Taking Care of ‘You’ When Laid-Off or Downsized

It’s been eight months since you were laid off. You have done everything that you can think of to find another job.

Being out of work for any length of time can be challenging financially, physically and emotionally. Still, there are several things that you can do to take care of yourself when laid-off or downsized.

First — stop ‘revisiting’ the lay-off moment.
Okay, so you had no idea a pink slip was coming until you were summoned to your supervisor’s office and had it shoved into your hand. Rehashing the incident over and over either in your mind or verbally to family and others only serves to fuel your hurt and anger. Go ahead – cry, vent and get it out of your system and move on.

Watch your spending.
If you have no money coming in this won’t be difficult. If you received a severance package the temptation may be to spend money by telling yourself that you deserve that trip or that expensive handbag after everything that you’ve been through. Ask yourself, once your severance or unemployment money is gone will you have money to continue to pay your mortgage, make your car note, or pay other bills?

You think that since you don’t have to get up and go to work that it’s okay to ‘party like a rock star’ or ‘party like it’s 1999’ as coined by the rocker, Prince.
Don’t do it. Not getting enough sleep/rest can add more stress to an already stressful situation. On the flip side, don’t sleep away the day either. This may be tempting especially if you have savings or receiving unemployment benefits.

If finding another position is critical, start your job search immediately, as finding another job in this scary economy is taking longer than it used to. Keep in mind that job hunting involves more than simply applying to on-line positions. Don’t just focus on flooding jobsites with your resume. Doing that is counterproductive. Get out there and network.

Now may be the time to think outside the proverbial box.
Is there another field or industry where your unique skills and experiences may be parlayed? For instance, a former accountant could find happiness as a business manager in a university setting. Job fairs provide excellent opportunities to explore various companies and industries all under one roof.

Consider utilizing one of the many job assessment tools available to help you determine your strengths and abilities. For instance, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychometric questionnaire was designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. Many area colleges offer this assessment and others.

Re-evaluate your situation every couple of weeks. How are you doing financially? Is there something else you can cut out during the interim to save money? For example, is it necessary for all of your children to have cell phones? Or all those functions like texting or melodic ring tones?

Being unemployed for any length of time can cause depression, so it’s also imperative that you don’t isolate yourself from friends and others.
If you belong to a fraternity, sorority or professional organizations, continue to attend meetings if possible. These meetings offer job seekers an excellent opportunity to network.

Lastly, consider using your skills by volunteering.
Due to serious declines in funding and resources, many non-profit organizations have trimmed employees. However, while non-profits are downsizing staff client needs for services are steadily increasing.

The late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You don’t have to have college degrees to serve. You only have to have a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Helping someone else temporarily takes your mind off of your own troubles. Not only does volunteering provide excellent networking opportunities, it frequently translates into brand, new fulltime careers.


Carol Gee

About the Author
Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 26 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training,) and a contributor to the baby boomer book, Age Smart-Discovering the Fountain of Youth at Midlife and Beyond. Carol is a recipient of the Center for Women’s 2009 Unsung Heroine Award for recognition of her dedication to issues that affect women at Emory or in the larger community.
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