularly: The more you practice a skill, the better you become at it. Consistently dedicate time to practicing and applying what you’ve learned to real-life situations. 

Remember, upskilling is an ongoing process, and staying committed to continuous learning will undoubtedly lead to personal and professional growth.  

What if you’re afraid you’ll experience ageism in the hiring process? 

“In terms of ageism, we know that sometimes that still happens…and I think the best thing you can do is to make sure that you are presenting your experience and the skill set that is needed,” Fisher said. “That should always be what you’re leading from the front with. And then it shouldn’t matter how long you’ve been in the job market. A lot of companies are looking for people who have specific skill sets and experience, and it’s really how you’re packaging that up. No matter what stage you are — if you’re just out of college, middle of your career, or at the end of your career — you should always be looking at it from that angle.”  

Mentors are another form of career cushioning 

Once you do land a new gig, having a mentor is also extremely beneficial when starting at a new company. In time, this mentor could also act as an advocate for you in that they should understand the values that you bring to the table, and should ensure that they are representing you in conversations. A mentor is really someone who can help you build your confidence back up after having gone through a tumultuous career change.