If you’ve been laid off from work and lost your job, there are several steps you can take to set yourself up for success in finding a new job. It can be especially frustrating because they are often caused by external factors, so it can be difficult to feel in control of your situation. Being proactive about your situation early on and taking steps to protect your financial and mental health can help you work through the stress of an unexpected career change.
We aim to explain the most important steps to take after being laid off in order to adapt to change, find a new job and ultimately grow your career through overcoming challenges.
What to do after being laid off
Once you’ve been laid off from your job, it’s important to prepare a strategy for coping with being out of work by managing your finances and eventually finding employment again. Although being laid off can feel isolating, many people have gone through the process of recovering from a sudden layoff and there are plenty of resources available to help you take control of your situation.
Following these steps after losing your job can help you recover from a layoff, allowing you to use the time as an opportunity for growth:
- Confirm the details of the layoff
- Apply for universal credit
- Practice self-care to protect your mental health.
- Draw up a budget
- Reassess your goals
- Ask for employment support
- Consider a career change
- Treat your job search like a job
1. Confirm the details of the layoff
Whether you had heard rumours about layoffs around the workplace or your layoff was a complete surprise, talking to your manager about the exact details of your layoff is the first step you should take. Being fully informed about your employment status can help you stay informed and plan ahead.
Ask whether you have been fully laid off or simply that there is less work available at the present time, maybe due to economic, or weather conditions. Ask your employer for a transparent answer about the possibility of returning to work after. This can help you decide whether to look for a short-term job while waiting to be re-hired or begin searching for something long-term.
2. Apply for Universal Credit
Contacting your local Jobcentre and applying for Universal Credit right away can help ease the financial strain of losing your job. It might take several weeks to receive your first benefit, so you may be able to receive your benefits faster by applying as soon as you learn about your layoff. Don’t be afraid to ask the Jobcentre staff for advice and instructions to navigate your application. In order to apply for universal credit as quickly as possible, spend some time preparing all of the documents that might be needed, such as:
- National Insurance number
- Proof of Address
- Bank information
- Employer contact information
- Dates of employment
3. Practice Self-care and protect your mental health
Once you’ve taken care of your Universal Credit application, it can be helpful to spend some time processing the state of your situation. It’s important to spend time doing relaxing activities you enjoy to de-stress, like journaling or talking with a trusted friend. It’s normal to feel frustrated, sad and lonely after being laid off, especially if you loved your job and had a good support system at work. Practise affirmations by reminding yourself that the layoff was not your fault and that you still have access to the skills and qualities you used to excel at work and eventually find another job.
4. Draw up a budget
After being laid off, take your newfound free time to analyse your current career path. Make a list of the things that you enjoyed most about your job and a list of the things you would change at your next position if possible. An unexpected change can help you assess your priorities from a new perspective and could even give you the inspiration you need to pursue your passion or advance your current career path.
5. Reassess your goals
After being laid off, take your newfound free time to analyse your current career path. Make a list of the things that you enjoyed most about your job and a list of the things you would change at your next position if possible. An unexpected change can help you assess your priorities from a new perspective and could even give you the inspiration you need to pursue your passion or advance your current career path.
6. Ask for Employment Support
After being laid off, it’s important to remember that many other people are in the same situation as you, in addition to the people who have gone through layoffs during past periods of economic stress. Reach out to any experienced colleagues at your old job who you admire, or post on a professional social media site asking for advice. Building a relationship with a mentor can help you get guidance that is specific to your industry, while also having the added benefit of creating a place to vent and receive emotional support.
7. Consider a career change
After a layoff, you might consider looking for resilient jobs in an industry that still has high demand, even during times of economic hardship. Look on job sites for the types of positions with the highest demand and compare those job postings with your current skill set. You may be able to apply your existing skills to a new line of work, at least temporarily, even if there aren’t many jobs in the field you trained in. Whilst you are unemployed you may be eligible for free courses that will help you to upskill, or gain the skills needed for a career change.
8. Treat your job search like a job
Once you feel confident about the types of jobs you want to pursue, set aside daily time for job search activities. Treating your job search as if it were your full-time job can help you stay motivated to keep applying. Take regular breaks as you would at work, and talk with family, friends, or your employment advisor about things you found challenging each week and things you’re proud of accomplishing. You can develop momentum by creating a regular schedule where you do different activities like editing your CV, enhancing your skills with courses and training, applying for jobs and following up on past applications. It can also be helpful to set a daily application goal, rewarding yourself in small but meaningful ways when you’ve hit your goal.