Having been laid off before, I thought I’d share some advice for my recently-employed coworkers.
Don’t get too worked up over getting laid off. There is far more to life than a job. This weekend I watched the movie The Pursuit Of Happyness. Its about a guy who was lower than low. He had every right to rage against the system, to feel it was his fault, but instead he picked himself up and eventually succeeded. If this guy could go throuugh what he did to get a job, I’ve got no room to complain!
We’re fortunate to live in an area with bountiful job opportunities. We’re also fortunate to have skills that are much in demand. Look at this as an opportunity to branch out, or a chance to explore different areas. Figure out what you want to do instead of taking any old job to get you by.
Don’t point the finger at yourself. It’s nothing that you did or didn’t do: these things happen in business. It doesn’t mean the company doesn’t appreciate the work you’ve done, and it doesn’t mean the company won’t miss you when you’re gone. You have every reason to hold your head up high when you go after that next job. While its not a fun thing by any means, layoffs are common nowadays and no longer carry any stigma when you’re applying for new jobs.
For my still-employed coworkers, I offer this: I don’t know what fate awaits you, and neither do you! There are no guarantees in life so you have to look out for yourself. I always keep my resume updated, and I always keep an eye out for other opportunities. I have interviewed for interesting positions even though I had no intention of taking them. Its extremely valuable to be comfortable with interviews – and practice is what gets you there. Interviews also provide you with feedback about your value.
Its been said that the only real definition of job security is how fast you can find another job. Always keep a few options in your back pocket for days like today. Even though it may not have been your turn this time, you never know what the next time will bring.