Layoff, Alarm Off?

Has your recent layoff sent you into a panic? It’s time to turn off the alarm!

Although sometimes welcomed, more often than not, layoffs can send people into panic mode. And understandably so. Why? The reasons may vary, including:

a) You “fell into” your first career without really knowing why, and now you are faced with the question, “What do I really want to do?”

b) You worked in your last career for a number of years, and the idea of marketing yourself again (or for the first time) feels daunting.

c) You have bills to pay! You need to find a job ASAP!

d) All of the above.



What to do? Let’s address “c” first. How do people financially sustain themselves during this transition? Some people receive a severance package; others may file for unemployment or look for temporary work.

Then what? While the post-lay off period can be challenging, it’s also an opportunity to re-evaluate your career path, make conscious career decisions, and learn effective self-marketing strategies that will serve you in your current job search and beyond. Doesn’t that sound appealing?

You’ve probably heard endless clichés about how “attitude” makes a difference. But before you roll those eyes, think about this: Your situation is what it is. You now have two choices: Seize the opportunity or wallow in doom. You can probably guess which one is more productive. Allow yourself a brief period to grieve and re-group, then start preparing to move forward. Your career is not ending; it’s shifting and evolving.

Whether you were working in the mortgage industry, sales, education, etc., you have developed transferable skills that can be applied to a number of industries and jobs—ones of which you might not have been aware. And exciting ones at that! Remember: As society changes, so do jobs—Some may become obsolete, but there are always new ones that develop.

Some tips to get you started:

First, refer to a skills list to complete the exercises below. (Visit the UC Irvine Career Center web site, and under “Independent Investigation Exercises,” download the “packet of self-assessment activities.” You will find a “Functional/Transferable Skills” list on p. 2 and 3.)

1. Highlight the skills you developed in your last career. Chances are you have more than you realized.

2. Write down the skills you want to use in your next career.

3. Create a summary statement integrating all the skills you identified in #2. For example, “I am seeking a career that will allow me to utilize/apply my…”

4. Also, make a separate note of any additional skills you would like to learn. This might be a good time to further your professional development. Consider taking a class, watching a webinar, or reading online and print informational resources.

Second, make a list of all the industries about which you would like to learn more. Schedule informational meetings with people in these industries to learn about the most recent qualifications being sought. Refer to Quintessential Careers’ Informational Interviewing Tutorial. Utilize social networking sites (e.g., linkedin.com, facebook.com) as a way to get connected.

Third, create or update your resume based on your industry research. There are a number of online tutorials and resources that can assist you. Download UC Berkeley’s Job & Internship Guide. Review the section on “Resume & Letter Writing.”

Still feeling lost or stuck? You are certainly not alone. It’s normal to feel that way when making a big transition, especially one you did not anticipate. It might be helpful to consult with a trusted friend, mentor, or career coach to provide you with the resources and support you need to move forward. Because you will move forward. In Ken Kragen’s book, Life is a Contact Sport, he tells a great story about the Cartier jewelry company during the nineties recession—They simply decided “not to participate in the recession.” Just some food for thought.

For more insight, check out the following Career Journal article.