Just Got Laid Off? Take These 9 Steps to Quickly Land Your Next Job

Getting laid off, especially unexpectedly, can cause a lot of stress and concern. How quickly will you find a new job? How will you explain that you just got laid off to a prospective employer? Where do you look for a new job? How do you start the job search process?

These are all valid questions. Millions of people have experienced being laid off from work, so you’re not alone. Below are seven tips focused on what to do when laid off to help you quickly land your next job.

1. Figure Out What Compensation You’re Entitled To 

If you’ve been laid off, it’s essential to read over any layoff documents carefully. If these haven’t initially been supplied to you, ask your employer to supply you with such documentation. You should look for information concerning severance pay and any compensation your workplace still owes you. If there’s information you don’t understand, ask your employer for clarification, or turn to an attorney for help. 

Additionally, you’ll want to approach your employer and ask about health insurance benefits. You may still be covered under their health insurance plans, but it will depend on how several factors. You’ll also want to collect your final paycheck and review any 401(k) or pension plans. 

Once you’ve reviewed this information, you can then register for unemployment. Your eligibility, the amount you’ll receive, and how long you’re covered will vary. Check with your state’s local Department of Labor and the unemployment office for further information regarding unemployment benefits. 

2. Give Yourself a Moment to Process the Layoff

If you’ve been at that job for a while or found yourself liking your 9-5, it’s perfectly feasible that you’re feeling grief over losing your job. Even if it’s a job you didn’t see yourself at long-term, it can still be a significant loss in your life. With that said, it’s understandable that you would need to take some time to process and recover from a layoff. 

Remember that while it’s fine to be upset and process your feelings, you should do your best to remain calm and refrain from acting poorly. Your employer most likely hasn’t laid you off to spite you, so don’t blame or ridicule them. You won’t want to burn bridges in case you need them for a future reference. 

3. Set Job Search Goals

Once you’ve figured out your owed compensation and have taken time to process, you’ll most likely want to start searching for a new job. Before you do that, however, it’s important that you set realistic goals and figure out the best way to find and secure new work. 

For this step, think about using the SMART method. SMART means to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely goals. Decide your goals by determining what you need to do, when you need to do it by, and how best to accomplish it. 

4. Start Searching for Jobs

Now that you’ve given yourself a brief period to process the fact that you just got laid off and set goals for yourself, it’s time to officially start your job search process. Make a list of companies and positions you might be a good fit for and start searching online for openings.

If you’re searching during a tight job market with limited opportunities, think about the transferable skills and experience you have that might be applicable to other industries. There are also free online career assessments to help you take a fresh look at your strengths, values, and interests.

5. Update Your Resume

As you’re searching for jobs, you should simultaneously be updating your resume so it’s good to go when you’re ready to apply. First, ensure you’re using a modern resume format that will best serve your unique background and career goals. Next, check each section of your resume to confirm that it has your latest and greatest information while thinking about which details could be removed based on how relevant they’ll be to your audience.

On a similar note, each time you submit your resume for a new position, it should be modified as appropriate to align with that role. One way to do this is to pull keywords from the job posting that fit your experience and abilities, and naturally incorporate them into your resume. Your cover letter should also be tailored to the company and position.

6. Update Your Social Media Accounts

As you update your resume, you also want to take a look at your professional social media accounts. It’s common practice for companies to conduct online searches of candidates, so be sure to polish your profiles, get an updated headshot if necessary, and remove anything you don’t want potential employers to see. Actively engage your network on social media as well by making connections and engaging in discussions related to your field.

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7. Prepare for Interviews (Including Tough Questions)

Practice responding to common interview questions, especially if it’s been a while since you last looked for a job. It can be nerve-racking to figure out how to talk about being laid off while networking or during a job interview, though a question will undoubtedly be asked about it. Have a short, honest, and succinct response to share that ends on a positive note. For example:

“My company went through a downsize during the recent recession, and the majority of my team’s positions were the first to go. I’m grateful for the experience I gained while employed there, and am now excited to now have the opportunity to take my career in a new direction.”

8. Network

Reach out to your network of contacts (via social media as mentioned above or other avenues) and let them know that you’re currently job searching and what you’re interested in. It’s also great to offer support from your end as well. For example:

“Hi, Jim. I’m currently in the market for a new job, and I’m open to positions in social media marketing and communications. If you see something you think I might be interested in, I’d appreciate it if you could pass it along. And, if there’s anything I can do to support you at this time, please let me know. I’m happy to do what I can.”

9. Fill Skill Gaps

As you’re searching jobs and pursuing interviews, consider any skill gaps you might have or credentials that might make you more marketable when a recruiter looks at your resume. Check out free and low-cost online courses in your industry to gain valuable skills.

Grief, anxiety, and anger are all common emotions that follow being laid off from work, but it happens to the best of us and can be overcome with the right action plan. Follow these steps to know what to do when laid off from work so that you can land a new job sooner than later.